Pages

Free Pattern: Tadley's Diagonal Blanket

Today we have a free crochet blanket pattern from designer Marie Segares, the Underground Crafter. Marie Segares has been hooked on crochet since she learned from her grandmother when she was 9. She conquered her fear of knitting in 2010. In addition to designing, Marie teaches both crochet and knitting in the New York City metro area and at regional fiber events. She is a Professional member of the Crochet Guild of America and a Designer/Teacher member of The Knitting Guild Association. Marie always appreciates visitors to her blog, Underground Crafter, where she shares her crafty adventures, along with interviews, book reviews, and giveaways.

I love crocheting baby blankets. They work up quickly (in comparison to adult blankets!) and are usually cherished by new parents and babies alike! When one of my dearest friends was expecting her first child, I knew I had to crochet something special.

I decided to use double-ended crochet because it looks great – but different – on both sides. And, to combat the love-hate relationship I develop with all of my crocheted blankets during the last few rows, I decided to crochet this on the bias, increasing towards the center and then decreasing until the end. After you reach the center point, each row is shorter than the one before it!

This blanket is very lush and thick, and works equally well as a playmat in the spring or a stroller blanket in the winter. Gauge isn’t critical, and it can be easily resized (though you may need more or less yarn).

Choose a flexible double-ended crochet hook, like one created from the Knitter’s Pride Dreamz Interchangeable Tunisian/Afghan Crochet Hook Set or the Knitter’s Pride Bamboo Interchangeable Tunisian/Afghan Crochet Hook Set. If you don’t have two Tunisian hooks in the same size, you can always switch the positions of the hook and end cap at the beginning of each row where you slide loops and turn.


Free Pattern: Tadley’s Diagonal Blanket by Marie Segares


Finished Size
Adjustable. Photographed sample is 36” (91.5 cm) square.

Materials
• King Cole Merino Blend Aran (100% superwash wool, 1.75 oz/50 g/88 yd/80 m) – 10 skeins each in Denim 778 (CA) and in Aran 776 (CB), or approximately 840-1,000 yd (770-915 m) in each of 2 colors in any medium/worsted weight yarn.
• I/9 5.5 mm flexible double-ended crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Yarn needle.

Gauge
18 sts x 18 rows in Tss = 4” (10 cm). Exact gauge is not critical for this project.
Abbreviations
CA = color A
CB = color B
ch = chain
ea = each
rep = repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
sp = space
st(s) = sts
Tfs = Tunisian full stitch (used to increase 1 st in this pattern) = Insert hook under horizontal bar (between 2 vertical bars), yo and draw up loop onto hook.
Tss = Tunisian single stitch = Insert hook under next vertical bar, yo and draw up loop onto hook.
Tss2tog = Tunisian simple stitch 2 together (used to decrease 1 st in this pattern) = Insert hook under next 2 vertical bars, yo and draw up loop onto hook.

Pattern notes:
• Always sk first vertical bar (below first loop on hook) at beginning of row. 
• Blanket is crocheted in rows on the bias, increasing to the center and then decreasing to end. Border is crocheted in the round.
• Weaving in ends in double-ended crochet projects can be challenging. Change colors at beginning or end of rows when possible.
• For edging, a stitch marker or piece of scrap yarn can be used to indicate corner st.

Pattern Instructions

Blanket

With CA, ch 3.

Set Up Row: Sk 1st ch. (Insert hook in next ch, yo and pull up a loop) twice. (3 loops)

Increase stitch count to center
Row 1: Slide loops to other hook, turn. With CB, ch 1, *yo and draw through 2 loops. 
Rep from * across.

Row 2: Tfs in first sp between vertical bars, Tss in each vertical bar across to last sp, 
Tfs, Tss in last st. (Increase by 2 sts)

Row 3: Slide loops to other hook, turn. With CA, ch 1, *yo and draw through 2 loops. 
Rep from * across.

Row 4: Rep Row 2.

Rep Rows 1-4 until sides measures approximately 34”/86 cm (or desired length), ending after Row 3.

Decrease stitch count to end
Row 5: Tss2tog, Tss in ea vertical bar across to last 3 sts, Tss2tog, Tss in last st. (Decrease by 2 sts)

Row 6: Rep Row 1.

Row 7: Rep Row 5.

Row 8: Rep Row 3.

Rep Rows 5-8 until 3 sts remain on hook, ending after Row 3.

Final Row: With CB, (insert hook in next vertical bar as for Tss, yo, draw through both loops on hook) twice. Fasten off.

Edging

Rnd 1: Facing side where CA is more prominent, join CB with a sc in corner, 2 sc in same st, *sc in edge st of ea row across to next corner,** 3 sc in corner; rep from * around twice, then from * to ** once. Fasten off.

Rnd 2: Turn, facing side where CB is more prominent, join CA with sc in corner st, 2 sc in same st, *sc in each st around to next corner,** 3 sc in corner; rep from * around twice, then from * to ** once. Fasten off.

Rnd 3: Turn, facing side where CA is more prominent, join CB with sc in corner st, 2 sc in same st, *sc in each st around to next corner,** 3 sc in corner; rep from * around twice, then from * to ** once. Fasten off.

Rnd 4: Rep Rnd 2. 

Finishing
With yarn needle, weave in ends.

Giveaway

This month we're giving away Waves Crochet Hooks in size I/9 (5.5 mm) to two lucky winners! To
enter leave a comment on this post telling us about your last crochet project. Don't forget to tell us your Ravelry ID so we can contact you if you're one of the lucky winners! 



16 comments:

  1. OOh I love this! I'm new to crochet, just learned in January, but I'm half way through a huge ripple blanket and a granny square blanket. This is much more my daughter's thing and I want to make her something for her birthday... so wish me luck :D (Ravelry JayKay60)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm addicted to crocheting dish cloths, one after the other! (ravelry id is queijada).

    ReplyDelete
  3. My last crochet project was a sweater. Margostitches on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm currently working on 2 "Garden Party Hats". The pattern calls for #5 crochet cotton, which I couldn't easily find. I am working one with size 3 crochet thread, but then I wanted to see what it would look like made in a smaller thread - so I am making in size 10 crochet cotton. Feeling a bit insane right now - there's a lot of small stitches. (KristyBucket on Ravelry)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I crochet freeform pieces for my fine art projects every day. Would love to try your crochet hooks! julesinrose on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  6. My most recent pieces were sculptural crochet, made with rug wool remnants, lots of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  7. My last crochet piece was a flower! eclecticperson on rav

    ReplyDelete
  8. My latest crochet project was the Irish Jig wrap by Tammy Hildebrand.

    ravID-SittinKnitty

    ReplyDelete
  9. The last thing I crocheted were flowers for my granddaughter's hats. I used a "J" hook and made white flowers with the trim the color of the hat. I added a gold button too. They loved the hats with the flowers. I would love a set of these crochet hooks.

    ReplyDelete
  10. My last crochet project was an afghan for my BF. It kept me warm all winter while I crocheted it and afterward it kept him warm.

    RavID: Beachvoliball

    ReplyDelete
  11. My last crochet project is actually an ongoing project of crocheting newborn hats for a hospital my daughter works at. To be able to give back in service with this gift of crocheting God has given me , priceless!!!!! Whoever wins this set will be blessed !! Thank you for doing this. Rav ID: Momaburke

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm addicted to crocheting chemo caps.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am new to crochet and would l I very to try out these hooks. Currently working on a cowl.
    Ravelry I'd stringlingo

    ReplyDelete
  14. Made several crocheted items. The last one was a baby blanket/throw. Ravelry -QuiltingTangent.
    24Tangent "at" gmail "dot" com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am currently working on a Lalaloopsy doll for my sister: Peanut Big Top. I would like to have another crochet hook as I have lost one.
    Raverly ID: cuteaddict

    ReplyDelete