The first thing I ever made with yarn, 8 years ago, was a blanket for Mom. The colors border on garish (cream, plum, and forest green) and one side is six inches wider than the other, but I loved the pattern. So, when it came time to design a throw crocheted from alpaca yarn, I went back to that very first blanket.
I modified the original blanket pattern to be a narrower throw, and I adapted the color scheme to deal with the fact that I had much less black yarn. Each row of daisies is three rows of crochet stitches (the blanket is upside down in all the pictures, doh).
By the time I had a couple of feet crocheted, I kind of wished I’d made it two daisies wider. So I put a wide border of simple double stitches all the way around it. So there would be no front or back, I reversed the direction I was going with each row, which gives the border a kind of ruffly texture.
I’m a perfectionist, so I can think of half a dozen things I’d have done differently if I did it again. I will write all of those things down in my fiber journal for next time! But I still think it came out pretty darn good.
Cliff House Alpacas 
Kirstin, this is beautiful!!! How much would a blanket-sized one cost, for like the back of my couch?
Oh my goodness Patty. I’ll have to get back to you on that one, but quite a bit. We’re not sure anyone will be willing to pony up the cash for the throw, yet. I’ll have to do the math and get back to you. If you like the pattern, I can look around for more approachable materials.
Hmmm, I really love the pattern, and I bet it’s super soft 🙂 But perhaps there’s a way to have the daisies in some rows and then some easier stitching in between to make a blanket more affordable? Or the daisies could be the border stitch, but that wouldn’t be quite as spectacular… Let me know what you calculate, and maybe we can go from there! Thanks, Kir!
That is so beautiful. I’d love to have the pattern for the daisy stitch.
Thanks!! It’s a easy stitch. It’s basically just two double crochet stitches. When you finish the first stitch, you leave one loop on the hook (so you’ll have two loops on the hook). Then you do one more double crochet stitch, and finish it through all the loops on the hook.
Hard to explain! This is why I don’t write patterns. I can look at my pattern for better words if you’d like.
It’s beautiful Kirsten!
Why thank you! I forgot how long it takes to do big projects like blankets. Although, this only really took me a week and change. Cold weather increases blanket making efficiency!
It is beautiful -glad to see that you are “back in the saddle” with your hook!
Me too. I forgot how much I liked to crochet. And how long it takes to make a blanket!
I totally agree – it looks great! =D
Why thank you! I have a blanket making personality…I’m well suited for repetitive, practically tedious work.
Me again – I am so glad that you remember how much you enjoy crocheting and that you are doing some! I recently made a blanket, hat and booties for a woman that Uncle Jerry used to work with. When I put a crocheted “eyelash” border on the blanket, I too remember enjoying crochet and may see if I can still “ride the bike” and try crocheting some things. I DID get addicted to making booties after I made the ones for her – we will do a blog on them soon!
I think it is fantastic that Patty wants a blanket – it sounds like you would enjoy making it and I’m sure there is a way to make it fit financially, dont you think? She would surely treasure it!
Pingback: Happy beginings | Cliff House Alpacas
Pingback: Happy beginnings | Cliff House Alpacas