Welcome to week one of the "Cow Lovey Crochet Along!" I am excited to have you here and look forward to going on this adventure with you! If you are just now joining us you can view the schedule and prize info in last week's post to catch up!
Today we are going to be working on the main blanket section of the lovey which is approximately 15 x 15 inches! I know it may sound silly by my favorite part of this lovey is the border! I have always wanted to find a great border that looked really fabulous with the waffle stitch and never really found one I was in love with until now!
When I was designing this lovey for a neighbor who had her baby a little early I was desperate to quickly find a border that I liked. I kept striking out until I started playing with the Braided Puff Stitch one day!
I really loved how the first part of the braid looked and so I decided to dissect the stitch and put a spin on it to create what I call the "Slanted Puff Stitch," which is what you see on this lovey!
It has such a beautiful texture and look to it and I'm a little obsessed now with the look lol! I am looking forward to trying it on a larger blanket size here in the new feature!
So I bet you are ready to get started!
To review and refresh your memory here's the materials list and stitch key!
“Baby Cow Lovey”
Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Worsted Weight 4 yarn
400 - 600 yrds white (or choice of color) - I worked from 2 skeins of craft smart white, 354 yrds / 7 oz / 198 g per skein
Less than 285 yds of a primary accent color for border, snout, flower - I worked from 1 skein of Loops and Threads Impeccable Coral - 285 yds / 4.5 oz / 127.5 g per skein
Less than 100 yards of secondary accent color for hooves/border - I used Loops and Threads Impeccable Classic Gray
Black if crocheting eyes
Hooks
H or 5mm for main sections
If you would like to make the lovey smaller you can use a G4mm
3mm for flower
E or 3.5 mm if making eyes
Scissors
Stitch Marker
Safety Eyes - I used 2 - .39in (10mm)
Poly fil
Hot Glue - optional for extra security when using safety eyes
Needles:
Darning Needle
Curved Tapestry/Upholstery Needle *optional but very useful when attaching the ears and flower
Here is a list of recommendations from Amazon. Your local stores may not carry things like the curved upholstery needles so that is why I like to offer some good shopping options! I adore my curved needles as it makes doing things like amigurumi and stuffies much easier! Please note this is also an affiliate link in which I may earn a small commission from any purchases made. There are no extra charges for you.
Here are the stitches you will need to know for the pattern! If you are unsure of any of the stitches I recommend doing a quick Google or YouTube search, which is how I learned and taught myself as well!
Stitches:
Ch - chain
Sc - single crochet
Sl st - slip stitch
Dc - double crochet
Sk - skip a stich/space
FPDC - front post double
BLO - Back Loop Only
Inv Dec - Invisible decrease - in front loop only sc2tog
Sp - space
#st - complete # number of sts in same space
St # - complete stitch in next # number of spaces
( ) - do all in the same stitch
Special Stitches
Waffle Stitch - The waffle stitch makes a wonderful textured stitch that looks just like a waffle! The Dc stitch and the FPDC stitch is used to create this look. You will simply follow the instructions in the “main blanket section” to create the waffle look! I have included pictures to help and there are also youtube tutorials available with a simple google search.
Puff Stitch - For this pattern you will yarn over, insert your hook in the space you are working in, yarn over and pull through. You will pull up your loop to the height of your DC stitch. You will do this for a total of 5 times.
“Slanted” Puff Stitch - when I was learning the “Braided Puff Stitch,” which you guessed looks like a braid, I loved how it looked when made all in the same direction as opposed to opposite directions. I modified the stitch by omitting the ch 1 between the puff stitch and the next dc stitch. By doing this it creates the slanted/angled look that you see on the border of this blanket. To achieve this look, you “sk a stitch, dc, and then work a puff stitch into the skipped stitch.” So you are working forwards and then backwards. You repeat this to the end and then sl st to join. Note, your puff stitch will cover the dc stitch. You can see the pictures in the next column for assistance. On the corners of the blanket you will add a ch between the puff stitch and the next dc to make an increase. This ch 1 will help keep your edges from curling up. If your edges still curl up you can either block your blanket or try adding an additional ch 1.
Pattern Info - The blanket section of the lovey is approx. 15 in x 15 inch. The Cow including the hooves is approx. 6 inches wide and 4 inches tall. The head from ear to ear is approx 5 inches wide. To make the blanket and cow smaller you can go down to a G4mm hook size and stop at desired length. Foundation chain is multiples of 3 + 2.
Pattern Instructions
Note: Turning chs count as a stitch
Blanket (main section): H5 mm hook
Begin: With white or choice of color, ch 50.
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc next 47, ch 2. (48st)
Row 2: Turn, *FPDC, dc 2*, repeat *to* 14 more times, FPDC, dc, ch 2. (48st) *see photo for assistance
Row 3: Turn, *dc, FPDC 2*, repeat *to* 14 more times, dc in last two, ch 2. (48st) *see photo for assistance
Row 4 - 27: Repeat rows 2 & 3
Row 28: Repeat row 2, ch 1, sc around all four sides of the blanket adding two increases in each corner, you will need to end with an even number. I recommend doing 46 stitches on the 4 sides and have two increases (a total of 4) in each corner. This will give you an end number of 200 stitches, sl st to join, fasten off. Inner Blanket Section complete. Next row will begin the border.
Note: On the corners do a chain 1 after each puff stitch to make a total of 2 increases.
Row 29: Join new color at any stitch on an edge, not a corner, ch 3, sk 1, dc, working backwards in the skipped stitch make a puff stitch, sk 1, *dc, work a puff stitch in the skipped stitch, sk 1*, repeat *to* until end, sl st to join to top of ch 3, fasten off. (208st)
Row 30: Join new color, ch 1, sc 208 around, sl st to join, fasten off. (208st) *block if desired or need
And that is all for part 1! Easy Peasy right! How do you like the texture? Isn't it lovely!
I look forward to next week when we will work on the head of the cow, which I think you will find surprisingly easy to do! Look for that post to come out on August 14th!
Have a wonderful week and please feel free to share progress photos in the VIP Facebook group! Remember I will be giving out a "Designer's Choice Award," for participation and interaction! I look forward to seeing your photos and hearing your feedback along the way!
Have a great week and feel free to invite your friends! It's never to late to join in on the fun!Until
Blessings,
Karen E.
Orchid and Bee's