Recently my daughter told me that one of her friends asked that I write a blog about how I decide what I am going to crochet when I start a blanket. No one has ever asked for a specific blog. But I thought I would try. I hope this blog answers her questions.
Making each blanket is a process. I NEVER want to make two blankets that are identical. Sometimes I use a stitch I used before or a color combination. But because I like variety, I really try to innovate and improvise.
My action plan is simple. When I find out that someone is pregnant, I wait until about the fourth or fifth month, then I ask if they might like a baby blanket. Some people do not want one. And that is fine as well.
For those that answer yes, I ask if they have a color palette. This is a difficult question. Some have not yet found out if they are having a girl or a boy. Some do not want to know. To those who don’t know or don’t want to know, I offer to either make a non-gender blanket focusing on yellows, light greens and/or whites, or to ask if they want me to wait until after the baby is born.
Some tell me the colors but ask that I not let anyone else know the sex of the baby. I keep all baby news totally confidential.
Now I have to select the yarn. I always use a cotton yarn. My favorites are Sugar and Cream, which I can get at Joann’s or Michaels craft stores. The other one is sold only at Michaels, Creme Cotton.. The color combinations determine the yarn in many cases. One of the yarns only come in five or six colors. The other yarn has a larger selection and variegated yarns.
Next step is the stitches. I have three books of crochet stitches. I will be honest that there are three or four stitch patterns that I really like to use. I sometimes mix two or three different stitch patterns in one blanket. Other times, I try a new design if I am not in a rush.
I like to do color blocks and stripes. Since I like geometric patterns that is what I usually do. But I have made blankets with granny type squares or long strips sewn together. Occasionally I will make a fillet pattern.
I also try to match each blankets to the parent I know. For one of my daughter’s friends I made a blanket in the colors of Italian ices/spumoni, because both the parents are Italian descent. For another couple, whose husband was an architect, I tried to crochet the outline of a building with blue skies surrounding the top.
One mother was planning a room inspired by Star Wars and baby Yoda (Yes, I know that is not his name, I do watch the Mandalorian. But it was for a baby.). I took out my graph paper and figured out how to make the design. That one was extremely popular. I will admit that I made a second one of similar colors for a former student of mine. She desperately wanted it. But that was a one up! I have also graphed out heart designs, cats, and Mickey Mouse silhouette.
For one lucky baby, whose mom is a big Chiefs and Royals fan, I made a special blanket to honor both teams. One half is gold, red and white, while the other side is blue, white and grey.
Another mom wanted blues and tan. Since she lived near a beach I went for a beach theme. Here you can see both the yarn and the finished blanket.
One of my favorites was for a cousin’s grandson. The mother wanted a gender neutral blanket. I took all my scraps and made a rainbow blanket. I love that one. There might be another rainbow blanket one day.
Another mother asked me to match the colors in a rug. I added hearts to make it more childlike.
Sometimes I make a decision on the blanket not based on what the mother might want, but what I think they need. One of my best friend’s daughter loves only black, grey and white. I was NOT going to make a blanket for a baby girl in those colors. Instead I made a yellow and orange cheerful blanket. That girl is now a bright and cheerful 4-year-old. The blanket matches her personality.
My original plan was to make one blanket per family. But I soon found out that some children grow extremely attached to their blankies. It becomes their lovey. So I have to make another one. Also when the second child is a different gender, I make one specifically for that infant. Some families do not want another blanket. But I always ask.
One of the most important blankets I made was for a toddler going through chemotherapy. I made a bright and cheerful blanket that I then added a giant heart. When I gave it to her in the hospital, I told her it was me hugging her. I later made her a yarn wig so that she could have long hair and be like Elsa from Frozen.
The most important aspect of my blankets and other miscellaneous items — scarves, coasters, cup holders, hats, doilies — is that every single one is made with love. I feel like my love for each of these babies, children and adults is enmeshed in each stitch. I hope that they know I am crocheting with love.
zicharonot 