Lacy Shell Stripe

The Sungold blanket is my tenth annual CAL, and I designed the Lacy Shell stripe especially for this glorious palette of colours.

If you'd like to find out more about the colour palette and the inspiration behind this blanket, I wrote a blog post all about it...

SUNGOLD BLANKET INTRODUCTION

The pattern is an easy two row repeat which uses treble and double crochet stitches to create a simple, interlocking shell design. The stitches are spaced with chains to create a delicate lacy effect. This is an easy pattern to learn and once you've crocheted the first few stripes you'll be breezing along these rows and loving the ease of it.

If you are an experienced crocheter, please  read the beginning info which explains starting chains, pattern repeats, and the working of a gauge sample, then you can download the printed pattern and get stuck in.

For those who are fairly new to crochet, I've created a photo-heavy step-by-step tutorial to help you learn the Sungold pattern and determine your crochet tension and required hook size. 

MATERIALS

For my blankets I use Stylecraft Special DK which is a 100% premium acrylic yarn. It's lovely to work with, comes in generous 100g balls and the finished blankets are warm, soft and machine washable. 

You can find the Stylecraft Sungold yarn kit in my shop at Wool Warehouse with worldwide delivery.

There is also an alternative Sungold yarn pack which uses Yarnsmiths Create DK.

Both yarns work up to a similar gauge and I'll give colours for both in the pattern.

♥ BUY SUNGOLD YARN PACKS

♥ yarn packs contain 15 x 100g balls which is enough to make a single bed size blanket with a finished size of approx. 4ft x 6ft / 120 cm x 175 cm.

♥ If you crochet loosely, you will need to make sure that your starting chain and first row measures roughly 120cm otherwise you will need more than 15 x 100g balls. It's fine to reduce your starting chain to achieve the correct size, just remember to make your starting chain a multiple of 6, plus an extra 3.

♥ If you wish to make the blanket bigger ie to fit a double / king size bed, you will need to increase the number of stitches in your starting chain.....the starting chain should always be a multiple of  6, plus an extra 3. You will also need to purchase extra yarn if you make a bigger size.

HOOK SIZE  and TENSION

The standard hook size for Stylecraft Special DK (and Yarnsmiths Create DK) yarn is 4 mm. However, it's a good idea to be familiar with your own personal tension and experiment with moving to a larger or smaller hook to achieve a neat result. For example, I'm a tight crocheter so I'm making my Sungold blanket using a 4.5 mm hook. If you crochet quite loosely, then you will probably find that a 3.5 mm or 4mm hook suits you just fine. 

I would strongly advise you to make a small tension sample. Please, please take the time to do this, especially if you are following the CAL and using a yarn pack to make a blanket. It'll help you make your blanket the right size and drape, and will make sure you don't run out of yarn. Making this small sample before you begin on your blanket will also help you to feel familiar with the pattern and decide which hook size will work best for you.

To make a tension sample, chain 33, then follow the pattern below. If you would like a simple printed pattern, click (( HERE ))

Work 6 rows in total then measure the width. It should measure approx. 18 cm. This is an approximate guide so that you can determine if you are using the correct hook size to suit your tension.

PATTERN REPEATS AND STARTING CHAINS

The Sungold starting chain should always be a multiple of 6, plus an extra 3.

Here is a list of suggested starting chains for different size blankets :

Tension sample (18 cm/ 7" width) :: Chain 33 

Single/twin blanket (120cm / 48" width) : Chain 195 * This is my standard blanket size

Baby blanket (70cm / 28" width) : Chain 117 

Lap throw (90cm / 36" width) : Chain 147 

Double bed blanket* (180cm / 72" width) : Chain 291 *requires two yarn packs

King bed blanket* (210cm / 84" width) : Chain 333 *requires two yarn packs

♥ CLICK (( HERE )) FOR THE PDF PATTERN

SUNGOLD STITCH PATTERN

This pattern uses basic stitches to create a pretty lacy shell with a delicate and slightly open appearance. Each stripe is crocheted in two rows. I'm writing my pattern using UK crochet terms as follows :

dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)

tr [treble] :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)

♥ CLICK (( HERE )) FOR THE PDF PATTERN

To Begin : Use Magenta yarn (or Create DK Sugar plum)

Chain 33 for the tension sample or

Chain 195 for the blanket. 

Note : You might like to use a bigger hook size (eg, 5mm) to make your starting chain, then switch back down for the first crochet row. You need to count carefully - place stitch markers at regular intervals (every 25 stitches) if you need to.

Row 1 : Begin in 4th chain from hook, work 1 tr into each stitch along; do not fasten off.

In this tutorial I'm showing photos of the tension sample, as I REALLY want to encourage you to do this before you start on your blanket (!)

At the end of Row 1 you should have 31 treble stitches if you're making your tension sample, and 193 treble stitches if you're making your blanket. Remember that the beginning turning chain counts as one stitch.

Turn your work.

Row 2 : 

Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr); 1 tr in first stitch (shown by my needle above - this first stitch is right at the base of the chain-3 you just made); chain 1;

skip the next 2 stitches; 

1 dc in next stitch; chain 1 (as shown above); 

skip the next 2 stitches;

In the next stitch work your lacy shell as follows :

1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; (as shown above)

skip the next 2 stitches;

1 dc in next stitch; chain 1 (as shown above); 

*skip the next 2 stitches;

in the next stitch work (1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1);

skip the next 2 stitches;

1 dc in next stitch; chain 1;

Repeat from * until 3 stitches remain...

....skip over the next two stitches and locate the last stitch (this will be the top of the turning chain from Row 1, as shown by my needle above)

Work 2 tr in last stitch (top of turning chain); fasten off.

At the end of Row 2 your tension sample should have 4 lacy shells, with 2-tr at each end (shown above).

Your blanket will have 31 lacy shells with 2-tr at each end. It's not really necessary to keep counting shells, but when you're learning the pattern I think it helps to know you're on track.

Turn your work and on with the next colour.....

Row 3 : Use Proper Purple yarn (or Create DK Amethyst)

Insert hook into first stitch and pull through a loop of the new colour.

Chain 1 (this doesn't count as a stitch, it's just a way to anchor your yarn); 1 dc in first stitch; chain 1;

Skip over the next treble stitch and locate the dc stitch (shown by my needle above) - your next lacy shell is going to be worked into that dc stitch as follows :

1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1 (that's your lacy shell made);

skip over the next treble, and work (1 dc; chain 1) into the middle treble stitch of the lacy shell (shown by my needle above);

skip over the next treble and work (1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1) into the next dc stitch;

*skip over the next treble, and work (1 dc; chain 1) into the middle treble stitch of the lacy shell;

skip over the next treble and work (1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1) into the next dc stitch;

Repeat from * until two stitches remain;

1 dc into the last stitch (the top of the chain 3 from the previous row); do not fasten off.

At the end of Row 3 your tension sample should have 5 lacy shells, with 1-dc at each end (shown above). Your blanket will have 32 lacy shells with 1-dc at each end. 

Turn your work.

Row 4 :

Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr); 1 tr in same stitch; chain 1 (as shown above);

skip the next treble; (1 dc; chain 1) in next stitch;

*skip over the next treble and work (1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1) into the next dc stitch (as shown by my needle above);

skip over the next treble, and work (1 dc; chain 1) into the middle treble of the lacy shell;

Repeat from * until two stitches remain;

skip over the next treble and locate the dc made at the beginning of the previous row (it helps if you bend your work forward slightly, as I'm doing in the above photo - you can then easily find that dc as shown by my needle)

work 2 tr into the dc stitch at the end of row; fasten off.

At the end of Row 4 your tension sample should have 4 lacy shells, with 2-tr at each end (shown above). Your blanket will have 31 lacy shells with 2-tr at each end. 

Turn your work.

Just to reassure you, your sample should look and feel quite stretchy with visible lacy holes - remember this is a light, open stitch pattern and it's meant to look like this! When you make your full size blanket, you'll find that the pattern appears to be a bit denser and less holey, although it will still be quite a stretchy crochet fabric.

Now you've completed rows 3 and 4, you have completed the pattern repeat - it's an easy pattern to learn, don't you think? Each stripe from now on will simply be a repeat of rows 3 & 4.

Row 5 : Use Gold yarn (or Create DK Antique Gold)

NOTE: This will be a repeat of Row 3, as follows:

Insert hook into first stitch and pull through a loop of the new colour.

chain 1 (this doesn't count as a stitch, it's just a way to anchor your yarn); 1 dc in first stitch; chain 1;

skip over the next treble stitch and work (1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1) into the next dc stitch;

*skip over the next treble, and work (1 dc; chain 1) into the middle treble stitch of the lacy shell;

skip over the next treble and work (1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1) into the next dc stitch;

Repeat from * until two stitches remain;

1 dc into the last stitch (the top of the chain 3 from the previous row); do not fasten off; turn.

Row 6 : 

NOTE: This will be a repeat of Row 4, as follows:

Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr); 1 tr in same stitch; chain 1;

skip the next treble; (1 dc; chain 1) in next stitch;

*skip over the next treble and work (1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1; 1 tr; chain 1) into the next dc stitch;

skip over the next treble, and work (1 dc; chain 1) into the middle treble stitch of the lacy shell;

Repeat from * until two stitches remain;

skip over the next treble and work 2 tr into the dc stitch at the end of row; fasten off.

AND THAT IS IT!!!!! All stripes will follow this same pattern (a repeat of rows 3 & 4) and you can sit back and enjoy some beautifully relaxing crochet therapy.

Your tension sample should measure approximately 18cm across if you started with chain 31.

If it's 17 or 19 cm, it's not too much of a problem really, the sizing is an approximate guide so please use your own judgement. Please also note that this pattern creates quite a stretchy fabric, so there may well be some movement and give in the sizing.

If your sample measures waaaaay bigger and feels all floppy and loose, then you will need to switch to a smaller hook. Alternatively reduce the number of starting chains when you make your blanket (keeping a multiple of 6, 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. 

DARNING IN ENDS

I thought it would be useful to give some guidance about darning in ends. I do them as I go along, darning ends one stripe below the most recent one you've just made. 

I darn my ends through the tops of the stitches, working first one way (towards the centre of the blanket), and then back again out towards the outer edge of the blanket. This two-direction darning makes a very secure finish and your ends shouldn't pop out or loosen.

So you can see in the above photo, I'm darning the Purple end inwards towards the centre of the blanket, passing the needle through the centre of the stripe along the tops of the stitches....

.....then turn and darn back again so that your needle pops out on the outside edge of the blanket. 

You'll find that this outer edge may look a little bumpy after you've darned in ends but don't worry too much as the border will hide any lumps and smooth it all out at the end.

You can download a PDF copy of the Sungold blanket pattern to save/print if you wish. This is a traditionally written pattern with no step-by-step photos.

♥ CLICK (( HERE )) FOR THE PDF PATTERN

As the Sungold blanket is being worked as a crochet-along (CAL), you will be able to find all the colour information you need in my weekly CAL blog posts. Every Friday for six weeks I'll be listing the colours you need for the stripes. I'll add direct links to the CAL posts at the bottom of this page each week as we go.

And finally, I created a special border for this blanket, called the Lacy Shell Border. You can find it by clicking on the following link >>

LACY SHELL BORDER TUTORIAL

Here are some more useful links :

♥ SUNGOLD CAL INTRODUCTION : lots of photos showing the inspiration behind this blanket.

♥ SUNGOLD YARN PACKS (Stylecraft and Yarnsmiths)

♥ SUNGOLD BLANKET PATTERN : a traditional written pattern for the Sungold blanket.

♥ SUNGOLD BORDER TUTORIAL

♥ CAL PART 1 (stripes 1-15)

♥ CAL PART 2 : (stripes 16 - 33)

♥ CAL PART 3 : (stripes 34 - 51)

♥ CAL PART 4 : (stripes 52 - 69)

♥ CAL PART 5 : (stripes 70 - 87)

♥ CAL PART 6 : (stripes 88 - 99)

♥ CAL PART 7 : (the border) 

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Comments

[rositta]

My gauge is correct but I'm not liking triple crochet here. I find the spaces too large. I may redo it with DC and SC.

[Sue Hayes]

Loving the pattern now I’ve finally had a couple of hours to sit and start. Just donated to buy you a coffee. Thanks for all of your hard work.

[Lynne]

Hi Lucy, I'm enjoying this pattern but I'm at the end of Row 4 (making the colorwash version) and don't know how long of a tail to leave as I fasten off? Sorry, this is a beginner question but I haven't worked with multiple colors before like this, I usually just carry it up the side. (Thank you for the pictures on how to darn in the ends, they are very helpful.)

[Kristine S]

🫂🎉💕 now you can have a relax... thank you❣️ As always, beautiful creation 👏👏👏🤩👌😍

[Carmel Preston]

Ive crocheted 10 of your blankets but this is the 1st CAL. looking forward to it.

[Alison Cousin]

I'm really looking forward to completing this and owning a beautiful blanket.