Bernat blanket scarves

I'm still working with the Yarnspiration Bernat Blanket #6 super bulky in color Purple Sunset. It is 100% polyester, 10.5oz, 220 yards.

I did, however, run into an unusual problem. The huge skein jumped out of its container and ended up under my lift chair without my noticing. When I couldn't pull more yarn I got up and took a look.

 It was thoroughly and hopeless tangled around a little plastic piece. I can't get on the floor and my husband was not home, so my lovely daughter came over and tried to get it out. We ended up having to cut it because of the way it was wrapped. 

I did learn my lesson and put the next skein into a round tote with a zipper closure. It even has a spot for my hook which is good as that is the one that has worked so well with this yarn and I don't have another within my dozens (okay, maybe a few more than that LOL) of hooks. As noted in a previous post, the wooden hook is 12-13mm. There is no size on it. It was purchased sooo many years ago.

The solution has worked pretty well. I have completed 6 scarves in addition to the one in that tote.

All of those are between 61" and 65" with a width varying between 7" and 9". They are so thick and soft.

I will finish the one in the tote and then decide how to handle the balls that were cut off the stuck one. Most of it was saved so I could conceivably make an 8th scarf but with many tails. I don't actually mind sewing in the tails but worry these might poke out due to the type of yarn. Little wisps of yarn fly off whenever I cut a piece.

Learn from my oopsie and keep your yarn safe from being sucked under a chair. :-)

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

blanket scarf

I bought several skeins of the Bernat Blanket #6  Super bulky yarn because I saw a video that told me I could make an easy cardigan really fast. Well, it turns out that's not me. I don't like working with thick yarn.  However, now that I have this yarn, I decided to use it for super warm scarves for winter.

I tried several hooks and this is the one that worked for me. By our measurement, it is between 12 and 13mm. Size is not written on it and I don't remember where I got it but I'm sure it was online. I've had it a long time.

The yarn in question is Yarnspiration Bernat Blanket #6 super bulky in color Purple Sunset. It is 100% polyester, 10.5oz, 220 yards. I used one entire skein for one 8 1/4" x 63" scarf.

Pattern is 14 sc across and 107 rows.

I left the ending "tail" so you could see how much I have left of the skein.

I'll say this for this yarn... It is super soft. I think it will keep the wearer very warm as well.

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

crochet hook sizes

Did you know that not all crochet hooks with the same letter size are the same mm size? For example, Boye and Bates measure differently. I did know that but didn't pay much attention to it until I needed a Bates hook to work with a particular yarn that didn't like the Boye hook. It split less with a Bates style.

Annie's Attic has a nice list which includes all sizes but doesn't say what type of hook it is. I used to have this info at Crochet Cabana but have since removed much of the extraneous info from the site since it is readily available all over the Internet. I'll add a page with the hook information for Batse and Boye.

Crochet.com also has info on hooks. They list hook sizes but don't designate.what style is what sizze.

Here are the sizes and a picture for reference.

Susan Bates Hook sizes
(I added a few that are not in the pictured set)

B/1  2.25mm

C/2  2.75mm

D/3  3.25mm

E/4  3.5mm

F/5  3.75mm

G/6  4.0mm

#7/7  4.5mm

H/8  5.0mm

I/9  5.5mm

J/10  6.0mm

K/10.5  6.5mm

L/11 8.0mm

M/13 9.0mm

N/15 10.0mm

Boye

E 3.5mm

F 3.75mm

G 4.25mm

H 5.0mm

I 5.25mm

J 5.75mm

K 6.5mm
L 8.0mm

Of course you can find the Bates and Boye style hooks lots of places that are not specifically made by Boye or Bates. They are identified by the style - inline (Bates) or tapered (Boye) or perhaps an entirely new style.

I hope this helps you. This is why I suggest you use the same hook when working a project. If you happen to change to a different hook with the same letter sizee it might not be the same mm size. Depending on what you're making it may make a difference. 

In addition to the sizes that are made today, it seems like the hook mms changed slightly through the years. There's an interesting article about Boye hooks here if you want to delve more into that.

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

Beginner's Luck

This one was made using Premier Everyday Dots in color Sleepytime. I discovered a whole bunch of skeins of this yarn in different colorways so I'll be making many of these small blankies for Project Robby.

 If you find the picture looks a little off it's because I took the picture upside down and had to turn it in Paint Shop Pro. Oops.

I used a G Bates style hook from Polymer Clay Shed. I've bought many hooks from her and she's wonderful to work with.

The size is 12 1/2". 

The pattern is the Beginner's Luck with a chain of 53 and a dc border around to finish it off. I started with one row dc and after finishing the last pattern I started the dc border so there are two rows of dc top and bottom when that is done. I've worked it different ways depending on my mood. :-)

Beginner's Luck is a very old pattern in the leaflet Knit and Crochet Afghans vol 768 Brunswick 1990. You may be able to find it at Etsy or Ebay. 

I've also seen the pattern under other names. Basically it's a row of dc, a row of V stitch, a row of inverted V stitch (decrease), and another row of dc. The multiple is 3 + 2 if you start in the 4th chain from hook or 3 + 1 if you start in the 3rd chain. You could also start with a foundation dc instead of chains.

The finished size depends on what yarn and hook you are using. The important thing is to measure your width and make sure your length is appropriate for your width. 

Here are some possible starting chains going into the 4th chain from hook. That means you will end up with 2 fewer stitches so if you're using a foundation dc keep that in mind.
20 (possibly a good one for a swatch),
38, 53 (17 V’s, 7 patterns), 59, 62, 74, 86, 98, 113, 122, 131, 140, 152, 161

I love this pattern and have used it probably hundreds of times through the years, making different sizes depending on need.

I'm adding a few more pictures of completed mini blankies in this pattern. The bottom three are color Primary. The top two are Sleepytime. The last one is Candy. 

This one is 16 1/2". Chain is 74.

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

Which Way Filet

Yarn: Vanna's Choice Pink and leftover white (probably Hobby Lobby)

Hook: J

Pattern: Which Way Filet (Fiber Spider)

Size: 11 1/2" 

I did this little blankie in just a few hours watching the video and pausing when I needed to. Then adding the borders.

Happy crocheting!

Sandie