FREE PATTERN: Diamond Memory Blanket

A few months ago, a friend of a friend of a friend asked me if I could look at her grandmother's hand crocheted sweater, and see if I could use part of it to create a blanket for her new baby. What an exciting opportunity!

The sweater was made with pink cotton (I think), using a unique post-diamonds pattern that I haven't been able to find anywhere else. Here's what the sweater looked like before we took it apart :)

I spent quite some time with my mum, looking at the structure of the sweater and deciding how to start. We eventually resolved to undo the front and sleeves, leaving the back in a rectangular-ish section to start from.

Thank goodness for my husband and yarn winder! It felt a little bit sad to be frogging this beautiful work, but I was also hopeful that reusing the yarn and the back panel would give it a new life :)

I got some extra white 4 ply cotton to break up the pink a little, and did three white frames separating bands of different diamond motifs in the pink cotton, and ending with a crab stitch border. If I was to do it again, I would do fewer corner stitches in the post diamond band as it did get a bit pointy! 

It required an epic block - towels and sheets spread out over my living room floor and a bajillion pins holding it down. Fortunately my sister was visiting on blocking night, so I could use her spatial design talents to make sure it was straight! 

Ta-dah!  I shared this picture with a crochet support group on Facebook, and they all wanted the pattern! So, with the help of my wonderful husband taking dictation, I figured out what I did, changed the bits that could have been better, and wrote it all up for you! Below is the (completely untested) pattern for this Diamond Memory Blanket :) 

If anyone can find the original pattern for the post diamond sweater, please let me know so that I can give appropriate attribution!! 

Favourite or queue this pattern on Ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diamond-memory-blanket

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DIAMOND MEMORY BLANKET

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Finished size: Approximately 1mx1.2m 

Materials

4 ply cotton in pink and white (or your colours of choice)

2.25mm hook

3.5mm hook

Yarn needle

Scissors

All stitches are in American Terminology

St - stitch

Yoh - yarn over hook

Ch - chain stitch

Slst - slip stitch

Sc - single crochet

Dc - double crochet

Tr - treble crochet

Bptr - back post treble crochet

Fptr - front post treble crochet

Bpdc - back post double crochet

Fpdc - front post double crochet

dc3tog - double crochet 3 stitches together - [yoh, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop. Yoh, pull through two loops] x 3, yoh, draw through all 4 loops left on hook.

3dc cluster - 3dc into one st

Notes

- The row numbering restarts in each band/frame 

- For foundation stitches, see our chainless foundation hdc tutorial for the basics, and just make trebles instead of hdc!

Central post diamond panel

Ch105, turn. Tr in 5^th chain from hook, tr in each ch across (102tr) OR 102 foundation treble

Row 2              Ch4, 7fptr, (3bptr, 9fptr) 7 times, 3bptr, 7fptr. Turn.

Row 3              Ch4, 5bptr, (5fptr,7bptr) 7 times, 5fptr, 7bptr. Turn.

Row 4              Ch4, 5fptr, (7bptr, 5fptr) 7 times, 7bptr, 5fptr. Turn.

Row 5              Ch4, 3bptr, (9fptr, 3bptr) 7 times, 9fptr, 3bptr, 2fptr. Turn.

Row 6              Ch4, 2bptr, 1fptr, (11bptr, 1fptr) 8 times, 2bptr. Turn.

Row 7              Ch4, (3bptr, 9fptr) 8 times, 3bptr, 2fptr. Turn.

Row 8              Ch4, (5fptr, 7bptr) 8 times, 5fptr. Turn.

Row 9              Ch4, 5bptr, (5fptr, 7bptr) 8 times. Turn.

Row 10            Ch4, 7fptr, (3bptr, 9fptr) 7 times, 3bptr, 7fptr. Turn.

Row 11            Ch4, 7bptr, (1fptr, 11bptr) 7 times, 1fptr, 9bptr. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2-11 5 ½ times, ending after a Row 7. Finish off and weave in ends.

Stitch count at end of centre panel: 102 stitches, 67 rows.

White Frame 1

Row 1 - Join yarn with a standing dc in any stitch of last row of central panel. [Dc in each stitch across to the corner. In corner space (3dc, 2ch, 5dc). In next row end 2dc. 2dc in each row end to the next corner space. In corner space (5dc, 2ch, 3dc).] Repeat. Slip stitch to first standing dc.

Rows 2-4 - 3ch, dc in each dc. (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in each corner space. Finish off and weave in ends after Row 4.

Mini-Diamond Band

Row 1 Join pink yarn in corner stitch before short side with standing dc. (dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner space. ** Dc in next (hidden) dc. Skip 1dc, (3dc in next dc, skip 2dc) 37 times, (or until you have 3dc left in row), 3dc in next dc, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc. In corner space (2dc, ch2, 2dc), skip 1 dc, (3dc in next dc, skip 2) 49 times (or until 2dc left before corner), 3dc in next dc, skip 1dc, in corner (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). ** Repeat from ** to **. Slip stitch to first dc.

Row 2 3ch, dc in next dc. ** In corner space (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). Dc in next 3dc. 2ch, (dc3tog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until 3dc left before corner, 2ch, dc in next 3 dc, in corner (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). Dc in next 2 dc, 2ch, (dc3tog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until 2dc left before corner. 2ch, dc in next 2 dc. ** Repeat from ** to **, omitting final 2dc on repeat. Slip stitch to initial 3ch, finish off and weave in ends.

Row 3 With white yarn, join with a standing sc in any 3ch space. 2sc in same space, 3sc in each 3ch space, 1sc in 2ch space, sc in each dc, (sc, 2ch, sc) in corner. Repeat to end of row. Slip stitch to first standing sc and finish off.

Row 4 Join pink with standing dc in corner space before short side. (dc, 2ch, 2dc) in same space. ** Dc in next 3sc, skip 1, (3dc in next sc, skip 2) – repeat until 4sc before corner. 3dc in next sc, skip 1, dc in next 2 sc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner. Dc in next 2 dc, skip 1, (3dc in next dc, skip 2) – repeat until 3 stitches remaining before corner. 3dc in next sc, skip 1, dc in next sc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). ** Repeat from ** to **.

Row 5 3ch, dc in next dc, ** (2dc, 2 ch, 2dc in corner), dc in next 5 dc, ch2, (dc3tog in next 3dc, ch3) – repeat until one 3dc cluster left before corner. Dc3tog in next 3dc, ch2, dc in next 4dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). Dc in next 4 dc, ch2, (3dctog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until one 3dc cluster before corner. 3dctog in next 3dc, ch2, dc in next 3dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). ** Repeat from ** to **

Row 6 Repeat Row 3

Row 7 Join pink yarn in corner stitch before short side with standing dc. (dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner space. **DC in next 5 dc, skip 1, (3dc in next sc, skip 2) – repeat until there are 5 stitches remaining in row. 3dc in next sc, skip 1, dc in next 3dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). Dc in  next 4 sc, skip 1, (3dc in next sc, skip 2) – repeat until 4dc left in row. 3dc in next sc, skip 1, dc in next 2 sc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner).** Repeat ** to **.

Row 8 3ch, dc in next dc. ** In corner space (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). Dc in next 7 dc, ch2, (dc3tog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until one 3dc cluster remaining. Dc3tog in next 3dc, 2ch, dc in next 5 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). Dc in next 6dc, 2ch, (3dctog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until one 3dc cluster before corner. 3dctog in next 3dc, ch2, dc in next 4dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner).** Repeat from ** to **.

Row 9 Repeat Row 3.

White Frame 2

Row 1 – Join white yarn with a standing dc in any sc. Dc in each stitch, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in each corner space. Join with slip stitch to first standing dc.

Rows 2-4 – Repeat rows 2-4 of White Frame 1 above.

Post Diamond Band

Row 1 Join pink yarn in corner space before a short side with standing tr (or 4ch). (1tr, 2ch, 2tr) in same space. Tr in each stitch to next corner space (don’t miss the hidden stitch!). In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Repeat to end of row. Slst to standing tr or 4^th chain.

Row 2 Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 1 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 1). **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next stitch. (fptr in next stitch, bptr in next 7 stitches) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next stitch. Tr in next stitch.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last tr on final repeat. Slst to first stitch of Row 2.

Row 3  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 2 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 2). Tr in next stitch. **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next two stitches. (3fptr, 5bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 3 stitches. Tr in next 2 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last two tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 3.

           

Row 4  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 3 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 3). Tr in next 2 stitches. **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next 3 stitches. (5fptr, 3bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 5 stitches. Tr in next 3 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last two tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 4.

Row 5  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 4 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 4).Tr in next 3 stitches. **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next 4 stitches. (7fptr, 1bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 7 stitches. Tr in next 4 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last  4tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 5.

Row 6  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 5 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 5). Tr in next 4 stitches. **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next 7 stitches. (5fptr, 3bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 5 stitches. Tr in next 7 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last 4tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 6.

Row 7  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 6 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 6). Tr in next 5 stitches.  **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next 10 stitches. (3fptr, 5bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 3 stitches. Tr in next 10 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last  5tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 7.

Row 8  Stacked standing dc in first stitch of Row 7 (or 3ch up and skip first stitch of Row 7). dc in next 6 stitches. **In corner space, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). dc in next 13 stitches. (1fpdc, 3bpdc) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fpdc in next stitch. dc in next 13 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last 6dc on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 8.

White Frame 3

Row 1 – Join white yarn with a standing dc in any tr. Dc in each stitch, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in each corner space. Join with a slip stitch to first standing dc.

Rows 2-4 – Repeat rows 2-4 of White Frame 1 above.

Crab stitch edging

Using 2 strands of pink yarn and 3.75mm hook, join yarn in any dc. Reverse single crochet (crab stitch) in each stitch around, doing 2 in each corner space. Finish off, weave in all ends.

Crochet ...ehh... sport injuries

Hi there!

Sorry again for being so absent. Life is crazy here in Germany at the moment. Some good things, some bad things. Most days I feel like life is ten steps ahead of me and I am trying to catch up. This as a short warning not to take me to seriously in this post...

So, let's talk about crochet "injuries". The other day, Michelle and I were chatting and we were quite convinced that injuries obtained by obsessive crocheting must be considered sport injuries. After all, it involves a fast, repeated movement of the hands and arms, so it must be a sport and therefore crochet injuries are sport injuries. Don't you agree?

I got two crochet ehh sport injuries at the moment:

(1) Opening a parcel with yarn and piecing my finger with a knife while trying to do so.

(2) Extensive teddy making with a small hook and lots of tension to keep the holes small lead to  bruising and calculus on my middle finger. That is the finger which stops the crochet hook after I put it through the stitch.

Among my previous injuries was a golfer's arm, a chopped finger nail and a sore neck. Boys and girls, doesn't this show that crochet is officially hardcore? :D

What do you have to add to the list?

Take care and happy crocheting

Anne

Colourful Upcoming Projects (CUPs?)

Hi everyone! 

The fatigue has been kicking my butt again, so I've had lots of super boring time to think about all the crochet projects I have planned... Hopefully I'll have time and energy to actually do them soon! All photos below are from the pattern pages or Facebook, unless otherwise marked :)


1. Around the Bases CAL by Keitopalette (ChiChi Allen)

My ATBCAL is still tootling along. Next week I'll get some good photos in the daylight to show you :)


2.  The Quirky Cardigan by The Little Bee (Alia Bland)

(c) The Little Bee NZ

There's no pattern available for this one yet, but isn't it gorgeous! I'm lucky enough to test the elephant size for Alia - I've ordered Jawoll Magic yarn to do it in! This will definitely be my most expensive project yet. These are the colours I chose : 

3. Twig the African Flower Snowman by Heidi Bears Designs 

This little guy is super cute! I'm hoping to have time to make a few before the Christmas market we are going to in early December.


4. Rainbow Sock Monkey by One and Two Company (Carolina Guzman)

Isn't he gorgeous!? This one is for a customer order, but depending on how difficult the pattern is I might need to make a few more :P


5. More Heart Teddies! 

My teddy-making addiction is getting a bit out of hand :P I have 6 finished, and another one nearly finished. They are just so easy to make! I think they will sell well at the Christmas Market :) 

Next week I'll have a much better update - I have some wonderful projects to share with you that just aren't quite ready, and a very special story about my grandmother's crafty talents. Plus, we will be getting ready for Christmas Crochet Class in mid-December very soon!

 Share your easy Christmas-themed patterns in the comments! 

Sunshine Award!

Hi everyone!

The amazing Jodie from Lupey Loops blog nominated us for a Sunshine Award!! Thank you so much to Jodie for the nomination - we are honoured to think that our little blog brings you happiness :) Michelle was lucky enough to meet Jodie on her trip to Adelaide in May this year. We love reading Jodie's blog - it is informative and entertaining, and we particularly love all the links to further reading! 


The rules of the Sunshine Award are:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the questions from the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate a few other bloggers.
4. Write the same amount of questions for the bloggers you nominated.
5. Notify the bloggers on their blog.
6. Put the award button on your blog.

The questions Jodie asked us were:

What energises you?

What is your favourite season?

What is your proudest moment?

What gets you through hard times?

When was the last time you laughed so hard, it hurt?

And here are our answers!

What energises you?

Michelle

Doing things! I absolutely love doing things, and it makes me feel so much better about the world. When I'm feeling fatigued and awful, often the best thing I can do is get up, have a shower, get dressed and go do something, even if it's just replying to some emails or some easy crochet. Of course, with the CFS doing things is sometimes the absolute worst thing to do; but when I was on graded activity therapy, I just about went insane with boredom and misery because my optimum activity level was... not doing much at all. I choose to take the low points, so that I can have the high points as well :)

Anne

Well, it depends. If fatigue hits me, I usually have to take a quick nap. On other days, it is doing things I love and getting engrossed in them. Oh and I recently took up running which seems to give me boosts of energy. I never thought myself as as runner (in fact I hated it) but I am really getting used to it and it brings so much joy to spent the time outside. Unfortunately I am down with a cold at the moment, so I can't run and I am surprised how much I miss it!

What is your favourite season?

Michelle

Winter! I love the cold, and the things that come with it - hot chocolate, warm blankets, snuggly doonas, being inside... Winter is the best!

Anne
Eh, good question? I probably depends on the time of the year really but I think I am incredible fond of autumn with all the changing colors, the storms and the cozy nights. I do like all the other seasons as well though. I love spring for the boost of green and all the flowers, I love summer for the lovely long evenings and I love winter for it brings the christmas season and snow. 

What is your proudest moment?

Michelle

This is a really hard question to answer. I think possibly when I won two ribbons at the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year, and my mum said to me that my nan (who passed away a few years ago, and was a brilliant crafty artist) would have been really proud of what I'd made :) 

Anne
I agree with Mich - a rather hard question to answer and one I am not sure of. There are lots of small moments, I like to remember. Like finished a crochet item, graduating from uni, mastering a new dish... 

What gets you through hard times?

Michelle

My friends and family, and list making. I know that last one sounds silly, but when life is careening out of control, and everything seems like it's out to get me, just sitting down and writing a list helps me organise my thoughts, and tackle the problems :)

Anne
Family and friends as well - talking to them, hugging them and so on. And time for myself with either sports or crochet. My bf calls it my crochet bubble. 

When was the last time you laughed so hard, it hurt?

Michelle

Er, I do this all the time. At least I have wicked abs under all my belly padding, right? We do try to get people who come to the Melbourne Comedy Festival with us at Easter to get some stomach training in before the funnies begin - first aid hasn't been required yet, but it's been a close call a few times.

Anne

Last night I thought? We were watching some tv show, I enjoyed. I love to laugh, it is such a good time to spent one's time. And I agree with Michelle - the Comedy Festival is awesome. I hope I get to go again one day and see Adam Hills on stage again!

Nominations

We nominate the following two bloggers for the Sunshine Award, who bring joy, sunshine and inspiration into our lives:

- Wool and Cats - It is such a wonderful blog about yarn-y life in France. The Friday pictures always bring a smile to my face. They are so special and well taken. It really shows that Geraldine has an eye for the importance of small things. Oh and of course her cats are such beauties!!

- WoollyBlueBells - Reading Helen's blog posts is always a treat, along with the wonderful pictures from her life in England (and her travels). She and her husband owns a delightful little caravan and I love reading about their trips. She recently finished her phd and I hope she finds a job which will bring sunshine into her life every day!

And our questions for them are (stealing some of Jodie's questions):

- What is your favorite season and why?
- Which person(s) bring happiness into your life?
- What is (one of) your happiest memory?
- What makes you smile?
- What is the most important thing in your life?

Teddy Mania!

Hi everyone! 

This week I really needed something fun and relaxing to make. I have also signed up to participate in a Christmas market at my friend's work in early December! So, I also had to start thinking about what works up quick, cute and saleable for that. 

If you haven't tried Anne's free Heart Teddy Bear pattern yet, you totally should! It's so easy, quick and enjoyable :) These little beasties took me less than 4 hours each (I made two yesterday), and used just less than 50g yarn each. 

I used different colourways of Stylecraft Wondersoft Merry-Go-Round for each teddy. This is a self-striping yarn, so I get colourful, variable teddies without having to change yarns at all.




















I added a special touch to all three - a little embroidered heart on their left chests :)

These little dudes are just so huggable! While I can imagine the hippos and dragons being kept safe on the shelf just to look at (although that does make me a bit sad), these teddies just demand to be hugged and kissed and loved! 

Plus, they are a bit cheeky too :P Teddy selfie!

Have you made a Heart Teddy Bear yet?