PipsRainbow

Don’t you just love rainbows. Well, as you can tell, I do. It’s not just the splendid array of bright colours, but also what a rainbow represents – peace, serenity, hope & motivation. I reckon we could all do with a little bit of that at the moment couldn’t we. 2020 has definitely not been the year that we had all planned or hoped for. But when there is hope and love in the world and a dash of rainbowiness, then I reckon we will be just fine.

With all these uncertain times ahead, I decided a little bit of rainbowy loveliness, snuggled up in a dollop of yarn is what we all need. So here is my very rainbowy cabbage patch blanket.

When I decided to create this blanket, we lived in a world where going to a shop was an everyday occurrence. Having a coffee with a friend, going to your families house for dinner, attending school even, was just a normal part of everyday life. But still now, nearly 7 months after lockdown, we are still very far away from the world as we used to know it.

I started this blanket in one mode of our life, but then completed it in a rather different lockdown life. So I can safely say I am feeling rather emotional about sharing this pattern with you. We have definitely been on a bit of a lockdown rollercoaster since starting this blanket. Homeschooling, family food deliveries, video calls, date nights, food deliveries, helping neighbours & now back to school runs & wearing masks. It’s all been a bit bonkers hasn’t it. My daughter asked me the other day if antibac gel existed before we had to stop hugging people. It broke my heart a little bit. Think that’s how the children see this whole pandemic. Not being able to hug the people that we love. So sad.

It’s all been a bit of a learning curve for us all and I can safely say there has been some rather emotional moments. But, in true British style, we are coping and adapting and more importantly behaving ourselves.

So with all that in mind, I reckon we all need a bit of rainbow blanket of lockdown loveliness in our lives.

So let’s get started.

Let’s talk wool – so for my blanket, I wanted to use up all my little bits of wool. Odds and ends that I have lying around from previous projects. A lot of mine is from the beautiful Sublime range, but there is a few other different brands in there too. Feel like this blanket tells a little story about my crocheting life. I could definitely tell you which specific yarn was used for which project. Hee hee, worrying I know!! But obviously you are very welcome to use whatever colour combo that you like. Can’t wait to see all your creations.

Anyways, without further a do, here is my little rainbow cabbage patch blanket pattern. The Cabbage Patch stitch is a beautiful stitch, both delicate and intricate. It consist of a 2 row repeat, which includes some trebles and chain stitches.

I really hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I have.

Supplies –

Right so for this blanket, I have used lots of little bits of double knit yarn. You can use just a few different colours or all your odds and ends up. It’s up to you. You need about 800g of yarn altogether. That includes the yarn for the border too. If you don’t want to use up all your bits of yarn, you could use 16 balls of 50g Double Knit Yarn. Don’t forget your scissors and blunt ended tapestry needle. And of course your 4mm crochet hook. To block your blanket you will also need some sponge tiles and some long tipped pins, not forgetting a little hand wash detergent to wash your blanket.

Level – medium (A few stitches that need to be worked in a certain way.)

Stitches –

Slip Stitch (ss) – This is where there is no height to the stitch. It’s usually used to join rounds. So insert the hook into the front of the stitch you are joining to. This is usually the first stitch you made in that round/row. So yarn over hook and pull through that first stitch then also through the loop on your hook.

Chain (ch) – To make a chain stitch, make a slip knot on your hook and then place the yarn over your hook and pull through the loop. Repeat this action to make a row of stitches.

Double Crochet (dc) – Insert the hook through the stitch, front to back, then yarn over hook and pull back through stitch. You will have two loops on your hook. Then yarn over your hook and pull through both loops.

Treble (tr) – To make a treble crochet, firstly yarn over your hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over your hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should now be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through the first two loops, yarn over hook and pull through the last two loops.

Half Treble (htr) – A half treble crochet is basically one less movement than a treble. So yarn over hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through all 3 loops.

Pips Tips – Starting a blanket

When you work your foundation chain at the very beginning of your blanket, make sure you work it quite loosely. You can even use a slightly bigger hook if you would like to. This will ensure that you start your blanket with a nice straight line. If your foundation chain is too tight, it will give you a rather curved edge to your blanket. And it is quite hard to correct.

Ok so let’s get started…

1 – Start by making a slip knot and working a foundation chain of 150 chain stitches. (150)

2 – Now turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the same stitch. (So the first stitch in the row.) Ok so now work 1dc in each stitch across the row. (150)

3 – Ok so now turn your work and chain 3. (This acts as 1tr.) Then miss the first and next stitch and work 1tr into the next stitch. This is where the arrow is pointing.

Follow this with 3 more tr stitches in the same stitch. (This makes a cluster of 4tr stitches.)

*Now miss 3 stitches and work 4tr stitches into the next stitch.* Then repeat ** to the end of the row.

Pips Tips – how to change yarns –

As this is a Using Up Pattern, you will need to change your yarns quite a few times. Now changing colour is very simple. All you need to do is start your next stitch by inserting your hook into your stitch and then when you yarn over your hook, grab both the new and old yarn and pull both through the stitch.

See how I am working both the old and the new yarn in the photo below.

Now finish the stitch as normal with both yarns. This will secure both the end of the old and the beginning of the new yarns. So pull both the old and the new yarn through the first 2 loops and then I would bring only the new yarn through the last 2 loops. Now you can either weave in those ends with your blunt ended tapestry needle now or at the end when you have finished the blanket. Up to you.

Right then, so once you have worked the row, there will be 3 stitches left. So just work 1tr in the last stitch. (150)

4 – Right so with this row we need to firstly chain 3 (this counts as your first 1tr).

Now miss the first stitch and then the next 3 stitches then work 1tr in the next stitch. So work your 1tr where the arrow is pointing.

This is what it should look like.

Now chain 2.

Now you are going to work 1tr stitch into the first of the 3 missed stitches. So you are working back on yourself. This stitch is where the arrow is pointing in the photo below.

See how it’s crossed in front of the other stitch in the photo below. So to do this start by placing the yarn over your hook and then inserting the hook front to back into the stitch. Now complete the stitch as normal – so yarn over and pull back through. Finally yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops. They yarn over your hook and pull through the last 2 loops. And that completes your 1tr stitch.

Now repeat the whole process again across the row. *So miss 3 stitches, work 1tr in the next stitch, chain 2 and then work 1tr in the first of the 3 missed stitches.* Repeat this ** across the row.

Finally work 1tr in the top of the chain 3 stitches from the row below. (150)

5 – Ok so turn your blanket and chain 3 (which acts as your first tr).

Then *work 4tr stitches into the chain 2 space.* This is where the arrow is pointing in the photo above.

Repeat ** across the whole row.

Then work 1tr in the top of the 3 chains from the row below. (150)

6 – Ok so now we are going repeat row 4. So chain 3 (this counts as your first tr). Now miss the first and the next 3 stitches then work 1tr in the next stitch. Now chain 2. Now you are going to work 1tr stitch into the first of the 3 missed stitches.

Ok *So miss 3 stitches, work 1tr in the next stitch, chain 2 and then work 1tr in the first of the 3 missed stitches.* Repeat this ** across the row.

Finally work 1tr in the top of the 3 chains from the row below. (150)

7 – Now it’s time to repeat row 5. Ok so turn your blanket and chain 3 (which acts as your first tr). Then *work 4tr stitches into the chain 2 space.* Repeat ** across the whole row. Work 1tr into the top of the chain 3 stitches. (150)

Right then, so now repeat rows 6 and 7 until you have 120 rows in total – 60 of row 6 and 60 of row 7. Don’t forget to sew in all those ends.

Well there we have the centre of your blanket. Love how random my colour changes are, yet it still creates a lovely rainbow.

Now it’s time for the border. Now I have chosen to use 3 different colours for my border. I have used a cream, a beige and then a silvery grey. Thought this combo would compliment the bright colours of the centre of the blanket quite well.

Round 1 Of Colour –

So start by attaching your new yarn (Cream) in the first chain of the foundation chain that you started the blanket with. Chain 1 and work 1dc in that first stitch. *Then ch1, miss a chain and then work 1dc in the next stitch*. Repeat this ** across the row.

When you get to the last 2 chain stitches, work 1dc in each stitch. (150)

Now turn your blanket, so that you are going to work your way up the next side of the blanket. Then chain 3 and work 1dc in the first space. Then ch1 and then work 1dc in the next space.

Work *1ch and 1dc in each space* Repeat this ** up the side of the blanket. At the end of the row, work 1ch and 1dc in the last space. (240)

Now Ch3 and then turn the corner and work 1dc in the corner space. Then miss a stitch and ch1. *Now work 1dc in the next stitch and then miss a stitch and ch1.* Repeat this ** across the row. (150)

Then work 1dc in the last stitch, ch1 and work 1dc in the corner space and then ch3, turn the blanket and work 1dc in the same space (as before.)

*Then work 1ch and 1dc in each space along the side.* Repeat this ** across the row. Finishing with 1ch and 1dc in the last space. (150)

Now ch3 and then slip stitch into the first stitch of the round to complete the first round of the border.

Round 2 Of Colour –

Keeping with the same coloured yarn, start by ch2 (this will give you the height of a htr stitch) Now work 1htr in the first stitch, *then ch1, miss 1ch then work 1htr in the next stitch.* Now repeat this ** across the row.

At the end of the row work 1htr then ch3 in the ch3 space then 1htr (this will create the corner.) Now work 1htr in the first stitch, miss a chain and then 1htr in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** to the end of the row. Then as before work 1htr, ch3 then 1htr in the chain 3 space to create the corner.

Once again work your way up the next side of the blanket by working 1htr in the first stitch, miss a chain and then 1htr in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** to the end of the row and then as before work 1htr, ch3 then 1htr in the chain 3 space.

Then for the last side of the blanket, now work 1htr in the first stitch, miss a chain and then 1htr in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** to the end of the row and then as before work 1htr, ch3 then 1htr in the chain 3 space. Finish the round by ss into the first stitch of the round.

Now you can repeat round 2 as many times as you like. It depends on how thick you would like the border. I have worked this round 8 times, obviously your stitch count will increase slightly for each round, as you are adding stitches to each of the corners. I worked 4 rounds in the cream yarn and then 4 in the beige yarn. Once you are happy, finish the round you are on by slip stitching into the first stitch in the last round. Then fasten off your yarn.

Round 3 Of Colour –

Round 3 creates the edging of the boarder. I thought this light silvery grey would finish it off nicely. Start by attaching the new yarn in the top of a htr stitch near one of the corners. Now ch1 and work 1dc in the top of the same htr stitch.

Now work 1dc in the top of the next chain stitch from the row below.

*Now work 1dc in the next htr stitch and then 1dc in the next 1ch.* Repeat this ** all the way around the blanket.

When you come to a corner. Just work 1dc, 1ch, 1dc in the ch3 space that you made for the corner in the previous round.

When you have finished the first round, ss into the top of the first dc stitch that you made, ch1 and work 1dc in the same first stitch. Then as before work 1dc in each stitch around the blanket. When you come to a corner, work 1dc, ch1 and 1dc in the ch1sp. This will give you a nice neat corner. Then carry on working 1dc in each stitch around the blanket.

Once you have worked all your way around the blanket, Ss into the first stitch in the round and fasten off. Woohoo! All finished.

Now it’s time to grab a cuppa and sew in all your ends with your blunt ended tapestry needle.

And there you have it, a beautiful rainbow blanket using up all your bits of yarn.

All that is left to do is block your blanket. It is really important to block your blanket, it will give you much more of a professional finish to your blanket. I give my blanket a wash in hand wash detergent, gently ring it out in a towel and then block it using your long tipped pins and sponge tiles.

Thought I would include one of my video tutorial on how to block your work. It will give you a few tips on blocking.

Well, I really hope you have enjoyed this pattern as much as I have. Can’t wait to see all of your creations. Think its a great way to use up all those little bits of yarn you have lying around, but alternatively would look great with a few specific colours. It’s definitely the weather for a snuggly blanket isn’t it! My toes seem to be a lot happier when they are snuggled up in a yummy yarn blanket.

Well stay safe all. If you have any questions, just shout.

Happy hooking.

🌈Xx

(Free pattern designed and brought to you by PipsRainbow. Thank you for not copying or recreating it. ☺️Xx)

Wow. Nearly half a year of homeschooling and the kids are finally back in school. The year of 2020 has definitely not panned out as planned, has it. I hope you are all well and coping with our ever changing world. I’m sorry I haven’t been on here very much. I think I just haven’t had the head space to know where to begin. I have designed and made many little projects, but haven’t had the time to write the patterns down. I’m sure that I am not the only one. Everyone has had so much to deal with and every family has had their own milestones to overcome. But I do feel that life seems to have melted and moulded into a way of life that seems to be sticking around for a while.

When my daughter went back to school last week, my body and head was not in a great place. It felt like we had been in this little protective bubble for so long and then all of a sudden someone had popped the bubble and we were out in the world, with no protective shield whatsoever. I know that the children have to go back to school and I know that it is the right thing to do, but it doesn’t make it feel any easier!!! Luckily, my daughter was super excited about going back. She was nervous, but ready. She wanted to see her friends, wanted a little bit of routine and was definitely ready to learn. We had tried our best with the homeschooling and kept up with all the lessons that the teachers had sent us, but it wasn’t easy. I think because my son is quite a bit younger, it wasn’t a case of all of us sitting at the table and ploughing through it altogether. It was a juggling act between setting up toys for the youngest, while trying to explain and set work for the eldest. And then hoping that both can get on with each activity, whilst you zoom between the two and also keep the house ticking over and some form of food on the table. You would then have the video calls to contend with and the chats at the front door and through the windows. Bonkers!!! A can safely day there has been a lot of cuppas consumed in lockdown!!

I’m proud to say that we survived it. We existed and we survived!! Woohoo! There was definitely some rather sobering lows, but alternatively there was some mega highs. It felt like you were on a Coronavirus rollercoaster. You’d be winning one day and then the next would just be one of those days where everything goes to pot!! But we coped. I just hope now that the kids can stay in school and all the safety procedures that the wonderful teachers have put in place, keep our little ones safe and well.

I think for me the hardest thing has been to not cuddle and be close to both sets of parents. I’m so used to having a hug with them, so being told you can’t, has just been awful!! So unnatural. I still haven’t been in my parents house yet. Which has definitely been tough. Heyho, it is all worth it to keep them safe and well. I think now that the kids are back too, we really have to step up the distancing again and be that little bit more careful!! Just in case.

I do feel that the time that we have all been given has definitely had its benefits. Both our children seem to have grown and blossomed. Particularly my daughter. She seems to have found herself. She is so much more confident and free spirited. She doesn’t seem to be as worried about things as much and seems to take things in her stride more. It’s like she knows herself more and maybe that she understands who she is and what she likes and wants to be. Amazing. My son also, is a lot more confident and definitely stronger in what he wants to do. His vocabulary in particular has really come on. Guessing its because he has been hanging around with his older sister for so long.

Well, whatever happens now, out lives have changed, our weekends are freer, our trips in the car are minimal and our family time has rocketed. Being together… what else could you want.

I hope that in time I can get through some of my patterns and creations so that I can share them with you. I think I will have a little more time and definitely have some more head space to concentrate on them. Think the words – watch this space are in order here.

One pattern that was important to publish, was my little face mask attachments. They sit at the back of your head, to save your ears from the mask straps. I think I made over 100 so far and are still having request for some more. Hoping they have helped a few sore ears out there.

One thing that I am really chuffed about is the fact that I have managed to teach myself how to knit socks on circular needles. I used a kit that I have bought from the incredible Abby over at Orchidean Luxury Yarns.

It consists of 4ply super soft sock yarn, a simple from the amazing Michelle at The Loveliest Yarn Company and of course the circular needles. It’s a fab little kit if anyone wants to challenge themselves.

Can’t wait to get another pair on my needles. Think I had better start some birthday and Christmas presents though, sure I can make myself another pair soon. They are a great project to take around with you too, as it’s so small. I have been known to be walking around the house with them in my pocket, just on the off chance that I may get a chance to knit a few stitches. Funny!! Does anyone else do this?

My daughter has managed to conquer crocheting and knitting over lockdown. So proud of her. She made a little granny square and a few little things for her dog toy.

And she has just started knitting on some circular needles and is making a snood for herself. How cool is that. Hope she can finish it so that she can wear it when the cooler weather comes. She has quite a way to go though.