Hello! The allure of a giant, cosy crochet blanket is undeniable. Snuggling under a masterpiece you created yourself? Pure bliss. I love the pile of crocheted blankets I have sitting in my big basket, ready to be pulled out on a chilly evening - I can't recommend creating a few for yourself enough! At the moment, as many of you know, I'm crocheting a Battenberg Blanket which is a MASSIVE commitment! If you're not familiar with the pattern by Sandra Paul, you should check it out on Ravelry; it's hundreds of teenie granny squares.
But, before I dive headfirst into a mountain of yarn with you, let's explore the challenges and the rewards that come with crocheting a large blanket.
The Challenge of Choice:
Not all patterns are created equal! There are so many patterns out there which have not been tested, never mind tech edited! If you're in for the long-haul you want a pattern you can trust with clear instructions. Look for the words "tested" and "tech edited" when choosing your pattern.
Dive Deep vs Keep it Simple:
Are you looking for a relaxing project with repetitive elements suitable for long stretches of crocheting? Or perhaps you're after a challenge with multiple new stitch techniques to challenge yourself? Back in 2016 when I was fairly new to crochet, I pushed myself by taking on the Sophie's Universe Blanket by Dedri Uys and I learned so much!!
Purpose Perfect:
Consider the blanket's final purpose - a throw for the couch needs a different approach than a blanket to cover a king size bed. Think about size you want, the yarn weight and yarn type for optimal use.
Time Management:
Setting Realistic Goals: Be honest about your crocheting speed and the time which is available to you. It might help you to break down the project into smaller, achievable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed. For example; one granny square motif a day or six rows an evening.
Mind Your Motivation:
Not gonna lie; large projects can drag on. Things which help me are sheduling dedicated crochet time, joining a CAL for the support and finally, chocolate ... chocolate definitely helps! Perhaps keeping a project page on Ravelry, using my Project Notes Printable or creating a visual chart to see how far you've come will help. These things can be a huge motivator, especially when facing a seemingly endless sea of yarn.
Tracking Your Progress:
The Power of Progress Markers: Large projects benefit from progress markers to track rows, repeats, or colour changes. They can help you pick up right where you left off without any confusion.
The Finishing Line:
You'll find that there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of completing a large scale crochet project. Seeing your creation come to life, knowing the dedication and skill it took, is a reward unlike any other.
So, Are You Ready for the Challenge?
Crocheting a large blanket is a journey of patience, perseverance and ultimately, immense satisfaction. By choosing the right pattern, managing your time, tracking your progress, and finding a supportive community, you can turn that giant yarn stash into a cosy masterpiece.
I'd like to take this opportunity to highlight one of my large crochet blanket projects! My Scrappy Blanket III has a simple repeat, making it the ideal choice for a relaxing project and is perfect for using up all your little scraps!
The pattern is free on this blog and for those who want the full range of 5 different sizes and gain extra guidance with video tutorials, there's the option to upgrade to a paid-for version. Click here to go to the post on my blog and get started on your large crochet blanket today!
I hope you've found this blog post inspiring, until next time, happy crocheting,
Marta xx
