I had to look at a lot of pics of dolphins, change the facial features several times before I finally settled on my final design. And, of course, during the midst of working on this blanket, I got sick again and had to go on another round of antibiotics -- 2nd time in the past few weeks!!! Sickness interferes with life and really interferes with crocheting...lol. But, I'm thankful for God's blessings. I'm not suffering or in pain like so many today who are battling for their very life. So, without more rambling, let's get to the FREE pattern.
Dolphin Blanket
The blanket itself is fashioned using the C2C (Corner-2-Corner) Method of crocheting with HDC stitches and chain 5. There's the added bonus of the hoodie and the blanket will nestle inside of the hoodie to transform into a pillow. Versatility - I just love that word!!!
Materials:
--9mm hook
--(3) 220 yd skeins of Bernat Blanket Yarn in Country Blue
--(1) 220 yd skein of Bernat Blanket Yarn in Dark Grey
--small amount of Bernat Blanket Yarn in Charcoal and White for the eyes and brows (if you do not have this on hand, then I would opt for worsted weight yarn since the amount needed is so small)
--small amount of polyfil for the top fin (I think the fin would be fine with or without the polyfil but I did add a small amount)
--small amount of coordinating thread (I used invisible thread)
--optional button to attach at neck to wear as cape
--optional button to attach at neck to wear as cape
--tapestry needle for weaving
Abbreviations:
MR: magic ring
Ch: chain
Sl st: slip st
St: stitch
SC: single crochet
HDC: half double crochet
Dec: decrease
FO: fasten off
Special Method: C2C (Corner-2-Corner) with HDC and ch 5. If you are not familiar with this method, the following website link has the best tutorial I have seen, thus far, for teaching C2C. If C2C isn't your cup of tea, then you could work the blanket in back and forth rows, until it measures 36" x 36".
thecrochetcrowd.com
Directions:
Blanket portion:
1. With Country Blue, I made 29 increase rows, using HDC stitches and ch5.
2. I then switched to Dark Grey yarn, and completed 3 increase rows.
3. I switched back to Country Blue, and started the decrease rows. There are 31 decrease rows.
Border:
1. With Country Blue yarn, I SC evenly around the perimeter of the blanket, adding 3 SC stitches into each corner. Before completing the last stitch, I switched to the Dark Grey yarn. Sl st to first SC and Ch1.
2-3. HDC in each st around. Sl st to join to first st and Ch1. At the end of Round 3, FO and weave ends.
Your blanket now will measure approximately 39" x 39".
Optional: add a button at the top side to wear as a cape
Hoodie Portion:
On this blanket, I made the hoodie separate and then whipstitched it to the top of the blanket. So, I'm going to give you directions for making it separate, then attaching OR making it directly across the top of the blanket. Please note: if you want your hoodie to be smaller or bigger, then just alter how many stitches you will need to achieve the size you want. Personally, I don't want the blankets to have a snug hoodie; I like it slouchy. But, again, this is my personal preference.
Making it Separate:
1. With Dark Grey yarn, Ch46. HDC into 2nd ch from hook and across. Ch1 and turn. (45)
2. HDC in each st across. Before completing last st, switch to Country Blue yarn. Ch1 and turn. (45)
3-12. With Country Blue yarn, HDC in each st across. Ch1 and turn. On the last st of Row 12, switch to Dark Grey before completing. Ch1 and turn. (45)
13-14. With Dark Grey yarn, HDC in each st across. Ch1 and turn. At the end of Row 14, FO, leaving a long tail to whipstitch Row 14 to make the hoodie. However, do not fold and make the hoodie yet.
If making separate, then you will want to lay the RS (right side) of the hoodie across the top row of the RS of the blanket. Whipstitch the first row of the hoodie to the blanket to attach. FO and weave ends.
Now, you are ready to fold RS (right side) in half and whipstich Row 14 together to form hoodie. Then turn RS out.
Making it Attached:
To accomplish this, count the number of stitches across your top (mine was 85). And, I know from making quite a few animal blankets recently that I like the hoodie to be a little big (slouchy) on the child so I need it to be about 45 HDC st across in length.
1. So, count over 20 stitches and join Dark Grey yarn in stitch #21 with a sl st and ch1. Then HDC into same st as Ch1 and into the next 44 and turn. ( you are skipping the first 20 st and leaving the last 20 st unworked across the top). (45)
2. HDC in each st across. Before completing last st, switch to Country Blue yarn. Ch1 and turn. (45)
3-12.
With Country Blue yarn, HDC in each st across. Ch1 and turn. On the
last st of Row 12, switch to Dark Grey before completing. Ch1 and
turn. (45)
13-14. With Dark Grey yarn, HDC in each st across. Ch1 and turn. At the end of Row 14, FO, leaving a long tail to whipstitch Row 14 to make the hoodie. Fold RS (right side) in half and whipstich Row 14 together to form hoodie. Then turn RS out.
Top Fin
Side Fins/Gloves
Top Fin and Side Fins (make 6):
Top Fin: use Country Blue yarn
Side Fins: use Dark Grey yarn
1. With yarn, Ch11. HDC in 2nd ch from hook and across. Ch1 and turn. (10)
2. Dec first 2 stitches by joining together, HDC in the next 6 st and dec the last 2 stitches together. Ch1 and turn. (8)
3. 1 HDC in each st across. Ch1 and turn. (8)
4. Dec first 2 stitches by joining together, HDC in the next 4 st and dec the last 2 stitches together. Ch1 and turn. (6)
5. 1 HDC in each st across. Ch1 and turn. (6)
6. Dec first 2 stitches by joining together, HDC in the next 2 st and dec the last 2 stitches together. Ch1 and turn. (4)
7. 1 HDC in each st across. Ch1 and turn. (4)
8. Dec first 2 stitches, dec last 2 stitches. Ch1 and turn. (2)
9. Dec 2 stitches together. FO. Leave a long tail. (1)
For Top Fin (2):
1. Take the 2 completed Fins and lay RS together. Whipstitch around. Before completing the last side, turn RS out and stuff with a small amount of polyfil. Finish whipstitching to close up.
For Top Fin Placement: I lined it up so that the point of the Fin touched Row 14 of the hoodie. (see pic for guidance)
For Side Fins (4):
1. Take 2 completed Fins and lay RS together. (You will be working the sides from the pointed end upward.) Whipstich up each side from Row 9 to Row 1. Leave the top section across open. This is so the Side Fins can be used as gloves.
For Side Fins Placement: I measured 16" down each side of the blanket and attached. (Please make sure to test this out with your child, if possible, for appropriate Fin placement.)
Eyes (make 2):
With Black yarn, 8 HDC into MR. Sl st to join. FO, leaving a tail long enough for attaching. I embroidered white at the center of the eye into one of the HDC stitches. (see pic)
Eyebrows (make 2):
With Black yarn, Ch10. Sl st into 2nd ch from hook and across. FO, leaving a tail long enough for placement. (see pic)
Nose (make 2 - 1 in Country Blue and 1 in Dark Grey):
1. 8 HDC into MR. Sl st to join. Ch1. (8)
2-5. 1 HDC into each st around. Sl st to join. Ch1. At the end of Round 5, FO, leaving a long enough tail for attaching. (8)
Nose Assembly:
1. First, I laid the Country Blue Nose on top of the Dark Grey Nose and whipstitched together at the open end.
2. Next, you will want to close the gap. Working around the sides and the front, I used invisible thread to sew the 2 sections together.
3. Last, I embroidered Black yarn around the sides and front of where the 2 sections were joined together. I also, used invisible thread to sew over the Black yarn for extra security. (see pic)
4. As you can see in the pics, I placed the nose, center front with it overhanging approximately 2".
And, that's it. You are done!!! Your finished Dolphin Blanket will measure approximately 50" from top of hood to base of blanket.
Legal:
--don't claim pattern as your own
--don't use my pics
--you may make and/or sale your finished work; it is your work after all
--please link back to my blog and not post my pattern directly on any websites
Contact Info:
email: rilla2u@gmail.com
blog: rilla2u.blogspot.com
Instagram, Ravelry, Pinterest: rilla2u (hashtag #rilla2u if you make this and share on Instagram)
Facebook: /rillaedwards
Facebook Page: Crocheting & Crafting
Feel free to comment or drop me an email; I typically respond same day, unless there's an emergency or I'm sick. I understand how important questions can be and how important answers to those questions can be as well.
I'd love to see my pins getting Re-pinned on Pinterest (so please HELP me; I'd be forever grateful and appreciative) and hopefully gain a following on my social media sites. I do try to keep my patterns in simplicity form and free so that everyone can enjoy them. I do, however, have 2 patterns that are on Etsy for a price because of the work put into them.
Happy Crocheting...
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