Patterns, projects and techniques
It’s the Swiss army knife for crafters. Is this tool real? YES!! You can pick them up from Boye Knitting & Crochet or Walmart. With a recommended retail price of around $8 this knitting and crochet tool might be the answer to quick projects in your handbag.
What do you think? Have you used it? Did you like it? Share with us before we rush out and buy…
This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.
What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.
Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”
The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.
I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.
At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.
My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.
I have 1 in each size and am not impressed with them. As I crocheted, the “hook” portion wobbled all over the place.
I’d love to hear comments about this tool’s usefulness, too. As a knitter, I see it as a handy addition to my knitting bag for picking up dropped stitches, etc.
I wouldn’t use for crocheting, but it would be good to pick up slipped stitches in knitting.
My FB crochet group are debating it atm, one of the admins is buying one this weekend and aiming to test it so we can all find out more. The immediate thing hitting me is that the handle may be a tiny bit too fat for ease of use
I bought one of each thinking it would be great to use in the car. After testing it out, I found that with me holding my hooks like a pencil that I didn’t care for it. I think it would work GREAT for those that hold their hook like a knife.
I think it would be WONDERFUL if they would place a set of these on a keyring holder for on the go without the handle part.
Agree with keeping it handy for picking up stitches while knotting.
I thought the handle was comfortable but it does not lock in place. Will keep for emergencies on the go if i lose my hook in the seat of the car again! 🙂
Several friends of mine have bought them and they all said the same thing, While its a great idea the hooks you’re not using get in the way and there is no way to put them in a position that they stay out of the way. They do like the portable part of it and its easier to find when misplaced. Boye needs to make it so the unused hooks lock in place.
I just got one. I use a knife grip, and it works well for my needs. There is a bit of wobble, a locking feature would be nice. Great for tucking into a purse though.
It would have been nice if the article gave the name of the tool: 4-n-1 Crochet Hook Tool
And because the article is 7 years old, the price should be updated to be $12-$14. 🙂