Beachcombing Blanket – Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of my ‘Beachcombing Blanket’… 🙂 Thank you so much for the wonderful response so far… I read every single comment left here on my blog and over on my social media and whilst it’s not humanly possible for me to reply to everyone (although I do try) I genuinely appreciate every single one, so thank you! 🙂

And many of you said how much you enjoyed my introductory video last week… so I’ve done it again for you!! 🙂 I know how fortunate I am to have this quiet beach on our doorstep and during the Coronavirus pandemic, this is where I am able to walk with Salty and exercise once per day… I’m so happy to be able to share a little of that with you… enjoy! 🙂

It’s been wonderful to see so many of your beautiful blankets in progress being shared on Instagram and Facebook. And here’s a little round-up of just some of them… 😍

From Instagram…

And from Facebook…

Aren’t they all fabulous! Please do keep on sharing those photos and connecting with each other… 🙂

For those of you who have purchased the PDF pattern on Ravelry it has now been updated to include Week 2 in both UK and US terms…

Ravelry Pattern for Beachcombing Blanket

And I’ve done these little world maps… as far as I’m aware there are people from over 22 countries taking part! From lots of countries all over Europe, then from China to Mexico, New Zealand to Canada and the USA, South Africa to Libya and so many places in between! Isn’t that just amazing… to think we’re all crocheting the same blanket in these different parts of the world! Please do let me know where you’re from if you’re crocheting along. These blankets really are being made by a wonderful worldwide community which is so very special… 🙂

This week we have a square inspired by ammonites, shells, fossils and all the natural finds from sea creatures on the beach…

And it’s DOUBLE THE CROCHET TIME because we need to make two of these squares this week…

I just love the central ammonite…

We have enormous ammonites near where we live that can only be seen at low tide…

How big these creatures were from millions of years ago! It amazes me that traces of them can still be discovered along the shore – it’s just incredible to see them. The smaller ammonites seen below are so beautiful too… I didn’t find these on the beach myself… they came from a stones and fossil shop in Boscastle, Cornwall, many years ago!

And then there are fossils from all kinds of other sea creatures. I found this Echinoid (sea urchin) fossil three years ago on our local beach and it was such a beautiful find. I remember being so excited at the time as it is so perfectly formed! It now lives on our kitchen window sill…

And here are a few more fossils all found on my local beach…

And of course there are shells in all shapes and sizes!

There are so many other amazing beachcombing finds from nature…

Including ‘Mermaids Purses’ (I love that name) that are in fact the egg cases of sharks, skates and ray fish. We find a lot washed up on our shores… they come in lots of different shapes and sizes and each species has its own unique shaped egg case.

I believe these are from the ‘Small Spotted Catshark’ – their cases can be found in clusters like this…

And these are from a Skate or a Ray…

And just so you get a photo of the sea this week, I’d like to share this beautiful view of the cliff top flowers that we saw during our daily exercise and a local cliff top walk earlier in the week. The flowers are in full bloom and looking spectacular!

So let’s move onto Week 2… 🙂

The full written pattern with lots of photos and links to YouTube tutorials is below in UK crochet terms. At the very end of this blog post I’ve provided the pattern in US terms too.

PATTERN IN UK CROCHET TERMINOLOGY.

Abbreviations

ch: chain

ch-sp(s): chain space(s)

dc: double crochet

dtr: double treble

htr: half treble

mm: millimetres

RdtrF: Raised double treble front (see below)

RS: right side

ss: slip stitch

st(s): stitch(es)

tr: treble

WS: wrong side

yoh: yarn over hook

RdtrF: Raised double treble Front: complete a double treble st as normal but insert hook around the stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the front to the back and then round to the front again.

Pattern Notes

It may help to put a stitch marker into the top of the starting/ turning chains at the beginning of each round or row making it easier to identify them as a stitch and the correct place to insert your hook at the end of the round or subsequent rows.

Week 2 – Ammonites, Shells and Fossils Square

This square is inspired by natural beachcombing finds. Fossils, ammonites, shells and mermaids purses that are such a joy to beachcomb for and discover. They are a reminder of the natural beauty of the oceans creatures both today and from the distant past…

7 colours are used: Yarns A, B, C, D, E, G and H.

This square is made with the right side (RS) facing at all times.

MAKE TWO OF THESE SQUARES.

Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 1 – 3.

Using Yarn B, make 4ch, ss to first ch to join into a ring.

Round 1 (RS) 2ch (counts as first htr), 7htr in centre of ring. [8 sts]

Half Treble stitches are unique in that they have three loops/strands at the top of the stitch. To ensure that two loops remain to the front of the shell to create the spiral, make sure you crochet into just the one very back loop only which sits towards the back of the work. The ammonite is made in a continual spiral as follows:

Round 2 2htr in back loop only of top ch of first 2 ch from Round 1, continue with 2htr in back loop only of each of next 7 sts. [16 sts]

Round 3 2tr in back loop of each of next 9 sts, 2dtr in back loop of each of next 5 sts joining with Yarn A at last stage of final dtr (the final yoh of st), continue with 2dtr in back loop of next st, 1tr in back loop of final st. [31 sts]

Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 4 – 7.

There are no more htr sts to work into so the following round is worked into the standard back loops of each st. Round 4 is only half a round used to close the ammonite into a full circle:

Round 4 1tr in back loop of next st, 2tr in back loop of next st, 1tr in back loop of next st, 1htr in back loop of next st, 2htr in back loop of next st, 1htr in back loop of each of next 2 sts, 2dc in back loop of next st, (1dc in back loop of each of next 2 sts, 2dc in back loop of next st) two times, ss to next st, do no fasten off. [The circle is now formed and there are 36 sts in total around]

Round 5 3ch, 1tr in back loop of next st, 2tr in back loop of next st, (1tr in back loop of each of next 2 sts, 2tr in back loop of next st) four times, now crochet into the sts as normal and continue with (1tr in each of next 2 sts, 2tr in next st) to end, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [48 sts]

Round 6 Join Yarn H to any st, 3ch, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 2tr in next st, (1tr in each of next 3 sts, 2tr in next st) to end, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [60 sts]

Round 7 Join Yarn C to central tr of any 3 tr group, 2ch (counts as first htr), 1htr into same st at base of 2 ch, 1htr in each of next 4 sts, (2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 4 sts) to end, ss to top of first 2 ch, fasten off. [72 sts]

Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 8 – 9.

In Round 8 insert hook into the back 2 loops of the htr sts, leaving a front strand/loop to the front of the work.

Round 8 With the ammonite facing upright and imagining a square around it, join Yarn E to back 2 loops of st to the outer right side (this will be the first corner), 4ch (counts as first dtr), (1dtr, 2ch, 2dtr) in same st, *1dtr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 1htr in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr in next 2 sts, **(2dtr, 2ch, 2dtr) all in next st, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to top of first 4 ch, fasten off. [21 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]

Round 9 Join Yarn D to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1tr, 2ch, 2tr) in same corner ch-sp, 1tr in each st to end of side, *(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, 1tr in each st to end of side, repeat from * two times, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [25 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]

Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 10 – 12.

Round 10 Join Yarn B to any outer right st of any side, 1ch (counts as first dc) (miss 2 sts, 5tr in next st, miss 2 sts, 1dc in next st) to end of side, 7tr in corner ch-sp, *1dc in next st, (miss 2 sts, 5tr in next st, miss 2 sts, 1dc in next st) to end of side, 7tr in corner ch-sp repeat from * two times, ss to first ch, fasten off. [4 shells on each side with 4 x corner shells]

Round 11 Join Yarn G to central tr of any outer right shell of any side (not the corner 7 tr shell), 1ch (counts as first dc), *(miss 2 sts, 5tr in next st, miss 2 sts, 1dc in next st) to end of side, 3ch, miss 1 st, 1dc in next st, repeat from * three times, miss 2 sts, 5tr in next st, miss 2 sts, ss to first ch, fasten off. [5 shells on each side]

Round 12 Join Yarn C to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (2tr, 2ch, 3tr) in same corner ch-sp, *(miss next dc st working 1dtr below it into the same st it is worked into from Round 10, continue around shell in back loops only of each st with 1tr, 1htr, 1dc, 1htr, 1tr) five times, miss next dc st working 1dtr below it in the same st it is worked into from Round 10, **(3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [37 sts on each side]

Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 13 – 16.

Round 13 Join Yarn A to any corner ch-sp, 3ch (counts as 1 dc and 2 ch), 1dc in same corner ch-sp, *1dc in first st of side, (2ch, miss 2 sts, 1dc in next st) to end of side, ** (1dc, 2ch, 1dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to first ch of beginning 3 ch, do not fasten off. [12 x 2-ch-sps on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]

Round 14 3ch, * (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in next corner ch-sp, 1tr in first st of side, miss next st working 1RdtrF around the first tr st below from Round 12, (2tr in next 2-ch-sp, miss next st working 1RdtrF around the dtr st below from Round 12, 2tr in next 2-ch-sp, miss next st working 1RdtrF around the dc st below from Round 12) five times, 2tr in next 2-ch-sp, miss next st working 1RdtrF around the dtr st below from Round 12, 2tr in next 2-ch-sp, miss next st working 1RdtrF around the final tr st below from Round 12 **, 1tr in final st of side, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [43 sts on each side]

Round 15 Join Yarn C to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1tr, 2ch, 2tr) in same corner ch-sp, 1tr in each st to end of side, *(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, 1tr in each st to end of side, repeat from * two times, ss to top of first 3 ch, do not fasten off. [47 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]

Round 16 3ch, 1tr in next st, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, *1tr in each st to end of side, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * two times, 1tr in each st to end, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [51 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]

Weave in all ends.

And that’s Week 2, our coastal creatures inspired square. Remember to make two of those squares! And till next week… 🙂

Enjoy and Happy Crocheting… 🙂

PATTERN IN US TERMINOLOGY

Abbreviations

ch: chain

ch-sp(s): chain space(s)

dc: double crochet

FPtr: Front Post treble (see below)

hdc: half double crochet

mm: millimetres

RS: right side

sc: single crochet

sl st: slip stitch

st(s): stitch(es)

tr: treble

WS: wrong side

yoh: yarn over hook

FPtr: Front Post treble: complete a treble st as normal but insert hook around the post / stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the front to the back and then round to the front again.

Pattern Notes

It may help to put a stitch marker into the top of the starting/ turning chains at the beginning of each round or row making it easier to identify them as a stitch and the correct place to insert your hook at the end of the round or subsequent rows.

Week 2 – Ammonites, Shells and Fossils Square

This square is inspired by natural beachcombing finds. Fossils, ammonites, shells and mermaids purses that are such a joy to beachcomb for and discover. They are a reminder of the natural beauty of the oceans creatures both today and from the distant past…

7 colours are used: Yarns A, B, C, D, E, G and H.

This square is made with the right side (RS) facing at all times.

MAKE TWO OF THESE SQUARES.

Using Yarn B, make 4ch, sl st to first ch to join into a ring.

Round 1 (RS) 2ch (counts as first hdc), 7hdc in centre of ring. [8 sts]

Half Double Crochet stitches are unique in that they have three loops/strands at the top of the stitch. To ensure that two loops remain to the front of the shell to create the spiral, make sure you crochet into just the one very back loop only which sits towards the back of the work. The ammonite is made in a continual spiral as follows:

Round 2 2hdc in back loop only of top ch of first 2 ch from Round 1, continue with 2hdc in back loop only of each of next 7 sts. [16 sts]

Round 3 2dc in back loop of each of next 9 sts, 2tr in back loop of each of next 5 sts joining with Yarn A at last stage of final tr (the final yoh of st), continue with 2tr in back loop of next st, 1dc in back loop of final st. [31 sts]

There are no more hdc sts to work into so the following round is worked into the standard back loops of each st. Round 4 is only half a round used to close the ammonite into a full circle:

Round 4 1dc in back loop of next st, 2dc in back loop of next st, 1dc in back loop of next st, 1hdc in back loop of next st, 2hdc in back loop of next st, 1hdc in back loop of each of next 2 sts, 2sc in back loop of next st, (1sc in back loop of each of next 2 sts, 2sc in back loop of next st) two times, sl st to next st, do no fasten off. [The circle is now formed and there are 36 sts in total around]

Round 5 3ch, 1dc in back loop of next st, 2dc in back loop of next st, (1dc in back loop of each of next 2 sts, 2dc in back loop of next st) four times, now crochet into the sts as normal and continue with (1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st) to end, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [48 sts]

Round 6 Join Yarn H to any st, 3ch, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, (1dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in next st) to end, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [60 sts]

Round 7 Join Yarn C to central dc of any 3 dc group, 2ch (counts as first hdc), 1hdc into same st at base of 2 ch, 1hdc in each of next 4 sts, (2hdc in next st, 1hdc in each of next 4 sts) to end, sl st to top of first 2 ch, fasten off. [72 sts]

In Round 8 insert hook into the back 2 loops of the hdc sts, leaving a front strand/loop to the front of the work.

Round 8 With the ammonite facing upright and imagining a square around it, join Yarn E to back 2 loops of st to the outer right side (this will be the first corner), 4ch (counts as first tr), (1tr, 2ch, 2tr) in same st, *1tr in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 1hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1sc in each of next 5 sts, 1hdc in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, **(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) all in next st, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to top of first 4 ch, fasten off. [21 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]

Round 9 Join Yarn D to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1dc, 2ch, 2dc) in same corner ch-sp, 1dc in each st to end of side, *(2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, 1dc in each st to end of side, repeat from * two times, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [25 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]

Round 10 Join Yarn B to any outer right st of any side, 1ch (counts as first sc) (skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 1sc in next st) to end of side, 7dc in corner ch-sp, *1sc in next st, (skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 1sc in next st) to end of side, 7dc in corner ch-sp repeat from * two times, sl st to first ch, fasten off. [4 shells on each side with 4 x corner shells]

Round 11 Join Yarn G to central dc of any outer right shell of any side (not the corner 7 dc shell), 1ch (counts as first sc), *(skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 1sc in next st) to end of side, 3ch, skip 1 st, 1sc in next st, repeat from * three times, skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sl st to first ch, fasten off. [5 shells on each side]

Round 12 Join Yarn C to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (2dc, 2ch, 3dc) in same corner ch-sp, *(skip next sc st working 1tr below it into the same st it is worked into from Round 10, continue around shell in back loops only of each st with 1dc, 1hdc, 1sc, 1hdc, 1dc) five times, skip next sc st working 1tr below it in the same st it is worked into from Round 10, **(3dc, 2ch, 3dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [37 sts on each side]

Round 13 Join Yarn A to any corner ch-sp, 3ch (counts as 1 sc and 2 ch), 1sc in same corner ch-sp, *1sc in first st of side, (2ch, skip 2 sts, 1sc in next st) to end of side, ** (1sc, 2ch, 1sc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to first ch of beginning 3 ch, do not fasten off. [12 x 2-ch-sps on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]

Round 14 3ch, * (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next corner ch-sp, 1dc in first st of side, skip next st working 1FPtr around the first dc st below from Round 12, (2dc in next 2-ch-sp, skip next st working 1FPtr around the tr st below from Round 12, 2dc in next 2-ch-sp, skip next st working 1FPtr around the sc st below from Round 12) five times, 2dc in next 2-ch-sp, skip next st working 1FPtr around the tr st below from Round 12, 2dc in next 2-ch-sp, skip next st working 1FPtr around the final dc st below from Round 12 **, 1dc in final st of side, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [43 sts on each side]

Round 15 Join Yarn C to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1dc, 2ch, 2dc) in same corner ch-sp, 1dc in each st to end of side, *(2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, 1dc in each st to end of side, repeat from * two times, sl st to top of first 3 ch, do not fasten off. [47 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]

Round 16 3ch, 1dc in next st, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, *1dc in each st to end of side, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * two times, 1dc in each st to end, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [51 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps] Weave in all ends.