Crochet

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Mandy's Yarn

 

If you love homegrown, hand spun, hand dyed, to die for yarns, I’ve got a new site for you!  My friend, Mandy Pedigo, has just launched her new site – and she’s got a Giveaway going on there in addition to free domestic shipping on orders from her Etsy shop.  I met Mandy at the St. Louis Crochet Club.  At every meeting, she has brought in yarn that she has dyed or spun or, more recently, processed from raw fleece to shawl.  Her color sense is fantastic and she is a meticulous knitter and crocheter.  I was thrilled when I learned of her decision to return to school to pursue a degree in textiles.  I know this will bring her a lot of joy since she so clearly loves every aspect of the fiber arts.

Before seeing Mandy’s blog and Etsy shop, I was not aware that she and I also shared a love of lampwork and beads in general.  I’ve made a ton of bracelets, necklaces, and earrings and have very carefully avoided taking any classes in glass making for fear that I’ll be sucked into another crafting vortex!  But, Mandy fearlessly pursues a wide variety of arts and crafts – and masters them all.

Mandy's Small Journal/Sketchbook

If you’re really lucky, you can win a skein of her yarn or a sample of her bookmaking.  Visit her blog to get the details about entering her Launch Contest.  If you just can’t wait to see if you win one of the four prizes Mandy’s offering, you can visit her Etsy shop and pick out your own from her stock.

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Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

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.