Welcome to Week 6 of my ‘Beachcombing Blanket’ crochet along. This is an exciting week because we finally get to join those squares! 🙂 And it also means that at the end of this week we’ll be at the half way point. The blanket journey will feel a little different in this second half of the crochet along because we’ll be crocheting in longer rows… we can enjoy more mindful crochet with all those repetitive stitches. 🙂
And I managed to record another video! It’s a sunny one again… enjoy!
Next week I’m hoping to be able to record a video taking you around the base of that cliff you often see behind me. It will need to be low tide so I’ll have to time it right. 🙂
It’s been another fabulous week of photos being shared on Instagram and in the Facebook group… the sea glass square certainly got many of you reminiscing about times when you have searched for seaglass…
For those of you who have purchased the PDF pattern on Ravelry it has now been updated to include Week 6 in both UK and US terms…
Ravelry Pattern for Beachcombing Blanket
So we begin this week with joining the squares before we then move onto crocheting the first side panel. A side panel which is crocheted in an embossed shell stitch. I do so love seeing these squares together…
Here’s my cotton blanket in the making… 🙂
And here’s my acrylic blanket… 🙂
Crocheting these squares is really wonderful! 🙂 Enjoy seeing your blanket start coming together… 🙂
Tomorrow, 16th May, is Salty’s Birthday! She’ll be 9 years old… oh how I wish we could slow time down just a little… she’s such a joy to have in our lives and she’s growing up too fast. She’s featured here by my side on ‘Coastal Crochet’ since the very beginning and often makes an appearance which is so special… she’s been a big part of my crochet journey for sure! So tomorrow we’ll be spoiling her with an extra long walk… 🥰🐾
The photo above was taken back in February soon after her last groom… she’s getting increasingly furry during this lockdown with groomers being shut… these photos were taken last weekend… 🙂 🐾
As well as some shells discovered whilst beachcombing this week, the coastal springtime flowers are still in full bloom and looking so beautiful. The Sea Thrift is looking especially lovely. Here are some photos for you to enjoy…
Last week I wrote about blocking your squares which some of you might benefit from if your squares are very different sizes. Do go back to that blog post if you missed it!
So let’s get crocheting and join these squares!
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
RS: right side
ss: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
tr: treble
WS: wrong side
yoh: yarn over hook
Week 6 – Joining the Squares and first Side Panel
The squares will now be joined and the first side panel is crocheted.
Joining the Squares
Here’s a tutorial for joining the squares.
The squares are joined together with simple double crochet stitches going through the corresponding stitches of both squares to be joined. Lay out the squares using the photo as a guide. Start by joining the squares with the two horizontal joins and finish with the two vertical joins.
Horizontal join
Pay attention that when you get to the ammonite square, the ammonite fossil is facing the correct way.
Start on the outer right side of the squares. With the WS of the squares facing together, join Yarn C to the other right corner ch-sps of the first two squares to be joined inserting your hook through both layers. Make 1ch (does not count as a st), 1dc in same corner ch-sp, continue with 1dc in each st across going through both squares to end of side, 1dc in corner ch-sp of both squares, *continue with 1dc in corner ch-sp of the next two squares to be joined ensuring they are the correct way and WS together, 1dc in each st of both squares to end of side, 1dc in corner ch-sp, repeat from * for the remaining two squares to be joined in this horizontal join, fasten off.
Vertical join
When doing the vertical joins follow the instructions for horizontal join but work an extra 1ch between the corner ch-sps when going across the horizontal join.
Here’s a tutorial for the first Side Panel.
Side Panel 1
The side panel is crocheted in an embossed shell stitch which is inspired by all those seashells!
4 colours are used: Yarns A, B, G and H.
Pattern Notes
When joining a new colour do so at the final yoh of the final st of the row as indicated. Fasten off the previous colour used and continue onto next row with new colour.
Row 1 With RS facing and ensuring you are crocheting along one of the sides of the blanket (the ammonite square can be used as a guide), join Yarn H to outer right corner ch-sp, 1ch (does not count as st), 2dc in same corner ch-sp, * 1dc in each st across to next corner ch-sp, 1dc in each of next 2 corner ch-sps, repeat from * once more, 1dc in each st across final square to final corner ch-sp, 2dc in final corner ch-sp, turn. [161 sts]
Row 2 (WS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in each st across, join with Yarn G at end of final st, turn. [161 sts]
Row 3 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in first st, miss 3 sts, 7dtr in next st, (1ch, miss 7 sts, 7dtr in next st) 19 times, miss 3 sts, 1dc in final st, join with Yarn H at end of final st, turn. [20 shells]
Row 4 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in first st, (1dc in each of next 7 sts around shell, 1dc in central st of the missed 7 dc sts from 2 rows below) 19 times, 1dc in each of next 7 sts around final shell, 1dc in final st, turn. [161 sts]
Row 5 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in each st across, join with Yarn A at end of final st, turn. [161 sts]
Row 6 4ch (counts as first dtr), 3dtr in st at base of 4 ch, (1ch, miss 7 sts, 7dtr in next st) 19 times, 1ch, miss 7 sts, 4dtr in final st, join with Yarn H at end of final st, turn. [19 shells with half shell at beginning and end of row]
Row 7 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in each of next 4 sts, 1dc in central st of the missed 7 dc sts from 2 rows below, (1dc in each of next 7 sts around shell, 1dc in central st of the missed 7 dc sts from 2 rows below) 19 times, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, turn. [161 sts]
Row 8 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in each st across, join with Yarn B at end of final st, turn. [161 sts]
Row 9 Repeat Row 3 joining with Yan H at end of row.
Row 10 Repeat Row 4.
Row 11 3ch (counts as first tr), *1htr in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, 1htr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in next st, repeat from * to end, turn. [161 sts]
Row 12 3ch (counts as first tr), 1tr in next st and each st to end, fasten off. [161 sts]
Weave in all ends.
And there you have the first part of this next stage in creating our blankets… enjoy!
And Happy Crocheting.. 🙂 🙂
PATTERN IN US CROCHET TERMINOLOGY.
Abbreviations
ch: chain
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
dc: double crochet
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
Week 6 – Joining the Squares and first Side Panel
The squares will now be joined and the first side panel is crocheted.
Joining the Squares
The squares are joined together with simple single crochet stitches going through the corresponding stitches of both squares to be joined. Lay out the squares using the photo as a guide. Start by joining the squares with the two horizontal joins and finish with the two vertical joins.
Horizontal join
Pay attention that when you get to the ammonite square, the ammonite fossil is facing the correct way.
Start on the outer right side of the squares. With the WS of the squares facing together, join Yarn C to the other right corner ch-sps of the first two squares to be joined inserting your hook through both layers. Make 1ch (does not count as a st), 1sc in same corner ch-sp, continue with 1sc in each st across going through both squares to end of side, 1sc in corner ch-sp of both squares, *continue with 1sc in corner ch-sp of the next two squares to be joined ensuring they are the correct way and WS together, 1sc in each st of both squares to end of side, 1sc in corner ch-sp, repeat from * for the remaining two squares to be joined in this horizontal join, fasten off.
Vertical join
When doing the vertical joins follow the instructions for horizontal join but work an extra 1ch between the corner ch-sps when going across the horizontal join.
Side Panel 1
The side panel is crocheted in an embossed shell stitch which is inspired by all those seashells!
4 colours are used: Yarns A, B, G and H.
Pattern Notes
When joining a new colour do so at the final yoh of the final st of the row as indicated. Fasten off the previous colour used and continue onto next row with new colour.
Row 1 With RS facing and ensuring you are crocheting along one of the sides of the blanket (the ammonite square can be used as a guide), join Yarn H to outer right corner ch-sp, 1ch (does not count as st), 2sc in same corner ch-sp, * 1sc in each st across to next corner ch-sp, 1sc in each of next 2 corner ch-sps, repeat from * once more, 1sc in each st across final square to final corner ch-sp, 2sc in final corner ch-sp, turn. [161 sts]
Row 2 (WS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in each st across, join with Yarn G at end of final st, turn. [161 sts]
Row 3 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in first st, skip 3 sts, 7tr in next st, (1ch, skip 7 sts, 7tr in next st) 19 times, skip 3 sts, 1sc in final st, join with Yarn H at end of final st, turn. [20 shells]
Row 4 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in first st, (1sc in each of next 7 sts around shell, 1sc in central st of the missed 7 sc sts from 2 rows below) 19 times, 1sc in each of next 7 sts around final shell, 1sc in final st, turn. [161 sts]
Row 5 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in each st across, join with Yarn A at end of final st, turn. [161 sts]
Row 6 4ch (counts as first tr), 3tr in st at base of 4 ch, (1ch, skip 7 sts, 7tr in next st) 19 times, 1ch, skip 7 sts, 4tr in final st, join with Yarn H at end of final st, turn. [19 shells with half shell at beginning and end of row]
Row 7 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in each of next 4 sts, 1sc in central st of the missed 7 sc sts from 2 rows below, (1sc in each of next 7 sts around shell, 1sc in central st of the missed 7 sc sts from 2 rows below) 19 times, 1sc in each of next 4 sts, turn. [161 sts]
Row 8 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in each st across, join with Yarn B at end of final st, turn. [161 sts]
Row 9 Repeat Row 3 joining with Yan H at end of row.
Row 10 Repeat Row 4.
Row 11 3ch (counts as first dc), *1hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1sc in each of next 3 sts, 1hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in next st, repeat from * to end, turn. [161 sts]
Row 12 3ch (counts as first dc), 1dc in next st and each st to end, fasten off. [161 sts]
Weave in all ends.
Eleonora, Even if I wasn’t doing the blanket, I would want to!! Your pictures are beautiful and of course the edition of Salty make it all worthwhile. I love the way you have such an eye for design and photography. The little shells this week show just how great you are at matching nature to a finished piece. Thank you, not just for the blanket, but for your lovely sunny photographs and videos during the lock down. Your whole web page is a delight and a joy in these dismal times especially. Salty is gorgeous of course. Well done on such a great website and content…..miles above everyone else. It is lovely not just to get the pattern, but so much more too. I was hoping to come to your lecture da but of course that was cancelled – so disappointing. But I can crochet along with you until life comes back to normal.
Hello Jackie… thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a kind and encouraging comment! ❤️ I truly appreciate it and knowing that my work is enjoyed certainly motivates me to keep sharing it… enjoy the crochet! 😊😊
Thank you so much for everything. Happy Birthday Salty.
Awww…. thank you so much Penny! 😊❤️
I agree with Jackie. Your website, instructions and video tutorials far exceed in brilliance, anything I have ever seen before, they are outstanding. I should imagine anybody who has never crocheted in their lives would want to take it up. The videos of you and salty are so lovely to watch and it is so relaxing listening to the waves as the tide comes in and out. I love Salty, he is so adorable. I am doing well on my Seaside Stash Busting blanket, up to row 53 now and finding it such a pleasure and so addictive. I can see me gradually wanting to make all of your blankets. Look forward to the next instalment.
Thank you so much Marilyn! I truly appreciate it when such kind and encouraging comments are left here on my blog! Good to hear you’re progressing through the Seaside Stash Busting Blanket… 😊💙
I haven’t been making this blanket but I am tempted as it is so attractive in colour and its story. I have so much waiting to be done but I might fancy trying cotton. Thank you, Eleanora, for the enjoyment of reading your blogs each week and watching the glorious seaside you visit! Xx
You’re very welcome Frances! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment… 😊💙💙
I enjoy making your blanket. It is such a lovely design and has such a nice color combination. I am jealous not to live by the sea, but with this blanket I will remember our vacation in England and the nice stony beaches we have seen.
I am looking forward to your next project 🙂
This is coming along so beautifully!! My favorite part is seeing how all the colors myself and everyone else has chosen look together. I’m planning to gift the blanket to a friend for her birthday but I’m liking this project so much I’m going to have to make a second one for myself! Thank you for everything, Eleonora!
You’re very welcome Rachel! Thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind comment! I agree… seeing all the different colours is amazing! 😊💙💙
Thank you so much Alice! It’s lovely to hear you are enjoying sharing my local beach with me through this blanket! 😊💙🌊🌊🌊
Eleaniea Thank you so much for your beautiful cal. While waiting between the week I am thinking of trying the Changing Tides blanket. Can you tell me what the f8bushed size for it complete in Aran and dk wool. Unfortunately unable to obtain kit on wool site at moment so will order yarn separately,
Hello Jean… my finished Changing Tides in Aran was large double bed size at approximately 140cm x 140cm. DK will obviously be smaller but still a good size… enjoy! 😊💙
I am enjoying the beachcomber cal so much and it is so beautiful, I have promised to gift it to my Aunt, To fill my hours in lockdown I have now purchased your lovely Changing Tides pattern and am awaiting delivery of some wool to crochet for myself. I am very lucky to have discovered this site. A hundred Thank you’s I am amazed at your talent.
Sorry should read – finished size
thank you for some amazing confidence boosting videos, you speak to us so kindly…i feel like a million dollars for such a beautiful join, which i’d no idea how to do…thank you so much lovely xxxx
Awww… you’re very welcome Ally! 😊💙💙
Greetings from the Ft. Lauderdale, FL area! Thank you so much for sharing this gorgeous blanket with us! 🙂
I love all the videos and pictures you post. May I ask what kind of camera you’re using? The picture quality is excellent! TIA
Hi Wendy… so happy you’re enjoying it! I just use my trusty iPhone- it’s the 7+ and I’ve been so happy with it! 🥰💙💙💙