Saturday, 18 March 2017

V-Stitch Crochet Baby Blanket

It's time to show you the completed baby blanket I was working on a few weeks back.  I made the whole blanket, from start to finish, in a week (including working full-time).  This is by far the quickest I've ever finished a blanket - I didn't think I had it in me!  (I think aran yarn, a 6mm hook, and v-stitch are a speedy combo!)


Looking for a quick and cute free pattern for a baby blanket?  Try this colourful unisex v-stitch crochet blanket!

The inspiration for the colour scheme is explained in this post.


Looking for a quick and cute free pattern for a baby blanket?  Try this colourful unisex v-stitch crochet blanket!

It is made with v-stitch, which is a great stitch.  This is my method, although the v-stitch pattern isn't mine.  I just want to have a reference in case I'd like to remember what I did in future!

(Note - I've used American crochet terms.)

V-Stitch = [dc, ch, dc] into same space/stitch

  • sc chainless foundation of 113, plus 3 ch.
  • V-stitch into top of last chainless foundation st you made, *skip 2 st, v-stitch* until there is one st remaining, dc into last st, ch 3 and turn.
  • v-stitch into each ch space of previous row (into the middle of the v-stitch), dc into top of ch 3, ch 3 and turn.
Order:  2 rows white, 6 rows colour, ending on 2 rows white and a row of sc to mirror the sc row which is automatically part of the chainless foundation row to start.

Edges:
  • sc in white along both edges - 2 sc over each final/starting dc/ch 3 of the rows.  This gave a neat straight finish.  Because the v-stitch is a holey design, you can sc over the side stitches, rather than try to sc into them, as there are gaps there anyway, so you are not creating unsightly gaps.
  • 2 rows of v-stitch in white.
  • 1 row of sc in white.
Border:
  • 1 round of sc in green.
  • 1 round of crab stitch in green.


Looking for a quick and cute free pattern for a baby blanket?  Try this colourful unisex v-stitch crochet blanket!


This is the first time I've tried crab stitch, and I love it!  It is basically sc working backwards, instead of working into the stitch to your left, you work into the stitch to your right.  It feels a bit awkward to do, but the effect is great.  It's got a bit of substance and really finishes the blanket off nicely - it seems like a real edge.

The reason I picked green, was that the green bands of colour were the only ones which were equidistant from each end of the blanket.  I considered going for blue, as I love blue, but I thought it might look odd on the edge of the blanket which starts with a blue stripe.  The colour looks more evenly distributed with the green.


Looking for a quick and cute free pattern for a baby blanket?  Try this colourful unisex v-stitch crochet blanket!


DETAILS

Yarn
Paintbox Simply Aran: - I bought this from Love Crafts*.
   Sky Blue (238)
   Daffodil Yellow (221)
   Spearmint Green (225)
   Mandarin Orange (217)
   Paper White (200) - x 2
Stylecraft Special Aran: - I bought this from Love Crafts*.
   Pomegranate (1083)

Hook
6mm

Dimensions
approx: 26.5 inches x 37.5 inches
approx: 67cm x 95cm 

What I'd do differently:
I'd start and end with colour, instead of the white.  This way I could work the white v-stitch edging all the way round the blanket, rather than adding just the two side edges afterwards.
I'd also make it a bit wider, as it may look a little too thin for the length.


Looking for a quick and cute free pattern for a baby blanket?  Try this colourful unisex v-stitch crochet blanket!


Looking for a quick and cute free pattern for a baby blanket?  Try this colourful unisex v-stitch crochet blanket!


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Check out my other completed crochet items here.

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28 comments:

  1. Love it, so bright and happy :)

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  2. V-stitch must be next on my list. Too bad I did not think about that for MIL's blanket! I used the crab stitch for one blanket as well. When you overcome the backwards crocheting it is great! Lovely blanket Maria, I am sure it will be loved!xx

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    Replies
    1. V-stitch is a fun stitch, I really like it! You'll definitely have to try it! I remember you using the crab stitch on the grey and cream (I think?) blanket - it looked really good. It's such a nice edging! xx

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  3. I love crab stitch for the edge of a baby blanket. It feels quite unisex I think. Your blanket looks fab. Jo x

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    1. Thanks Jo! I was so pleased with the effect it gave. I agree, it is quite unisex. A lot of borders can be a bit too frilly and girly, but this one is a great edging for all. x

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  4. Would love to try this. You suggested making it wider - how many more foundation stitches would you add? Increment of 2? Did you have much yarn left over to accommodate this or would a person need to buy more yarn?


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Deb - I had quite a bit of yarn left over from this - you can see a picture of the leftovers in this post: http://dinkidots.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/stash-busting-wip-finishing-2017-janfeb.html

      The only one which was nearly finished was the green, from doing the border which used quite a lot.

      Regarding making it wider - you just need to ensure that your total number of stitches is a multiple of 3, then with 2 added stitches. For example I did 113 which is 3 x 37 = 111. 111 + 2 = 113. It's hard to say how much more you'd need really. Maybe another 15. That would be 128 stitches (3 x 42 + 2 = 128). You would then do your 3 ch stitches after the 128 foundation stitches, before doing your first v-stitch. It might be worth trying it and seeing how it looks, though - also different tensions can make all the difference - I have a tight tension.

      I hope this helps!
      Maria

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  5. I have enjoyed making this blanket and the colors are great. The yarn was nice to work with, but I have one question. First I did everything making each color row twice, way to long. Then I pulled out the second rows and only used each color once.This is a better size and I did use 6mm/J crochet hook.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Hollie, I think that might be to do with different tensions. I have a tight tension, so it would come up smaller for me. I'm glad you enjoyed making the blanket, though!

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  6. I made a baby afghan and a twin size using this pattern. Loved it. Thank you for sharing this for people like me who can't imagine a pattern on my own, but love making what others visualize. I may be making a couple more before Christmas!!!

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad this was useful for you! It's lovely to think that babies are snuggling under blankets made from this pattern!

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  7. Loved the pattern! Used 119+3 as foundation. Came out 38x55 inches. Loved the crab stitch. First time to use it. Thank you for the pattern!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Diana - I'm glad it came out well for you and you enjoyed it! Crab stitch is great isn't it?! Such a nice finish to a blanket!

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  8. What do you mean chainless? If you chain 113 it’s not chainless. Chainless means there no chain.

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    Replies
    1. You don't chain 113, you do a chainless foundation stitch which is 113 stitches long. If you search online for chainless foundation crochet you will find lots of tutorials on how to do this. This stitch creates - in effect - the chain row plus the first row of stitches, but in one go, so you don't need to do just the chain row.

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  9. Forgive me if I sound a bit dense (total newbie here), is it a dc chainless foundation? I'm looking it up and I'm getting confused with the different types and you haven't specified. Sorry and TIA xx

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    Replies
    1. Hi Louise, it's a sc chainless foundation - I should have said! I'll amend it when I'm at my laptop. And these terms in my pattern are all US terms. I hope this helps! X

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  10. So how would one start this project with a regular chain?

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    Replies
    1. Hi. You would chain 116 (this would replace the 113 chainless foundation stitches, plus the chain 3) You would make the first v-stitch into the 113th stitch. I hope this helps!

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  11. You don't really say how many of each colour you purchased for this do I assume just one ball of each colour and then two of the white? Thanks

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    Replies
    1. Hi - sorry for the late reply - I had a baby a few days after your question! Yes, that's right - one of each and two of the white.

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  12. Sou apaixonada pelo Crochê!Estou aposentada e resolvi fazer Mantas para doação às entidades que acolhem idosos.Tenho trabalhado bastante...Fiz uma Manta verde água com o ponto "V", ficou lindíssima!!!Gostei muito das suas dicas!!!Parabéns pelo seu maravilhoso trabalho em Crochê!Vou te seguir...tenho certeza que vou aprender muito com Você !!!Felicidades!!!Abraços!!❤❤❤❤

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Regina! I'm really glad you've enjoyed this pattern! Great to have you following! x

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  13. I would like to know more detailed instructions for the border. Looks nice but I dont understand it.

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  14. Is this cotton or acrylic

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