Make a Wish; my first blanket pattern is on sale!

Every now and then I like to celebrate certain milestones.

Today I am starting with a quick sale on the first blanket pattern I published! I published my first little square on April 1, 2020 and this blanket was published to Ravelry on April 12, 2020.

When I started, I created a few small squares and even a purse strap! The squares are meant to be joined together for a blanket (or used as coasters or pillow covers or even wall hangings) but they aren’t quite the same category as an actual blanket design.

This blanket really does show my style even though I hadn’t realized I had a style yet. It has some magic, some sparkles, and the size is manageable (in my opinion those king sized blankets are a monumental feat!).

This beautiful black and white sample was crocheted by Monique. I was new to using testers as well and I am so thankful for everyone who had faith in me right from the beginning!

Her sample uses black as the main color and is done using the interlocking technique (because that’s the only technique I had available when I started!).

In June 2020 I updated the pattern to unclude left-handed instructions because those words at the bottom need to be facing the proper way. I had also created a mirror-image chart until someone pointed out that left-handed crocheters don’t need a chart that starts at the bottom right corner… they can use the same chart I already had and they just start at the bottom left.

I definitely laughed at myself because as soon as it was explained I thought to myself, “duh!”

In September 2020 I updated this pattern to include overlay mosaic instructions. It was a big undertaking to update all my patterns and it took me longer than I expected.

I have a YouTube tutorial for reading the interlocking crochet chart for the overlay mosaic crochet technique.

In July 2021 I finally managed to get a chart marked with X’s for the mosaic crochet dropped double crochets.

Thank you for all your patience! Today I have updated the pattern to have one file for each technique. The pattern hasn’t changed. I only merged the files to be more concise. I included a bonus coupon code for those who already own this pattern so you don’t feel left out of this promotion.

There are 2 files in the listing:

  • one has line-by-line instructions for **interlocking crochet**, a single-page chart, and then written line-by-line instructions for **left-handed crocheters** (no need to read the pattern backwards to get legible words!)
  • the other has line-by-line instructions for **overlay mosaic crochet**, instructions on creating an envelope border, a multi-page chart marked with X’s for the dropped double crochets, and then written line-by-line instructions for **left-handed crocheters** (no need to read the pattern backwards to get legible words!)

Where to Get the Pattern

You can grab this blanket pattern on Etsy or Ravelry. The chart is 189 x 213 and if you meet gauge it finishes to 47″ x 53″.

You will get an automatic 40% discount until January 17, 2022!

Ravelry
Etsy

Interlocking Crochet

  • Worsted Weight Yarn (2850 yards)
  • Main Color (MC) – 1410 yards plus 30 yards for optional SC border
  • Accent Color (AC) – 1410 yards
  • Crochet hook: 4.5 mm (US7)
  • Stitch marker
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 8 rows in one color = 4” square

For Mosaic Crochet

  • Worsted Weight Yarn (3320 yards)
  • Main Color (MC) – 1610 yards
  • Coordinating Color (CC) – 1610 yards
  • And 100 yards for an optional envelope border
  • Crochet hook: 4.5 mm (US7)
  • Scissors
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 16 rows = 4″ square

ashleebrotzell

End of the Year Sale and Summary

Everyone seems to be having an end of the year sale, so I am jumping in as well!

Everything is 30% off! 🥳 (Offer expired)

No code needed, valid on Etsy and Ravelry.

Shop on Ravelry
Shop on Etsy

The first pattern I published in 2021 was Gnomesflake. And the final one was Cupcake 20.

I published 140 new patterns and 8 eBooks this year. 😶😯 There were two sets of alphabet squares so that takes care of more than 50 patterns right there; I don’t find the letters very interesting actually, but they are there.

Top left corner, Cupcake, was my final pattern of 2021
8 eBooks
Overall, I am proud of my work!
Over 50 of my patterns this year were just alphabet blocks; not that exciting in my opinion
Bottom right corner, Gnomesflake, was my first pattern in 2021.

The most exciting pattern to publish was probably my magazine debut: Eiffel Tower Wall Hanging.

I hosted 3 Crochet-A-Longs and participated in 1 multi-designer group CAL.

Thank you for making this a great year! I have many good things planned for next year! 🤩

Some of this year’s patterns 🤩

ashleebrotzell

Glacial Warmth Sale Extended

Thank you so much to everyone who has shown this pattern some love on Ravelry! We made it to their top 20 list yesterday!

I have extended the sale on this new pattern to celebrate! Take 30% off “Glacial Warmth” until 11:59 pm CST November 24, 2021. No code needed, valid on Etsy and Ravelry.

If you’d like to read more about the details of this pattern, besides that it has the option of being made using overlay mosaic crochet or interlocking crochet and both options come with charts (the mosaic charts have X’s) and line-by-line instructions (including color information for each row) just read my previous blog entry.

Previous blog entry: Glacial Warmth

Get the Pattern

“Glacial Warmth” on Ravelry
“Glacial Warmth” on Etsy

I use a different gauge and hook size for each technique because of how crowded the stitches get. Yardage requirements are different as well.

Overlay Mosaic Crochet

  • Mosaic Blanket: 55” x 62” / 140cm x 158cm
  • Mosaic Gauge: 16 stitches x 14 rows = 4”
  • 5 mm hook (H)
  • Loops & Threads, Impeccable Solids: 285 yards/261 m; 127.5 g/4.48 oz per skein or substitute any worsted weight yarn
    • Gold – 320 yards / 141 g / 2 skeins needed
    • Purple – 1030 yards / 460 g / 4 skeins needed
    • Teal – 1090 yards / 484 g / 4 skeins needed
    • White – 1055 yards / 471 g / 4 skeins needed

Numbers above are for a full blanket (6 repeats wide) and INCLUDE the optional envelope border on two ends (515 yards): Purple – 460 yards, Teal – 55 yards

Interlocking (LFM) Crochet

  • Finished LFM blanket: 53″ x 60″ / 135cm x 152cm
  • LFM Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Loops & Threads, Impeccable Solids: 285 yards/261 m; 127.5 g/4.48 oz per skein or substitute any worsted weight yarn
    • Gold – 150 yards / 66 g / 1 skein needed
    • Purple – 1140 yards / 507 g / 4 skeins needed
    • Teal – 1482 yards / 663 g / 6 skeins needed
    • White – 1080 yards / 483 g / 4 skeins needed

Yardage listed is for the full blanket (6 repeats wide).

ashleebrotzell

Pull It Up: Crochet Pattern for Shawl or Blanket

Triangles and angles seem to be a very popular design choice lately. When I was designing this one I wanted a big, bold design that would work as a shawl (or, half-blanket, as I like to think of them) and as a full blanket. This rectangle shawl will drape over your shoulders and keep you cozy and warm. The triangles will always be pointing up! Repeat the pattern a few times and you will get a blanket. The design is quite abstract and these big blocks of color are modern and punchy!

Interlocking crochet sample done by Maja Serec.

The pattern begins with a long foundation. The charts (one for interlocking crochet and another marked with X’s for mosaic crochet) show the repeated section; to make it wide enough for a shawl you need to repeat that section six times.

A sample of the interlocking pattern looks like this: Ch3, 1F, *7B, 17F, 6B*, 1F, ES

The Mosaic pattern looks like this: JS, (sc1, dc1) x2, *sc1, dc1, sc57, dc1*, sc1, dc1, sc1, ES

Having the repeated section *between the stars* is the same setup as I used with my MusicCAL and Summer Direction CAL patterns. The outer edge border is just straight lines. You repeat the instructions between the *s. I have suggested that you repeat the middle section 6 times to create the width for a shawl.

If you’d like to make a blanket you’ll need to repeat the full shawl three times. Those instructions are included in the pattern as well.

On Ravelry and Etsy you can use my birthday code to get 40% off your entire cart (use code “YARNFUND”, offer ends September 14, 2021).

“Pull it Up Shawl” on Ravelry
“Pull it UP Shawl” on Etsy
Interlocking crochet sample by Maja Serec

ashleebrotzell

Website Transfer

You may have noticed, the website is having issues.

I sent out a newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/0c8bd6de25a4/manyhugs-5168642

I don’t know if those who have subscribed to my blog here will get this notification or not.

But, just in case, let me tell you about my “website-drama” sale!

This sale is good on my Etsy shop and Ravelry store. Use code “GLAMPING” until 11:59 pm, CST, June 15, 2021 to get 40% off.

I am busy packing for our weekend holiday… or, I guess, right now I am just procrastinating from packing 🤣

Gotta get back to it!

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Monstera Leaf Throw Blanket

Have you noticed these giant leaves are very popular right now? I love how they give a space a happy, carefree, tropical vibe.

To become the iconic leaf, the plants must fenestrate (this is when the leaves split and get holes). Knowing how poorly I manage to take care of houseplants, if I had one of these in my house it would probably never get to that stage. 😬🤣

I drew this chart smaller than some of my previous blanket patterns. I like having lots of different sizes for you to choose from. Sometimes we want intricate patterns that are huge and sometimes we want a smaller project.

I personally like to have multiple WIPs (works in progress) of varying sizes and difficulties so that I can work on whatever I want in the moment. Something big, something small, something easy, something hard, etc.

If you match my gauge, your finished “Monstera Leaf” blanket will be 46″ x 60″ / 117cm x 152cm. I think black or dark green would be the best choice for the Main Color and either a light green or possibly an off-white as the Accent Color / Contrasting Color. But, of course, you are free to choose any color you want!

Monstera Leaf, crocheted by Altona Newcombe using the Mosaic technique

Promotion Code!

On Ravelry, get 30% off this new pattern and any others you add to your cart at the same time until 11:59 pm, May 24, 2021 CST. No code needed.

“Monstera Leaf” on Ravelry

Etsy sets things up differently, but you can still get 30% off as long as you add a minimum of 2 patterns to your cart and use code “MonsteraSale” until 11:59 pm, May 24, 2021 CST (no code needed).

My Etsy Shop
“Monstera Leaf” on Etsy

A final note, just in case you weren’t already aware, I have tutorials on both techniques (all my patterns are written for interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet) on YouTube. Both techniques are easier than they look, so give it a try!

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Chained Ponds Blanket and Pillow Set

A few weeks ago I published a blanket pattern called “Chained Ponds“. I also created a challenge: finish the blanket in 6 weeks and receive the pillow pattern for free! Three members of my Facebook group were able to complete the blanket in time and win their bonus pattern! Congratulations!

“Chained Ponds” blanket crocheted by danabouch

I planned on the pillow pattern retiring after the promotion. But, I am nothing if not flexible. Due to some suggestions and questions and feedback I have decided to list the pillow pattern after all.

On Ravelry: if you previously purchased the blanket pattern you will receive an automatic $1.50 CAD discount on this pillow pattern. Or, you can add them both to your cart now to receive the $1.50 discount. This discount doesn’t expire (ok, Ravelry requires that I put an expiry date, so I chose Dec 31, 2030, but when the time comes I will just extend that).

Buy the bundle on Ravelry now

For my Etsy users, the pillow pattern will be added to the same listing as the blanket. The price will go up slightly.

Buy the set on Etsy
Sew together two panels for a big pillow!
Ravelry listing for pillow
Ravelry listing for blanket

The pillow is really a 40-window square and can easily be added to other squares to create a blanket instead. See my list of other squares this size: www.ashleeslint.com/patterns#large

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Finished my Abstract Princess Blanket

Please congratulate me on this momentous occasion! 🤣

After 9 months and 2 moves, I have finally finished my Abstract Princess blanket! I worked on MANY different projects in that timeframe as well, but this one has lingered in the “WIP” (work in progress) pile for too long.

I often hear that people like to do scrap yarn projects because it is like a walk through memory lane. Oh, remember that sweater I made with this yellow yarn? I bought that pink yarn on vacation. Oh, this blue yarn was part of that blanket.

I used mostly scrap yarn balls that were given to me so I didn’t have the same emotional response. I just like the pretty rainbow of colors. My Main Color is Bernat Cozy Styles – dark purple – and I think having that color through the whole thing really helps tie the project together.

I used the overlay mosaic crochet technique for this project and that is one reason it took so long. I am much quicker at interlocking crochet.

If you recall, I drew up this pattern after I created my Abstract Queen. That blanket fits a queen size bed and it is just too large for me and some others so I created this smaller version that ended up being not that small actually.

The back is all striped and pretty in its own right. I had a few tails to weave in from where one scrap ball of yarn ended and I had to join a new one.

The tails on the sides are all tied, so I imagine the blanket will get used as it is right now and perhaps never get an envelope border, but I may change my mind later.

I am going to celebrate my “finished” project by starting a new one! You can celebrate with me by adding more projects to your to-do list!

Use code, “HookIt4ever” on Ravelry to get 20% off until 11:59 pm May 6, 2021.

Blanket patterns on Ravelry
Shawl patterns on Ravelry
Large / 40-window squares on Ravelry
Medium / 20-window squares on Ravelry
Scarf patterns on Ravelry

I don’t have fancy sections on Etsy, but you can also get 20% off anything there by using code, “HookIt4ever” until 11:59 pm, May 6, 2021.

AshleesLint on Etsy

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Designaversary Celebration Sale

I spent too many hours debating on the coolest way to do a sale and the best way to make it exciting and engaging and meaningful and blah, blah, blah… 😅

I want to be seen as creative, but not confusing. I also want to put effort into fun things like a celebration sale, but not so much effort that it feels like a drag and I regret doing it. I want to stay professional but I have no marketing training and often just try to think about what I would prefer as a customer (which, I am sure, is not always what the marketing gurus would suggest).

I was going to have 12 days of sales, where each day represents a month that I have been designing. And all the patterns I published that month would be on sale for one day (like, the first day would feature all the patterns from my first month; the second day of the sale would only be applicable to designs I published in my 2nd month of designing, etc).

But that would require a lot of work from me and would encourage multiple small purchases from you which results in more fees for me.

David Orth @davidqorth did a sale game where he doesn’t tell you how much of a discount you will get and the percentage changes every few hours so you have to decide when to make the purchase. That sounds fun, but again, a lot of hands-on work from me.

So, here’s my plan: I will send out a coupon code in the newsletter and put a code on instagram and put another code on the board of my ravelry group, and post one in my Facebook group, too – and they will be different coupons and you can choose which one to use!

All my social links are here

So, Sunday, April 4 is the day to look for the coupon codes and they will all expire April 19, 2021! I hope you have some fun 😊

P.s. I was having issues with linking on my text but I am happy I found this colored button option! Oh, the things you learn at midnight 😅

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Chained Ponds – A New Pattern and A Challenge

I created this motif a few months ago but couldn’t decide if it felt finished. It was originally just a 20-window square and it felt like it was missing something. When I got my new computer, I decided to go through some of my half-finished projects and see what I wanted to keep and what I needed to work on first.

Suddenly, it occurred to me that if I repeated the pattern in a larger scale it might look better! So, I changed a few things and moved a few things, and here is my newest pattern for you!

It is my 200th pattern on Ravelry! I am not sure if they count the eBooks as separate publications or not. I considered adding this one to its own eBook as well – a set with a blanket and large square. But, I have decided to make it a challenge instead!

If you can complete this blanket (chart size 201 x 201; finished size 50″ / 127cm) in 6 weeks you can have the “pillow pattern” for FREE! See more details at the end of this blog post. (Offer expired)

The “pillow” is just a 40-window square (like my other large squares) and you can use it however you like.

I already know there will be people who are upset with these patterns.

  • The blanket chart is not symmetrical.
  • The motif is not the same up and down (there’s one “arrow” pointing down that doesn’t have a mirror-image arrow pointing up).
  • The pattern is not easily repeatable (technically the repeat is about 250 stitches wide).
  • The pillow chart colors are inverted compared to the blanket (the dark squares on the blanket are the light squares on the pillow).

I like designing random things. I like finding asymmetrical balance. I like hard patterns. I’m not sorry. Well, I am a little bit. I wish I could please everyone.

Some of you will like this pattern set. And, more importantly, *I* like it.

The “Chained Ponds” blanket pattern and BONUS pillow pattern!

You can get the blanket pattern on Etsy or Ravelry. It is on sale for the first few days, of course! Get an automatic 30% off until 1:59 pm CST, March 29, 2021.

And, that bonus FREE pattern (offer expired)? Post a picture of your finished “Chained Ponds” blanket (using the interlocking OR mosaic technique) to the Ravelry Group or Facebook Group or tag me on Instagram @AshleesLint and I will send you the pattern for the “Chained Ponds Pillow”. Offer expires May 6, 2021 – then this pillow pattern will be retired! (Update: pillow pattern available separately)

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