Hey, lovely! Today I want to reveal a WIP that I have had in the works since late 2013. Mind you, my design career started in 2012, so this puppy has been waiting since the beginning of my designer days. I was just a baby! But I had a seed of an idea… And that seed grew into the LissMiss Blanket, the third blanket in my Linen Stitch Blanket Series.
You can now purchase this pattern on Etsy or Ravelry, or see the free version here!
Here are the first two blankets:
First let’s talk about how I planted that LissMiss seed.
My Knitting Days
Before I learned to crochet, I was a knitter! You may not have known that, but I taught myself to knit in college – from books, as YouTube was in its infancy – and one of the first things I made was something that I really connected with. I loved the bright, randomized colors and the geometric, striped look. This pattern was the No-Sew Mitered Square Afghan (an alternate construction method for the Psychedelic Square Afghan).
I worked it up using the no-sew tips from the Mason-Dixon Knitting site, but I never ended up mattress stitching everything together to finish. The colors and the design reminded me of my former self and I knew I had to create something to bring the pieces back to life.
In 2014, I dug those squares out of the UFO (unfinished object) bin, and crocheted them together. I even filled in granny squares on some of them that were incomplete, as I was a full-blown crocheter already at that time. I may have knitted my way through college, but after I graduated, I picked up a hook and never looked back.
Side note: If you want to watch me try to remember how to knit after over a decade of purely crochet every day, watch this YouTube video… It only took me 6 minutes to remember what to do.
So, here is how the squares looked all crocheted together. You can head to this blog post if you want to read about what it was like collaborating with my former self – and in a totally different craft at that! I made three of these blankets from the squares, and it was a delightful experience.
Crochet Mitered Square
In 2013, before I even thought to crochet my knitted mitered squares together, I was inspired to create my own linen stitch mitered square. I even named it after the concept – Linen Stitch Mitered Square (LSMS) turned to LissMiss, and the first little seed of the LissMiss Blanket was planted.
Here is the first prototype I made in 2013. I even posted about it on Instagram in November 2013! Seven years and it’s still in the works. After I made this prototype, the idea went into hibernation.
First Revival Attempt
In 2016, I tried to revive this project by working up some squares using Scheepjes Colour Crafter that I had on hand. I ended up with this sample, and I quite liked it!
I even took the time to write up some notes and work out the kinks on making the LissMiss Blanket completely no sew! You can use an invisible join like a mattress stitch type join, but I think the best and most seamless way to make the blanket is by having the design be 100% no sew.
You can read all about my experience working up these samples, here at this blog post. Pick up Scheepjes Colour Crafter at Wool Warehouse (affiliate link) or browse for a Scheepjes retailer near you!
Back to Present Day
Alright, the year is 2020 and I finally found the time to create my Linen Stitch Blanket Series, the third of which is my LissMiss Blanket. Finally! I had 1 ball of each color of Scheepjes River Washed XL in my stash, so I decided to use that, but it wouldn’t have been able to stretch very far for a blanket as the range has 22 colors at this time.
Side note: Remember when they added 8 new colors?? Check that blog post out! Super neat! These are the 8 new colors Scheepjes added to the River Washed range, but of course, I used River Washed XL in my LissMiss Blanket.
Also in my stash, I had a bunch of Scheepjes Cahlista, and the gears in my head started turning… Would they work together to help create a larger blanket thank I could make if I just used the River Washed XL alone? I couldn’t help but work up a sample with a size 5mm hook, and YEP they work beautifully together!
Shop Scheepjes River Washed XL
I used 1 ball of each color – 22 colors at the time of this project. All of these links are affiliate links. You can shop through them to help support CypressTextiles at no additional cost to you, or find a Scheepjes Retailer nearby.
Shop Scheepjes Cahlista
I estimate I will use 14 balls of color 106.
The marriage of River Washed XL and Cahlista was lovely, and I have enjoyed working on this blanket so much.
Work In Progress Photos
I took an abundance of photos of this blanket in progress, but here are a few selected ones. In the photo below, you can kind of see how the 4-square module comes together – totally no-sew!
The way that the bright crisp white Cahlista interacts with the artsy and mottled River Washed XL is really a sight to behold. The River Washed XL has a slight halo, and the smooth white cotton really contrasts that in a lovely way.
One of the things I love about River Washed is that no two colors are created equal. Some colors are two-tone, and some are solid. You can see details in this close-up of River Washed.
Isn’t this a beauty?? I’m in love!
And here is a photo of the blanket as it grows. I am just putting the colors completely randomly, and I’m digging it! When the blanket is finished, the white squares will make a nine-patch, so I will be going around this center piece with another round of mitered squares to finish up.
I love the close-up showing the texture of the miter.
The drape and texture of this blanket are amazing already. With the thicker weight yarns, it is already large enough to drape across my legs as I work on it. Even in the Houston heat, that is something I really enjoy – my favorite stage of a blanket in progress: the wearable stage!
Adding on to make that nine-patch of white squares. Can you see it taking shape?
Well, I hope you enjoyed a little sneak peek into the behind the scenes of the LissMiss Blanket that will be released as a free pattern – the third in my Linen Stitch Blanket Series – on Friday, 8/21.
Thank you for reading, and as always, Happy Crafting to you!
Rachele C.
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