Quick and Cozy Crocheted Family Room Throw

I don’t crochet, knit or sew as much as I used to, but there’s something comforting sitting on the chaise of my big yellow family room sectional with some project in my hands.

When we bought our condo in Noblesville, I had no idea what color to paint the rooms, and all the rooms were going to be transfixed from garish bright gold wall paint already on the walls to a civilized taupe, and taupe green. (Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter and Sherwin Williams Chat Room). I figured they’d be easy colors to work around because they popular neutrals.

Now, two years before I bought the condo, my sister and I were shopping fabric outlet stores in Pennsylvania when I discovered this great drapery fabric at a Calico Corners outlet. I fell in love with the eclectic spatter pattern, and the colors. Kinda reminded me of Jackson Pollack – I had to buy it. Peach and turquoise, rusty-brown and yellow, I couldn’t resist. There was only a little over a yard of the fabric in the store.  Ever the optimist, I searched online fabric outlets and was able to find an ample supply Fabric Guru, where they sell all types of high-end drapery fabric at good prices, and shipping is reasonable.

So, now I have my lovely drapery fabric, and get stalled when I can’t decide on a suitable window covering style. My family room is very long with a gas fireplace between a bank of windows.  I have wooden blinds covering the windows now, but I still need padded cornices or full-length draperies. The room is transitional, not too modern and not too traditional. I know the fabric will bring the room together once I make a decision and get my act together. My sis found a perfect striped accent fabric to make pillows. Awesome!

Last year I was strolling through a yarn shop in Noblesville, and came across the colors I wanted for the family room throw. Cream, lemon yellow, dark turquoise, light turquoise, peachy orange, medium gray, and a rich dark brown.

at mimi's table quick and cozy family room throw

The pattern for the throw is real simple:

  • Using one color, crochet two rows of double crochet.
  • The third row you begin a simple 3-double crochet shell stitch.
  • Begin the third row with one double crochet. Skip the next two stitches. In the third stitch, make 3-double crochets in the same single crochet. *Skip two single crochets, make 3-double crochets in the single crochet, skip two single crochets* and continue the pattern all the way across.
  • 4th row, double crochet in the first stitch, *skip two double crochets, make 3-double crochets in the same stitch, skip 2 single crochets, and make 3-double crochets in the same stitch* across until you reach the end of the row.

Now, it’s time to switch colors. Choose color combinations are pleasing to you. I used seven different colors and used 3-100 gram balls of each color in Cascade Superwash DK weight, so the throw wouldn’t be too heavy, and it would wash beautifully

My throw is roughly 60″ long x 42″ wide. Probably too big to be called a throw, but it’s going to look great on my big yellow couch.

As a little extra something, something, I came across the Hopeful Honey website recently. Olivia is an avid knitter and crocheter. She has lots of great tips. What I really like best are her YTube tutorials on how to work specialty stitches. And she has some great free patterns for women, men, and children. Check her out!

Working on an infinity scarf next!

at mimi's table crochet hooks            at mimi's table signature line fall

New Blankets for the Boys!

I worked on these afghans for Quinten and Joshua for several months.  I was a bit apprehensive about giving them as gifts.  After all, they’re little boys.  Why should they get excited about handmade blankets from their Mimi.  When I watched this video, I was overjoyed.  Quinten’s remark that didn’t make it on the recording was his exclamation, “I always wanted a blue blanket!”  Well, that made my heart melt.  I guess the afghans weren’t such a bad idea afterall.

After many years away from needlearts, I have found a new affection for them.  My mother and grandmother taught me how to knit and crochet when I was in elementary school.  They are hobbies I’ve enjoyed very much through the years.  Crocheting is easy, and there are hundreds of free patterns on the web.  If you don’t know how, there are also hundreds of free videos on the Internet where you can learn.

I like the ability to pick up the work whenever I’m in the need for something to do.  I can crochet for one-half hour or off and on all day.  I can even do needlework in the car, which I did during our 24-hour car trip from Montana to Indiana for Christmas.

The pictures I took of the two project aren’t great, but here are links to the pattern for the boys blankets.  

 

chevron baby blanket pattern, crochet, afghan

Chevron Baby Blanket
Design Adventures

pattern for cobblestone afghan, crochet, yarn, needlework

Cobblestone Afghan – Crochet
Momsloveofcrochet.com