To reiterate the introduction to my Changing the Blade on Your Rotary Cutter post from yesterday:
My mom loves to crochet edgings around receiving blankets to give as gifts. She keeps telling me how easy it is and that I should try it too but I’m stubborn and kept putting it off.
Last week, I received an email from Joann‘s saying Fleece was on sale so I decided to visit my local Joann’s to pick some up.
Below, you will find my free pattern and Ultra Cuddle Fleece fabric review. Enjoy!
*Side Note: Based on my experience with this fabric, I do not recommend the ultra cuddle fleece for a baby. It’s better for children 3 years and older.
Materials:
– *Ultra Cuddle Fleece – I used the licensed Star Wars #12033585 (Joann’s)
– Skip-Stitch Blade #1 (Skip-Stitch site)
– 45mm Fiskar’s Rotary Cutter (Joann’s)
– Self Healing Mat to Cut on (I didn’t have)
– 5mm Crochet Hook
– Worsted Weight Yarn – I used 45 yards of I Love This Yarn in Yellow & 90 yards of Red Heart Soft in Chocolate (I tried to match the colors in the blanket.)
– Tapestry Needle for Weaving in Ends and/or Sewing Needle for Foundation Blanket Stitch or sewing up any tears in fabric
– Ruler and/or Tape Measure
Notes on Supplies:
Skip Stitch Blade: There are three different sizes of skip stitch blades. I choose the Blade #1 because it states that it is “perfect for perforating fleece and similar fabrics…”
*For ultra cuddle fleece – I DO NOT RECOMMEND using the skip stitch blade. I recommend just using a hook with a semi-sharp end or using a needle and thread to create the blanket stitch. See notes on Ultra Cuddle Fleece below.
Ultra Cuddle Fleece: During my trip to Joann’s, I found it rather difficult to choose just two yards out of all of the great options available. My inspiration was my little cousins, Tyler and Madison. Tyler is obsessed with Star Wars hence the choice of the Star Wars fleece. Madison is a girly girl. You will see my choice for her tomorrow!
Along with all the great theme options, I also found five different types fleece. I am not a sewer or quilter and not really familiar with the different fabric types so to guide my choice, I took a look at the No Sew Throw kits to see which type of fleece they use. Then, I went back to the fleece. I decided to get a yard of the Anti Pill fleece (same as kits) and one yard of the Ultra Cuddle Fleece so I could test the differences myself.
You will find out about the Anti Pill Fleece in tomorrow’s post!
After completing all steps up to the crocheting of the foundation round, I found that the Ultra Cuddle Fleece is quite fragile if you will. The netting that holds it all together, is rather loose making it much easier to push the head of a not-so-dull crochet hook through WITHOUT the need for the perforation. I found that with the perforated holes, the fleece tended to tear. I felt like the hole time I was crocheting around the fleece, I had to be extra carefully not to tear the fleece further.
CONCLUSION: DO NOT USE SKIP STITCH BLADE on Ultra Cuddle Fleece. Rather, use a not-so-dull crochet hook to make the holes OR use a needle a thread to create a blanket stitch for the foundation.
Time Spent:
It took me approximately three hours to complete this blanket including the cutting, crocheting and sewing up of the torn areas.
Measurements:
Before adding the crocheted border, I cut the fleece to measure 44″ long by 33″ wide. I worked around the existing squares on the fleece.
After adding the crocheted border, the blanket measures 42″ long by 32″ wide.
**See the pattern below to find out why it got a little smaller.
Abbreviations:
SC – Single Crochet (Photo Tutorial)
ea – each
ST – stitch
sl st – slip stitch
CH – chain
Tutorial and Pattern:
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First, remove the fine print section. You will want to cut just inside of the color separation so you don’t get any of the white line. |
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After cutting the white section, I had to deal with the uneven-ness that I had received. Yuck! I wanted the blanket to be of full squares but because of the uneven squares – I had to rework it. |
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View of the other end of my evening attempt. |
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This is what the hole with look like. |
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Front view of first four stitches. After you attach your yarn: SC in the ST, CH 1, (SC in next ST, CH 1) across to corner. |
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Back view of first four stitches. |
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You will see my tail on the left side. To hide it, I pushed it up into the fold of the the fleece crocheted over both of them. |
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Front view of the first half of first side. |
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Reached the corner. |
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Back view of corner. |
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For this one, I folded over the excess fleece to crochet over. UPDATE: In my Crochet Edging for Anti Pill Fleece Toddler Blanket, I decided to cut this excess at an angle. |
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To work the corner: (You will have already worked one SC, CH 1), SC in same ST, CH 1, SC in same ST, CH 1. Then, (SC in next ST, CH 1) across to next corner. Repeat this process all the way around. |
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Then CH 1 to begin the next round. |
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You’ve finished the first round of your blanket! You can leave your blanket like this if you want. OR, you can continue on… |
Don’t Crochet but Interested in Purchasing an Ultra Cuddle Fleece Toddler Blanket with a Crocheted Edge?
Licensed fabrics are not to be used for commercial purposes so I will not be able to sell any of these Star Wars blankets but I am happy to make other blankets with the crocheted border. Find some options here: Ultra Cuddle Fleece, Anti Pill Fleece, I Love This Yarn (for border), Red Heart Soft (for border). Feel free to send in your custom requests! Visit my Etsy shop for other baby blankets!
Any licensed fabric blanket would be a great gift to donate to a local children’s hospital. Make sure to contact the volunteering department of the hospital first for rules and regulations for handmade items. I plan on making some to donate!
Here’s a preview of what’s to come tomorrow! Make sure to check back then!!
It will include a free pattern and fabric review.
This one is a sturdier, better option for babies (though made for my toddler aged cousin, Madison).
Linked Up To…
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Kitchen Fun and Craft Friday #28 – Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons
Wonderful Blog Hop #5 – A Mother’s Shadow
Yarn Fanatic Party #4 – The Philosopher’s Wife
Sharing Time Week 5 – Raising Memories
Creative Collection Link Party – Blooming Homestead / The Cards We Drew
Best DIY Projects and Recipes #19 – The 36th Avenue
Serenity Saturday #148 – Serenity You
Craft Schooling Sunday – Creative Jewish Mom
Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas, Inspiration Monday – Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
Grateful Heart Linky Party – It’s Overflowing
Think Pink Sunday No. 180 – Flamingo Toes
The Sunday Showcase No. 257 – By Stephanie Lynn
Thanks for sharing your blog is a great resource for me, I want to get back into knitting again!
Stopping by from the Lou Lou Girls party!!! If you are ever in need of a blog makeover I have some reasonably priced pre made blogger themes that will take the load off your pocket and save you time!!! I blog over at http://colorcrushcreativeblog.blogspot.com and my Design Studio on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/colorcrushcreative
Thanks have a great day!!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I'm still trying to work with the features and setting that Blogger has to offer. I'm not very tech savvy so it is a tiny challenge. I have visited your Etsy shop and soon will start venturing out into design things.
Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks for showing step by step what you did! (I might have to find some of that fleece for my hubby — he's a Star Wars fan.) 😉
They have a few different ones to choose from! I only saw two of them at my local Joann's store but I found many more on their online site. My suggestion is to pick the AntiPill Fleece over the Ultra Cuddle one that I picked. It's sturdier.