How to Crochet a Colorful, Wavy, Striped Baby Blanket

    This is a project that I started in 9th grade during the week of spring break. I made this blanket because I was inspired by a book of crochet patterns that my family had given me for my birthday. This was a really fun project and it made me feel satisfied when I finished it!

   My Answers to the Make-To-Learn Contest:

1. What Did You Make?
     This is supposed to be a baby blanket, but you I made it bigger than the pattern suggested without buying extra yarn. I used a size "H" crochet hook and 7 skeins of Carons baby yarn in different colors. It works best if you use bright colors because the waves will really pop out that way, but pastels would probably work as well.

2. How Did You Make It?
     I got the idea for this blanket from a book of beginner crochet patterns that I received for my birthday. I wanted to try it because I had never done a blanket before, and the pattern only called for single stitch, the most basic stitch in crocheting. My mom and dad bought me the yarn to work on the blanket. At first, I couldn't understand the pattern; my mom suggested that I show it to my grandma, who was really good at crocheting. Grandma was able to figure out the pattern, and she even decided to make a blanket like mine as well. Thoughout the week of spring break, my grandma and I got to spend a lot of bonding time together. My grandma died last summer, so these memories have become even more special to me.
     I was going to make this a baby blanket, but I ended up making it long enough for an adult to use.

3. Where Did You Make It?
     Most of the time, I worked on the blanket at my house. However, when my grandma got really sick last summer, my family and I went down to see her and I took my blanket with me. In fact, I finished the blanket away from home.

4. What Did You Learn?
     I feel like I learned several things while making this blanket. One thing I learned was that crocheting a blanket takes a lot of time and patience! I also learned that crocheting is a great way to bond, whether you are learning from someone else or teaching another person to crochet. The thing I am the proudest of about my blanket is the waves on the blanket. If I could do it over again, I would have finished it earlier so that my grandma could have seen it completed before she died. I know that she would have been pleased that she taught me so much when she taght me how to crochet that baby blanket!

Step 1: Step 1

You will need a size "H" crochet hook, a pair of scissors, and a tapestry needle. Also, if you have problems counting rows, you may want to buy some plastic markers(like the ones in the picture) to help you count the rows. If you do not know how to crochet or are unsure of how to do a certain stitch, visit http://crochet.about.com/od/learntocrochet/tp/crochet-for-beginners.htm. Chain a number of stitches that is divisible by thirteen. Every thirteen stitches is one wave. Make sure to keep your stitches loose. Add one extra stitch to the end of the chain.

Step 2: Step 2

Row 1: Single stitch 5, then in the next stitch, single stitch three. SIngle stitch 5 again as normal. Skip 2 stitches and start the pattern again. Congratulations! You have completed your first wave! Repeat this pattern to the end of the row and complete 5 more rows in the same color. Using a new color, make six more rows the same way that you did the previous 6 rows. Repeat this pattern until you have reached the desired length.