Q: I have a very talented auntie who has offered to crochet a blanket for my baby boy who is due this summer. My problem is that I can't find a modern/funky/interesting pattern or example (suitable for boys!) to send to her. Do you have an suggestions? I have looked all over and just can't find the modern, striking blanket I'm looking for. My nursery colors are charcoal, orange, sky blue, and white.
Sent by Adrienne
Editor: We know we have many readers who crochet so let's hear from you! The example above is a good reminder of how even a traditional pattern can look very modern with great color choices. I found it through Whip Up and it was made by Lucy of Attic 24.
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Register on ravelry.com (free). Search for crochet blanket patterns or ask in the Pattern forum!
Crochet can be cool and modern - much depends on the color choices (like Carrie said).
I second eskkimmo's suggestion of ravelry.com. There are tons of amazing patterns. Their "advanced search" option is awesome and gives you the opportunity to search by anything (i.e. knitting vs. crochetting, cost of pattern, type of yarn).
Ohdeedoh has had so many great nursery tours that feature striking crocheted blankets - it is where I caught the bug and taught myself to crochet. Here are two of my favorites
rainbow blanket: http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/maeve-rosalinds-after-the-rain-roomnursery-tour-137602
granny square: http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/how-to/how-to-crochet-a-granny-square-blanket-067968
Also agree with eskkimmo about ravelry. Lots of good Flickr pics too if you do a search for crochet blankets. It can help you identify the style you are looking for.
Good luck and congrats!
i agree about color being a game changer. many beautiful patterns, especially for babies, are overshadowed by pastels and other outdated color choices, but it's also the easiest thing to change.
i'm crocheting my son a chevron blanket (inspired by the current chevron trend, thick stripes in just two colors) right now, but i also really dig this triangle afghan (http://handod.blogspot.com/2010/09/rihyrningateppi-uppskrift.html).
Carlobolo that's great that you taught yourself how to crochet. Did you use books, online tutorials?
I love granny square blankets in modern colors. Second the suggestion for Ravelry, they have every pattern under the sun!
The most traditional of granny square blankets -- a variety of colours with a black border -- actually looks very modern and striking in my opinion.
The most beautiful version I have seen is at Bu and the Duck; theirs is made in pure alpaca, with a variety of bright jewel tones and naturals. The squares are tiny in comparison to most, being made with a fine yarn and small crochet hook (the blankets are made in South America I believe, most likely Peru).
Sometimes the most traditional is the most modern of all.
I LOVE the ripple pattern and I think this one I found on Flickr would be perfect.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94014149@N00/3827835574/in/faves-trec_lit/
I would recommend the book Candy Blankies by Candi Jensen. I learned to crochet when I was pregnant with my first son because of this book.
What about a giant granny square like this one from the Purl Bee:
http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2009/3/24/joelles-giant-granny-square.html
Or for something more colourful, the Babette blanket from Interweave:
http://www.interweavestore.com/Crochet/Patterns/Babette-Blanket.html
I was going to suggest the exact two blankets Rachel HC suggested. I've seen some really gorgeous versions of both.
I'm not sure your aunt's skill level with pattern design, but maybe you or she could design something that specifically coordiates with the nursery. I've had the same problem and can't actually understand traditional patterns, so I design and make up my own stuff. Some examples are on my ravelry page:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/joslynps
I find that doing a Google Image search for what I'm looking for (i.e. "crochet baby blanket) will help me find links to pages with similar items. There is also a book called "The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches" published by Reader's Digest that is the best book I have found for knitting and crochet techniques, stitches and edges from beginner to advanced. I bet you could find a copy at your local library. You can look through the types of stitches and come up with your own look. There are many textured stitches that could be combined and done in your colors to create a funky/modern blanket.
Going against the flow here, but.... We have an 'auntie' blanket here, and as we grew and grew and tweaked and redecorated, the blanket is throwing everything off color-wise. It is not something I want to decorate around anymore, and I would feel sad to stick it in a closet somewhere, it is too special. I often wish it was just one single color instead of many. Or a single body color with one other color for a border, like navy with black.
I love the visual texture of the yarn and the pattern from the crochet, just sick and tired of the colors. Auntie, love you, your handiwork, your time, hate the colors. Forgive me?
Here are pictures from two different baby blankets I've just finished for my daughter (due in June).
Here's a very basic solid: http://www.flickr.com/photos/haleysuzanne/5482158705/
And here's one in the four colors we are using in the nursery (work in progress shot, each square is 9" x 9" and are sewn together):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/haleysuzanne/5408075685/
If you like those, you can find patterns on my Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/haleysuzanne
I figure I'll probably make up to another 4 blankets - each a different pattern. Maybe have auntie make a chevron pattern in your nursery's four colors? Or a granny square that uses only those?
we have solid color baby corchet blankets. baby blue, pink and white. we never ever use them as fingers and toes get caught in the holes. i would go for a solid color like orange or gray. the orange would be sooo much fun for a punch of color in any room. but gray would grow with the baby and it would blend in any room. congrats on the new baby.
i agree with all those who have said a granny square blanket. it's a good way to incorporate lots of color, and auntie could probably use a lot of her scraps instead of having to buy a lot of new yarn. here's an example of how a granny looks in a modern nursery: http://iccidesign.blogspot.com/search/label/nursery
This is one of my faves:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deucecitieshenhouse/4291299635/in/set-72157623252180580/
Here is the only image of the Bu & The Duck blanket I was able to find online (they no longer show products on their website):
(it's much bigger; it is just folded in the picture)
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/northeast/bu-and-the-duck-020913
Also check out the babette blanket photostream on flicker for some ideas; they are pretty amazing. Have to say that I have a strong preference for the Kiogu wool specified in the original pattern (maybe the variegated one at that), as I have made several Kaffe Fassett works in the past, and that is most in line with his work.
Here is the most modern riff on the Babette pattern, which I thought might appeal to you (imagine the possibilities with your colour scheme):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinasnest/4184913016/in/pool-65116578@N00/
Here's an orangey one:
http://www.purlbee.com/babette-blanket-2/2007/2/10/all-done.html
Good luck! It will be a fun project!
Also, check out this blog; she shows pattern books sources, and has some amazing blanket projects (including a modern bright version of the babette):
http://omeumundoacores.blogspot.com/search?q=crochet