#graphghan

[q--for-lack-of-a-better-name]

Here is a pattern, if you want to try crochet!

I made this blanket a while ago as a test for graphghans, and now you can try it, for free!

Psyduck Blanket Pattern - Benguine's Ko-fi Shop

A quick guide and rundown of one of my first projects. I hope it helps to inspire or provide a guide of how the process works!

[n4rut0runn3r]

Graphghan

Start date: January 5, 2023 

Completion date: September 17, 2023 

Pattern Creation

This is the pattern I created for the blanket. The style of crochet used is called a graphghan. This means that every single-crochet yarn stitch is equivalent to a pixel of an image. This also means row by row, I changed colors frequently. Layering colors to create an image. This pattern was drawn in a pixel art app, so each pixel could be accurately counted and planned for. My goal was an Arizona landscape that in saw in person. See below.

This is a pre-existing pattern online for purchase. I saw the reviews and thought that this would be the perfect place to start. However, this was not the Arizona that I experienced and loved. I knew that there were some changes that I needed to make, which led me to creating my own pattern! I did like the neutral color shades used in this pattern and decided to keep that in my version. See below.

I knew that the shape of the mountains in the pattern had to change. And luckily, I had the perfect reference picture. I loved the ”stegosaurus mountain” that is in East Mesa, a foot hill of the Superstition. It is a beautiful area that I am so thankful I got to visit and spend time there.

Here is how I recreated the mountain shape in my pattern. I took a few artistic liberties with the supporting shapes, because I wanted to be able to accurately convey the shadows and mountain curvature with a limited color palette. The mountain background of the pattern is one of my biggest achievements so far in my time crocheting. I have had this specific hobby for a few years, but I have never ventured far from preexisting patterns or YouTube tutorials. My pattern, and the blanket, are not perfect by any means, but I did learn a lot and I did grow my skills tremendously. I wish I could do it over again to perfect it, but I can only move on to more projects with new skills.

Time For Numbers!

This blanket is 240 stitches wide, and 300 rows in length. The pattern I created originally called for 345 rows, but I ran out of blue yarn, and decided that it was long enough. 

20 single crochet yarn stitches uses 3.5 feet of yarn. Using this as an estimate, 4,200 yards of yarn was used in the creation of this blanket. That’s why it's so heavy! 

In terms of yarn, I used Red Heart Super Saver brand, which is a level 4 yarn thickness. I prefer to use this brand because it is machine washable, but it does have some downsides. Unfortunately, due to its cheap production, the thickness is not exact. Meaning, I could buy 3 skeins of yarn, all the same color, thickness, even dye lot number, but the thickness of the yarn will vary slightly. This is seen on the blanket where the blue yarn starts. 

In this picture, I had just tied off all the loose ends and washed the blanket. But the top was still wider than the bottom due to the thickness of the blue yarn. So, I tried to weigh it down and stretch it out. It did not really help, so the blanket just ended up being more of a trapezoid shape. Thankfully, the blanket is almost as wide as it is long, so when sitting on the couch, it is not noticeable. It's not very fun to try to nicely fold though! 

My crochet speed is fairly good. But due to the many times I had to change colors, It took an average of 25 minutes to complete a row of crochet. This adds up to 125 hours spent crocheting. Boy Howdy!

I did a rough calculation of how much time it would take me to complete the blanket before I started, which is why I thought I would have it done in time for my April trip to Arizona, but I forgot to calculate how crazy life is, and the fact that I can't sit and crochet for days at a time. It's an unfortunate truth to life. I was able to get one “in progress” picture. This was on June 14, I was celebrating being done with the many color changes per row.

I was unable to get a final picture of it washed and being used, as it was a gift, and I was able to get it done in time for another trip and gifted it while on that trip. I put a lot of amazing skills in my wheel house, and clocked in a lot of practice time.

[kitscraftcorner]

I’m so close to finishing a blanket i’ve been working on! Just gotta get to the yarn store, I ran out of a color right at the end 😭

[thecrochetcrowd]

Crochet Halloween Pumpkin Cuff Pattern

Crochet Halloween Pumpkin Cuff Pattern

Crochet Pumpkin Cuff Crochet Halloween Pumpkin Cuff, from Red Heart The Crochet Halloween Pumpkin Cuffs, designed by KJ Hay, with Red Heart Super Saver, is a fun little project to practice graphghan techniques. This easy, free pattern, is super quick to make. It closes with two buttons, so it can be made to fit any wrist size. Leading up to Halloween, these are pretty cute and straight forward.…

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Crochet Candy Corn Trick-or-Treat Bag Pattern

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Crochet Catch A Wave Pillow Pattern

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Crochet Catch A Wave Pillow Crochet Crochet A Wave Pillow I absolutely love this crochet pillow called the Catch A Wave Crochet Pillow. The love the size, simplicity and especially, the whimsical wave that is in this graphghan ‘like’ concept. This is featuring the brand new yarn by Yarnspirations called Bernat Maker Home Dec. I’ve come to really love this yarn. I love the speed of working with…

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