Gifts from Auntie B

My nephew is almost 2 1/2 years old and I just gave him his first blanket made by Auntie B. My niece was much older than that when I finally made her a blanket (in all fairness, I didn't know how to crochet or do anything all that crafty when she was born).  I chose some colors that I already had, which was helpful because my yarn stash is finally going down after my surge of buying everything that I liked.  I'm posting this "pattern" of sorts so that beginner crocheters can see how easy it is to do. No pattern is really necessary, but it's nice to have something to follow along with even if it is simple.  Here is what I came up with:

Supplies:

• Size Q 15.75mm Hook
• Two-three skeins each of
• Vanna's Choice Linen
• Vanna's Choice Seaspray Mist
• One skein RedHeart Supersaver Royal Blue
• Garment Label (if you prefer to add one - I just used my sewing machine, but you could hand sew it too)

Pattern:

1. Take one strand of each color yarn (three total) and treat it as if the three together are one strand. Chain the width or length that you prefer. I honestly don't know how many I chained, but the blanket was about 2 1/2 feet wide and 4 feet long.
2. When you reach your desired length, single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain until you reach the end of the row. (It is important that you go to the second chain/stitch on every row so that you maintain the same number of stitches. If you don't, your blanket will end up being uneven instead of straight. I have done this so many times and unraveled so many projects because of it!).
3. Chain one, and turn. Single crochet in the second stitch from the hook and in each stitch until you reach the end of the row.
4. Repeat #3 until the blanket is the desired length.
5. If desired, add a border - I used a single crochet border by using three strands of one color. Please see photos below. I think the border finishes the blanket nicely and it made it a little bit bigger.

While in process

Pre-border

Finished product

With Garment Label

Weather Change = Crochet Time

I am so stinkin' excited that the weather is changing! I am one of those people from Washington that absolutely loves fall and winter, and now that I can call myself a crocheter, I am even more excited to be cooped up inside! I have so many projects that I want to get going on, and some that I want to get finished, but I absolutely do not want to miss out on any last minute summer weather. But, fall is here...hooray!

I have been thinking for a while that I wanted to get my family and friends together that crochet and knit on a more regular basis, so I have decided to try and start a monthly "Stitch 'n Bitch" - perhaps it will turn into something bigger later. I have picked up invitations (conveniently, my initials are B.S.) for the first session to get the word out and remind my friends and family and from there on we'll just see what develops! I'm thinking snacks, wine and good company; what could be better?

Passion

My step mother taught me the basics of crocheting about a month and a half ago, and since then, I have spent a majority of my free time and money on projects. You could say, I'm in love. So far, I have completed only two projects, but I'm dreaming rather big and have faith that this site will soon be full of completed projects made by yours truly.