Welcome to the final instalment of my ‘Beachcombing Blanket’ crochet along – it’s Week 12! 🙂 💙☀️🌊
What another fabulous crochet along journey it’s been which I’ve adored sharing with so many people! Whether you’ve crocheted along or just followed from the sidelines, I’m so very happy that you chose to accompany me! 🙂
And here’s the final video! It’s been really lovely to record these each week and share my local coastline with you all, bringing a little extra something to the crochet along… thank you for the lovely feedback I’ve had on these. This week there’s something a little different to share… 🙂
Just like in my previous Cal’s, I‘m feeling pretty emotional as we approach the end. After so many months of both hard work as well as pure crochet joy and then seeing so many people join in and make such beautiful blankets, it’s all a little overwhelming and so very special indeed!
And just as I was struggling to put into words what it all means for me as we come to the end of our crochet along, I was contacted by one of you lovely followers with a thank you and a poem! And suddenly I didn’t need to think of the words anymore because Jane (also known as Jessie) had done it for me. In this weeks video I really enjoyed reading the poem out loud… but here it is in print too… 🙂
Life can be a beach I’m still in total disbelief as I gaze down at my knee And see this gorgeous blanket here that’s being CROCHETED by ME?! Three months ago I didn’t know what C. A. L. could mean.. “Who even IS this Cal..?” I mused.. “He’s rarely ever seen!” I hadn’t learned to hold a hook consistently back then Or to wind the wool around my hand – I’d hold it like a pen I only learned some basics last year, made a scarf or two I’d start a row with 40 stitches…. end with 62 So this was quite the leap of faith and I truly never dared To hope I’d make it to Week 12.. I was green and slightly scared! But through these crazy lockdown days I’ve watched my work unfold And proved that dogs CAN learn new tricks despite them being old Oh the joy of Friday mornings with Eleonora on her beach, This grounding mindful lady with a gift to share and teach Who has generously guided us each step along the way To create the complex works of art we’re looking at today She’s shown us all the treasures which formed the base of her design And what a fab result it is – I’m chuffed to bits with mine! I’ve tackled shells and bobbles.. hold my yarn now like a pro And if I’ve had a query there’s always someone there who’ll know The Facebook gang who patiently will share their expertise To get beginners back on track and make us feel at ease Who praise our choice of colours and encourage all the way Those folks have made this such a joy – and stopped me going grey! Together we have tackled stitches previously unknown We’ve ‘raised our posts’ and raised our game as square by square we’ve grown Who knew I’d be referring to amphibians and fruits As ‘frogging puffy pineapples’ formed part of my pursuits? (Though frankly life’s too short to crab stitch – what’s all THAT about? I simply couldn’t do it so I mainly missed it out!) A true labour of love through Spring and a gift to always treasure Each moment of this journey has been sheer unrivalled pleasure So THANK YOU lovely Eleonora – for your talented idea You’ve made a Yorkshire lady pretty proud and thrilled up here Your weekly strolls with Salty have inspired a world art form And Lockdown memories now for me are blue and cream.. and warm! Jane Smithson June 2020
Thank you so much Jessie… that poem brought tears to my eyes! I have no more words except absolute gratitude for each and every one of you who has crocheted along.
As with my previous crochet alongs, it’s the community that builds up around the blanket that is so very special. When I really think about it, I’m in awe at how a blanket design that comes from within me has now been made all over the world in over 40 countries!
So here’s this weeks round-up of fabulous blankets being shared on Instagram and over in the Facebook ‘Coastal Crochet CAL‘ group this week…
It’s been absolutely wonderful to see such beautiful blankets being made, some in my original colours and some in amazing individual colour choices. Ruty from Israel sent me this beautiful photo of her blanket which I’d like to share too… 😍 Not everyone is on Facebook or Instagram so it’s nice to share photos sent direct to me… 🙂
I’m so happy that there are now Beachcombing Blankets all over the world and I hope that these blankets will be treasured for a very long time! Just like so many beachcombing finds can be treasured… that beautiful shell, that stunning piece of seaglass or that perfect smooth pebble!
And here is a special photo too… we were finally able to meet with some family members outdoors at the weekend and it meant I got to see the blankets that both my niece and sister-in-law are crocheting!! Here they are next to mine…
The timing of this crochet along has been something I could never have planned or imagined. That in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, so many people would be able to find joy, comfort, distraction and a connection with others through crocheting this blanket! That has made it extra special… and as many countries ease out of lockdown I hope that our shared journey of creating and togetherness will continue out into the world… our blankets really can help the world to be a better place… 💙
As usual, for those of you who have purchased the PDF pattern on Ravelry it has now been updated to include Week 12 in both UK and US terms…
Ravelry Pattern for Beachcombing Blanket
And we have just two final rounds to crochet to end our blankets and they are inspired by those man made beachcombing finds! 🙂
The first round is the colour of fishing nets…
And then our very final round is a ‘Pom Pom Bobble’ edging inspired by all those fishing buoys…
I think it’s the perfect finish for our blankets… 🙂
Before we crochet these final rounds, I just want to share some photos I’ve taken over the last few months of my finished blankets…
And then some which I was able to take yesterday… the hottest day of the year so far here on the south coast… ☀️☀️☀️
So let’s get crocheting with these very final rounds! 🙂
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
dc: double crochet
RS: right side
ss: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
tr: treble
tr4tog: treble 4 stitches together
Here’s a tutorial for the edging this week.
Week 12 – The Edging Part 2 – Fishing Nets and Buoys
The final two rounds of the edging and the blanket will be crocheted, inspired by those manmade beachcombing finds of fishing nets and buoys!
2 colours are used: Yarns E and G.
Pattern Notes
These rounds carry on from the rounds crocheted in Week 11. I recommend putting a stitch marker in each central corner stitch as you go round making it easier to identify the corner stitch on subsequent rounds. When crocheting the pompom bobbles it is really important to go under both the top (or the left sided strand if you’re looking at it upright) and the back strands from the chains to ensure the best possible shape for the pompom bobbles.
Pompom Bobble: 4ch, tr4tog in third ch from hook going under both top and back strands, 3ch, tr4tog in third ch from hook going under both top and back strands, ss to first ch of first 4 ch going under both top and back strands, 1ch.
Round 5 With RS facing join Yarn E to back loop only of any st, 3ch (counts as first tr), 1tr in back loop only of next and each st around working 3tr into back loop of each central corner st, ss to top of first 3 ch to join, fasten off. [195 sts across top and bottom sides, 241 sts across sides plus 1 extra st in each corner]
Round 6 With RS facing join Yarn G to outer right st on top or bottom (not the corner st), 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 9 sts, * 1 pompom bobble, (1dc in each of next 11 sts, 1 pompom bobble) 16 times, 1dc in each st to end of side, 1dc in corner st, 1 pompom bobble, (1dc in each of next 11 sts, 1 pompom bobble) 21 times, 1dc in each st to end of side, 1dc in corner st, 1 pompom bobble, ** 1dc in each of next 10 sts, repeat from * until end of final side at **, ss to first dc to join, fasten off and weave in all ends. [17 pompom bobbles along top and bottom, 21 pompom bobbles along sides plus 1 pompom bobble in each corner]
And here’s just one final photo of all my blankets together! 🙂
So what’s next? Well next week Hobbycraft are releasing a CAL for Granny Square Month and I’ve designed a square which is completely inspired by one of the squares in my Beachcombing Blanket… My square is being released next Friday so watch this space!
And then there are plenty of other crochet projects in the pipeline… my hooks are always busy! 🙂
Thank you so much for reading this far! I truly appreciate each and every person that takes a little interest in my crochet… 🙂
Enjoy your blankets and Happy Crocheting Everyone… 🙂 🙂
PATTERN IN US CROCHET TERMINOLOGY.
Abbreviations
ch: chain
dc: double crochet
dc4tog: double crochet 4 stitches together
RS: right side
sc: single crochet
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
Week 12 – The Edging Part 2 – Fishing Nets and Buoys
The final two rounds of the edging and the blanket will be crocheted, inspired by those manmade beachcombing finds of fishing nets and buoys!
2 colours are used: Yarns E and G.
Pattern Notes
These rounds carry on from the rounds crocheted in Week 11. I recommend putting a stitch marker in each central corner stitch as you go round making it easier to identify the corner stitch on subsequent rounds. When crocheting the pompom bobbles it is really important to go under both the top (or the left sided strand if you’re looking at it upright) and the back strands from the chains to ensure the best possible shape for the pompom bobbles.
Pompom Bobble: 4ch, dc4tog in third ch from hook going under both top and back strands, 3ch, dc4tog in third ch from hook going under both top and back strands, sl st to first ch of first 4 ch going under both top and back strands, 1ch.
Round 5 With RS facing join Yarn E to back loop only of any st, 3ch (counts as first dc), 1dc in back loop only of next and each st around working 3dc into back loop of each central corner st, sl st to top of first 3 ch to join, fasten off. [195 sts across top and bottom sides, 241 sts across sides plus 1 extra st in each corner]
Round 6 With RS facing join Yarn G to outer right st on top or bottom (not the corner st), 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in same st, 1sc in each of next 9 sts, * 1 pompom bobble, (1sc in each of next 11 sts, 1 pompom bobble) 16 times, 1sc in each st to end of side, 1sc in corner st, 1 pompom bobble, (1sc in each of next 11 sts, 1 pompom bobble) 21 times, 1sc in each st to end of side, 1sc in corner st, 1 pompom bobble, ** 1sc in each of next 10 sts, repeat from * until end of final side at **, sl st to first sc to join, fasten off and weave in all ends. [17 pompom bobbles along top and bottom, 21 pompom bobbles along sides plus 1 pompom bobble in each corner]