Well I am pretty chuffed with myself this week. I finished my first ever crochet project, and it wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be. A project like this ripple blanket is the perfect way to start, because the pattern just keeps repeating the whole way up the blanket. Once I got started, I could just keep doing the same thing over and over. I aimed to do one colour stripe (or 2 rows) each day. Of course some days this just didn’t happen – particularly when student reports were due at work, but I tried to make up for this on the weekends! I popped a photo on facebook and instagram, and there were lots of requests for details, so here they are:
I used wool from Bendigo Woolen Mills‘ classic range in 8 ply. I bought one 200g ball each of pumpkin, celery, maize (it is sounding more like a soup!), smoke, and midnight blue. I have about 30g left of each colour after I finished. My hook was a 4.5mm hook. I have had lots of people ask me about the pattern. It’s by Pip from Meet Me At Mikes. I loved how easy it was to follow, and the photos are really helpful for a beginner like myself. I’ve ordered some more wool to make another one – this time for a little niece or nephew who is due to arrive later this year.
The final size of the blanket was 94cm by 110cm. Of course I could have made it longer by just adding some more stripes, but I was just wanting to make a lap blanket.
The hardest part (for me) was making sure I didn’t accidentally add an extra stitch at the end of each row, which is surprisingly easy to do. Counting at this point is really important to do. Luckily, if you do miscount, it isn’t too hard to undo (providing you notice fairly quickly). I did occasionally forget to put in the ripple in a single layer… don’t look too closely. Fortunately it didn’t seem to stuff the pattern up too much. I just fixed it up in the next row… just don’t tell anyone.
Toby has decided that he would like this blanket though, and it is perfect for snuggling under on these frosty winters mornings. I might have to make one for the girls too!
If you want to learn to crochet (it really is so easy -I can’t believe that it took me this long to learn!), check out this post of mine which has all the resources I used to get started.
Can you crochet? What have you made? What should I try next?
Your blanket looks lovely and snuggly warm – just perfect for the season! Crochet is such a rewarding craft, isn’t it? Plus, nothing looks as cosy and welcoming as a crochet blanket draped over a couch.
Totally agree!
What an impressive first effort. Whenever I see someone crocheting I think how difficult it looks, so I think you’ve done brilliantly. The colours are lovely too.
I used to think the same thing, so I was surprised when it was actually pretty easy!
Just gorgeous. I crochet but only the one granny square stitch taught to me by my late grandmother. I really would love an actual lesson and to learn different stitches and how to read/interpret a pattern.
Your blanket looks great. I just finished a ripple blanket in Bendigo Luxury (I think, the machine washable one anyway) for a little lad. And I have just finished up the edging on a granny stripe blanket that has been hanging around for two years. So now I need a new crochet project and conveniently Bendigo Woolen Mills sent me some swatches this week……..
My mother made my children crocheted blankets when they were born and those blankies still get trotted out in winter. The children are now 19 & 16 😉
It looks great Jo! Love the colours you’ve used. I’m currently working on a ripple and two granny stripe blankets. It’s hard to keep up with the kids orders though. They keep requesting all sorts of crocheted things but don’t seem to have any understanding of the fact they these take time to make.
Bloody brilliant Jo! So impressive for one of your first ever crochet projects! I too have made a ripple blanket using Pip’s pattern, it’s quite addictive and satisfying isn’t it?! AND it’s definitely one of the biggest traffic drivers from Pinterest to SSS 😉 I have just got some Bendigo wool in the mail for a jumper for Eleanor, but am worried she won’t get much wear out of a size 1 this Winter so might start doing a size 2 so she can wear it next Winter…not that she won’t be wearing wooly jumpers through our Gippsland Summer! I got the luxury as recommended to me by Corrie/Retromummy, how did you find the classic? I’ve never used it, the luxury looks DELICIOUS though. Love your soup analogy hehehe
I have just ordered some luxury to whip up another blanket for a new little niece or nephew – I think it will be softer, though I didn’t find their classic range too rough. I think I would do a size 2 for Eleanor – they grow out of clothing so quickly at that age.
I am using the Luxury and it is softer and lighter than any other blanket that I have made. Didn’t notice this until the blanket reached the ‘heavy’ stage as I wasn’t really checking them against each other.
So beautiful. I have always wanted to learn how to crochet but always thought it would be too hard for me. Maybe I should give it a try!
You really should – I couldn’t believe how easy it was. I thought it was going to be hard too! Let me know how you go!
It looks great!! I love crocheting, got into it last year. I’m currently making a corner to corner blanket c2c which is so easy and very beautiful at the end
I will have to look that one up – where did you get the pattern from?
I just watched YouTube tutorials, the start is the hardest but but then after that smooth sailing. There is a guy called Mikey who I learnt off
You did a beautiful job! I love your blankie! xx
Thanks Pip – I love it too!
I can crochet but don’t apart from a couple of hats. Oh, and a daisy pram cover for first baby. One grandmother king, the other did the most amazing crochet with a hook so small it was hard to see on the end of the needle. Bs he showed me her stitches and then just told me to follow what she had done from a finished piece. Not much use for a twelve year old. Retromummy has multisize crochet hat patterns for girl on her blog, although you may have to dig around. It is at least a couple of years ago. Quick and they would suit your girls.
Love Retromummy’s work – will definitely look that pattern up!