Hello all,

I wanted to show you the COMPLETED baby blanket that Suzanne pictured on CITR a couple of weeks ago when she came over and prowled through my "Craft Stash."

I actually completed a project.  This baby afghan was made with Red Heart worsted weight yarn and with a "double-ended" crochet hook.  It is worked like an afghan stitch in single crochet.  You do a row of cast offs and then a row of cast ons.  Then you switch ends to the other color.  (Sounds simple, right? It really is!)

I started this afghan before I knew the baby's gender.  I was going to do it in lavender and mint green.  But, our local Walmart with its tiny craft section was out of lavender and mint green.  So, since bright colors are "the thing" in baby gear these days, I decided to go bright.  The baby's mom is a artist so I thought she would like the colors.

Well, here are some pictures.  Look how the technique makes the blanket look like a different color on each side.  Neat, huh?

(HELP, Suzanne!  I will e-mail you the pictures.  Will you insert them?  I don't know how!)

jane said:

sheryl- that is a great blanket- love the way the colors come through on both sides.  what is thename of the pattern youused.  I am trying to get it in myhead from your instructions.

Hi, Jane,

I found the pattern in a kit with 2 double-ended crochet hooks that I purchased at a Walmart probably about 2 years ago.  The kit was called "Layette Cro-Hook Set" by Boye (a product of Wrights).  The web site on the package is listed as http://www.wrights.com.

Here are the basic instructions for a practice swatch:

Note – Work LOOSELY – it is better to work loosely (otherwise it is difficult to pick up loops on the next row).

With first skein/color of yarn, Chain 12. Loop on hook counts as first loop of next row.

Row 1: Insert hook in 2nd chain from hook, hook yarn and draw loop through, keeping loop on hook (2 loops now on hook) *draw up a loop in next chain and keep on hook; repeat from * across. The number of loops on hook equals the same number of starting chains (12 loops on practice swatch). Drop yarn (do not cut). Slide work to other end of hook and TURN.

Row 2:  With 2nd yarn color, hook yarn and draw through first loop on hook, *hook yarn again and draw through 2 loops on hook loosely (otherwise it is difficult to pick up loops on next row); repeat from * across until one loop remains on hook. This loop counts as the first loop of the next row. DO NOT TURN.

Row 3: Continuning with the same yarn (color # 2), *draw up a loop in next stitch (insert hook under top horizontal strand of stitch between vertical loops and keep loop on hook; repeat from * across. Number of loops equals same number of starting chains. Drop yarn, then slide work to other end of hook and TURN.

(Sheryl's Note – Insert your hook under the the front of the crochet stitch on top of your work on the side facing you.)

Row 4: Pick up first yarn color (dangling from this end) and work off loops in the same manner as Row 2. At end of row, DO NOT TURN.  Repeat Rows 3 and 4 for Cro-Hook [TM] pattern.

(Sheryls Note # 2 – When doing the baby blanket, the number of stitches really filled the hook.  I used a clothespin on the non-working end of my hook to keep the stitches from falling off that end while I worked.)

For the baby blanket, it calls for 3.5 ounces each of 2 colors of a worsted weight yarn.  The Cro-hook is size K and a regular Size G hook for the edging.  For the blanket you start with Chain 92.

According to the pattern, the finiished size of this blanket is 26 inches wide by 28 inches long.  My husband said that size looked too short and he wanted me to make it bigger which I did.  My foundation chain gauge actiually made my blanket about 30 inches wide and I finished the length at approximately 36 inches. I used a whole 7 ounce skein of each color in the blanket and then opened a 2nd skein of each for the edging (I always by more yarn that the pattern calls for because you never know how things are going to turn out).

Happy Crocheting, everyone.

PS – This evening I sat down and started another crocheted dish cloth.  I told my husband that I was really enjoying the crocheting again as a relaxing hobby. (I hadn't done much crocheting over the last several years because of raising the child.)  My husband said that he guessed the crocheting "was cheaper than a psychiatrist!)  LOL – He is just TOO funny.

Smiles,

Cousin Sheryl