Candy Cane Blanket - FREE crochet pattern

Welcome to the wonderful world of Candy Cane! 

Candy Cane Blanket
finished size approx 120x105cm

Did someone say free Candy? I'm in!  I grew up in a sweet shop so I definitely have a sweet tooth (and plenty of fillings.  My favourite sweets were Peppermint Creams, oh how I devoured them by the pounds)!

This pattern has a slow-ish first row, but after that, whoosh!! You'll be flying in no time.  And don't let all the words put you off.  Watch the little video and you'll be raring to go.  It's quite an addictive pattern.  Once you've found your rhythm, I think you'll love it.

Let's get started!

Woolly Aran in Cream by Cygnet Yarns - 
comes in 200g balls (I used x3 of these)

Grousemoor Aran in Red -
comes in giant 400g balls - 
I used 1x of these

You will need*:

- 600g/1200m aran weight yarn in Cream - pictured here in Woolly Aran Shade 2742 by Cygnet Yarns (200g/396m)

- 400g aran weight yarn in Red - pictured here in Grousemoor Aran Shade 1386 by Cygnet Yarns (400g/660m)

- 6mm hook and 5.5mm hook

*PSSST! If you'd like to have a printed version of this pattern you can purchase one here

Also, consider using this pattern as a stash buster to use all your little balls of aran.  I do recommend having a neutral background colour though, such as the cream I used here.

Notes to this pattern:

1. Pattern is written in UK terms

2. Pattern is worked over any odd number of foundation chains

3. Carry the yarn loosely up the side of the work where possible to save sewing in ends

4. Gauge: 8 Rows x 5 Forked Puffs = 10x10cm

5. Finished size = approx 120x105cm

Special Stitches:

• FP = Forked Puff (4htrTogether over 2 spaced stitches (or over 2 Spaces on subsequent rows) – for a Video Tutorial on this stitch visit https://youtu.be/4gcEVX8joUM: (yrh, insert hook into the first indicated chain/space and draw up a tall loop) twice, skip 2chains, (yrh, insert hook into next indicated chain/space and draw up a loop) twice, yrh and pull through all 9 loops on hook
• Htr (half treble) = yrh, insert hook into indicated place and draw up and loop, yrh and draw through all three loops on hook
• Puff = (yrh, insert hook into indicated place and draw up a long loop) three times, then yrh and draw through all 7 loops

There are a lot of words to the Forked Puff stitch, but it's pretty simple to actually make so I recommend you watch the video if you prefer a demonstration

BEGIN

Using 5.5mm hook and Cream, ch163 (see Note 2)

Row 1: [Yrh, insert hook into the 4th chain from the hook and draw up a tall loop] twice, skip next two chains, [yrh, insert hook into the next chain and draw up a tall loop] twice (=9 loops on the hook), then yrh and draw yarn through all 9 loops (= Forked Puff made – see Special Stitches and video tutorial), **ch2, work another Forked Puff as follows: [yrh, insert hook into the same chain as the last “leg” of the previous Forked Puff and draw up a loop] twice, skip 2chains, [yrh, insert hook into the next chain and draw up a loop] twice, then yrh and draw yarn through all 9 loops; repeat from ** across, ending with ch1, then work 1htr into the same last chain, turn [53 Forked Puffs made]

Row 2: Ch3 (counts as first Htr, ch1), Work 1FP over the first ch1 space and the next ch2-space, *ch2, work 1FP working the first leg into the same space as the last “leg” of the previous FP and the next space; repeat from * across up to and including the space just before the turning chain, ending ch1, then work 1htr into the same last space, turn

Rows 3 to 8: Work as Row 2, changing to Red on the last stitch, dropping Cream but do not fasten off (see Note 3)

--- CHANGE TO 6MM HOOK ---

Rows 9 and 10: Using Red, work as Row 2, changing to Cream on the last stitch, dropping Red but do not fasten off

Rows 11 and 12: Using Cream, work as Row 2, changing to Red on the last stitch, dropping Cream but do not fasten off

These last 4 Rows establish the colour sequence.  Continue using 6mm hook,  changing colour every two rows until a total of 17 Red Stripes have been worked, drawing up Cream on the last stitch.

Fasten off Red.

--- CHANGE TO 5.5MM HOOK ---

Work a further 8 rows in Cream, do not fasten off

EDGING – worked along the two long sides only - using 5.5mm hook

Rotate work 90’ to work along the side

>>Ch2, work 1Puff (see Special Stitches) around the edge of the first row (i.e. around the turning chain), ch1, *1Puff around the turning chain of the next Row end, ch1; rep from * to the end of this side, ending with 1Puff into the last Row end, then work 1htr into the 2nd of the turning chain.  Fasten off.

Rejoin Cream to opposite side and repeat from >>.

Fasten off and sew in all ends.

I hope you enjoy making this blanket!  The end result is so plush and cosy, I can totally imagine using this for my socially distanced garden visits.  Plus, I think it would make a cosy shawl or scarf too. 

Happy crocheting everybody!

Thanks so much for being part of Nancy Said.  I couldn't do it without you!

Check out the rest of my Etsy Shop!

You can find more free patterns here on my Blog and over 100 easy-to-read crochet patterns in my Etsy Shop.  I'm also active on Facebook and Instagram.  (Twitter still confuses me.)

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Welcome to the wonderful world of crochet! See you soon!

Nina xx

www.nancysaid.com

Pebbles Chunky Cowl - FREE crochet pattern

Ho, ho ho! A lovely season to say hello and give away a sweet little pattern for you to enjoy over the holidays.  I hope this year has treated you gently.  What a year!  The whole world has experienced it along with us, hopefully bringing us closer together as a human race.

Thank you all so much for being part of Nancy's world.  It means so much to me and I feel truly blessed to share my patterns with you.

This one is a quick and easy crochet pattern for th cosy Pebbles Cowl, just the right length and depth to keep you warm as well as stylish.  One stitch, one repeated row and chunky yarn make this a quick and easy gift idea.

You will need: 150g Chunky Yarn*

•  100g/180m of chunky yarn Colour A - pictured here in Creative Melange by Rico in colour 055 – peachy colour (50g/90m/53%VirginWool) 
• 50g/90m of chunky yarn Colour B - pictured here in Creative Melange by Rico in colour 0051 Purple Colour
•  7mm hook – (or size to obtain Gauge for a soft drape - see Note 3)

*Yarn substitutes: any soft chunky (Bulky) yarn will work well for this project, total of 270m required

Finished Size: Approx 75x33cm (before joining)

Special Stitches:

• HBtr (Herringbone Treble stitch - (For a video tutorial please visit https://youtu.be/-PoMbw5DDcY) = yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch, draw yarn back through stitch AND through next loop, yarn over and draw through one loop, yarn over and draw through last two loops      

Notes to this pattern:

1. Pattern is written in UK terms
2. Cowl is worked sideways, then joined
3. Gauge: 10sts x 8 Rows = 10x10cm

BEGIN – please reads all Notes before you begin 

Using 7mm hook and Col A, loosely ch35 

Row 1: 1HBtr (see Special Stitches) into 4th chain from the hook (skipped stitches do NOT count as a st), 1HBtr into each chain across, turn [32HBtr made] 

Row 2: Ch2 (does not count as a st throughout), 1HBtr into first st, 1HBtr into each st across (do NOT work into the turning chain), turn [32HBtr made] 

Rows 3 to 43: Work as Row 2, fasten off Col A. 

Join Col B to first st, and work as Row 2 for a further 7 Rows, do NOT fasten off 

JOIN to form a Cowl 

You will now join the two short ends together as follows (use photos as a guide): 

Lay the cowl out flat. Twist once. Join the two short ends together by working a slip stitch through both thicknesses. 

Fasten off and sew in ends. 

Wear with pride over the festive season, indoors, outdoors, as you wish!  I hope it keeps you cosy and gives you happy memories every time you wear it.  And it you make one to give away - make another one for yourself right away!

Pebbles the (neighbour's) Cat

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!

Stay safe.

Love Nina x

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You can find more free patterns here on my Blog and over 100 easy-to-read crochet patterns in my Etsy Shop.  I'm also active on Facebook and Instagram.  (Twitter still confuses me.)

Website www.nancysaid.com