Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

STOMPING MY FOOTTTTTT

by

One of my favorite baby yarns is the Bernat Baby Jacquards.  I love that the yarn will do a lot of the heavy lifting in design work.  I just have to crochet along, minding my own business, watching what color pattern will appear next.  These yarns are designed to be self-patterning for knit.  FOR KNIT!

That was fine til now.  I could live with that little discrepancy.  I just crocheted along and enjoyed seeing what color patterns developed.  But now, Bernat has decided to market Baby Jacquard Florals.  OUCH!  These will definitely not work up to resemble anything even remotely like the image printed on the label.

I’m now stomping my foot.  Really!  I know, I know.  Don’t tell me all about the mathematics of knit vs. crochet, how crochet gauge is so variable depending on the stitch and the stitcher.  I know all that.  But, I also know what I want.  And, I want a self-patterning yarn, preferrably like one of these lovely florals, designed to work up in the pictured pattern in crochet.  Maybe I need to get clever enough to make one of my own.  Not likely!

Apparently, I’m also not clever enough to upload a picture of this yarn, so you’ll have to scroll down on this page to see the goods.  The ones with the ‘New’ banner are the florals.

Comments

  1. Having just looked at them…I’m with you. I know the math is darn near impossible for crochet, but really??

    I can’t stomp, kids ya know…so I’m giving the heavy, moms-only, sigh.

  2. Gasp!! I saw that from the email that Bernat sent me but didn’t read enough to see that the florals only come out if knitted!!! And I was ready to go out and get some samples to experiment with! Well maybe it might still work with crochet – maybe I’ll come up with a different design than florals. So there! Hahahaah

Have you read?

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.