Ira Rott - Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks: Create over 100 animal projects from 18 cute crochet blocks

Crochet

ANIMAL

BLANKETS AND BLOCKS

Ira Rott

Hello and welcome to the world of crochet animals! Get your yarn and hooks ready to dive into your happy place, making fun crochet projects for your family and friends.

This book features 18 animal blocks with fun 3D elements. You can incorporate them into several different projects, such as blankets, cushion covers, a toy storage bag, or a book bag and backpack. You can even use each block individually as a wall hanging or a doll blanket.

To inspire imagination, you can mix and match elements from different animal blocks, creating your own animal variations. For example, make a Horse using Unicorn, Bunny and Dog, or make a Bear using Sloth, Bunny and Lion (see ).

Finish a blanket using your favorite animal design or combine different blocks to make your projects fun and colorful. For a woodland theme, use the Fox, Raccoon, Bunny and Bear blocks. For a farm blanket, use the Pig, Cow, Sheep, Cat and Horse. Turn your room into a jungle with a cheerful blanket made from the Hippo, Monkey and Lion blocks. While the possibilities are endless, you may want to make 16 different animals and join them into a large 4 x 4 blocks blanket.

If you are not familiar with the stitches or techniques used in this book, be sure to check the Techniques section when you work on your projects. Ive included many tips and tricks along the way as well. Be happy and keep crafting!

All animal blocks and projects in this book have been assigned a level of difficulty based on the crochet stitches and techniques used for creating these designs Easy (1), Moderate (2) and Challenging (3). Pick a pattern that suits your skill level, and then move upto thenext level as you get more comfortable with your projects.

EASYBest choice for confident beginners. These patterns include basic and reverse crochet stitches, with simple repeats and easy assembly. Graphic elements in colorwork have simple shapes, with only 3 color sections per row.

MODERATEThese patterns have basic stitches, as well as some unique, yet easy to learn stitches: front post and back post stitches, popcorn stitch and picot. Assembling details may include more intricate sewing. Graphic elements in colorwork do not exceed 3 color sections per row.

CHALLENGINGGraphic elements in colorwork are more complex, with up to 7 color sections per row. Some patterns include loop stitch and crossed double crochet stitch. Sewing details could be more challenging in patterns with loop stitches.

Crochet patterns in this book are written using American (US) terminology. If you are accustomed to British terminology, you can convert the terms using our conversion chart (see ).

• Work in rows means Crochet a row of stitches, then turn your work to begin the next row. The patterns will specify which rows are right side (RS) or wrong side (WS) when this extra information is helpful or important.
• Work in the round means Begin with a magic ring/foundation ring or work along both sides of the foundation chain. Work with right side (RS) facing you, joining each round with a slip stitch in top of the beginning stitch.
• Work in spiral rounds means Begin with a magic ring/foundation ring. With right side (RS) facing, work the beginning stitch of each round into the first stitch of the previous round without joining. This creates a continuous spiral appearance of the rounds.

The total stitch count is indicated after the equal sign (=) at the end of each row/round. The beginning chain(s) might be counted as stitch(es) or not, as marked at the beginning of the rows/rounds. Some instructions apply to multiple rows/rounds. Example: Ch 2 (counts as dc now and throughout).

A crochet chart is an illustration that uses symbols to represent stitches which helps you visualize patterns. The beginning of the work in the charts is marked with a small black arrow, and each row/round is marked with a number. Different colors indicate yarn colors. To understand a chart, refer to the symbol key (see ). You can choose to follow a chart or a written pattern, or even use both. The charts shown in this book are for right-handed crochet and show your work on the right side (RS). Some charts may begin or end on the wrong side (WS).

Since crochet tension varies from person to person, its important to test and achieve the gauge of the pattern for accurate sizing and yarn requirements.

So what is the gauge? The gauge is a given number of stitches and rows per 4 x 4in (10 x 10cm) square, which regulates the size of your finished animal blocks. If you crochet too tightly, your blocks will turn out smaller and you will have yarn leftovers, but if you crochet too loosely, your blocks will be bigger and you may run out of yarn before you finish your project.

To test your gauge, make a swatch slightly larger than indicated, so you can comfortably measure it. Using a regular ruler or a gauge tool, simply measure and count the rows and stitches in your swatch, then compare your results to the gauge numbers provided in the pattern. You can use a larger or smaller size hook to obtain the gauge if necessary. Once youve calibrated the gauge, its important to keep it consistent as it will be hard to join your blocks if they vary in size. Its good practice to measure your stitches once in a while along the way to ensure consistency.

The yarn requirements provided for each animal block include a small amount of overage to ensure you have enough yarn for your project. However, you might need more or less yarn if your gauge is different. You will also need additional yarn to make some of the projects.

The animal patterns in this book indicate how much yarn you will need to complete 1 block, 4 blocks for a Small Blanket, 9 blocks for a Medium Blanket, and 16 blocks for a Large Blanket.