Skip to main content

First Try

For my first crochet project of September I wanted to choose it myself as a practice (possibly for real) blanket for the charity I want to donate to next month. For that reason I pulled the four skeins of Premier bargain acrylic (which I know is Puzzle) and one skein of thrifted darker Puzzle from my stash. This is a #5 bulky weight 100% acrylic yarn that is completely machine washable and dryable, and I've enjoyed all the projects I've made with it so far.

The pattern I decided on is Tradewinds Lap Blanket, a Premier design specifically for their Puzzle yarn. This blanket is made up of hexagons that showcase the color changing of the yarn, and for that reason I can make it as large as I want and use up all my skeins.

I found the center pull without any drama and went to work.

This is an intermediate skill pattern, and I don't recommend it for crocheters just starting out, as it's mostly dc2tog and dc3tog stitches, which can be confusing for beginners. If you're confident with making those kinds of stitches, and you can read an intermediate pattern (it is a bit confusing again for anyone just beginning) then it's a no-brainer.

The first hexagon turned out a bit smaller than I expected (they look gigantic in the pattern photo) but I liked the look a lot.

In one night I was able to make 5 hexagons; I think I can get one more out of the first skein I used. You can see how the four variegated colors in the Puzzle yarn make each one turn out a little different, and makes it look like you worked with four skeins instead of one. My guy thinks it looks like something either gender would like, even though it's blue and gray. It is not granny squares, which makes me happy. I'm going to be spending a lot of time in hospitals over the next two weeks so it's also a great take-along project.

Once I get the blanket finished I'll report back with a pic, but I think this one is going to be a breeze.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

On the Beach

Last week my guy and I went to walk Daytona Beach, which was mostly (and eerily) deserted. This is what our beaches used to look like when I was a kid. It was a beautiful day, cold and breezy but calm. It feels like 2026 is getting off to the right start.

Eight Plus Numbers

When I was looking up the retail on the small lot of yarn plus a tapestry kit I got a lot of surprises. This Red Heart Roll with It Sparkle skein in "Diamonds" was actually a cake that sells $10.99 on Yarnspirations. The lot included two Red Heart Super Saver Jumbo skeins, which retail for $8.99 each, and stuck in the center of the buff color I found a 5.5 mm crochet hook. This is a skein of 100% Icelandic wool, which can be really expensive. It's marked with a price tag of $7.00, and I found it selling for $8.00 online. The needlepoint kit is the biggest surprise of all. It makes a pillow, and hails from the UK, where it sells for £45.00 ($60.76 US). Since it's flamingos I definitely have to finish it if I can. Altogether my eight plus lot retails for $125.04; I paid $21.30 total for the lot with the buy-it-now option and one penny shipping. I indeed got a very nice bargain.

Halfway Month Blues

Last week I realized on the 14th that two weeks of 2026 flew right by me, and right now I'm writing during the third week. I wanted to be finished with more projects by now, but life and work have to come first. I think this might be when most crocheters start a new shiny project to boost their spirits. Not me. I kept working away at my first project for the year, and here's why: I don't like being surrounded by unfinished things. I also tend to get fatigued and abandon projects more easily if I've left them by the wayside to do something else. Finally, the payoff of the finished project gives me a much better spirit boost than messing around with several projects at the same time. I have a couple of strategies for sticking to working on one project at a time, which I can use to keep myself focused on reaching the finish line. Planning my next project is probably what I do most often by pulling the yarn from my stash, getting out the printed pattern for the...