Spiderweb Throw Blanket
With SpOOookY Season fast upon us again, I decided to revisit one of the greatest projects I think I’ve ever done:
My neighbor and friend, Kelli, reached out in 2024 to see if I could make something like the spiderweb blanket she’d seen online.
Honestly, it’s actually a really cool design: it’s basically a chevron pattern worked in a round, and then finished with lines of chain-stitching to create the web-effect on top.
You’ve probably even seen a version of this called the “Starburst Blanket” - same principle (Chevron crocheted in rounds), but with various color-swaps and usually no top chain-stitching.
The really fun thing about crocheting chevron is that you actually don’t have to just stick with the double crochet or traditional granny-clusters. You can eventually swap in more decorative crochet stitches for more dynamic effects - with a little bit of practice, of course (and a pen and pad to help keep track of your increases!).
But for the Spiderweb blanket I decided to stick with a solid double crochet, since this was my first go at making a full-sized blanket. It was easier to keep track of my stitch count - for the sake of my sanity! - and creates a little more warmth for later in the season.
Here in Kentucky, the weather has a habit to flipping on a dime starting around October and November; the year I was born my Dad and older brother didn’t trick-or-treat for more than a few houses… because it started sleeting!
I’m so glad I got the opportunity to really work this pattern! Even though I’d already dabbled with chevron I just never had a reason to really make anything with it before. I didn’t even realize it could be done with rounds - and in such a simpler way than I was imagining.
The only regret I really have about this one is that it took so long to finish; pretty much an entire year. My friend Kelli didn’t mind at all (she’s really sweet and super laid-back), but it bothers me because I don’t like to keep my clients waiting. Even for big projects.
But, sometimes you don’t really have a choice except to slow-down and take your time… especially for big projects.
Even if a pattern is surprisingly simple, the sheer size of it can create the bulk of your workload when you’re crocheting. And it’s important to be kind to your hands and wrists when working long projects, if you want to be able to crochet for long time.
Without getting into the nitty-gritty of it, at the time Kelli reached out with this project, I was actually really sad with everything; so sad I was actually planning to shutter the studio and stick with my then-day-job at Half-Price Books instead.
I was still in a really bad way at the time.
I just wanted to quit.
I’m really glad I didn't quit in the end: seeing the joy on Kelli’s face when the blanket was done, was just “chef’s kiss” perfection! And reminded me of one of the reasons I wanted to start this studio in the first place.
And I got to learn this amazing new pattern and style of crocheting. One that I’ve had more than a little fun experimenting with since then:
As of now these types of projects are mostly available for sale through my studio’s private collection in The Mending Room - where I keep all of my made to order goodies. And where client’s can opt to have their projects made in natural-fiber yarns, like cotton and wool, instead of the usual premium acrylic or poly-blends.
Some people have sensitive skin, allergies, or prefer to avoid extra micro-plastics whenever possible, and I aim to accommodate wherever I can.
Anything to keep my clients happy.
One happy customer! <3