Hello and welcome to Week 4… how can it be 4 weeks already?! 🙂 That means at the end of this week we’ll be half way through the crochet along! Although probably not half way through our blankets. In the final few weeks, our panels will be getting bigger so there will certainly be more stitches to crochet in the coming weeks… 🙂
Remember to enjoy the crochet at your own pace and in your own time… all the instructions will be staying here on my blog. 🙂
And here’s my introductory video for this week… yes, let’s go and fly a kite! 🙂
How fabulous last week was with all the delicious food filled rows! This weeks round up of photos shared over on Instagram and in the Facebook Group was always going to feature some edible treats alongside your blankets!
And oh how difficult it was to choose the photos this week… the food inspired rows really got your creativity flowing and so many brilliant photos have been shared… THANK YOU!
And after all that picnic food has been enjoyed, we move onto fun beach activities that we can enjoy together to help the food go down… This weeks rows are inspired by all those fun things to do on a beach picnic! 🙂
We can search for shells…
Make a sandcastle…
And then one of my favourites… fly a kite!! 🙂
In my introductory video I share how my husband bought a kite last year because he really felt the need to look upwards after a long day looking downwards at a computer screen for work. And it’s been really fun… last year on our trip to North Cornwall in the summer, flying a kite together was definitely a little highlight! Simple pleasures…
It’s amazing how high the kite actually went!
And the coastal backdrop was particularly beautiful… this was in Bude, North Cornwall. 🙂
And it was a great excuse for my husband and I to get the kite out again this week, nearer to home on our local stretch of coastline…
So of course, when designing this blanket, I felt we had to have kites on our blankets somewhere and I had lots of fun designing these little kites for our rows. When you pack to go on your next picnic, I really do recommend adding a kite into that picnic basket! 🙂
So let’s get crocheting…
This week, the rows are shorter because we’re getting ready to fit in our next gingham squares… and I’m going to be doing an extra tutorial for the gingham squares to show how the yarn can be carried on the colour change rows so that there will be fewer ends! 🙂
For those of you who have purchased the pattern on Ravelry it has now been updated to include Week 4:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/picnic-on-the-beach-blanket
Pattern in UK Crochet Terminology. US Terms are at the end of this blog post.
See Week 1 for all the abbreviations but here are some specifically for this weeks crochet…
RdtrF: Raised double treble Front: complete a double treble st as normal (the stitch starts by wrapping yarn around hook 2 times) 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.
RdtrF3tog: Raised double treble front three stitches together: *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, stop at last yoh when there are only 2 loops left, repeat from * around stem of each of next 2 sts, (there should now be 4 loops left on the hook), yoh and pull through all the loops on hook.
RtrB: Raised treble Back: complete a treble st as normal but insert hook around the stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the back to the front and then round to the back again
RtrF: Raised treble Front: complete a 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.
RtrtrF: Raised triple treble Front: complete a triple treble st as normal (the stitch starts by wrapping yarn around hook 3 times) 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
Week 4 – Kites, Sandcastles and Shells!
After the picnic food has been shared, there are some wonderful beach activities to enjoy together… Fly a kite, build a sandcastle or search for shells. Or maybe just lay down on that picnic blanket… all you need is a beach and a fresh sea breeze!
6 colours are used: Yarns A, B, D, E, F and G.
Continue with the top and bottom panels. With RS of blanket facing and missing first 20 sts from the right (the first st to miss is the 3 ch made at the start of Row 18 from Week 3), join Yarn D to 21st st in from right side.
Here’s a video tutorial for Rows 1 – 4.
Row 1 (RS), 1ch (does not count as a stitch), 1dc in same st, miss 2 sts, 5tr in next st, miss 2 sts, (1dc in each of next 2 sts, miss 2 sts, 5tr in next st, miss 2 sts) 11 times, 1dc in next st joining with Yarn B at end of st, (there will be 20 sts left unworked at end of row), turn. [12 shells with 2 dc in-between each shell]
Row 2 3ch (counts as first tr here and throughout), 2tr in st at base of 3 ch, (1ch, miss 5 sts, 3tr in each of next 2 sts) 11 times, 1ch, miss 5 sts, 3tr in final st, join with Yarn D at end of final st, turn. [11 shells with 2 half shells]
Row 3 3ch, 1tr in back loop only of each of next 2 sts, miss next 1 ch working 1dtr into central st of shell below it in Row 1, (1tr in back loop only of each of next 6 sts, 1dtr into central st of shell below in Row 1) 11 times, 1tr in back loop only of each of next 2 sts, 1tr in final st (the final st is worked into the top of the 3 ch going under 2 strands as normal), turn. [84 sts]
Row 4 3ch, 1tr in each st to end, join with Yarn G at end of final st, turn. [84 sts]
Here’s a video tutorial for rows 5 – 8.
Row 5 (RS) 2ch (counts as first htr), 1RtrB around each of next 10 sts, 1RtrF around each of next 7 sts, (1RtrB around each of next 7 sts, 1RtrF around each of next 7 sts) 4 times, 1RtrB around each of next 9 sts, 1htr in final st, turn. [84 sts]
Row 6 (WS) 2ch, 1RtrF around each of next 9 sts, 1RtrB around each of next 7 sts, (1RtrF around each of next 7 sts, 1RtrB around each of next 7 sts) 4 times, 1RtrF around each of next 10 sts, 1htr in final st, turn.
Row 7 2ch, 1RtrB around each of next 12 sts, (1RtrF around each of next 3 sts, 1RtrB around each of next 11 sts) 5 times, 1htr in final st, turn.
Row 8 2ch, (1RtrF around each of next 11 sts, 1RtrB around each of next 3 sts) 5 times, 1RtrF around each of next 12 sts, 1htr in final st, join with Yarn D at end of final st, turn.
Here’s a video tutorial for rows 9 – 13.
Row 9 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in each of next 5 sts changing to Yarn F at last yoh of final st, miss next 5 sts working (1RtrtrF, 2ch, 1RdtrF, 2ch, 1RtrtrF) around eighth st in from the right edge below in Row 5, change back to Yarn D at last yoh of final st (do not tighten too much, the loose strand from Yarn D will be crocheted around in the next row to hide it), * 1dc in each of next 9 sts crocheting around Yarn F to carry it along, change to Yarn F at last yoh of ninth st, miss next 5 sts working (1RtrtrF, 2ch, 1RdtrF, 2ch, 1RtrtrF) around fourth st along to the left of the front raised sts below in Row 5, change back to Yarn D at last yoh of final st, repeat from * 4 times, 1dc in each of final 4 sts, turn. [6 groups of raised sts]
Row 10 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in each of next 4 sts, (the following sts are crocheted into the missed sts from Row 8, crochet around the strand of yarn D made when changing colours in the previous row) 1dc in each of next 5 sts from Row 8, * 1dc in each of next 9 sts (pay attention to crochet into the first and last sts as these might be less clear to see), 1dc in each of next 5 sts from Row 8 crocheting around the strand of yarn D, repeat from * 4 times, 1dc in each of final 5 sts, turn. [84 sts]
Row 11 (RS) 3ch, 1tr in each st to end, do not fasten off Yarn D (place a st marker in loop to secure whilst you remove hook ready to work on Row 12). [84 sts]
Do not turn work, go back to beginning of Row 11 and join Yarn E to top of 3 ch made at beginning of Row 11.
Row 12 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in same place at top of 3 ch, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, * miss next st working RdtrF3tog around the 3 raised sts below from Row 9 (insert hook under the 2 ch strand also in first and third raised sts), 1dc in each of next 13 sts, repeat from * 4 times, miss next st working RdtrF3tog around the 3 raised sts below from Row 9, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, re-join Yarn D by pulling loop through at last yoh of final st, turn. [6 groups of raised sts]
Row 13 3ch, 1tr in each of next 5 sts, 1RtrB around next st (going around top of all 3 raised sts), (1tr in each of next 13 sts, 1RtrB around next st) 5 times, 1tr in each of next 7 sts, turn.
Row 14 1ch (does not count as a stitch), 1dc in first st, miss 2 sts, 5tr in next st, miss 2 sts, (1dc in each of next 2 sts, miss 2 sts, 5tr in next st, miss 2 sts,) 11 times, 1dc in final st, join with Yarn A at end of final st, turn. [12 shells with 2 dc in-between each shell]
Rows 15 – 16 Repeat Rows 2 – 3 using Yarn A in Row 15 and Yarn D in Row 16, fasten off.
Repeat Rows 1 – 16 on opposite side of blanket.
And there you go… another fun filled week of crochet!
Happy Crocheting Everyone and do keep sharing your progress! 🙂
Pattern in US Crochet Terminology
See Week 1 for all the abbreviations but here are some specifically for this weeks crochet…
BPdc: Back Post double crochet: complete a double crochet st as normal but insert hook around the stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the back to the front and then round to the back again.
FPdc: Front Post double crochet: complete a double crochet 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.
FPdtr: Front Post double treble: complete a double treble st as normal (the stitch starts by wrapping yarn around hook 3 times) 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.
FPtr: Front Post treble: complete a treble st as normal (the stitch starts by wrapping yarn around hook 2 times) 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.
FPtr3tog: Front Post treble three stitches together: *complete a 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, stop at last yoh when there are only 2 loops left, repeat from * around stem of each of next 2 sts, (there should now be 4 loops left on the hook), yoh and pull through all the loops on hook.
Continue with the top and bottom panels. With RS of blanket facing and missing first 20 sts from the right (the first st to miss is the 3 ch made at the start of Row 18 from Week 3), join Yarn D to 21st st in from right side.
Row 1 (RS), 1ch (does not count as a stitch), 1sc in same st, skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 sts, (1sc in each of next 2 sts, skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 sts) 11 times, 1sc in next st joining with Yarn B at end of st, (there will be 20 sts left unworked at end of row), turn. [12 shells with 2 sc in-between each shell]
Row 2 3ch (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2dc in st at base of 3 ch, (1ch, skip 5 sts, 3dc in each of next 2 sts) 11 times, 1ch, skip 5 sts, 3dc in final st, join with Yarn D at end of final st, turn. [11 shells with 2 half shells]
Row 3 3ch, 1dc in back loop only of each of next 2 sts, skip next 1 ch working 1tr into central st of shell below it in Row 1, (1dc in back loop only of each of next 6 sts, 1tr into central st of shell below in Row 1) 11 times, 1dc in back loop only of each of next 2 sts, 1dc in final st (the final st is worked into the top of the 3 ch going under 2 strands as normal), turn. [84 sts]
Row 4 3ch, 1dc in each st to end, join with Yarn G at end of final st, turn. [84 sts]
Row 5 (RS) 2ch (counts as first hdc), 1BPdc around each of next 10 sts, 1FPdc around each of next 7 sts, (1BPdc around each of next 7 sts, 1FPdc around each of next 7 sts) 4 times, 1BPdc around each of next 9 sts, 1hdc in final st, turn. [84 sts]
Row 6 (WS) 2ch, 1FPdc around each of next 9 sts, 1BPdc around each of next 7 sts, (1FPdc around each of next 7 sts, 1BPdc around each of next 7 sts) 4 times, 1FPdc around each of next 10 sts, 1hdc in final st, turn.
Row 7 2ch, 1BPdc around each of next 12 sts, (1FPdc around each of next 3 sts, 1BPdc around each of next 11 sts) 5 times, 1hdc in final st, turn.
Row 8 2ch, (1FPdc around each of next 11 sts, 1BPdc around each of next 3 sts) 5 times, 1FPdc around each of next 12 sts, 1hdc in final st, join with Yarn D at end of final st, turn.
Row 9 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in each of next 5 sts changing to Yarn F at last yoh of final st, skip next 5 sts working (1FPdtr, 2ch, 1FPtr, 2ch, 1FPdtr) around eighth st in from the right edge below in Row 5, change back to Yarn D at last yoh of final st (do not tighten too much, the loose strand from Yarn D will be crocheted around in the next row to hide it), * 1sc in each of next 9 sts crocheting around Yarn F to carry it along, change to Yarn F at last yoh of ninth st, skip next 5 sts working (1FPdtr, 2ch, 1FPtr, 2ch, 1FPdtr) around fourth st along to the left of the front raised sts below in Row 5, change back to Yarn D at last yoh of final st, repeat from * 4 times, 1sc in each of final 4 sts, turn. [6 groups of raised sts]
Row 10 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in each of next 4 sts, (the following sts are crocheted into the skipped sts from Row 8, crochet around the strand of yarn D made when changing colours in the previous row) 1sc in each of next 5 sts from Row 8, * 1sc in each of next 9 sts (pay attention to crochet into the first and last sts as these might be less clear to see), 1sc in each of next 5 sts from Row 8 crocheting around the strand of yarn D, repeat from * 4 times, 1sc in each of final 5 sts, turn. [84 sts]
Row 11 (RS) 3ch, 1dc in each st to end, do not fasten off Yarn D (place a st marker in loop to secure whilst you remove hook ready to work on Row 12). [84 sts]
Do not turn work, go back to beginning of Row 11 and join Yarn E to top of 3 ch made at beginning of Row 11.
Row 12 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st), 1sc in same place at top of 3 ch, 1sc in each of next 6 sts, * skip next st working FPtr3tog around the 3 raised sts below from Row 9 (insert hook under the 2 ch strand also in first and third raised sts), 1sc in each of next 13 sts, repeat from * 4 times, miss next st working FPtr3tog around the 3 raised sts below from Row 9, 1sc in each of next 6 sts, re-join Yarn D by pulling loop through at last yoh of final st, turn. [6 groups of raised sts]
Row 13 3ch, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, 1BPdc around next st (going around top of all 3 raised sts), (1dc in each of next 13 sts, 1BPdc around next st) 5 times, 1dc in each of next 7 sts, turn.
Row 14 1ch (does not count as a stitch), 1sc in first st, skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 sts, (1sc in each of next 2 sts, skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 sts,) 11 times, 1sc in final st, join with Yarn A at end of final st, turn. [12 shells with 2 sc in-between each shell]
Rows 15 – 16 Repeat Rows 2 – 3 using Yarn A in Row 15 and Yarn Din Row 16, fasten off.
Repeat Rows 1 – 16 on opposite side of blanket.
Thank you for another wonderful video. I love Fridays and our visit to your seaside. Much appreciated. Loved the kite too.
As always, you’re more than welcome! Knowing people enjoy it is all the motivation I need to continue… 🥰🪁🪁🪁💙
Love this weeks video , watching you fly a kite , I hope you couldn’t hear me singing along , “ let’s go fly a kite” I now have the tune in my head and it won’t go away , I am also fascinated for your crocheted brooch , I really must get round to making one , it’s the Frida’s cameo one isn’t it , so happy it’s in “ the story so far “ , love love the blanket ,, thankyou , thankyou
You’re very welcome Joan! I’ve been humming that song too!! Somehow with all the talk of kites it entered by head too!! 😄😄🪁 And yes, it is the Frida brooch… I made it a few years ago and I wear the jacket it’s pinned to a lot so it’s certainly standing the test of time! 🥰🥰🥰💙
Eleonora, thanks for the beautifull video again. Every week i’m looking forward to this. The way you tell your story at the beach with the see on the background , your lovely dog Salty what a sweatheart. I wish i was living near the seaside but i’m living in Schildwolde, Groningen in the north of the netherlands, We have sea in Delfzijl about 20 km away but not a coastline like yours. The ideas how you come to the new tutorials in the picnic blanket. The lovely music , it’s getting me emotional . You are a true friendly and beatifull lady . It’ s so genius how you create a new design. I love crocheting and i have to look and count very good but designing one? No i can’t.Thanks for coming into my live ,especially during this hard covid time .sorry if i’m not correct writing in english . Diana
Hello Diana… Dank je wel! 🇳🇱 Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it! My mother is Dutch and I was born in Zoetermeer… but I have lived in England most of my life. I’m happy you’re enjoying crocheting along… 🥰💙
Loving this crochet blanket!! I’m always looking forward to Fridays and your videos!!
You’re such a sweet, creative artist!! Thank you!!
You’re very welcome! 🥰💙
Hi Eleonora. As usual it was lovely to join you and Salty on the beach and to watch all your video tutorials and look at the lovely photos. Looking forward to this week’s crochet. I was a bit surprised there wasn’t more this week as there seems to be so much to fit into the next 4 weeks. As you stated though, best to work at our own pace and do what we can manage on weeks which have more to do. I so love making your blankets, so pleasurable to do. Thank you again for all your hard work and amazing designs.
Thank you as always Marilyn – really appreciated! And yes, it’s always a careful balancing act how to divide the CAL up into 8 weeks. Some blanket designs are easier to split equally into weekly parts but the nature of this one is that each part gets bigger! There will be more to do in the last few weeks but hopefully manageable! 🥰🥰
I’ve been plodding along with this project but everytime i pick it up it’s so exciting! I’m learning so much from this pattern thank you for making so accessible to readers and visual learners!
Thank you! 💙
Hi Eleonora, thank you so much for the beautiful crochet cal you have done for us. You certainly have inspired us during this frustrating times. Just love the picnic by the river as well. So enjoying doing picnic on the beach.
Kind Regards, Denise (Zimbabwe) 🥰
That’s really lovely to hear Denise! Lovely to have you crocheting along… 🥰🥰