Knitting at Craft Village

            Hopefully you have been teaching your other family members and friends how to knit and by now you have a wonderful group of knitters with whom you can share ideas and solve problems. Did you know that during WWll, to prevent boredom on US Naval ships, the men spent idle time knitting bandages? Knitting is definitely for everyone. Here’s a great idea that everyone can participate in.

            We’re going to make a baby blanket that can be given as a gift from a group of people and can be made in one afternoon or one of your knitter’s club meetings. Remember the book I suggested that you make with the directions for your favorite stitches? Well, it’s time to get it out and chose several of your favorites. Be sure the stitch is not too “loopy” although texture is fine. Have each member of the group chose several of their favorite patterns too. With the directions and yarn in hand each person will make one 7” X 7” square sample of each of their favorite patterns. Don’t worry if you end up with duplicates. Just space them far apart and no one will notice. You will need 49 squares all together.

            Using the double crochet stitch (see below) crochet the squares together into rows of 7 and then crochet the 7 rows together into a blanket. Finish by doing a row or two of double crochet all around. Be sure to make a chart of the blanket and note which squares were made by each knitter. Years later the child can look back at the chart and be amazed at how many people loved him or her enough to make the wonderful blanket. This will be a family heirloom that will be treasured for generations.

Double Crochet –

            Take a medium sized crochet hook, E/5 or F/6 would do nicely.
            Yarn to match or contrast with the baby blanket.

1.         Start at the corner of the square/blanket and insert your hook from front to back.

2.         Tie off the end of your yarn.

3.         Pull a loop through the corner stitch in the square. Pull a second and then a third loop through at the same place. You now have three loops on your crochet hook.

4.         Catch the long end of your thread in your crochet hook and pull it through two of the loops on your hook.  

5.         Repeat. You now have one loop on your hook.

6.         Pull one loop through the one on your hook.

7.         Repeat 1 thru 6 all around your square/blanket and tie off your yarn at the end.

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