I've been thinking a lot about my personal crochet journey of late, about how I started out on this pathway eleven years ago and how it has always been all about the blankets for me. It's a curious thing that no matter how many crochet blankets I make from year to year, I always feel the same overwhelming sense of excitement and joy with each and every one. I would say this is probably because I design, create and share from the heart with a great deal of emotion and passion involved in everything I do. I really get to feel the colours and the memories they evoke, and combined with the therapeutic nature of making something by hand, well it's an absolutely marvelous thing all round.
Some of you will be like me and will have made plenty of blankets already, and some of you I know are about to embark on your very first blanket journey. I know that it's a fair investment of time, money and energy and a totally different experience from making small decorative pieces of crochet, but ohmygosh, it is so so so worth it! Blanket making is a whole journey of joyfulness, and by joining in with a Crochet-A-Long, well you get the pleasure of sharing that joy with a fabulous creative community as you gently work up your colourful stripes. I hope with all my heart that you enjoy every second of making this blanket (even that first wiggly row!)
I know I've already talked at length about the inspiration behind the Sweet Pea blanket, so I'll try not to waffle on any more about how much I adore these flowers and how evocative of summer they are. But just look at those blooms......aren't they stunning? I had such a fabulous time creating the colour palette directly inspired by my jug of sweet peas, you can't beat having real living inspiration to draw from.
Another of my favourite sources of inspiration is Sarah Raven, and that's where I bought my sweet pea seedlings from (I know a few of you asked about this). There are some deliciously lovely sweet pea photos on the website, as well as seeds and seedlings to purchase should you wish to try your hand at growing real flowers after you've grown your blanket.
I expect most of you will already have your yarn, whether you've purchased a Sweet Pea yarn pack from my shop, or whether you are using yarn from your stash, or a different alternative altogether. As is usual for my blankets, I've chose fifteen shades of Stylecraft Special DK for my Sweet Pea blanket.
This is enough to make a single/twin size blanket measuring approximately 120cm x 180cm.
If you wish to make a double/king blanket, you will need to buy two yarn packs.
Top row, left to right...
🌸 violet 🌸 cypress 🌸 candyfloss 🌸 magenta 🌸 plum 🌸
Middle row, left to right...
🌸 lavender 🌸 meadow 🌸 soft peach 🌸 blush 🌸 fuchsia purple 🌸
Bottom row, left to right...
🌸 wisteria 🌸 pistachio 🌸 cream 🌸 clematis 🌸 pomegranate 🌸
You can find the Sweet Pea yarn pack in my shop at Wool Warehouse...
I've mentioned a few times about making a record of the yarn colours before the ball bands disappear and I've so enjoyed seeing the results of this on social media during the past few weeks. Donna used a hole punched card (these are great for recording your project colours)....
....while Helen crocheted some cute little hearts and attached handwritten wooden tags.
Camille ingeniously used a decorators wooden paint stirrer which I think is fantastic (imagine a chunky ceramic jug holding one of these for every blanket you make?!!).
Sarah has decorated pages in a project planner to record her sweet pea journey, using stickers from Ellie Beth Designs.
Another simple way to identify your yarn is to remove the ball band, fold it up neatly and push it into the centre of your ball. Obviously this will only work if you are going to pull your yarn from the outside of the ball, but it's a simple solution to help you keep track of the colour names.
I designed a special stitch for the Sweet Pea blanket which I am absolutely besotted with, and I cannot wait to see what you make of it. The simplicity of it is pleasing on so many levels - the subtle texture, the ease at which the pattern can creep into your brain and stay there, and the mesmerising rhythm that you create with your hook when you are working with just one type of stitch. It's all rather blissful I have to say, and I hope the perfect way to spend an hour or so each day.
I've written a very full photo tutorial for the Trellis Stripe which I've aimed at beginners, so I've included things like how to join in a new colour and how to darn in ends as well as lots of step-by-step guidance. If you are an experienced hooker (ho ho ho) you can read the beginning info which explains starting chains, pattern repeats, and the working of a gauge sample (oh, yes, you know you will want to do this!), then jump to the end where I've written out a conventional pattern which you can copy/paste/print in a word document if you wish.
Remember if you are a a newbie hooker, then take things slow, read each step carefully and scrutinise my photos. I do my utmost to make things as clear as possible, but if you are struggling, please do join the Attic24 Moorland and More Facebook group. This is a very supportive and friendly group with wonderful crocheters of all abilities so you can post photos there and ask for help without feeling silly I promise you.
You can find the full tutorial and pattern (including starting chain info) by clicking on the following link :
Right, we are going to talk about doing a tension sample - yes, we are!! Apologies for the colour of the above sample as I grabbed the closest ball and then realised afterwards that it's Boysenberry which isn't in the Sweet Pea blanket at all....(keeping it real!). I explain the pattern repeat in more detail in the tutorial, but the above sample has a starting chain of 28. I worked 6 rows of the pattern which was enough to give me a measurable piece of crochet and using a 4.5mm hook (I'm a tight crocheter) this gives a width of approx. 15cm. This is what you should be aiming for - this is a fairly lacy pattern so you want to try and keep the stitches fairly tight/neat and avoid the crochet fabric becoming too holey or floppy. You may well already know what size of hook to use if you're familiar with this yarn - if not, start with a 4mm but be prepared to go bigger or smaller with your hook if the sample measurement is smaller/bigger.
My main concern here is that I really, really don't want you to run out of yarn. If you are working on a looser tension then you will be using more yarn per row, and there is a danger that you will run out. So please do take the time to sample, and experiment with hook sizes and decide what works best for you. You can use all one colour from your yarn pack (don't fasten off between rows) and leave your sample attached to the ball at the end while you measure - that way you can frog it and re-use the yarn.
Another good way to keep track of your yarn is to use digital kitchen scales if you have them. You can weigh your whole ball of yarn before you start, work a complete stripe (2 rows), then weigh the ball again. As you can see from the scales, I use approx 12g of yarn per stripe which means that 6 stripes = 72g roughly. This is reassuring and tells me I won't run out of yarn and I should also have enough left to work a border.
I mentioned stitch markers in my Preparation post a few days ago - these are handy things to have, although not essential (you can use paper clips or scraps of waste yarn). When you crochet your starting chain, it's a good idea to go up a hook size just for making the chain, then switch back down to a smaller hook to work that first row. I like to place markers every 25 stitches so that it's easy to keep count if you get interrupted/distracted. This first row must be counted accurately or the pattern repeat won't work.
Once your first row of double crochet is complete, row 2 will see you go straight into the trellis stripe pattern. You will be using only one stitch (a UK treble crochet), and I am confident that so long as you count your stitches/spaces correctly and take your time then you will reach the end of the row with a perfectly perfect row of Trellis stitch in your hands.
After that second row, you'll be fastening off and changing colours - each stripe is worked in 2 rows and I am anticipating that by the end of row 4 you will have fallen in love. It's so easy this pattern, so simple, so relaxing, so therapeutic - you will love love love it, I am confident!!!
I've had a few people ask me how much time they will need to keep up with the CAL, and that's a hard question to answer. I'll be giving out 15 stripes per week, which I figure is 5 stripes to create over the weekend and then 2 stripes a day during the week. So, maybe an hour a day? More? Less? You can go at your own pace, there is no rush - I want you to really enjoy the journey even if it feels like you are dawdling along, that is absolutely OK!
I'm going to list the first set of colours for you in just a moment, but first I'd just like to reassure you that all CAL posts will remain on my blog indefinitely so you can dip into them whenever you need. Please don't worry if you miss a week or fall behind with your hooky, you can go at your own pace and you certainly won't be alone.
Here is a rundown of the CAL schedule :
Friday 4th January - part 1 - working a tension sample, choosing the right hook size, stripes 1-15.
Friday 11th January - Part 2 - stripes 16 -30
Friday 18th January - Part 3 - stripes 31 - 45
Friday 25th January - Part 4 - stripes 46 - 60
Friday 1st February - Part 5 - stripes 61 - 75
Friday 8th February - Part 6 - stripes 76 - 84/86
Friday 15th February - Catch up week (darn in those ends!!)
Friday 22nd February - Part 7 - the edging and a grand Ta-dah!
Now it's time to look at PART 1 of the Sweet Pea blanket, which consists of 15 stripes.
Remember we will be looking at two different versions of the Sweet Pea blanket each week - the Posy and the Colourwash. If you missed the Sneak Peek I gave you a few days ago and want to see the two blankets, go to this post and scroll down to find the downloadable image.
The Sweet Pea Posy blanket is directly inspired by my own allotment sweet peas and the joy of picking a fragrant bunch to bring home and pop in a jug or a jam jar. I wanted the stripes to convey that happy mix of bright and pastel shades, with little peeks of greenery showing through at intervals.
Here is the colour info for "Part 1 of the "POSY" Sweet Pea Blanket.
1. Violet (Foundation chain & dc row & row 2)
2. Lavender (rows 3 & 4)
3. Plum (rows 5 & 6)
4. Magenta (rows 7 & 8)
5. Cypress (rows 9 & 10)
6. Pomegranate (rows 11 & 12)
7. Blush (rows 13 & 14)
8. Candyfloss (rows 15 & 16)
9. Cream 17 & 18)
10. Meadow (rows 19 & 20)
11. Fuchsia (rows 21 & 22)
12. Magenta (rows 23 & 24) NOTE :: this isn't a mistake!! Clematis will appear in part 2!
13. Wisteria (rows 25 & 26)
14. Soft Peach (rows 27 & 28)
15. Pistachio (rows 29 & 30)
I am just thrilled with how the colours are playing - they are everything I wished for. They are joyful and uplifting, light and summery, pretty and floral. I also love the sweet texture that this stitch pattern creates - as the blanket gets bigger, the trellis stripe pattern/texture will become more defined and I've got some beautiful photos all lined up ready to show you as the weeks progress.
The second version of the blanket is called the Sweet Pea Colourwash. This week we are starting out with all three shades of green, which might feel a little dull at first. When I was making my colourwash blanket, I kept thinking about my allotment and those weeks when the seedlings were planted in the ground and beginning to climb up my string trellis. It feels like a long wait for the first buds to appear, but it's sooooo exciting! Eventually, you do get a glimpse of the first signs of floral colour......
.....and this is how it is this week for the Sweet Pea colourwash - you'll be crocheting your green rows and waiting for that rush of joy when the first peep of lavender pops out!!!
There won't be any more greens in the blanket - you've got 4 stripes of pistachio, and 6 each of meadow and cypress. From now on in, you'll be deep into the floral shades.
The above photo was taken by one of my pattern testers Jane (thank you Jane!) and I wanted to share it because it so beautifully shows the subtle texture that is created by the Trellis Stripe.
Here is the colour info for "Part 1 of the "COLOURWASH" Sweet Pea Blanket.
Note that throughout the colourwash blanket there are some double width stripes (4 crochet rows of the same colour). I've marked these in red so that they stand out for you. Remember you don't need to fasten off between the double rows.
1. Pistachio (Foundation chain & dc row & row 2)
2. Pistachio (rows 3 & 4)
3. Meadow (rows 5 & 6)
4. Pistachio (rows 7 & 8)
5. Meadow (rows 9 & 10)
6. Pistachio (rows 11 & 12)
7. Meadow (rows 13 & 14)
8. Meadow (rows 15 & 16)
9. Cypress 17 & 18)
10. Meadow (rows 19 & 20)
11. Cypress (rows 21 & 22)
12. Meadow (rows 23 & 24)
13. Cypress (rows 25 & 26)
14. Cypress (rows 27 & 28)
15. Lavender (rows 29 & 30)
During the past few weeks, there has been some interest in the small sample I made to show the Trellis Stripe and the Sweet Pea colours. Some of you expressed a wish to work your Sweet Pea blanket following this exact colour order, so that you have a repeating colour stripe. You can probably work this out from the photo, but to make it easier for you, I'l list them below ::
....there you go! Similar to the colourwash, you'll begin with greens, then a soft merge through the floral colours. After the Plum row, you'll return to Pistachio again and repeat the order.
Well, I think that's about all for this week - remember you can share photos or questions on my Facebook page, in the Attic24 Moorland and More group, or an Instagram (use the hashtag #sweetpeacal).
Have a fabulous, happy hooky week my Sweet Pea Podders!!!!!!!!!
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🌸 SWEET PEA BLANKET INTRODUCTION
🌸 SWEET PEA BLANKET PREPARATION (includes a sneak peek of the Posy and Colourwash blankets!)
What beautiful Colors. I bought three packs for my sister, and friend and myself. Super frustrating trying to put together a cohesive pattern and color order. ARGH.. Never did find the border. If anyone can help me.....
I felt like I needed to put something together since they were gifts.
Posted by: Julie Browne | June 03, 2023 at 10:43 PM
I cannot find colour wash Sweet Pea COLOURS list from row 15, to make a blanket. I
I would like to try Harbour or Woodland Riple wavy lines, but I just can't make the pattern, brain doesn't work.
Lucy, please, anyone.... My crochet hook is bending at the handle!!
Just finished Cost Stripe for my Granddaughter xxx
P.S. Lucy, H. WE. OK. PP, anyone, pretty please
Posted by: Janice Fox | April 25, 2023 at 07:43 PM
how can i get a printed pattern thank you
Posted by: jennifer Howlett | April 15, 2023 at 09:37 PM
I completed this blanket last night after 6 months of working on it on and off. Today I started the first round of the border but after 3 and a half hours could not get the correct amount points along the foundation edge, after feeling utterly exhausted and frustrated I have now put the scissors right up the middle of it and thrown it outside. What started out as a pretty project was in the end a total waste of money ( customs had to be paid) and I feel the instructions for this aspect of the project appalling!
Posted by: F Butler | March 08, 2023 at 03:57 PM
Bonjour , je souhaite faire la magnifique sweet pea blanket en grande dimension lit double . Je crochète la meadow blanket actuellement en taille double lit, vous aviez donné les rayures supplémentaires à effectuer. Je ne trouve pas ce détail dans le cal de la sweet pea blanket. Pouvez-vous m'aider s'il vous plaît?
Merci, Josiane
Posted by: Josiane BEAU | February 18, 2022 at 10:26 AM
I’ve purchased the wool pack for the Sweet Pea blanket and was disappointed there wasn’t a pattern in it like other Attic 24 packs I’ve used. Is there anyone who has made the pattern into a Word document and could provide a copy? I’m really struggling with my concentration just now and finding it difficult to read through all the CAL pages.
I would much prefer a pattern to follow
Posted by: Heather Mitchell | May 28, 2021 at 10:07 PM
I live in Canada .just got my second lot of wool from you the sweet pea. Is there a video to show how to do the pattern as I’m just learning. I finished your Magnolia blanket and loved it and the colours. Thank you for your wonderful colours . Sue
Posted by: Sue | February 17, 2021 at 07:35 PM
Where can I find the whole printable pattern please
Posted by: Jacqueline | February 10, 2021 at 01:29 PM
Where can I find the whole pattern please?
Posted by: Patricia kilmore | September 12, 2020 at 06:52 PM
Lucy
Are your wool packs still available?
Posted by: Maria Dower | August 07, 2020 at 04:10 AM
Where do you find the pattern for sweet pea blanket and is there a video I can follow
Posted by: Kathy | June 21, 2020 at 10:06 PM
Is there a US copy of the pattern?
Posted by: Kelly Kielpinski | June 13, 2019 at 07:13 AM
Do I need to convert the stitches to English from British? I've never made one of these beautiful blankets, what's involved?
Posted by: Linda Weiss | January 20, 2019 at 02:56 PM
Loving doing the blanket waiting for part two. The only knots I get in the thread is my cat Elsie sitting on my knee chewing away all the time😻
Posted by: Doreen Fahey | January 11, 2019 at 08:50 AM
Thanks for the responses to my comments on the yarn: I was surprised about the knots as all the reviews of the yarn have always been positive. I must have just got a dud ball. It has been fine since and I'm certainly enjoying my first foray into something more complicated than granny squares!
Posted by: Denise Fordyce | January 10, 2019 at 03:42 AM
I think Denise has been extremely unlucky in finding three knots in the Stylecraft yarn within her first three rows. I've made most of Lucy's blankets since reading her blog from the outset and have only twice incurred knots in a ball of Stylecraft yarn. I've also used it for knitting and find that it's well worth paying a little extra on acrylic yarn as the resulting blankets and sweaters etc wear so well wash after wash. Hopefully Denise you've started again and won't find any further problems.
Posted by: Jude | January 09, 2019 at 11:56 AM
Another gorgeous blanket Lucy!I adore a good blanket project this time of year, so cozy to curl up under while you hook away. Love the stir stick idea! Happy new year! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela- Southern USA | January 08, 2019 at 07:25 PM
Would the stitch for this blanket do okay in the cotton yarn from Summer Ripple?
Posted by: Charlotte. | January 08, 2019 at 06:18 PM
Hi Lucy, Thank you so much for all your patterns and colourways. I have made most of your blankets now and I send them off to Project Linus alondg with prem hats and baby blankets etc.
I have so been looking forward ro your sweetpea blanket and am just about to start, once again it is another beautiful project.
Thank you aonce again, Kindest regards Coral
Posted by: Coral Bevis | January 07, 2019 at 12:09 PM
So I have bought the yarn pack and love the colours. BUT I have to say I'm terribly disappointed in the quality of the yarn. I'm making the colourwash version and an just half way across the first trellis row, having completed the foundation chain row then the row of double crochet. I have already encountered 3 knots in the yarn, including 2 within about a 30cm length. Not a terribly good first impression: certainly wouldn't buy this yarn again. Hope it doesn't continue right throughout the blanket!
Posted by: Denise Fordyce | January 07, 2019 at 04:53 AM
Hi Lucy
Just a question about your Facebook site - I don't have a Facebook account, but was able to see your site last week as it must have been 'open'. I am having difficulty now - please could you open it for us! I have no idea how this is done, but it is possible. That way us non-Facebookers can keep up with the fun. Thanks so much - I am really loving the pattern and the colours.
Posted by: deedownunder | January 07, 2019 at 01:43 AM
Sue from Cyprus - after the first row which is worked into the back loops only, work every other row through both loops.
Gorgeous colours. I particularly love the colourwash blanket. You've put an awful lot of work into this Lucy. Thank you. x
Posted by: Kath Collinson | January 06, 2019 at 08:55 PM
Gorgeous colors.....
Posted by: Dianne Sarada | January 06, 2019 at 04:00 AM
Hi, as hoped for I was gifted two yarn packs for Christmas, (thank you eldest son). Couldn't decide between Posy or Colour Wash in king size so have settled for one of each in single size.
Posted by: Mrs Jane Halvey | January 05, 2019 at 11:24 PM
Hi Lucy - I wasn't planning on starting another blanket just now but I have fallen for the colourwash! I am going to use slightly different colours to go with our bedroom colour scheme. Can you tell me is there a computer progamme that you used to produce the schematic of the two colour ways! It would be great if I was able to get an idea of how my altered scheme woud look. Many thanks in advance if you are able to help!
Posted by: Rowena Corlett | January 05, 2019 at 04:47 PM