Year of Projects: Crochet Master Class – Freeform finale
(This post is part of my Year of Projects: Crochet Master Class series. You can find my first three posts on freeform crochet here, here, and here.)
This is my first Sunday post for Year of Projects. I have been posting my updates on Monday, but since I have finished (!) my first project, I thought I’d post early.
In last week’s Year of Projects update, I was debating how long I would continue to participate in the Crochet Liberation Front’s freeform CAL. I continued along in the CAL for a few more days this week, until my cat blanket seemed to be telling me it was finished 
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Day 18 (instructions)
Mmmm, cables.
I picked up another stitch guide to find something appropriate for my Day 18 crocheting.
I settled on stitch #2 (Baby Cables) and chose my Days 4, 5, 9, 12, & 15 piece. I decided to use the same yarn (Red Heart 9522 Leaf) that I had used to border my previous day’s piece.
Here's a detail of my Day 18 work.
Day 19 (instructions) and Day 20 (instructions)
I read the instructions for Day 19 and Day 20 and looked at my pieces. They were nearing the size I needed for my cat blanket. I finally decided I wanted to start joining the blanket pieces, and ignored the instructions.
I picked up the smallest piece and another stitch guide.
I decided to use #82 Outline to add some length to the small piece.
There were four yarns which I had already used in two of the pieces. I decided that I would finish my cat blanket with these four colors, to tie the various colors in the three pieces together. I used the Loops and Threads Impeccable 01243 Forest and 01013 Chocolate for the Outline stitch, which added some width to the piece.
Detail of my Outline stitch, added to my Days 1-3, 6, 13, & 15 piece.
I increased the length of the piece using some Red Heart Super Saver 0971 Camouflage. I went back to the Leaf yarn, and joined all three pieces together using single crochet. I then added a simple double crochet border all around in Loops and Threads Impeccable 108920 Soft Taupe.
Now that the pieces were joined, the blanket was the width I was looking for, but lacked the length. So I picked up the stitch guide and tried #99 Wavelets… but soon realized that this was actually the same stitch I used last week (called the Interlocking Shell Stitch in the The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches
The stitch I used is called Hourglass II.
Once the piece was close to the size I wanted, I stopped and switched to the Chocolate yarn. I straightened out the piece with a row of crossed double crochet.
My completed cat blanket.
Thoughts on freeform
I’m glad that I finally experimented with freeform, inspired by my Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today’s Top Crocheters
Day 3
Day 8
I’m not sure when I will pick up freeform again, but I know I would like to try a motif project next. A few times during the CAL, I considered adding some motifs but I wanted my cat blanket to be very thick, durable, and sturdy without a lot of seams that my cat would try to eat or openwork that he would destroy. I love Prudence Mapstone‘s motif project in Crochet Master Class, and definitely think there is a freeform clothing project in my future…
Another satisfied customer.
Resting on his new freeform blanket after a long day of mischief.
Freeform is interesting for sure. But your kitty looks like it is very pleased with the results and that is all that really matters. Congratulations on a finished project this week.
Thanks for stopping by Marsha! He is very pleased, so I’m glad. Thanks, Marie
Your cat certainly looks very pleased with it! I think you’re right not to include much openwork. My cat gets her claws stuck in things and ends up dragging them around!
I’ve spotted that first knitting book many times, and have what I considered to be the crocheted version of it; but might need to get the knitted one next.
I love the effect of the outline stitch, and the texture of the long green strip down one side. Always nice to see a finished project appreciated by it’s recipient too!
I love your freeform work. That photo of the blanket from the top looks a bit like a 3D topographical map because of the nature-inspired colors!
Such an interesting concept for a project! It turned out wonderfully–and I can see that lucky kitty is happy!
*smiles*
@ MindingMyOwnStitches – I definitely approached the project differently after he mauled his first puff stitch
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@ Sandy: Actually the book is a crochet book
. My favorite knitting cables book is The Very Easy Guide to Cable Knitting.
@ Tink: Thanks, I love the textures on it too. So far, my cat has definitely been enjoying it and even looks askance at anyone who touches the blanket.
@ Kathryn: I thought so too! I was thinking of making another one that is round with blues, greens, and browns (kind of like the Earth from space).
@ Kim: Thanks! Making it was definitely an adventure!
Absolutely stunning and I can think of no one that would enjoy the different textures more than a cat. Take a bow it’s beautiful!
I love it especially the green and brown together. The books look great – they will be added to my list xx
@ RugbyMad: Thank you so much! I am bowing right now
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@ craftyclare: Thanks! I’m actually working on a post about all my stitch guides, which should be posted later this week!
What a success!! And how could your kitty not be satisfied — it is truly the perfect cat blanket.
@ Evelyn: Thanks! He is totally loving it. Just the other day, he gave me the “evil eye” when I put my feet on his blanket.
He looks very happy with his new blanket
@ Alittlebitsheepish: He is soooo happy with it. I didn’t realize that a cat would be so excited by a handmade gift.
looks like a completely cozy kitty.