I am actually surprised that I don’t have more designs with quotes. Quotes and words have been a grounding factor in my life. I have a huge folder filled with quotes that caught my attention over the years.
But, I think I’m a little bit scared to share them because it feels too personal.
A lot of the quotes that speak to me are too telling. My inner world (aka thoughts and feelings) is private even though I’ve spent three years online trying to create a public image as a trusted crochet designer.
I try to balance my need for privacy with the benefit of publicizing myself.
Most of you know already, but I am married with 3 children. I have shared photos of my kids and husband but I try to limit it because I get scared of online stranger danger things.
I also do not want my kids to look back later and feel like I was monetizing them.
PAUSE! I’ve admitted a couple fears already here and it’s starting to feel too personal! You can laugh a little at me, but I’m being 100% honest here.
This post is supposed to be about my new pattern, “Stronger Coffee“. It is a full-size blanket with some decorative designs and the quote “may your coffee be stronger than your daughter’s/son’s attitude”. I’ve written up the pattern using the interlocking crochet technique and the overlay mosaic crochet technique for both right-handed crocheters and left-handed crocheters.
With one purchase (on Ravelry or Etsy) you’ll have access to 4 pattern files: interlocking crochet method for the “son” or “daughter” option, and overlay mosaic crochet for the “son” or “daughter” option.
Each file contains the full written pattern for right-handers, then left-handers, and then a single-page chart (good for viewing on a screen), and a multi-page chart (for printing).
The mosaic charts have x’s showing where the dropped double crochets go. I also include a chart-reading instruction sheet and a photo tutorial for the optional double envelope border with every pattern.
The interlocking crochet option includes a chart-reading instruction sheet as well.
- Skip to the DISCLAIMER
- Skip to the Mental Health Links
- Skip to more Personal Tidbits
- Skip to Customization Info
- Skip to the Size and Yardage Info
- Skip to the Pattern Purchase links (on the side bar on a desktop)
Deep breath!
When I picked my crochet up four years ago, after having ignored it for about 10 years, I was looking for something to soothe me. I needed an escape from my inner turmoil (everyone gets some inner turmoil now and then, that doesn’t feel too personal to share).
I am not willing to go into the details of that inner turmoil (and frankly, it is rude to ask, so please don’t) – but the main trigger 4 years ago was the complicated birth of my son. That sentence is wildly underwhelming for what it was.
I am happy to have my yarn and hook keeping me grounded now but I also went ahead and turned my hobby into my business, so I added some new stresses. Oops, right!? Ha!
It’s a good thing I have learned other ways of self-therapy besides just crochet.
Disclaimer
The quote on this blanket, “may your coffee be stronger than your son’s/daughter’s attitude” can be found on mugs and t-shirts all over the internet.
It is meant to be light-hearted on this blanket design.
I created it as a custom design for a friend and strongly considered NOT publishing it publicly because I am TERRIFIED that someone will take it the wrong way or feel triggered because their caregivers were less than caring.
I have a child psychology degree. I have childhood trauma. I do not want to open up a public discussion about that.
I do not want anyone to take this quote as permission to be dismissive or rude to their children.
I would say my number one passion is child advocacy. But it is often too triggering for me to do it as a job or even as a hobby.
If it never even occurred to you that this quote might be anything but amusing then please give a breath of thanks AND allow space for others to have different feelings.
Mental Health
Here comes today’s psychology lesson for you: children’s feelings are valid.
Lesson number two: so are parents’ feelings.
Striking a balance can be very difficult. Especially in our global world where we have many cultures, histories, daily norms, etc. Not to mention generational differences.
Please reach out if you are in need of mental health support. I know you’ve heard it before but people keep repeating it because they mean it.
I have found value in following these professionals online:
https://www.facebook.com/instituteofchildpsychology
https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside/
Clearly, this link won’t be useful all over the world, but here in Canada we do have this as an option: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
More Personal Tidbits
Up until very recently I did not EVER drink coffee. I mean, I’ve tasted it, and tried really hard to like it, but it just wasn’t something that appealed to me.
I’ve recently enjoyed some instant coffee (which is “not coffee” according to my husband – he has fancy machines and seeks out specially roasted beans, etc).
Basically, what I’m saying is that the “coffee” part of the quote on this blanket doesn’t really have a personal note for me.
I do, however, have children: 2 girls and a boy.
This blanket comes with a “son” option and a “daughter” option.
I am aware that there are more words that could go into the quote.
I no longer do CUSTOM DESIGNS. However, I will accept some CUSTOM ADJUSTMENTS to this pattern.
Customization
If you’d like me to change the “son” or “daughter” part of this blanket please contact me BEFORE purchasing the pattern as it is now (you do have the option of also purchasing the design as is now, but the customization is a separate transaction).
No other customizations will be allowed. Just the one word.
You will need to choose one technique (interlocking crochet or overlay mosaic crochet) and you will need to tell me if you’re left-handed or right-handed.
You will receive the full written pattern and a chart for $12 CAD, payable with PayPal (everyone) or Interac E-Transfer (Canadians only). The timeline of how quickly I can get the pattern to you will depend on how many others want customization, but generally it should be less than a week.
Size and Yardage Info
There is a slight difference in chart size between the interlocking versions and the overlay mosaic versions because of the locking border on the interlocking versions.
I thought there might be a difference in yardage between the “son” and “daughter” options when using the mosaic crochet technique but the difference was so minute it disappeared when I rounded the yardage amounts up.
There is no difference between two layers of mesh regardless of which layer is laying on top, so the interlocking crochet options are based only on chart size and the design never changes that math.
Interlocking Crochet Details
- Chart: 201 x 201
- Finished measurements approximately 50” x 50” / 128cm x 128cm
- Gauge: 8 (dc, ch) x 8 rows = 4”
- 4.5 mm hook (US7)
- Worsted weight yarn (2950 – 3250 yards total)
- Main color (MC) (the words) – 1500 yards plus 300 for
optional border - Accent color (AC) (background) – 1450 yards
- Main color (MC) (the words) – 1500 yards plus 300 for
Overlay Mosaic Crochet Details
- Chart: 197 x 197
- Finished measurements approximately 53” x 57” / 133cm x 143cm
- Gauge: 14 SC in BLO x 15 rows = 4”
- 5 mm hook (H-8)
- Worsted weight yarn (3630 – 4330 yards) -Main color (words) – 1400 yards
- Contrasting color (background) – 2230 yards
- Optional envelope border – 700 yards
Interlocking Crochet, “Wrong Side”
As always, I find the “wrong side” of the interlocking crochet version to be intriguing!
Thank you to my testing team: Heather Passmore, Just_Duckie_Crochet, just_stitched_byJS, Marijke Laenen, Nessa Miller, & Wolsalon.
Get the Pattern
Grab this pattern on Ravelry or Etsy! Links are found below this discount paragraph.
Newsletter subscribers have been sent a code for 50% this new pattern (expired)! Subscribe now and then hit reply to the welcome email (where you’ll get a generic 20% off code and access to my Doctor Who blanket) and ask me for the current promo code! Offer expires 11:59 pm CST March 29, 2023.
If you don’t want to subscribe to my newsletter, you can still get an automatic 30% discount on “Stronger Coffee“ until 11:59 pm CST April 5, 2023. No code needed.
Please make sure the discount reflected in your cart is as expected before checking out since there is the automatic discount AND the coupon code discount.
