Embellished Crochet Work

Basic Blanket

finished measurements: 32" x 36"

gauge: 12 sc & 16 rows = 4 inches

Materials

6 balls Lion Brand ice blue Cotton Ease yarn *
size "H" crochet hooks or size to obtain gauge
large-eye yarn needle
satin blanket binding or 1/2 yard fabric
scissors

* 50% cotton/50% acrylic, 100g, 3-1/2 oz., 188m/207 yards

1. With ice blue, ch 97 and sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, 96 sc (including ch 2), ch 1 turn.

2. Working on these stitches in sc, continue until piece measures 36 inches.

3. With a double strand of contrasting color and your large-eye yarn needle, work diagonally, weaving under and over sts and rows to opposite side edge.

4. Work remaining diagonal stitching about 8 inches apart on either side of the first one.

5. To finish: Sew satin blanket binding around blanket, mitering the corners.

Note: As an alternative to the satin blanket binding, you can use 1/2 yard fabric. Cut the fabric into two 4" x 33" pieces and two 4" x 37" pieces. Turn each long edge under 1/2 inch to the wrong side and press. Starting at one corner, pin fabric in place, making sure not to stretch the blanket. When you reach the next corner, fold the end of the next piece of fabric on the miter, then continue to pin in place to the next corner. Repeat with the other two pieces of fabric, making sure to miter the corner. Once you have pinned the fabric in place, sew in place, making sure to go through both sides of the fabric.

You'll need one ball each of two different contrasting colors of Cotton Ease by Lion.

1. With a double strand of contrasting color and your large-eye yarn needle, work diagonally, weaving under and over sts and rows to opposite side edge.

2. Work remaining diagonal stitching about 8 inches apart on either side of the first one.

3. Now in the opposite corner from where you started the first one, working in the same manner, work crossing over the previous weaving (this will create the diamond effect).

4. Continue to work the diagonal stitching 8 inches apart.

1. Ch 2, work 4 dc, always inserting the hook into the same stitch and leaving the last loop of each on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through all the loops on the hook to complete (figures A, B and C).

2. Leave a long tail to sew onto blanket. Make one bobble for each intersection of the weaving (figure D).

3. Sew bobbles in place at each intersection (figure E).

You'll need one ball of a contrasting color of Lion Brand Cotton Ease yarn to turn a square check blanket (already completed in three colors) into a plaid blanket.

1. With a double strand of contrasting color and your large-eye yarn needle, start 8 inches from the bottom of the blanket and work straight across to the other side, weaving under and over the sts.

2. Work remaining straight stitching about 8 inches apart, working up the blanket.

3. Using the same principle but working under and over the rows, start 8 inches from the side of the blanket and work to the other side, crossing over the previous stitching.

4. To finish, sew satin blanket binding around blanket, mitering the corners.