V Stitch Foot Blanket

Grannie’s V Stitch Foot Blanket

Well hello Monday goers. Here we are again at the start of a new week. Thought I would bring you some yummy yarny crocheting in the form of this lovely foot blanket. It’s one of my favourite little blankets that I made in the winter and as you can see it’s a firm favourite in our family. It finds itself living in different places in the house, but seems to like living here in between a very old carriage blanket and my Year of the Stitches Blanket.

When I designed this blanket, I had a few specific ideas in my head. I wanted it to be warm, but not too heavy. I also knew it needed to have the lovely fluid drape that a blanket can give, as I knew it would be placed over a bed or someone’s feet or lap. Thus why I used quite large hooks for the tasks and choose the magnificent, yet oh so simple V stitch. My first of these blankets was for my dear Grannie. She was in a care home at the time and her feet were getting cold. She had spent her life keeping our feet warm with knitted slipper socks, so it was about time we kept her feet nice and toasty. I visited her with my Dad and started the blanket that evening. It took me 3 evenings, so it’s ever so quick to make up. Unfortunately she passed away the next day, so I never got to give it to her. But it is now known in our house hold as the GG Blanket. So that’s nice. It even gets lent out to family members aka my sister, for camping trips or snuggle needing events!!

Supplies –

Now you can choose to make this blanket in either Aran weighted wool or 2 double knit wools worked together. I love using up all my different odds and ends and mixing lots of yarns, so I choose to use 2 double knit yarns. My Gran did this a lot. She even used to undo unwanted jumpers and reuse the wool for other projects, so I think she would have approved of this one. Just remember when you are using multistrands of wool, all you need to do is work with them as if they are 1 ball of wool. It’s ever so easy, so nothing to worry about. Here’s a little snuggle pod I was making with 3 balls of wool!

So mine weighs about 600g and I have used the 2 strands of double knit wool method. So probably looking at about 12 balls of dk yarn, as they are usually in 50g balls. If you are using Aran, then you will need roughly about 7-8 balls of wool. Obviously it depends on your tension and how big or small you fancy making it. You will also need a 7mm and an 8mm crochet hook, scissors and a blunt ended tapestry needle.

Level – Easy

Blanket Size – 53inches wide and 23inches tall.

Stitches – 

Slip knot – Firstly fold over the yarn to make a loop. Insert your hook through the loop and grab the working yarn (long piece) and pull through the loop. Hold the tail and the working yarn and pull tight to create a knot.

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.

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.

V Stitch – To make a V stitch, you need to work 2 Treble crochet stitches inbetween the two trebles stitches in the row below.

Ok so here we go … 

1 – To start the blanket you need to chain 120 stitches. Now remember when you are starting a blanket off, always use a hook size 1 whole size bigger for the chain stitches. So we are using a 7mm hook for this blanket, so work your chain stitches with an 8mm hook. Otherwise you will get a delightful curve on your blanket before you have even started. It helps you to have a nice straight edge to your blanket. So first things first make your slip knot.

Then work your 120 chain stitches.

Now that you have chained all of your stitches, change back to your normal crochet hook which is a 7mm hook. (120)

2 – Right so turn your blanket and chain 3. This will give you the height for your V stitch. Now in the 5th chain from the hook work 2tr stitches. (Don’t forget there is a recap at the top if you have forgotten how to work a Treble Stitch.) So you are working into the 5th chain from the hook – because 3 stitches are acting as your first tr stitch and one stitch you are missing.

Now *miss a chain stitch and work 2tr into the next stitch.* Repeat ** across the rest of the row.

Now work 1tr Stitch in the last chain stitch in the row. (120)

3 – Now turn your work and chain 3. This acts as your first tr stitch. Now you are going to work your V stitch inbetween the 2 treble stitches from the row below. This is where the arrow is pointing.

To work your V stitch, work your 2 trebles stitches here.

*Now miss a stitch and as before work 2tr inbetween the 2 treble stitches below.*Repeat ** all the way across the row.

So when you come to the last V, work the 2tr stitches as usual. Now work 1tr in then top of the chain 3 stitches from the row below. (120)

This completes your row. (120)

4 – Now turn your work and chain 3. This acts as your first tr stitch. Then *work 2tr inbetween the V stitch below (Inbetween the 2 tr stitches)*.

Repeat ** across the row. Now if like me you are using up lots of odds and ends of yarn, at some point in each row, balls of wool will run out. So I have created this blanket with colour changes randomly. Obviously you don’t have to change mid row, you can always change at the ends of the row or not at all. Up to you! But if you do then here’s how. So start your first tr in the next V stitch by yarn over hook, insert into your stitch, yarn over your hook then pull back through. So at this point, you are going to use your new yarn. So place the new yarn over your hook.

Now finish the tr stitch as usual, so pull the new yarn through the first 2 loops.

Then yarn over your hook and pull through the last 2 loops. Now work another 1tr in the same place to finish the V stitch.

Now carry on working V stitches as usual. At the end of the row, work 1tr in the top of the chain 3 stitches. (120)

5 – Now turn your work and chain 3. This acts as your first tr stitch. Then *work 2tr inbetween the V stitch below. (Inbetween the 2 tr stitches.)*

At the end of the row work 1tr in the top of the chain 3 stitches. (120)

6 – Now repeat row 5 until you are happy with the height of your blanket. For my foot blanket, I have worked 42 rows, but feel free to do as many or as little as you like. Once you have finished, fasten off and sew in all of those rascally ends.

Look at all those lovely V stitches. Love the colour change in this one.

You can see here the size of the 42 rows. It will fit easily at the end of a single bed or just as a simple lap blanket that lives on the back of the sofa.

So there you have the wonderful V Stitch Foot Blanket. Really hope you like this one. Great for a really quick blanket to make for someone. Might be nice for a Christmas present for someone or even a big bod off to Uni. Would be great to go at the end of a single bed too!!

Well, happy hooking everyone.

🌈Xx

(Free Crocheted Pattern brought to you by PipsRainbow.)

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Year of the Stitches Week 35 – Little Pyramid

Little Pyramid 

Well I knew it was coming, but it’s still sad that it’s here – the end of the summer holidays with my gorgeous girlie. Two days left. I can’t quite get over how quick it’s gone. Such precious times with my little ones together. They have become so close and play so well together now. They have always got on, but now I’ve noticed that they seem to follow each other around the house. I don’t think they realise they are doing it, but they always seem to be playing in the same room. So cute! I don’t reckon you can beat sibling love! So precious. My daughter loved painting the Smiles Stones this summer, but I didn’t quite realise how much they would play with them together in the garden. Great hide and seek game that seems to keep them happy for ages!! Think we need to make some more!!

Today was my son’s first ride on a carousel. He was so excited! He stood and watched for well over 10 minutes in ore of it!! My daughter loves them, so he’s seen a fair few in his time!! This one was at Blists Hill in Ironbridge! Can’t quite beat the Britishness of it can you!!

So this week it was the 1st Birthday of the Bore Street Bakery in Lichfield, owned by the wonderful Nathan. It’s the most incredible little haven of yummy bread and scrummy delights. The range of artisan breads on offer is mega, I don’t think I could name them all. I remember the first time I walked past this splendid window. I literally double took! It was like, hang on a minute, did I just see what I thought I did. Little man’s pram made a speedy U turn and we were hooked the minute we walked in. They make the most mind blowing Custard Tarts. Need to get a pic of one next time I’m in town. Soooooo delicious! I swear Nathan makes them with cream – must ask him. Nom nom! You guys totally need to go there. Cuppa tea, crochet hook, ball of wool and a custard tart from Bore Street Bakery – I’ve decided that’s all you need in life!! Well, all you need when you have a peaceful moment!!! Happy 1st Birthday Bore Street Bakery!!!! Lichfield would not be the same without you!!!

Hmmm, I have a funny feeling that Autumn is very much on her way. Look at those sneaky little leaves turning. Chilly days are on their way chaps. Cold, crisp mornings with colourful surroundings and chilly days are definitely a foot. It can only mean one thing – sock crocheting!! Haha, well I’ve always said I am a little crochet sock lover!!!

So onto this weeks stitch. So I decided on the lovely Little Pyramid Stitch. It’s a mega stitch, which is built up of little stitches to create a little pyramid. Hope you enjoy this one.

Supplies

So this week I have chosen the wonderful wool yarn from Toft. It’s a mega dk wool, which is mega to work with. Now I have a rather large soft spot for Toft, as it was the real reason why I got into crocheting. I will never forget that first moment at the Knit and Stitch Show many moons ago, at the NEC, when I first came across the wonderful Toft World. I saw all these incredible little crocheted creatures hanging around this little stall and the lovely Kerry Lord in the middle of them all. She sold me my first Edwards Menagerie Book, wool and a hook. And I have never looked back. My little Benedict was born.

The one and only Benedict the Monkey. This was my very first crocheted toy and crochet project!! He’s rather a firm favourite in our house! So it’s only apt that I use some of their incredible double knit yarn in my blanket. So you will need about 30g of dk yarn, a 4mm crochet hook, scissors and a blunt ended tapestry hook.

Stitches

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.

Triple Treble Crochet (ttr) – A Triple treble is quite a tall stitch. So yarn over hook three, insert hook through the stitch and then yarn over hook again. Now pull the yarn through the stitch. There will now be 5 loops on the hook. Now place the yarn over the hook and pull through the first 2 loops. (4 loops on your hook.) Then yarn over the hook again and pull through the next two loops. (3 loops on your hook.) Haha, now place the yarn over the hook again and pull through the next 2 loops. (2 loops on your hook.) Then yarn over your hook again and pull through the last 2 loops. Phew! It’s a bit of a long process, but a lovely stitch with the height that it gives.

Little Pyramid –  Chain 6 and then work 1dc into the third chain from the hook. Now work 1tr into the next 3 stitches. Now miss 3 stitches on your row and work 1dc in the next stitch. (This will anchor your pyramid stitch down and completes the stitch.)

Ok so here we go …

1 – Ok so first things first. Attach your new yarn and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the same stitch. Now it’s time to start your first pyramid stitch. So chain 6 and then work 1dc into the third chain from the hook. (This is where my needle is pointing.)

You can see here that it creates the top of the pyramid shape.

Now work 1tr into the next 3 chains. Ok so now it’s time to miss 3 stitches in your row and work 1dc in the next stitch. (This is where the needle is pointing.)

The dc stitch will anchor your pyramid stitch down and completes the stitch.

Now work pyramid stitches across the row. *So chain 6 and then work 1dc into the third chain from the hook. Now work 1tr into the next 3 chains. Now miss 3 stitches on your row and work 1dc in the next stitch.*

Repeat this ** across the row.

Finishing with 1dc in the last stitch. (50 pyramid stitches)

2 – Now turn you work and chain 6. (This acts as your first stitch.) Now work 1dc in the top chain stitch of the pyramid. This is where the needle is pointing. You are basically missing 4 stitches up the side of the pyramid.

*Now chain 3 and work 1dc in the next chain stitch on top of the next pyramid stitch.*

Repeat this ** across the row.

At the end of the row, work your last 1dc in the top of the last pyramid stitch then work 1ttr in the last stitch of the row. (Check the stitch information above if you can’t remember from last week how to work a Triple Treble Stitch (ttr). (200)

And there you have the wonderful Little Pyramid stitch. I hope you have enjoyed having a go with it!! Please give us a shout if you are unsure!! Always happy to help!!

Happy hooking everyone!

🌈Xx

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