Baby Rainbow Sampler Blanket 2 (Part 11)

• The pattern for this blanket is long. To keep track of where you are, I’ve divided it into different parts. Each part introduces a new section with Techniques and also contains a crochet diagram.
• In most rows you’ll make a ch1 before turning your blanket. This is a turning chain and does not count as a stitch. If you find a ch1 is too small, you can also make a ch2. This depends on how tight you crochet.

The techniques are placed on a separate page. You can find them here:

• Popcorns
• Tulip stitch

The final section is made with popcorns. Enjoy!

We’ll finish this blanket's body with a final row of Tulip stitches. Maybe you have ideas on how to make this row truly your own. For example, with your favourite colours, or maybe with different colours in the same row, or maybe something else altogether?

Weave in all your ends, if you haven’t done that already.

Checking the shape

If you have the space and opportunity, I would recommend wet- or sprayblocking your blanket at this point. It helps to see where your blanket pulls inwards and possibly flares so you can counter this in your first couple of edging rows. If you don’t have the space, simply lay your blanket flat and have a look at whether and where it flares or pulls—write the section(s) down so you can refer to them when making the edging.

Blocking

After finishing Row 140, my Organicon blanket measured approximately 100 x 75cm (39 x 29½in). I blocked the blanket to around 115 x 85cm (45 x 33½in), but it’s more important for you to make it as rectangular as possible than to approximate my measurements (those might differ for everybody).

You can find a very extensive blocking tutorial here. Stretch the blanket to the point where you can pin it in a rectangular shape and where there are no ‘peaks’ forming where your pins are. If so, pin again and stretch the blanket a little less. Next, use a spray bottle with lukewarm water (and, optionally, some Eucalan) to make your blanket wet. Let it air dry, and then take out the pins.

The ideal scenario is that after you block your blanket, you remove the pins and leave it on the ground for another day so you can see the final shape once all external tension (from the pins) is removed. This gives you the best approximation of the final size of your blanket. After blocking, my Organicon blanket stretched back to approximately 110 x 80cm (43 x 31½in). The Catona one was slightly bigger.