How to Crochet a Blanket

The art of creating a fabric from the age old tradition of crochet is quite a hit. Crochet is an art which employs a crochet or a hook to make or knit the yarn into a specific fabric. Amazingly, the allusion to crochet goes back to almost 1812 in a written excerpt. Crochet, though similar to knitting, is different. Crochet is used to make a variety of things, like from table cloths to blankets to purses. However, there are variations in the basic crochet method. They are Filet crochet, broomstick lace, Tunisian crochet, hairpin lace, Irish crochet and cro-hooking. Here is a brief description about these crochet patterns or variants.

Types of Crochet

Filet Crochet: Filet crochet is a type of crochet where the crocheted lace is grid like. It is grid like, because it uses only two stitches. Most of the time, filet crochet is worked in rows, but it can also be worked in the round. It is compatible with thread, ribbon, cord, yarn or another material fitting the requisites of the crochet hook. A graph diagram or symbol diagram is used to work in this type of crochet.

Broomstick Lace: Broomstick lace is a vintage crochet method using a crochet hook as well as knitting needle. When it was first practiced, a broomstick was used, and hence the name.

Tunisian Crochet: This is a style of crochet also known as Afghan crochet or Tricot crochet. Its done using an elongated hook, mostly with a stopper on the handle end, known as the Afghan hook. It is believed to be a combination, a mixture of knitting and crocheting. Consequently, some of the techniques used in knitting are applicable to Tunisian crochet as well.

Hairpin Lace: Hairpin lace is done using a crochet hook and a hairpin lace loom. This hair pin loom consists of 2 parallel metal rods held by removable bars at the top and bottom.

Irish Crochet: A type of lace, Irish crochet can be distinguished by separately crocheted motifs, which were later on brought together on a mesh background. This is an art which developed in 19th century famine-affected Ireland.

Cro Hooking: A cro hook is a special type of a crochet hook, which is double ended. It is used to make double sided crochet. Now, this double sided crochet is a variation of the Tunisian crochet. Because of the two ended hook, 2 colors of thread can be easily used simultaneously and interchanged.

Now that we know almost everything about crochet and its different types, I am sure you are interested in knowing how to crochet a blanket. So here it goes...

How to Make Crochet Blanket:

The easiest and most common ways to crochet a blanket are singular pattern and granny squares.

Singular Pattern: Start with chaining stitch of the width you want for your afghan. Start crocheting, back and forth. For crocheting, make a slip knot and put your crochet hook inside the loop. Then pull the loop snugly on the hook. Knot it tight as the loop has to move on the hook. Then chain the length of the preferred size of the blanket. Then turn the chain 2. Do a double crochet in the second chain measured from the hook. In each of the chain stitch all the way across. On the top of the next stitch and each stitch, double crochet all the way. Until you reach the desired size of the blanket, continue and repeat from chain 2. So then, after you start crocheting back and forth, continue doing that till you reach the desired length. It will be easier to keep the number of stitches in your chain in the multiples of 5 and 10. This makes it easier to keep a track of the number of stitches. Then, if crochet is done only to the far side of each loop, it will give a nice ridged appearance to the completed crochet fabric. An interesting vertical zig zag can be obtained by skipping every 10th stitch and doubling the 10th stitch. All said and done, this is not as portable as the granny squares, but worth the effort nevertheless.

Granny Squares: After determining the size of the blanket, decide upon the size of the squares you need for the corresponding size of the blanket. Follow it up fixing on a color combination. Squares of different colors can be made by crocheting each row in a different color. Make sure you have enough yarn. Then start crocheting the squares and save them till the number is adequate for finishing your blanket. Follow this step by slip stitching the squares together in rows. Then slip stitching the rows together crochet any border you want.

That was all about how to crochet a blanket. Crocheting is a very interesting activity and gives a full vent to your creativity, but at the same time tests your patience. So if you are those restless types, think twice! But if you can do it, this is a great gift idea!

Have I encouraged you enough to put on your crocheting cap? All the best!