2022 Valentine’s Bundle of One Blanket and Two Large Squares

I was never one of those teenage girls who had perfect handwriting or dotted their i‘s with little hearts. My hand could never move as fast as my thoughts and I just wanted to get the words on paper as quickly as possible.

That translated to some messy handwriting… but some carefree art!

This little bundle of patterns feels like the swirly doodles of grade school where crushes and who-likes-who are a major distraction from math and science. I like the carefree fun in these lines.

There are two large squares (chart size 81 x 81; 40 windows to start with when using interlocking) and one blanket (chart size 161 x 161; 80 windows in the foundation for interlocking) in this set. You can join all three together or use the squares as pillows or join the squares to other squares for a blanket of your own.

The name for the baby blanket, “My Heart is Full of Love“, comes from the cliche saying that I said repeatedly every time I had a new baby. Your arms get full, but your heart gets fuller! **I added “of love” to the title on Ravelry because I didn’t realize another designer already used that title.**

Interlocking crochet by cyncitycrochets
Mosaic crochet by Angela Kermack

You’ll notice that the mosaic sample (pink and white in the images above) has the interlocking mesh dots as part of its chart. Lately I’ve been adjusting my mosaic pieces to be more solid but this set has not been adjusted.

The square titled “Flying Hearts” looks like wings to me. And “Swirly Hearts” is just the description of what I see as well. Both of the samples below were crocheted by Angela Kermack using the mosaic technique.

Flying Hearts
Swirly Hearts

This eBook is on both Ravelry and Etsy. Each piece in this bundle is available separately on Ravelry as well.

For the blanket (My Heart is Full of Love):

  • Chart is 161 x 161
  • Finished measurements approximately 40” x 40” / 101cm x 101cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”
  • Worsted weight yarn
  • Interlocking yardage: (1820-1870 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) – 910 yards plus 50 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) – 910 yards
  • Overlay Mosaic Yardage (1975 – 2475 yards)
    • Main color – 925 yards
    • Contrasting color – 1050 yards
    • Plus, optional envelope border: 500 yards

For the large squares (Flying Hearts & Swirly Hearts):

  • Chart is 81 x 81
  • Finished measurements approximately 20” x 20” / 51cm x 51cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”
  • Worsted Weight Yarn
  • Interlocking yardage: (460 – 485 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) – 230 yards plus 25 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) – 230 yards
  • Overlay Mosaic Yardage (530 yards)
    • Main color – 265 yards
    • Contrasting color – 265 yards

Get the Patterns

Take 20% off your ENTIRE CART when you purchase this eBook; use code “20HEARTS” on Etsy and Ravelry until February 20, 2022.

“2022 Valentine’s Bundle” eBook of 3 patterns on Ravelry
“2022 Valentine’s Bundle” eBook of 3 patterns on Etsy
“My Heart is Full of Love” blanket pattern on Ravelry
“Flying Hearts 40” on Ravelry
“Swirly Hearts 40” on Ravelry

ashleebrotzell

Repeatable Pins and Needles Pattern Update

At the end of December last year I updated this small blanket pattern to be more symmetrical. And at that time I asked for some input on whether to pull out the repeatable section and/or change the mosaic version to remove the interlocking mesh dots. Thank you to everyone who gave me feedback regarding my Pins and Needles pattern!

The blanket pattern is a repeating motif, but it is a large motif. It is actually larger than my “oversized afghan squares”!

It was unanimous that the repeatable version would be something wanted – so I’ve gone ahead and pulled that out and now both the interlocking and mosaic versions have a repeatable pattern to go along with the blanket pattern.

The border lines that keep things balanced or lock the two mesh layers together are marked off so you can repeat the inner motif as many times as you want and then still finish off with a balanced piece.

I have also removed the mesh dots from this repeatable pattern. The feedback on that wasn’t unanimous so I had to make an executive decision. If you were really hoping to repeat the pattern but you LOVE the way those interlocking dots make the mosaic piece look then you do still have the option of working from the repeatable interlocking chart.

You can read the chart like this:

Both the updated blanket and the new repeatable chart for mosaic crochet have X’s marking the dropped double crochets. The blanket still has the mesh dots but this repeatable section is solid. Lots of options!

So, to reiterate:

Original Pins and Needles blanket created November 2020, written and charts for interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet.

July 2021: Chart marked with X’s for the mosaic version was added.

December 2021: Chart for both techniques edited to make the blanket design more symmetrical.

January 2022: Repeatable section pulled from the blanket. Mosaic version edited to remove the interlocking mesh dots and border lines.

The listing now has four (4) files:

  • Blanket pattern, chart and written line-by-line instructions for interlocking crochet
  • Blanket pattern, x-marked chart and written line-by-line instructions for overlay mosaic crochet; chart identical to interlocking chart
  • Repeatable section, chart and written line-by-line instructions for interlocking crochet
  • Repeatable section, chart and written line-by-line instructions for overlay mosaic crochet; chart adjusted from interlocking chart so no extra border lines or mesh dots

Where to Get the Pattern

If you’ve purchased this pattern on Etsy and would like the update please contact me (technically Etsy prohibits me from contacting you).

“Pins and Needles” on Ravelry
“Pins and Needles” on Etsy

REPEATABLE SQUARE: Interlocking Crochet Details

  • Base Chart: 93 x 91
  • Single square 23.35” x 22.75” / 59cm x 58cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (600 – 625 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) – 300 yards plus 25 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) – 300 yards
  • Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”

REPEATABLE SQUARE: Overlay Mosaic Crochet Details

  • Base Chart: 89 x 87, no mesh dots
  • Single square 24” x 25” / 60cm x 63cm
  • 5 mm hook (H-8)
  • Worsted weight yarn (800 + yards)
    • Main color (black in square above) – 375 yards
    • Contrasting color (purple in square above) – 425 yards
    • Optional Envelope Border – minimum 200 yards
  • Gauge: 14 stitches x 15 rows = 4”

BLANKET: Interlocking Crochet Details

  • Chart is 201 x 241
  • Finished measurements approximately 50” x 60”
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (3500 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) – 1700 yards plus 100 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) – 1700 yards
  • Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”

BLANKET: Overlay Mosaic Crochet Details

  • Chart is 201 x 241
  • Finished measurements approximately 50” x 60”
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (4100 yards)
    • Main color – 1950 yards
    • Contrasting color – 1950 yards
    • Plus 200 yards for optional envelope border
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 16 rows = 4”

ashleebrotzell

Medical Staff, Caduceus Crochet Blanket Pattern

Months ago I created a custom pattern that included this caduceus as part of the design. I meant to get the public version posted sooner but, alas, life gets busy and I forgot. Earlier today I saw someone asking if there were any medical patterns and I was reminded that I had this in my drafts!

Here’s an amusing quote from wikipedia:

The caduceus is the traditional symbol of Hermes and features two snakes winding around an often winged staff. It is often used as a symbol of medicine, especially in the United States, despite its ancient and consistent associations with trade, liars, thieves, eloquence, negotiation, alchemy, and wisdom.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus_as_a_symbol_of_medicine

The chart for the interlocking crochet technique has the double border lines and mesh dots as required for this technique. It is 217 x 221.

I’ve adjusted the chart for the overlay mosaic technique and removed the dots and unnecessary border lines. This chart is 213 x 217. It has X’s marking the dropped double crochets and because there are so many in a row I suggest using a larger gauge than the interlocking version.

Pin this image for later!

Of course, gauge is really a suggested guideline that you are completely free to ignore. To be really accurate you should make your own gauge swatch with the yarn you want to use and then you can do some math and figure out how large the finished piece would be with your personal gauge.

For my personal crochet projects I tend to do a gauge swatch only for something wearable (like a sweater) and wouldn’t bother for a blanket.

Get the Pattern

Take 20% off your entire cart with purchase of this pattern until January 8, 2022. Automatic, no code needed.

“Medical Staff” on Ravelry
“Medical Staff” on Etsy

Interlocking Crochet

  • Chart is 217 x 221
  • Finished measurements approximately 54” x 55” / 138cm x 140cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (3360-3435 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) – 1680 yards plus 75 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) – 1680 yards
  • Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”

Overlay Mosaic Crochet

  • Chart is 213 x 217
  • Finished measurements approximately 57” x 62” / 144cm x 157cm
  • 5 mm hook (H-8)
  • Worsted weight yarn (4475-5075 yards)
    • Main color (blue on chart) – 1450 yards
    • Contrasting color (white on chart) – 3025 yards
    • Optional Envelope Border – 600 yards
  • Gauge: 14 stitches x 15 rows = 4”

ashleebrotzell

2022 January Cat; Interlocking and Overlay Mosaic Crochet Pattern

Happy New Year!

We made it to 2022. We don’t know what the future holds but many people are really focused on making this year better than last year. I have never done well with “new year’s resolutions”. If I want to do something, I do it now. If I don’t want to do it then there’s no point in writing it on a fancy paper to declare that in the new year I’ll do it.

My pretend new year’s resolution is to stay a bit more balanced than the last few year’s have been. Less extremes, less craziness. More “slow and steady” instead of “race, race, race!”.

My advice to myself and to all of you: everything works out in the end. If things haven’t worked out, then it’s not the end. Things are always changing, let it flow.

Now, back to the crochet, which is the real reason you’re here!

Last year I did a fun gnome square each month. This year I am going to do a cat square each month! We just got two new kitties when we moved at the end of November and they are good inspiration.

The orange one is “Flippers” (named by my ocean-obsessed four-year-old son) and the black on is “Tiger” (named by my six-year-old daughter; it was supposed to be orange as well but when we went to pick up the cats it turned out the other orange kitten had met its demise so we substituted for this black one).

I have created an eBook (even though it currently has ONLY January Cat) and if you know you’re going to want all 12 cats then this is the best deal for you. Each month I will add the new cat square and you will receive an email letting you know the eBook has been updated.

You can also purchase each square individually as they come out.

Click here for more details on the EBook

Please note, unlike the Gnomes there are differences in the charts for the interlocking version and the overlay mosaic version. This time I have decided to removed the interlocking mesh dots and extra border lines from the mosaic version of the square. All 12 mosaic cat squares will be the same size (77 x 77) and all 12 interlocking squares will be the same size (81 x 81; 40- window square).

Get the Pattern

My current Year End Sale takes an automatic 30% off (valid on Etsy and Ravelry); sale ends 11:59 pm CST January 1, 2022.

“2022 JANUARY Cat” on Ravelry
“2022 JANUARY Cat” on Etsy
“2022: A Year of Cats” eBook on Ravelry
“2022: A Year of Cats” eBook on Etsy
“2022: A Year of Cats” eBook, direct purchase

Interlocking Crochet Details

  • Chart is 81 x 81
  • Finished measurements approximately 20” x 20” / 51cm x 51cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (460 – 485 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) – 230 yards plus 25 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) – 230 yards
  • Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Details

  • Chart is 77 x 77
  • Finished measurements approximately 20” x 22” / 52cm x 56cm
  • 5 mm hook (H-8)
  • Worsted weight yarn (550-800 yards)
    • Main color (blue on chart) – 300 yards
    • Contrasting color (white on chart) – 250 yards
    • Optional Envelope Border – 250 yards
  • Gauge: 14 stitches x 15 rows = 4”
Mosaic sample crocheted by CarolinevdB

ashleebrotzell

2022: A Year of Cats; new eBook of oversized crochet squares

Meow! We got two kittens a few months ago and they are pretty fun to have around. Everyone has been scratched at least once. My youngest, Melody, seems to be their favorite, but I don’t understand why they like it when she carries them all over the place.

In honor of our kitties I have decided that this year’s monthly square will be all about cats!

Last year I did A Year of Gnomes. Each month a new square was published and at the end of the year I also added an all-in-one blanket pattern of the all the squares (so you don’t have to join squares together).

This year will be very similar: a monthly square will be published individually and added to the eBook, and at the end of the year I will add the all-in-one blanket pattern to the eBook as well.

But there will also be some differences from last year’s gnomes!

I’ve decided to remove the unnecessary interlocking mesh dots from the overlay mosaic version of each square. I’ve also removed the extra border lines (they are needed to lock the interlocking mesh layers together but they don’t serve a purpose for the mosaic technique).

Interlocking crochet sample

This change makes the mosaic version a bit crowded with stitches, so I recommend a larger hook size and this of course makes the finished square slightly larger as well.

Mosaic Crochet sample, crocheted by CarolinevdB

If you use one technique it won’t matter that the other technique is different.

If you are using the mosaic crochet technique and want to join the squares together at the end then you’ll need to weave your tails in or make an envelope border. Or you can wait until December when I’ll add the all-in-one blanket pattern. Then you’d still need to deal with the tails on the outer edges of the blanket but it wouldn’t interfere with joining anything.

If you use the interlocking technique make sure you’re consistent with either doing or not doing the optional single crochet border. I happen to be quite fond of the “adjusted border” (see below) which helps lock the layers together while also making the edges look more finished.

Chain 1, put 1 sc in the MC gap, and then the second sc should pick up one loop of the AC as well as going through the MC gap. Do this in each gap on all four sides. Add an extra chain 2 on the corners.

Revised SC border

Get the Pattern

My Year-End sale takes an automatic 30% off everything until 11:59 pm CST January 1, 2022.

Please note, the price will go up as the year progresses; will you take a chance on patterns you haven’t seen?

“2022: A Year of Cats” eBook on Ravelry
“2022: A Year of Cats” eBook on Etsy
“2022: A Year of Cats” eBook directly from me

The eBooks will continually be updated throughout the year.

Ravelry makes updating easy: I simply upload the pattern and click the “update” button and it sends an email to everyone. You can access your files immediately or wait until months later and they will all be there.

Etsy doesn’t actually work well for this process. I have to manually email each buyer and last year we did have some problems with my messages going to spam. But I want to try making my patterns accessible to everyone so I’m making the option available again.

I’ve added a third option this year as well. If you purchase the eBook directly from me I will send you the monthly updates just like I do for the Etsy customers.

Each square will be published individually on Etsy and Ravelry as well. This list below will be updated throughout the year.

2022: A Year of Cats (ongoing updates)
eBook (Ravelry) (Etsy) (Direct)
January (Ravelry) (Etsy)
February (Ravelry) (Etsy)
March (Ravelry) (Etsy)
April (Ravelry) (Etsy)
May (Ravelry) (Etsy)
June (Ravelry) (Etsy)
July (Ravelry) (Etsy)
August (Ravelry) (Etsy)
September (Ravelry) (Etsy)
October (Ravelry) (Etsy)
November (Ravelry) (Etsy)
December (Ravelry) (Etsy)
All-in-One Blanket (available only in eBook)

ashleebrotzell

Pins and Needles: Pattern Update and Feedback Request

**Pattern has been updated to include repeatable section, see more details here: Repeatable Pins and Needles**

In November 2020 I published this throw blanket called “Pins and Needles”. At that point I wasn’t creating a page on the blog for each pattern so I’ve created this one now instead.

I updated this pattern in July 2021 to include the X-marked mosaic chart.

At that time I did notice that the diamond motif wasn’t actually symmetrical in the corners. I decided it was a design feature because I felt overwhelmed at the idea of possibly also adjusting the pattern to have the interlocking mesh dots removed and maybe even pulling out the repeatable motif like I’ve done for Evelyn’s Repeat.

There was a lot of patterns to update with the X-Marked Charts and looking back it would have been better to just do it all at once and get it over with, but alas, here we are. Past-Me was not kind enough to Future-Me.

This pattern has now been updated again to have a nice symmetrical design. I have not yet sectioned out the repeatable motif. Is that something you’re interested in? Vote below:

And, another question I’m looking for feedback on:

Where to Get the Pattern

“Pins and Needles” on Ravelry
“Pins and Needles” on Etsy

Interlocking Crochet Details

  • Chart is 201 x 241
  • Finished measurements approximately 50” x 60”
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (3500 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) – 1700 yards plus 100 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) – 1700 yards
  • Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Details

  • Chart is 201 x 241
  • Finished measurements approximately 50” x 60”
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (4100 yards)
    • Main color – 1950 yards
    • Contrasting color – 1950 yards
    • Plus 200 yards for optional envelope border
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 16 rows = 4”

–THIS PATTERN HAS NOW BEEN UPDATED TO INCLUDE A REPEATABLE SECTION: CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!–

ashleebrotzell

Cupcake 20: one pattern, four ways

When I started designing a year and a half ago I made quite a few small squares. I designed them with the thought that people could mix and match the designs to create customized blankets.

For example, my seven year old is absolutely in love with this cupcake design but she also wants unicorns and dinosaurs in her blanket. This cupcake square would also work great in a blanket for any pastry chef you know and also for anyone else who likes to eat delicious treats! Or how about for someone who has a birthday?

I’ve also seen people use these squares as pillows (the back panel can either be another fancy design or just something simple), wall hangings, potholders (use cotton or wool!), and wash cloths!

I used bulky pink and white blanket yarn for my interlocking crochet sample in the photo below and worsted weight yarn for the two mosaic samples (one rainbow and one pink/grey). The rainbow sample shows the adjusted mosaic pattern where the border lines and interlocking mesh dots have been removed. ALL THREE PATTERNS are included in this listing.

An assortment of cupcakes 🧁

You may be asking, “why does the title of this blog entry say four ways?”

I am counting them as such: the interlocking square as shown above, the interlocking version repeated (the asterisks allow you to not repeat those border lines), the mosaic version as a square like the interlocking, and the adjusted mosaic version that is repeated like the rainbow sample above.

. . .

When I was naming my original squares I ended them all with “20” (like Cactus 20, Waves 20, Wine 20, etc) because they begin with a foundation row of 20 windows when you use interlocking crochet (when I first started designing I was only doing Locked Filet Mesh/interlocking patterns).

When I learned how to create overlay mosaic patterns I went back and updated all of my patterns. I didn’t alter the charts; I just created written instructions for the mosaic technique.

There are no windows when you use the mosaic technique (the foundation row uses single crochets) but it is a size reference nonetheless so I have left that on the titles. The 20-window squares are all on a chart size of 41 x 41 and when I use worsted weight yarn they come out to 10″.

20-window squares on Ravelry
Entire Pattern List with links

I have a permanent promotion on Ravelry: put six “20-window-squares” into your cart but only pay for 4! These small designs are NOT on Etsy because the fees eat up the small price on the small square.

. . .

My patterns all come with written line-by-line instructions and charts for BOTH the interlocking crochet technique and the overlay mosaic technique.

You can see in this picture below that the interlocking square (bright pink and white) and the mosaic square (country rose and grey, unfinished envelope border) are both made from the same chart even though they are crocheted using different techniques. The pink is the main color in the interlocking sample, and the grey is the main color in the mosaic sample; it also has some extra pink around the edge because I started an envelope border to cover the tails.

There is a bonus file in this listing: a repeatable mosaic cupcake! The interlocking mesh dots and the unnecessary border lines have been removed. The chart is only 36 x 37 instead of 41 x 41 like the original square.

Four repeats of the bonus adjusted repeatable mosaic-only version of Cupcake 20

I added asterisks (*) to the written interlocking instructions so that you can repeat the inner motif without repeating the border lines. You could do this to any of the 20-window squares but I have not updated them all to include asterisks.

Funny side story: when I create my patterns I do all the editing to the line-by-line instructions in a word document and then copy and paste it into my template for the pattern (where the key remains the same for each pattern and the methodology instructions are the same too). I took the file I had saved as “Cupcake 20” and was halfway through the square before I realized I was crocheting a “Monogrammed C”. Oops! But what a happy accident, because “C is for Cupcake!”

Get the Pattern on Ravelry or Directly From Me Here

“Cupcake 20” on Ravelry
“Cupcake” Direct Purchase

Cupcake 20 for Interlocking Crochet

  • Chart size 41 x 41
  • Written instructions and chart for interlocking crochet
  • Repeatable section marked off with asterisks (*)

Cupcake for Overlay Mosaic Technique

  • Chart size 41 x 41
  • Written instructions and X-marked chart for overlay mosaic crochet
  • Chart looks like Interlocking chart

Bonus Repeatable Mosaic Version

  • Chart size 36 x 37
  • Written instructions and X-marked chart for overlay mosaic crochet only
  • No interlocking mesh dots or border lines

Yardage & Hook Details:

For Interlocking Crochet, You Will Need

  • Worsted Weight Yarn (131 yards)
  • Main Color (MC) – 60 yards plus 11 yards for optional SC border
  • Accent Color (AC) – 60 yards
  • Crochet hook: 4.5 mm (US7)
  • Stitch marker
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 8 rows in one color = 4” square

For Mosaic Crochet, You Will Need

  • Worsted Weight Yarn (130 yards)
  • Main Color (MC) – 65 yards
  • Coordinating Color (CC) – 65 yards
  • Crochet hook: 4.5 mm (US7)
  • Scissors
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 16 rows = 4″ square

For Adjusted Repeatable Mosaic Crochet, You Will Need

  • Worsted Weight Yarn (175 yards)
  • Main Color (MC) – 85 yards
  • Coordinating Color (CC) – 90 yards
  • Crochet hook: 5 mm (H-8)
  • Scissors
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 16 rows = 4″ square

ashleebrotzell

Oh… H-E-Double Hockey Sticks!

I am not much of a sports fan. My contribution to sporting events is sort of, “go, team, go! Which color am I cheering for again?” and, in the words of comedian Brian Regan, “go my favorite sports team! Score a goal… unit… basket… beat the opponents… soundly!”

One time when I was watching football with my husband’s family (we were only dating back then) when the team scored a touchdown I yelled “football!” instead of “touchdown!” and they have never let me live it down.

When I started crocheting this one I estimated it would take me a week to do both the interlocking sample and the overlay mosaic sample. But we had a few house issues (see my blog entry on our watery adventures) and the kids (and the grown ups, to be honest) are not handling our 3rd move in the last 14 months that well. We are all tired and life is just big lately. So, all that to say, this pattern has taken me longer than I anticipated.

Interlocking sample next to overlay mosaic sample – see the differences in the mesh dots

Because of the move, and my own frugalness, I wanted to use up some of my yarn stash for these pieces. I thought they were small enough that it would work out but I did put a few extra scraps in my bag just in case. It’s a good thing I did that because I ran out of yarn a few times.

I crocheted the interlocking sample first. The light blue yarn is the 2nd color, that is the “Accent Color”, and I know that terminology confuses people sometimes, especially in a piece like this where the light blue seems dominant. The camo green was my Main Color and I am glad the colors didn’t make the image hard to see – sometimes that can happen with yarn that isn’t a solid color.

I used my trusty 4.5 mm hook but the light blue yarn is a baby worsted weight (aka. thinner than worsted weight) so my finished piece is actually 23″ x 18.25″ – not 27” x 21” because I didn’t actually meet gauge.

I wanted to show the difference in the two techniques for this pattern – the interlocking mesh dots that are a natural byproduct of that technique don’t need to be included on the overlay mosaic version, so I didn’t include them. But, having so many dropped double crochets next to each other changes the gauge so you may notice that the finished size for the mosaic piece is larger than the interlocking piece.

I also had to use a larger hook than normal for my mosaic sample because the red yarn I had pulled out of my stash before we packed it all up and moved was one of those super thick “worsted” weight yarns. Isn’t it crazy how “worsted” weight has such a large range?

I had to use two strands of the light blue to match the red and then I couldn’t find my 5 mm hook so I used a 5.5 mm hook. Oh, the joys of moving.

Just like with the interlocking sample, the light blue is the “contrasting color” (not the “main color” even though it looks like it is the most visible color). Always look at the charts to make sure you’re using the colors the right way – and ask for help if needed! I really don’t mind those messages asking for confirmation to make sure you’re doing it the way you want it!

You can’t tell in the picture, but my mosaic sample is 32″ x 23″ instead of the expected 29” x 25”. And you can definitely see where I ran out of red. But you can’t see where I also ran out of green. And then purple. And then blue. *Picture my face getting more and more frustrated even though it’s a bit funny now.*

Here, on the back of the mosaic sample, you can see where I tried to use purple where it wouldn’t be seen to keep the green visible through the final rows. And then you can see I also didn’t have enough purple – I knew there wouldn’t be enough when I grabbed it but I didn’t give myself many options in this bag of scraps that I kept out of the packed section of our house. I had to use a small amount of black/white camo yarn to sew my final blue envelope border together as well.

This fun adventure is FINALLY over. And just in time for my upcoming Winter 2021 CAL to begin! Tomorrow is the final day to grab the pre-sale price of 50% off (grab the code in the link above) and then the Crochet-A-Long begins on December 21!

Get the Pattern

“Hockey Sticks” on Ravelry
“Hockey Sticks” on Etsy

Use code “21GOALS” to take 30% off my sports-themed patterns until December 24, 2021.

Sale code valid on Ravelry for “Hockey Sticks“, “Canoe 20“, “Tire Tread Scarf“, “Tire Tread Border Scarf“, “Checkerboard Scarf“, “Fishing Hooks Scarf“, “Football Scarf“, and “To Sail Away“.
Valid on Etsy for “Hockey Sticks“, “Tire Tread Scarf“, “Tire Tread Border Scarf“, “Checkerboard Scarf“, “Fishing Hooks Scarf“, “Football Scarf“, and “To Sail Away“.

Interlocking Crochet

  • Chart is 109 x 85
  • Finished measurements approximately 27” x 21” / 70cm x 54cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (700-730 total)
    • Main color (MC) – 350 yards plus 30 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) – 350 yards (light blue in photos)
  • Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”

Overlay Mosaic Crochet

  • No interlocking mesh dots
  • Finished measurements approximately 29” x 25” / 74cm x 62cm
  • 5 mm hook (H-8)
  • Worsted weight yarn (900 – 1200 yards)
    • Main color – 350 yards
    • Contrasting color (light blue in photo) – 550 yards
    • Plus, optional envelope border – 300 yards
  • Gauge: 14 stitches x 15 rows = 4”

ashleebrotzell

Nordic Collection 2021: bundle of four crochet patterns

To me, the Nordic star / snowflake is a classic Christmas element. There are a few designers out there who have various takes on it. I wanted my version to have my own flair.

I’ve created a collection of four patterns for you: a blanket and three 20″ squares. The squares can be used to create your own colorful blanket or maybe you’d prefer a matching pillow or some wall art.

You may notice on Ravelry the pattern names of the squares ends with “40”. This refers to how many windows you begin with when you use the interlocking crochet technique. It is still a size reference for the mosaic version of the pattern (all “40-window” squares have the same charts size: 81 x 81).

Blanket and 3 squares, Interlocking Crochet samples by cyncitycrochets.

Each design in this eBook has written instructions and charts for BOTH interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet plus charts (the mosaic chart has X’s). I had a full team of testers and I am very thankful for the hours they put in crocheting while I packed up my house and moved!

The first piece in this collection is the Nordic Snowflake. This is the archetypal image in my mind. The corners of the square will create more snowflakes if you join these squares together.

“Nordic Snowflake”, interlocking and overlay mosaic samples by CarolinevdB, cyncitycrochets, Nancy Foster, and Maja Serec. Purple/Black sample also shows the wrong side of the interlocking square.

The second square is called Nordic Hearts. These corners will also create the snowflake design when joined together.

“Nordic Hearts” crocheted by Maja Serec, CarolinevdB, and cyncitycrochets (also showing the wrong side of the interlocking version).

The third part of my 2021 Nordic Collection is the blanket; I call it the Nordic Squares Blanket because it has the designs from both of the first two squares on it. The size is adjustable, just repeat the motif as many times as you want. As designed it is 3 repeats wide and tall and finishes to 59″ square with worsted weight yarn when you meet my gauge.

Samples of “Nordic Squares Blanket” crocheted by Nessa Miller, Altona Newcombe, and cyncitycrochets (both interlocking and overlay mosaic samples shown).

The fourth pattern in this bundle is basically a bonus square. The corners will still create the snowflake just like the other two squares but the centre motif isn’t anywhere else. I had actually drawn this one first and then discarded it. My tester, cyncitycrochets, convinced me it was worth putting out there for all to see. It has hearts but is more decorated with details, hence the title: Nordic Hearts Decorative.

Interlocking sample of “Nordic Hearts Decorative 40”, right and wrong side, crocheted by cyncitycrochets

Get the Patterns

The eBook (which includes the blanket and all 3 squares) represents a 50% discount compared to buying each pattern individually.

Take an additional 20% off your purchase of the eBook or any of these patterns individually by using code “20NORDIC” until 11:59 pm CST December 14, 2021.

EBook “Nordic Collection” on Ravelry
EBook “Nordic Collection” on Etsy
“Nordic Snowflake 40” on Ravelry
“Nordic Snowflake 40” on Etsy
“Nordic Hearts 40” on Ravelry
“Nordic Hearts 40” on Etsy
“Nordic Squares Blanket” on Ravelry
“Nordic Squares Blanket” on Etsy
“Nordic Hearts Decorative 40” on Ravelry
“Nordic Hearts Decorative 40” on Etsy

I’ve also thrown my “Fa La La Wall Hanging” pattern into this sale because it also uses the Nordic Snowflake design. Use code “20NORDIC” to take 20% off until Dec. 14, 2021.

“Fa La La Wall Hanging” on Ravelry
“Fa La La Wall Hanging” on Etsy

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Forever Be My Always, Crochet Blanket

There’s a quote written in cursive on this blanket that says, “you will forever be my always” next to two rings on a cross. This romantic blanket is made sideways (working with the long side instead of the shorter side) and it comes with right- and left-handed instructions.

See more patterns with quotes (and left-handed instructions)

The overlay mosaic crochet pattern differs from the interlocking crochet pattern: the mesh dots have been removed from the mosaic version.

Interlocking versus mosaic version

You could get this one finished in time for Valentine’s Day! Or, perhaps for an anniversary? Or in memory of a loved one? I have some friends getting married soon, I’m going to see if I can finish it in time for them.

Get the Pattern

Use code “21FOREVERBEALWAYS” to take 25% off your purchase of this pattern until December 9, 2021. No code needed on Etsy – automatic discount.

“Forever Be My Always” on Ravelry
“Forever Be My Always” on Etsy

Interlocking Details

  • Chart is 261 x 181
  • Finished measurements about 65” x 45” / 166cm x 115cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (3320-3395 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) – 1660 yards plus 75 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) – 1660 yards
  • Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”

Overlay Mosaic Details

  • Chart is 261 x 181
  • Finished measurements approximately 70” x 52” / 177cm x 131cm
  • 5 mm hook (H-8)
  • Worsted weight yarn (4125-4725 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) – 1375 yards (black)
    • Contrasting color (CC) – 2750 yards (pink)
    • Plus, optional envelope border – 600 yards
  • Gauge: 14 sc x 15 rows = 4”

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