Welcome to Week 3 of my ‘Down by the Sea’ Blanket crochet-along!
This week we crochet rounds of textured stitches and then some splashes of colour as we celebrate the boardwalk and then the lifeguards down by the sea who are there to help keep us safe… that’s definitely worth celebrating! 💛❤️
But first, here’s a little welcome video… enjoy!
These rounds mean a lot to me. The boardwalk is of course featured in the song ‘Under the Boardwalk’ by the Drifters which intially inspired this blanket. So of course a boardwalk had to feature and the textured raised stitches going all the way around the blanket capture it beautifully I feel!
Then thinking about the lifeguards and organisations like the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) that exist purely to keep us safe when we’re down by the sea, that’s so very important! And the lifeguard flags are captured in the squares we crochet, using the same technique as our stripes in Week 2…
In the Bournemouth colour-way I of course used different colours and these can be seen in the stream in the Lower Gardens and of course the continuous rows of beautiful beach huts! So whilst we think about the board walks and lifeguard flags, we can also enjoy the added extras of being down by the sea…
For those of you who have purchased the pattern on Ravelry it has now been updated to include Week 3:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/down-by-the-sea-blanket
The free pattern with lots of step by step photos is below.
And as usual I’ve loved putting together a round-up of photos shared this week in either the Facebook Group or over on Instagram – aren’t they wonderful?! 😍
Keep on sharing! 🙂
So let’s get started and I hope you enjoy all the crochet this week…🥰
Pattern in UK Crochet Terminology. US Terms are at the end of this blog post. See Week 1 for all the abbreviations.
Here’s a YouTube Tutorial for Week 3…
Round 33 (RS) Join Yarn G to central dc on any corner, 3ch (counts as first tr), (2tr, 2ch, 3tr) in same st, *miss 2 sts, (3tr in next st, miss 2 sts) 29 times to end of side**, (3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in central corner st, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to top of first 3 ch, do not fasten off, turn. [31 x 3-tr groups on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 34 (WS) 2ch (counts as first htr), *(1BPtr around each of next 3 sts, 1FPtr around each of next 3 sts) 15 times to end of side, (1htr, 2ch, 1htr) in corner ch-sp**, 1FPtr around each of first 3 sts of next side, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, 1FPtr around each of final 2 sts of round, ss to top of first 2 ch, do not fasten off, turn. [95 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 35 (RS) 2ch (counts as first htr), 1BPtr around each of next 3 sts, (1htr, 2ch, 1htr) in corner ch-sp, *1BPtr around each of next 4 sts, (1FPtr around each of next 3 sts, 1BPtr around each of next 3 sts) 15 times, 1BPtr around final st of side, (1htr, 2ch, 1htr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * two times, 1BPtr around each of next 4 sts, (1FPtr around each of next 3 sts, 1BPtr around each of next 3 sts) 14 times, 1FPtr around each of 3 final sts, ss to top of first 2 ch, turn. [97 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 36 (WS) 2ch (counts as first htr), *(1BPtr around each of next 3 sts, 1FPtr around each of next 3 sts) 15 times to end of side, 1FPtr around each of final 2 sts of side, (1htr, 2ch, 1htr) in corner ch-sp**, 1FPtr around each of first 5 sts of next side, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, 1FPtr around each of final 4 sts, ss to top of first 2 ch, do not fasten off, turn. [99 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 37 (RS) 2ch (counts as first htr), 1BPtr around each of next 5 sts, (1htr, 2ch, 1htr) in corner ch-sp, *1BPtr around each of next 6 sts, (1FPtr around each of next 3 sts, 1BPtr around each of next 3 sts) 15 times, 1BPtr around each of final 3 sts of side, (1htr, 2ch, 1htr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * two times, 1BPtr around each of next 6 sts, (1FPtr around each of next 3 sts, 1BPtr around each of next 3 sts) 14 times, 1FPtr around each of final 3 sts, ss to top of first 2 ch, turn. [101 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 38 (WS) 2ch (counts as first htr), 1htr in same st at base of 2 ch, *(BPtr3tog around next 3 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in next st, 2htr in next st) 14 times, BPtr3tog around next 3 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of final 6 sts of side (pay attention to crochet into the final st which is a htr and not as clear to see), (1htr, 2ch, 1htr) in corner ch-sp, 1htr in each of next 6 sts**, 2htr in next st, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to top of first 2 ch, fasten off, turn. [103 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 39 (RS) Join Yarn F to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1tr, 2ch, 2tr) in same corner ch-sp, 1tr in each st to end of side (pay attention to crochet into the final st which is a htr and not as clear to see), *(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, turn. [107 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 40 (WS) 3ch, *1tr in each st to end of side, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times, 1tr in final st, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [111 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Lifeguard Flags
Rounds 41 – 44 are worked in the same way as Rounds 13 – 23 in Week 2 but in different colours.
Use the middle-sized hook for Rounds 41 – 44. This is because the technique we’re using to create the stripes produces a denser fabric. I used a 5mm.
On Rounds 41 – 44 the yarn is not cut. Bring the ball of yarn through the final loop of each round and leave attached. This avoids lots of ends because the yarn is re-joined in subsequent rounds. These rounds are made with the RSfacing at all times.
Round 41 (RS) Join Yarn A into any corner ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1 tr and 2 ch), 1tr in same corner ch-sp, *(4ch, miss 3 sts, 1tr in each of next 3 sts) to end of side, 4ch, miss final 3 sts**, (1tr, 2ch, 1tr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to 3rd ch of beginning 5 ch, do not fasten off. [18 groups of 3 sts and 19 x 4-ch-sps on each side plus 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
In Rounds 42 – 44, crochet into the missed sts two rounds below – pay attention to leave the 4-ch strand loose at the back and do not crochet around it.
Round 42 (RS) Join Yarn B into opposite corner ch-sp from where Yarn A was joined, 1ch (does not count as st), *(1dc, 2ch, 1dc) in corner ch-sp, 2ch, miss 1 st, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, (4ch, miss 3 sts, 1tr in each of next 3 sts) to end of side, 2ch, miss final st of side, repeat from * three times, ss to first dc, do not fasten off. [19 groups of 3 sts and 18 x 4-ch-sps on each side plus extra sts in each corner ch-sp and 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 43 (RS) Re-join Yarn A into corner ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1 tr and 2 ch), 1tr in same corner ch-sp, *2ch, miss 1 st, 1tr in missed st in Round 41, 4ch, miss 3 sts, (1tr in each of next 3 sts, 4ch, miss 3 sts) to end of side, 1tr in final missed st in Round 41, 2ch, miss final st of side**, (1tr, 2ch, 1tr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to 3rd ch of beginning 5 ch, fasten off.
Round 44 (RS) Re-join Yarn B into corner ch-sp, 1ch (does not count as st), *(1dc, 2ch, 1dc) in corner ch-sp, 2ch, miss 1 st, 1tr in missed st in Round 42, 2ch, miss 1 st, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, (4ch, miss 3 sts, 1tr in each of next 3 sts) to end of side, 2ch, miss 1 st, 1tr in missed st in Round 42, 2ch, miss 1 st, repeat from * three times, ss to first dc, fasten off. [19 groups of 3 sts and 18 x 4-ch-sps on each side plus extra sts in each corner ch-sp and 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Happy Crocheting Everyone! 😄💙
Pattern in US Terms
Round 33 (RS) Join Yarn G to central sc on any corner, 3ch (counts as first dc), (2dc, 2ch, 3dc) in same st, *skip 2 sts, (3dc in next st, skip 2 sts) 29 times to end of side**, (3dc, 2ch, 3dc) in central corner st, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to top of first 3 ch, do not fasten off, turn. [31 x 3-dc groups on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 34 (WS) 2ch (counts as first hdc), *(1BPdc around each of next 3 sts, 1FPdc around each of next 3 sts) 15 times to end of side, (1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in corner ch-sp**, 1FPdc around each of first 3 sts of next side, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, 1FPdc around each of final 2 sts of round, sl st to top of first 2 ch, do not fasten off, turn. [95 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 35 (RS) 2ch (counts as first hdc), 1BPdc around each of next 3 sts, (1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in corner ch-sp, *1BPdc around each of next 4 sts, (1FPdc around each of next 3 sts, 1BPdc around each of next 3 sts) 15 times, 1BPdc around final st of side, (1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * two times, 1BPdc around each of next 4 sts, (1FPdc around each of next 3 sts, 1BPdc around each of next 3 sts) 14 times, 1FPdc around each of 3 final sts, sl st to top of first 2 ch, turn. [97 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 36 (WS) 2ch (counts as first hdc), *(1BPdc around each of next 3 sts, 1FPdc around each of next 3 sts) 15 times to end of side, 1FPdc around each of final 2 sts of side, (1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in corner ch-sp**, 1FPdc around each of first 5 sts of next side, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, 1FPdc around each of final 4 sts, sl st to top of first 2 ch, do not fasten off, turn. [99 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 37 (RS) 2ch (counts as first hdc), 1BPdc around each of next 5 sts, (1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in corner ch-sp, *1BPdc around each of next 6 sts, (1FPdc around each of next 3 sts, 1BPdc around each of next 3 sts) 15 times, 1BPdc around each of final 3 sts of side, (1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * two times, 1BPdc around each of next 6 sts, (1FPdc around each of next 3 sts, 1BPdc around each of next 3 sts) 14 times, 1FPdc around each of final 3 sts, sl st to top of first 2 ch, turn. [101 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 38 (WS) 2ch (counts as first hdc), 1hdc in same st at base of 2 ch, *(BPdc3tog around next 3 sts, 2hdc in next st, 1hdc in next st, 2hdc in next st) 14 times, BPdc3tog around next 3 sts, 2hdc in next st, 1hdc in each of final 6 sts of side (pay attention to crochet into the final st which is a hdc and not as clear to see), (1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in corner ch-sp, 1hdc in each of next 6 sts**, 2hdc in next st, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to top of first 2 ch, fasten off, turn. [103 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 39 (RS) Join Yarn F to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1dc, 2ch, 2dc) in same corner ch-sp, 1dc in each st to end of side (pay attention to crochet into the final st which is a hdc and not as clear to see), *(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, turn. [107 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 40 (WS) 3ch, *1dc in each st to end of side, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times, 1dc in final st, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [111 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Lifeguard Flags
Rounds 41 – 44 are worked in the same way as Rounds 13 – 23 in Week 2 but in different colours.
Use the middle-sized hook for Rounds 41 – 44. This is because the technique we’re using to create the stripes produces a denser fabric. I used a 5mm.
On Rounds 41 – 44 the yarn is not cut. Bring the ball of yarn through the final loop of each round and leave attached. This avoids lots of ends because the yarn is re-joined in subsequent rounds. These rounds are made with the RSfacing at all times.
Round 41 (RS) Join Yarn A into any corner ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1 dc and 2 ch), 1dc in same corner ch-sp, *(4ch, skip 3 sts, 1dc in each of next 3 sts) to end of side, 4ch, skip final 3 sts**, (1dc, 2ch, 1dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to 3rd ch of beginning 5 ch, do not fasten off. [18 groups of 3 sts and 19 x 4-ch-sps on each side plus 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
In Rounds 42 – 44, crochet into the missed sts two rounds below – pay attention to leave the 4-ch strand loose at the back and do not crochet around it.
Round 42 (RS) Join Yarn B into opposite corner ch-sp from where Yarn A was joined, 1ch (does not count as st), *(1sc, 2ch, 1sc) in corner ch-sp, 2ch, skip 1 st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, (4ch, skip 3 sts, 1dc in each of next 3 sts) to end of side, 2ch, skip final st of side, repeat from * three times, sl st to first sc, do not fasten off. [19 groups of 3 sts and 18 x 4-ch-sps on each side plus extra sts in each corner ch-sp and 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 43 (RS) Re-join Yarn A into corner ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1 dc and 2 ch), 1dc in same corner ch-sp, *2ch, skip 1 st, 1dc in missed st in Round 41, 4ch, skip 3 sts, (1dc in each of next 3 sts, 4ch, skip 3 sts) to end of side, 1dc in final missed st in Round 41, 2ch, skip final st of side**, (1dc, 2ch, 1dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to 3rd ch of beginning 5 ch, fasten off.
Round 44 (RS) Re-join Yarn B into corner ch-sp, 1ch (does not count as st), *(1sc, 2ch, 1sc) in corner ch-sp, 2ch, skip 1 st, 1dc in missed st in Round 42, 2ch, skip 1 st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, (4ch, skip 3 sts, 1dc in each of next 3 sts) to end of side, 2ch, skip 1 st, 1dc in missed st in Round 42, 2ch, skip 1 st, repeat from * three times, sl st to first sc, fasten off. [19 groups of 3 sts and 18 x 4-ch-sps on each side plus extra sts in each corner ch-sp and 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Another lovely blog. Thank you, Eleonora. Loved the sailing story, the beautiful scenery and of course, Morgan’s delightful music. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and know that we are all grateful for you and your many generous talents!
Thank you so very much! 🥰🥰🥰
Hi Eleonora
I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your videos and patterns but I want you to know just how much I enjoy the music too. Every time I hear it I am moved to tears. I have no idea why, it’s such a beautiful piece and somehow I connect with it. I’m always sorry it when the music stops! You’re a very talented family.
Thank you for all your hard work. I haven’t started this blanket yet, I’ll be making a start when I go away at Christmas.
Keep up your fantastic work, thank your son for such beautiful music.
Barbara xx
Awww, thank you so much for sharing this Barbara, they are such beautiful words to read which bring tears to my eyes… Thank you! I’ve shown my son too…🥰💙💙
Finished week 3 and am delighted with the results. Thank you Eleonora once again!!
Great to hear! 😄🥰
Dear Eleonora, I’m just catching up on the Down by the Sea videos. I have been in a shoulder brace for almost five weeks but was told that if I was sitting down and not walking around, I could take the brace off which in my mind meant YAY, it’s time to crochet! I am so impressed with your new sailing skills and glad you were able to join Rowan on his trip home. He is an adventurer for sure! So glad you made the trip without any incidents experienced by your husband on his leg of the journey. I can’t wait to get started on this weeks’ rounds!
Dear Paula… 5 weeks in a shoulder brace is tough! Hope it’s healing well now… thank you for your kind words! 🥰🥰🥰