Formula for Making Cable Baby Blanket

I used the instructions this link to learn how to make crocheted cables. Since I’m not fond of joining squares, I decided to make a cabled baby blanket that wouldn’t require any joining.

The linked pattern for cabled afghan squares is a copyrighted pattern. If you’ve never worked cables before, practice using this pattern for afghan squares (I was very confused with the first one that I made, but by the time I completed my second cabled square, I had figured out how to make the cables). Once you’re comfortable with cables, it will be easy to work them into many patterns.

I added a FPDC immediately before and after each cable to help define the cable pattern and make it more pronounced.

Below is the “formula” that I used to make a baby blanket with 5 cables.

Using Worsted Weight Yarn and an H hook:

Chain 61

Row 1: sc in second chain from hook, and all the way across (60 sc)

Row 2: chain 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next 4 stitches, * FPDC in next stitch, follow cable instructions over next 4 stitches, FPDC in next stitch, hdc in next 5 stitches*. Repeat pattern between ** 4 times.

Row 3: Chain 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next 4 stitches, *BPDC in next stitch, follow cable instructions over next 4 stitches, BPDC in next stitch, hdc in next 5 stitches. Repeat pattern between ** 4 times.

Row 4: chain 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next 4 stitches, * FPDC in next stitch, follow cable instructions over next 4 stitches (this is the “twisted” row, FPDC in next stitch, hdc in next 5 stitches*. Repeat pattern between ** 4 times.

Row 5: Chain 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next 4 stitches, *BPDC in next stitch, follow cable instructions over next 4 stitches, BPDC in next stitch, hdc in next 5 stitches. Repeat pattern between ** 4 times.

Continue this basic formula for a total of 52 rows.

Row 53: chain 1, sc across. Finish off.

The basic formula for this blanket is:

5 hdc – 1 fpdc – cable – 1 fbdc – 5hdc

I made 5 cables across on this blanket. It is small – approx 18” x 24”.

You can easily adapt this pattern to any size you like. Your starting chain should be a multiple of 11 plus 6 stitches. (I wanted 5 cables, so my starting chain was 55+6=61 stitches). Continue working until you achieve the length you want.

Cable Baby Blanket

Recently I posted that I was learning to crochet cables. I used this pattern at About.com to learn the basic technique.

I like making the cables! One you get a knack for it, it's not at all complicated. It's repetitive enough that I don't have to count or "think too hard", but varied enough that I don't get bored.


I don't, however, enjoy joining squares, and the thought of making enough cabled squares to create even the smallest baby blanket turned my stomach. So.... I used the basic techniques that I learned to make this 5-cable baby blanket. I'm really pleased with the result! I just love the look, and look forward to making more cabled projects.

Baby Ga-doe!!!

Guess who we saw sleeping under our deck!!!
Isn't she beautiful!!!

I know that the photos are poor quality. Didn't want to get too close and disturb her. I may have to buy a more powerful camera!!

Twisted

As I subtly hinted in my last post, things have been a bit stressful lately. My stomach and my mind seem like they've been twisted up in knots - not a fun feeling. So.... I decided that if life was going to serve me twists, maybe I should learn to crochet some.

I haven't quite given up on knitting, but I'm beginning to doubt that I'll ever actually master the skill. If I can't complete a simple knit-purl project, I'll never knit a beautiful cable sweater, so the time seemed right to try crocheting cables.

These are my first two attempts. The first one was a bit tricky; the second was much easier. I don't think that they have the refinement or beauty of knit cables, but I'm willing to take a short cut now and then.

Feelings 101

Lately things have been stressful. I think that there is a lot of that going on. The economy is bad and everyone is nervous. I'm lucky. My family is not dealing with any horrible illnesses. Outside the general uncertainty, we don't have horrific financial worries. There is a lot of love in my home. Life should be good, but ......it's been stressful.

I don't deal with stress well. I just try and do the best I can - I try to keep a positive attitude; I try to eat properly and really enjoy it when I don't; I try to be a bit more active. Frankly, all this trying is exhausting, but I try to remember that I have a basically very good life and people who love me - and that means a lot.

So, I'm frustrated and angry at myself that the nastiness of one person had so completely thrown me for a loop. Someone who I considered a friend has really hurt me. I don't think this person intended to hurt me - I think she is stressed out herself and not dealing with it well - but I feel so betrayed. I'm just reeling, and feel like I've been physically assaulted. Of course the co-dependent part of my personality is trying to make excuses for this person. I feel like I shouldn't feel this hurt when I know that it was not her intention - yet....I do feel hurt, and I do feel angry, and I do feel like I don't know how to productively deal with these feelings.

So.... it's sort of a vicious cycle of trying to reconcile what I feel and what I think I should feel. Perhaps I need to find a "Feelings 101" class, or invest in "Feelings for Dummies". Except that I'm smart enough to know that feelings just are. We can't control them - we can only control how we deal with them. I think that's what I'm struggling with - how to deal with the end of a friendship - or maybe how to deal with the end of an illusion of friendship. Either way, I feel I've lost something.

Tomorrow is another day. Maybe I'll feel better about it then.