Design Your Own Blanket!

Come craft with us! We hold informal knit-alongs and crochet-alongs here, so you'll have support and community while you work on your project.

Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby Shandeh » Mon Jul 23, 2012 3:48 pm

Have you ever noticed the Stitch Gallery on the Bernat Yarn website?
There is one for Knit Stitches, and another for Crochet Stitches

Using stitch designs like this, you can easily make your own blanket or pillow.
I used the Knitted Basketweave stitch to make a baby blanket once.
Image

It's EASY to design your own blanket.

The first thing you need to do is choose the yarn. Maybe you have a large stash of Bernat Supersaver or Handicrafter Cotton. Maybe you have loads of Bernat Baby yarns. If you don't have a supply of yarn handy, you can buy some in the Bernat Shop! (If you buy your yarn before August 31, you can buy 4, and get 1 free!)

When you decide on the yarn, you need to knit or crochet a sample to see what gauge you get. Next, decide how big you want your blanket (or pillow) to be.

Here comes the fun part. Choosing your design. Just look through the Stitch Gallery, and try out some of the designs. Maybe you want to knit a blanket with the Little Chevrons Stitch.
Image

The Little Chevrons stitch is a multiple of 6 stitches. This means that you need to cast on a multiple of 6 for your blanket (12, 18, 24, 30, 36, etc.) Now, keep in mind that this will not include a border. So, if you want to add a border of garter stitch around the edges, be sure to add that to your total cast on. For example: if you want to have 5 knit stitches added on each side, just add 10 stitches to your total cast on. Remember to write in "K5" at the beginning and end of each row for your blanket. You will also want to knit garter stitch for about 8 rows before you start your knitting design, if you want a garter stitch border at the top of your blanket. And you will need to knit garter stitch for the same number of rows at the end of your blanket, to make a matching border at the bottom. This will make a very pretty blanket, if knit all in one color of yarn.

Maybe you want to crochet squares for a blanket, using the Wagon Wheel design.
Image

This design would look lovely all in one color, or in a different color for each round! Just make one square, measure it, and decide how many squares wide and long you want your blanket to be. Then, get started!

When you finish your blanket, you can add a lovely crochet border, by looking at the Edgings at the bottom of the Crochet Stitch Gallery page.

I can't wait to see your creations! :)
Your friendly Bernat Lady :D
Check out my articles on the Bernat Blog!
User avatar
Shandeh
Moderation Maven
Moderation Maven
 
Posts: 4587
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:59 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Re: Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby linda2012 » Tue Jul 24, 2012 2:17 pm

Can I join in this one with the Satin All Colors blanket that I've already started? :knit:

The inspiration came from that Bernat pattern, but I've used stash yarn, some of which was the Super Saver, and a couple of other brands. I've changed the color arrangement. I've also added some stitches to the pattern, in addition to the two that are shown. Basically, I'm creating this as I go along. Instead of 7 colors, there will be 10, and instead of 2 stitches, I'm planning to use a differrent stitch for each color, so that it will become more of a sampler-style blanket. I'm using stitches that create a closely worked design, but I'm also trying to avoid designs that pull the blocks inward (like the fpdc-basketweave style patterns), or stretch too much, like the rib-style stitches do.

I wish Bernat had a more extensive crochet stitch gallery. I'm using several other collections that I'm finding on the web. Some have great instructions and photos, and others.....not so much :( Also finding that often there are several variations of the same stitch pattern.....Seed stitch is one that has multiple variations. I guess I should just break down and BUY a comprehensive crochet book with nothing but stitch patterns! :reading:
linda2012
Fibre Fiend
Fibre Fiend
 
Posts: 126
Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:49 pm

Re: Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby Shandeh » Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:37 pm

Your blanket is a perfect match for this KAL/CAL. :thumbsup:

The description you've given sounds very interestng. I can't wait to see some photos! :)

Buying some stitch dictionaries will be a wonderful choice for you, since you enjoy the freedom of designing. You NEED them!
Your friendly Bernat Lady :D
Check out my articles on the Bernat Blog!
User avatar
Shandeh
Moderation Maven
Moderation Maven
 
Posts: 4587
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:59 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Re: Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby dcrozier » Tue Jul 31, 2012 9:08 am

Not exactly my own creation, but I am using 2012 CAL clue 2,, the flower centered octogon and clue 4, the popcorn square, to make a cover for our king size bed. I am using green, blue and a small amount of pink with Aran as the main color to match our bedroom curtains. I have almost finished all the pieces--just have a few of the Aran rows to do on a few of the octogons--and then I get to lay it out, seam, and border it. It will be rectangular with 42 mulit-colored octogons and 30 solid colored squares. I hope I correctly calculated the number of squares/octogons to fit our bed since I am getting tired of making them. I am very excited about completing this since it will be the first thing I have kept for our home. Keep those great ideas coming--I am always up for a new project.
Last edited by dcrozier on Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Image
User avatar
dcrozier
Fibre Fiend
Fibre Fiend
 
Posts: 271
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:19 am
Location: Toccoa, Georgia

Re: Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby ladycath » Tue Jul 31, 2012 4:38 pm

Shandeh wrote:Buying some stitch dictionaries will be a wonderful choice for you, since you enjoy the freedom of designing. You NEED them!


That's the only books I have been buying lately...just stitch patterns. Another good idea is cruise all over the 'net' for free washcloth and pot holder patterns, there's zillions of them. They are basically just a stitch pattern. Just ignore whatever border they may have.
Image
User avatar
ladycath
Yarn Addict
Yarn Addict
 
Posts: 73
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:12 am
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana

Re: Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby Shandeh » Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:38 pm

dcrozier wrote:Not exactly my own creation, but I am using 2012 CAL clue 2,, the flower centered octogon and clue 4, the popcorn square, to make a cover for our king size bed. I am using green, blue and a small amount of pink with Aran as the main color to match our bedroom curtains. I have almost finished all the pieces--just have a few of the Aran rows to do on a few of the octogons--and then I get to lay it out, seam, and border it. It will be rectangular with 42 mulit-colored octogons and 42 solid colored squares. I hope I correctly calculated the number of squares/octogons to fit our bed since I am getting tired of making them. I am very excited about completing this since it will be the first thing I have kept for our home. Keep those great ideas coming--I am always up for a new project.


Oh, I bet your blanket is going to be beautiful! :inlove: Please share photos. :)
By the way, it's so nice to hear from you again, dcrozier! :hug:
Your friendly Bernat Lady :D
Check out my articles on the Bernat Blog!
User avatar
Shandeh
Moderation Maven
Moderation Maven
 
Posts: 4587
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:59 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Re: Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby Shandeh » Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:39 pm

ladycath wrote:
Shandeh wrote:Buying some stitch dictionaries will be a wonderful choice for you, since you enjoy the freedom of designing. You NEED them!


That's the only books I have been buying lately...just stitch patterns. Another good idea is cruise all over the 'net' for free washcloth and pot holder patterns, there's zillions of them. They are basically just a stitch pattern. Just ignore whatever border they may have.


Great idea! :thumbsup:
That is very smart to look at the free dishcloth patterns. You're right - there are TONS of them!
It's great to hear from you too, ladycath! :cloud9:
Your friendly Bernat Lady :D
Check out my articles on the Bernat Blog!
User avatar
Shandeh
Moderation Maven
Moderation Maven
 
Posts: 4587
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:59 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Re: Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby dcrozier » Wed Aug 01, 2012 5:12 pm

Oh, I bet your blanket is going to be beautiful! :inlove: Please share photos. :)
By the way, it's so nice to hear from you again, dcrozier! :hug:


Thanks--nice to have some time to post again--gardening season doesn't allow much free computer time!!! Hope your garden is doing bettern than ours--really lousy season this year.

I got the bed cover pieced together yesterday and have to finish painting the kitchen so I can put away all the kitchen things that are covering the dining room table so I can begin seaming the cover together. It is one of those, "....but first!!!!" projects. DH travels and doesn't want me on the ladder when he is away so the kitchen is taking longer than planned. The ladder issue may have something to do with the time I fell off sideways and broke the glass out of the oven door--those things happen. I will post pics as soon as it is finished.

BTW, we are getting one whopper of a storm--thinking of you.
Image
User avatar
dcrozier
Fibre Fiend
Fibre Fiend
 
Posts: 271
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:19 am
Location: Toccoa, Georgia

Re: Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby Shandeh » Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:24 pm

dcrozier wrote:Thanks--nice to have some time to post again--gardening season doesn't allow much free computer time!!! Hope your garden is doing bettern than ours--really lousy season this year.

You are a busy person! My parents have a garden, and some of my piano students' parents do as well. So, I get free veggies from them. No need to garden for myself - THANK GOD! I really do not like being outside in the summer. The heat is just terrible, and I burn very easily. I stay inside, and wait for Fall. :)

dcrozier wrote:I got the bed cover pieced together yesterday and have to finish painting the kitchen so I can put away all the kitchen things that are covering the dining room table so I can begin seaming the cover together. It is one of those, "....but first!!!!" projects.

That sounds like quite the puzzle. I know you'll be glad when all that is over and done with. I have painted 6 rooms in my house, all by myself, so I know how much work painting can be. Good luck!

dcrozier wrote:DH travels and doesn't want me on the ladder when he is away so the kitchen is taking longer than planned. The ladder issue may have something to do with the time I fell off sideways and broke the glass out of the oven door--those things happen. I will post pics as soon as it is finished.

Omigosh! Your accident sounds very scary!! :o I hope you didn't injure yourself with that fall.

dcrozier wrote:BTW, we are getting one whopper of a storm--thinking of you.

:cloud9: We have a lot of puffy clouds, so I'm hoping that they will start rumbling and sprinkling.
Your friendly Bernat Lady :D
Check out my articles on the Bernat Blog!
User avatar
Shandeh
Moderation Maven
Moderation Maven
 
Posts: 4587
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:59 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Re: Design Your Own Blanket!

Postby zhanie » Mon Aug 06, 2012 4:58 am

I am going to make a baby blanket for a gift. I'm not sure what the stitch will be but I'm leaning towards the scalloped stitch
Image

Image
zhanie
Forum Fanatic
Forum Fanatic
 
Posts: 704
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:10 pm

Next

Return to Informal Bernat Crochet-Alongs & Knit-Alongs

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

cron