Hello, and welcome to the start of a brand new decade, and the beginnings of a very colourful new blanket journey. I know that many thousands of you are joining in with the Dahlia Blanket Crochet-A-Long (CAL) and I am so very happy to have your company. It's going to be a beautifully bright start to 2020 that's for sure!
You will probably remember me telling you all about the inspiration behind the Dahlia blanket at the end of last year? If you missed that introduction post, you can find it ((HERE)). I've been in love with dahlias for many, many years - their flamboyant nature and vibrant colours never fail to make me happy and lift my spirits. I figured that if the flowers make me feel so smiley, then putting those colours into a blanket would be a very good thing indeed. It would be a blanket of Summer Cheerfulness!
As is usual for my blankets, I've chose fifteen shades of Stylecraft Special DK for my Dahlia blanket
Top row, left to right...
🏵️ magenta 🏵️ fuchsia purple 🏵️ shrimp 🏵️ apricot 🏵️ powder pink 🏵️
Middle row, left to right...
🏵️ boysenberry 🏵️ pomegranate 🏵️ spice 🏵️ lemon 🏵️ blush 🏵️
Bottom row, left to right...
🏵️ claret 🏵️ lipstick 🏵️ tomato 🏵️ saffron 🏵️ fondant 🏵️
You can find the Dahlia yarn pack in my shop at Wool Warehouse, click on the following link...
For those of you who have already got your yarn ready and waiting, I really hope that you've been enjoying the colour palette. I am so in love with it! There is a lot of heat in this palette as we move through the reds, oranges and yellows and into the pinks and purples.
Before you take your paper bands away from your balls, please remember to make a note of the colours so that you don't get into a muddle. A few of the shades can look very similar, especially under artificial light (Fondant and Blush in particular). I always use my trusty yarn pegs, but you could simply attach snips of yarn to a piece of paper with some sticky tape and write their names down.
Ruth has made some very sweet little sampler squares to keep a track of her colour palette...
And Charlotte has punched some holes into an index card to keep her yarn snips in order.
However you like to do this, it's an important first step in preparing for the CAL and helps you to become familiar with the colour names.
If you've made any of my blankets before, you know that I always like to encourage you to make up a small tension sample before launching straight into the blanket. This helps you to feel comfortable with the pattern repeat, but more importantly to work out your own personal crochet tension and the best hook size to use.
Stylecraft Special DK uses a 4mm hook as standard, but I've found that the Dahlia Spike Stitch works better if it's not too tight. I'm a tight crocheter myself, so I've moved up to a 5mm hook to stop my crochet fabric becoming too stiff. If you've made my blankets before, then you will probably have a good idea of what hook size suits you best for this yarn. Remember also that it's generally a good idea to make the foundation chain using a bigger hook size, then drop back down again when you begin to crochet the rows.
Working a tension sample doesn't take that long as it's only a small piece. Make a chain of 27 then work up 8 rows of crochet. The width should measure approximately 16cm across.
If it's a cm or so bigger or smaller, it's not too much of a problem really, the sizing is an approximate guide so please use your own judgement.
If your sample measures waaaaay bigger and feels all floppy and loose, then you will need to switch to a smaller hook. Alternatively, you can reduce the number of starting chains when you make your blanket (keeping a multiple of 4, plus an extra 3) to ensure you achieve the correct width and don't run out of yarn.
If your sample feels tight and stiff and is coming out way smaller, switch to a larger hook size.
I created my usual photo-heavy, hold-your-hand tutorial to help you crochet your tension sample and learn how to work the Spike Stitch. You can find it by clicking on the following link >>
And due to popular request, I also made a simple written pattern that you can download/print if you don't need the step by step help and prefer to have a traditional printed pattern to pop in your bag. You can find it by clicking on the following link >>
DAHLIA BLANKET PATTERN DOWNLOAD
In the tutorial, I also included some help with darning in ends for this particular blanket which I hope you find useful.
Once you're happy with your tension sample, you can get wiggly with those first few rows. The pattern gives you starting chains for different sizes of blanket, so although I make my blankets a standard 120 x 180 (single bed size), you could easily make smaller or bigger versions if you prefer.
When you work the first stripes of your blanket, it's a good opportunity to check your gauge again and make sure you're on track. The best way to do this is to use digital kitchen scales. There will (mostly) be 7 stripes of each colour in the Dahlia blanket and as you can see from the above photo, I'm using approx 11g of yarn per stripe. This means 77g of yarn in total from a 100g ball, leaving enough left over to work a border.
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 3rd January - part 1 - working a tension sample, choosing the right hook size, stripes 1-15.
Friday 10th January - Part 2 - stripes 16 -33
Friday 17th January - Part 3 - stripes 34 - 51
Friday 24th January - Part 4 - stripes 52 - 69
Friday 31st January - Part 5 - stripes 70 - 87
Friday 7th February - Part 6 - stripes 88 - 89
Friday 14th February - Catch up week (darn in those ends!!)
Friday 21st February - Part 7 - the edging and a grand Ta-dah!
Following on from the success of the Sweet Pea blanket last year, I decided to also make two versions of the Dahlia blanket. Both blankets have the same number of stripes and use the same fifteen colours, but they each have their own signature. On the left is the "Mixed Stripe" and on the right is the "Colourwash. I love them both, but if you backed me into a corner and forced me to choose, then I would say that the Colourwash pleases me just a smidge more than the mixed bunch.
You can see a sneaky preview of both blankets by clicking ((HERE)), although I know some of you prefer the surprise element!
The Mixed Stripe is inspired by the glorious and huuuuuuge bunch of dahlias that I brought home with me after my trip to Halls in Northumberland last September. You can see lots more photos of that wonderful place in my Dahlia blanket introduction post ((HERE)).
The riot of hot summer colour really does remind me of walking in that sunny dahlia field, it was an experience that I will never ever forget. The bright medley of colour is just so impossibly joyful, don't you think?
This is what the very start of the mixed stripe blanket looks like with the first fifteen rows complete. Please note that I managed to colour co-ordinate my hand knit socks for this photo, but I'm sure you noticed that straight away.
So here is the colour info for Part 1 of the "MIXED STRIPE" Dahlia Blanket.
Click (( HERE)) for the printable worksheet.
1. Boysenberry (Foundation chain & rows 1 & 2)
2. Pomegranate (rows 3 & 4)
3. Blush (rows 5 & 6)
4. Lemon (rows 7 & 8)
5. Tomato (rows 9 & 10)
6. Claret (rows 11 & 12)
7. Magenta (rows 13 & 14)
8. Powder Pink (rows 15 & 16)
9. Fondant (rows 17 & 18)
10. Apricot (rows 19 & 20)
11. Saffron (rows 21 & 22)
12. Spice (rows 23 & 24)
13. Lipstick (rows 25 & 26)
14. Shrimp (rows 27 & 28)
15. Fuchsia Purple (rows 29 & 30)
The Colourwash version of the Dahlia blanket was largely inspired by the work of Erin Benzakein who runs the most amazing flower farm in the US called "Floret Flowers". I'm a massive fan of Erin's work, her website and Instagram page is an absolute visual paradise for floral colour lovers and is unbelievably inspiring.
Erin very kindly gave me her permission to share these photos with you (thank you so much Erin), but do please go and feast you eyes on more of her beautiful dahlia photos ((HERE)). There is also a wealth of information on the Floret website for anybody who fancies growing their own dahlias, it's something I aspire to one day.
I had a play with my own bunch of dahlias and ordered my yarn colours into a pleasing wash of colour. I started with the deep reds and oranges, moved through the more delicate yellows and pale pinks, then transitioned to the deeper pinks and finally on to the purples.
So for the first part of the colourwash, we start with the deep reds and coppery orange tones.
These are very hard colours for my camera to capture so I'm sorry if the shades all look a bit samey in these photos. In real life they are strong and beautiful and the wash of colour is a little more obvious than these pictures suggest.
It's a bold beginning and I love the drama of it!
Here is the colour info for Part 1 of the "COLOURWASH" Dahlia Blanket.
Click (( HERE)) for the printable worksheet.
1. Claret (Foundation chain & rows 1 & 2)
2. Lipstick (rows 3 & 4)
3. Claret (rows 5 & 6)
4. Lipstick (rows 7 & 8)
5. Claret (rows 9 & 10)
6. Lipstick (rows 11 & 12)
7. Claret (rows 13 & 14)
8. Lipstick (rows 15 & 16)
9. Tomato (rows 17 & 18)
10. Lipstick (rows 19 & 20)
11. Tomato (rows 21 & 22)
12. Lipstick (rows 23 & 24)
13. Tomato (rows 25 & 26)
14. Lipstick (rows 27 & 28)
15. Tomato (rows 29 & 30)
A little note to say that the Colourwash stripe order is designed to be worked across 99 stripes in total to create a 180cm length, and isn't therefore suitable for smaller or bigger versions.
I know quite a few of you fancied creating a "REPEATING STRIPE" or a "mirror repeat" using the order that appeared on my sampler. So here is that colour order for those of you who wish to create a REPEATING STRIPE for the Dahlia blanket. Starting from the bottom of the photo and working towards the top, as follows:
1. Claret (Foundation chain & rows 1 & 2)
2. Lipstick (rows 3 & 4)
3. Tomato (rows 5 & 6)
4. Spice (rows 7 & 8)
5. Saffron (rows 9 & 10)
6. Lemon (rows 11 & 12)
7. Apricot (rows 13 & 14)
8. Powder Pink (rows 15 & 16)
9. Fondant (rows 17 & 18)
10. Blush (rows 19 & 20)
11. Shrimp (rows 21 & 22)
12. Pomegranate (rows 23 & 24)
13. Fuchsia Purple (rows 25 & 26)
14. Magenta (rows 27 & 28)
15. Boysenberry (rows 29 & 30).
After stripe 15, you can either go back to colour 1 again and repeat, or work backwards through 14, 13 etc and work the colours in reverse (this produces the "mirror" effect).
Well, I think that's about all for this week - remember you can share photos or questions on my Facebook page, in the "Hooked on Attic24" Facebook group, or an Instagram (use the hashtag #dahliacal).
Have a fabulous, happy hooky week my lovelies!!!!!!!!!
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Lovely colours and an amazing start for this CAL, however when i click on the colour wash link, i get the mixed stripe order page, is this correct? thanks Sally
Posted by: Sally Richardson | January 03, 2020 at 08:51 PM
This is a beautiful blanket. Being slow and having many interruptions I am still working on my Summer Cotton Ripple. I love the colors and softness of this yarn pack and decided that it wil be mine. Although I have made several of your blankets I have given them away. Thanks you for another beautiful blanket.
Posted by: Charlotte | January 03, 2020 at 07:45 PM
My yarn just arrived. I am so excited to begin on such a special project. Thank you for all the effort and expertise to bring such a beautiful project into a forum that so many can share. I look forward to learning and improving my skills as I journey through the next few weeks with you and all who join this group.
Many thanks,
Posted by: Ginger | January 03, 2020 at 06:17 PM
I'm going to make a teeny, tiny star (from your previous post) using each color of the Dalia Yarn pack. That will be used for a reference and then turned into an ornament. I think your winter fireplace banner circles would look wonderful with a tiny star hanging in the center of each circle if I can figure out how to keep the circle center open. Then I will go back and do the same with all the leftovers from my blankets. My tree can be decorated with crocheted ornaments make from my blanket colors. Now I'm very excited to do this. If I can figure out how to make an open in the middle circle.
Posted by: Mary W | January 03, 2020 at 05:36 PM
Heck, I 'm still knitting my Sweet Pea blanket!
Posted by: Su Wilson | January 03, 2020 at 04:50 PM
This blanket is so beautiful! I appreciate the extra work you’ve done with the printable color lists - your tutorials and instructions are easy to understand and follow. Your expertise helps me be a better crocheter.
Posted by: Tana | January 03, 2020 at 04:27 PM
This post is absolutely brilliant! I was nervous to start my first CAL but you have made is so straightforward and crystal clear. Thank you for all of your hard work and sharing this with us. You are blessed with an inspiring gift of color. You are truly amazing! You have a dedicated fan in the Pacific Northwest. Team mixed stripe here we gooooooo!
Posted by: Gladine Stapleton | January 03, 2020 at 04:09 PM
Lucy, as usual your photos are such a help. I have my yarn, but am not allowed to start until I finish my Dune Blanket, which I have been working on Since November. I am a quilter also, so I really juggle my crafts. The colors for the Dahlia are amazing. I did the colorwash for the sweet pea, but for this one I am drawn towards the mixed stripe. I love the way the light colors pop out to separate the stripes. Can't wait to get started. You are so good to us here in the Attic fan club.
Posted by: charlotte m. | January 03, 2020 at 03:03 PM
Hi. I would like to do the colour wash, but why can’t I double the width with two packs of yarn? New to crochet, so apologies if silly question! Kind regards Jane x
Posted by: Jane Cox | January 03, 2020 at 01:38 PM
ABSOLUTELY LOVE those flowers and the colors - great choices. It is definitely a happy creation. Have a Blessed week.
Posted by: Miss Daisy | January 03, 2020 at 01:37 PM
Thank you so much for your work.
Posted by: Andrea | January 03, 2020 at 01:14 PM
Happy New Year Lucy from the Dorset Dahlias! We are off and running and meeting on 2.Feb in West Bay, to share our progress. Any of your many fans are welcome to join us. :-)
Posted by: Sandra | January 03, 2020 at 01:05 PM
Lovely colours and patterns ,just can’t make up my mind!
Posted by: Heather Coady | January 03, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Happy New Year to you Lucy! I have been joyfully anticipating this post, as have so many others around the world. Thank you for all your hard work in putting your CALs together each year and bringing such pleasure to so many. It sounds like special thanks are due to you this year given the illness of your father-in-law and the loss of your mum's partner. I am sorry for your hardships. It shows enormous generosity of spirit that you have managed to get your CAL organised considering what has been going on for you. Thank you! I am writing from Australia and look forward to getting started on your Dahlia blanket. Ironically, we are in the midst of an horrific summer here, with terrible bushfires ravaging our beautiful country. Tomorrow's conditions are forecast to be especially extreme. Despite the heat however, there will be much comfort in starting such a bright and cheerful project. Thanks again, and best wishes, Ros.
Posted by: Roslyn Mirrington | January 03, 2020 at 11:26 AM
Hello Lucie,
Again its a beautiful blanket. Of jou want to see more dahlia's look at www.corsozundert.nl, its Dutch but the foto's are speaking for themselfs.
Posted by: Bea Ramaekers | January 03, 2020 at 10:50 AM
Thank you so much for including my photo of my sample squares. I'm looking forward to this evening when I've finished work and can begin this gorgeous blanket with its' warm, summery, vibrant colours :)
Posted by: Ruth | January 03, 2020 at 10:31 AM
They are both gorgeous but I think I'm on team mixed stripe. Dahlias are my absolute favourite flowers by the way.
Posted by: Christa | January 03, 2020 at 09:57 AM
What a beautiful design!! Thanks for all of your hard work and sharing this with us! Can’t wait to start this blanket. My yarn pack is ready & waiting.
Posted by: Connie | January 03, 2020 at 09:24 AM
Thank you! The colours are amazing, now I just have to pick which set of stripes to do!
Posted by: Kate | January 03, 2020 at 09:03 AM