I Learned More Than I Expected While Taking on This Large Personal Project
Crocheting is something that has always been a part of my life. Most of the woman in my family participate in this handicraft, and I first learned the ropes from my great grandmother when I was twelve years old. I still remember sitting on her soft couch with yarn twisted around my fingers and she explained to me how to do my first chain stitch. Since then crocheting has become a meditative activity for me, one that brings back good memories and helps me organize my thoughts.
Previously I had taken a hiatus from crocheting, but about a year ago I wanted to start up again. Instead of starting small I decided to jump into the deep end and tackle a blanket project. I was motivated to create something I could enjoy for a long time and use every day.
Of course, I knew this was going to be a long project, but at the time I honestly didn’t think it would take me a year to complete. Part of the reason it took so long was mainly my pace. I worked a little on the blanket every week, and sometimes almost every day, but usually I would spend a relatively short amount of time on each session, only completing one or two rows at a time.
The most important thing I learned while making a blanket is to have patience with my production, and that big project are completed one stitch at a time. Great things take time. Whatever you’re trying to achieve— whether it’s changing your body, launching a website, or crocheting a blanket— it will take dedication and persistence.
Great things take time. Whatever you're trying to achieve— whether it's changing your body, launching a website, or crocheting a blanket— it will take dedication and persistence.
Instead of Following a Complex Pattern I Decided to Make My Own
I didn’t follow a pattern for the blanket but instead developed my own and then repeated until conclusion. The pattern was very simple. I alternated between two stitch modules, which consisted of a what I called a “Solid Band” and a “Checkered Band”. The latter referring to the square spaces created by skipping two stitches starting on every third stitch. I wanted to keep this very simple so I could follow the pattern while also listening to audiobooks or Japanese listening comprehension materials.
Solid Band
- Row 1Sc Entire Row
- Row 2Dc Entire Row
- Repeat row 2, 2 more times, for rows 3 & 4Repeat 2 More Times
Checkered Band
- Row 1Sc Entire Row
- Row 2TC x 2ST; CH2, SK 2ST; Repeat to until row is complete
- Row 3Sc Entire Row
- Row 4 is the same as row 2TC x 2ST; CH2, SK 2ST; Repeat to until row is complete
