Crochet Bobble Textures Blanket Stitch Along + Tutorial

Crochet Fall Stitch Along 2020

The Crochet Bobble Texture Blanket and Pillow is intended to give you the encouragement of new skill-building of creating your blanket. There are 5 distinct sections that include the following:

1. Ridge and Loop Stitch – 12″ tall section.
2. Bobble Stitch Diamonds – 10″ tall section.
3. Diamond Trellis – 12″ tall section.
4. Loop Stitch Diamonds – 10″ tall section.
5. Ridge and Cables – 12″ tall section
6. Border is 1.5″ thick.

The blanket is 46″ x 57.5″. The pillow is 14″ x 24″. The stitch sampler-based blanket is considered an intermediate level and the pillow is an easy level. Crochet written instructions, diagrams and video tutorials will compliment this series filmed for JOANN.

Alternative Stitches for Loop Stitches

There were requests for people who don’t like the Loop Stitch to have a different option. Erin, the designer, has come up with an alternative for where the loop stitching is. She did testing swatches to ensure. Fair warning, this results in increasing your yarn quantities. 

You can print or save the designer’s diagram by clicking on the pictures. 

Week 1 – Alternative (2 Choices)

Chain Stitch

You could create the loops by working a ch-6 between single crochet stitches instead of the loop stitches and then pushing those chains to the right side of the work, but this will significantly increase the yardage requirements. I have sketched this option in row 4 of the Ridge and Loop Stitch Pattern below and similarly in the 18^th row of the Loop Stitch Diamond Pattern.

Treble Crochet

The treble crochet stitch in place of the loop stitches will form subtle bobbles. When they are worked between single crochet stitches, the extra length of the treble crochet stitch will get squished down to stick out of the fabric (the bump should be pushed to the right side of the work), forming little nubbly bobbles. This will only work when they are used with at least one single crochet stitch before and at least one after them, so instead of working 1 treble crochet for each loop stitch, you would have to work 1 treble crochet stitch for a loop stitch and then 1 single crochet stitch for the next loop stitch- continuing in this way, alternating 1 treble crochet and 1 single crochet, along the row where the loops stitches are patterned. I have sketched this option in row 4 of the Ridge and Loop Stitch Pattern below and similarly in the 18^th row of the Loop Stitch Diamond Pattern.

Week 4 – Alternative (2 Choices)

Chain Stitch

You could create the loops by working a ch-6 between single crochet stitches instead of the loop stitches and then pushing those chains to the right side of the work, but this will significantly increase the yardage requirements. I have sketched this option in row 4 of the Ridge and Loop Stitch Pattern below and similarly in the 18^th row of the Loop Stitch Diamond Pattern.

Treble Crochet

The treble crochet stitch in place of the loop stitches will form subtle bobbles. When they are worked between single crochet stitches, the extra length of the treble crochet stitch will get squished down to stick out of the fabric (the bump should be pushed to the right side of the work), forming little nubbly bobbles. This will only work when they are used with at least one single crochet stitch before and at least one after them, so instead of working 1 treble crochet for each loop stitch, you would have to work 1 treble crochet stitch for a loop stitch and then 1 single crochet stitch for the next loop stitch- continuing in this way, alternating 1 treble crochet and 1 single crochet, along the row where the loops stitches are patterned. I have sketched this option in row 4 of the Ridge and Loop Stitch Pattern below and similarly in the 18^th row of the Loop Stitch Diamond Pattern.

Yarn Quantities

During the filming, I used more yarn than suggested in the pattern for the Bernat Symphony. Though the pattern calls for 8 balls, I would buy 9. The sizing of the loop stitch is dependent on your fingers and how your tension is, you could be like me and use more yarn due to having loose tension or your fingers are thicker than the original designers.

This Bernat Symphony and Bernat Freesia is only available at select JOANN Retail Location. For the USA, you may order through JOANN.com to have it delivered.

For those in Canada, Bernat Symphony and Bernat Freesia will be available on Yarnspirations.com for home delivery as it won’t be available in Canadian Stores at this time. An exact date is not known as the yarn is in transit to the distribution centres of Yarnspirations at this time.

Bernat Symphony Version 

This version doesn’t have you change colours for each suggested time. You simply crochet until your heart’s content and then dive into the next ball. This will self-stripe your afghan.

Bernat® Symphony™ (7.9 oz/225 g; 309 yds/282 m)

• Sea Spray (21006) 8 balls (I would buy 9 balls if I were you.)

Bernat Velvet Version

This version requires you to change out your yarn colours to match the sample. However, the colour changing is subjective to you.

Bernat® Velvet™ (10.5 oz/300 g; 315 yds/288 m)

• Contrast A Indigo Velvet (32007) 3 balls
• Contrast B Softened Blue (32008) 2 balls
• Contrast C Velveteal (32005) 2 balls

Bernat Freesia Version

This also requires you to change your colours to match the sample. Colour changing is indicated on the pattern.

Bernat® Freesia™ (7.9 oz/225 g; 309 yds/282 m)

• Contrast A Indigo (24007) 4 balls
• Contrast B Vanilla (24002) 3 balls
• Contrast C Frosted Pine (24006) 3 balls

Hook and Gauge

• 

  Size U.S. K/10.5 (6.5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

• Gauge for the Bernat Symphony – 11 sc and 12 rows = 4″ [10 cm].
• Gauge for the Bernat Velvet and Bernat Freesia –

  10 sc and 11 rows = 4″ [10 cm].

Join The Group

Follow the journey with others who are playing along with this Stitch Along. This group is only dedicated to these particular discussions. There are currently almost 24,000 participants.

Each Section Builds On – No Sewing

The 5 sections continually build up. So there is no sewing. However, you should know that the week 1 foundation chain works for all 5. It’s multiple is 12+28. This will give you 124 chains to start.

1st Row: (RS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 123 sc. 

It’s the 123 single crochet (sc) that makes this work for all 5. There’s a further opportunity. 

Mix & Match

We learned in the Spring Stitch Along with the mosaic that you love to mix and match. The designer has given you the power to know the stitch multiples for each section. Just keep in mind, if you mix and match, you will change your yarn quantities, however, I still think it’s great to know.

Each of the sections gives you the stitch multiples for the individual stitch itself. If you really love one of the sections, you can do it as a solo blanket too. However, if you want to mix and match with the other sections, the 123 sc across needs to be maintained.

Each section has it’s own stitch multiples if starting from scratch. It’s also covered in the tutorials in each introduction for the section.

Stitch Along Knit Version

As usual in the fall, JOANN also has a Knit version of the Stitch Along. This blanket is completely different in approach and has neat stitchwork that includes chevron and entrelac knit techniques.

Hosted by Marly Bird. You can find out more information about the Knit Version Here. This is the Chevron and Entrelac Knit Blanket.

Please note that The Crochet Crowd is not collecting photos for the knitting versions. 

Giveaways

The giveaways are now complete.

We will have two giveaway draw categories with 5 prizes of each. See our general guidelines at the bottom of this article for more information. Each of these categories will deviate from the yarn quantities if you don’t follow the pattern exactly.

Category Baby Blanket Size

• Complete a baby size blanket of using a minimum of 3 or 4 sections using the 123 sc across in the 1st row.
• You may mix and match the 3 or 4 sections or if you love 1 section a lot, just do it 3 or 4 times. You must complete the sections as written.
• Add the final border as noted in the pattern.
• You may leave off the fringe if you want to.
• If you opt to do 4 sections, this will fall under this category as well.

Category Full Blanket Size

• Complete a full-size blanket of using a minimum of 5 or more sections using the 123 sc across in the 1st row.
• You may mix and match the 5 sections. You may do all 5 sections to be the same section as well. You must complete the sections as written.
• Add the final border as noted in the pattern.
• You may leave off the fringe if you want to.

Prizes include and official Crochet Crowd Weekender Yarn Tote Duffle and other goodies.

See the bottom of the article for how to submit and general guidelines. 

About the Designer

From the same knit and crochet designer, Erin Black, from Ontario Canada. Erin is the same designer that did the Crochet Mosaic Woven Blanket we did with JOANN back in Spring 2020.

Erin is known for layers and really pushing boundaries of textured concepts. Behind the scenes, she’s engaging and really helpful. She shows courage in pushing challenges for us crocheters that help us build up our skills.

VIDEOS

Main Introduction

Tutorials

Provided in Left & Right Formats. Closed Captioning provided by Diane Suder. Each section took Mikey about 4+ hours to complete. 

Week 1 – September 14, 2020

Week 2 – September 21, 2020

Week 3 – September 28, 2020

Week 4 – October 05, 2020

Week 5 – October 12, 2020

Week 6 – October 19, 2020

Bonus Pattern – Pillow

Release Date To Be Determined

Giveaway General Guidelines

• There is no sign up required to participate. Complete the project and email your photo when you are done. This challenge is open to all Crochet Crowd Community Members.
• You may use any yarn you wish. You may create any colour scheme. Use as many or as little colours as you prefer.
• You may do as many projects as you wish. If multiple entries are identical, a picture showing the projects together to prove there are multiple must be included with your submissions.
• We require your photo to show the entire project so we know the entire project is done. Ensure your project is completely finished with yarn tails and etc not showing. It’s like giving it out as a gift, we want to see the photo showing as if you were gifting us the finished product. This way we know you are completely done.

If you are changing your hook size or yarn, we are still looking for the pattern to be the same.

• All photos must be submitted during the challenge time frame only. Entries after this due date will be accepted for our gallery but there are no prize giveaways after the deadline.
• Your Choice: Post your finished project on The Crochet Crowd Facebook Page to show everyone your finished work so we can drool over your creativity.
• When you email your finished photo to us, we respect your privacy and will only post your first and last name on the picture in our gallery with the photo so we can identify the winner at the end.
• Featuring on Facebook is dependent on you. We do not upload your emailed photos to Facebook. You have to do that yourself if you want to Show N Tell your creativity.
• We are not responsible for undelivered email and/or late entries to qualify for the prize.
• Due to the countless technology platforms and services, we are not responsible for any of our challengers if mobile devices or technology that isn’t compliant to being able to read our website, view our videos and/or get access to the free patterns.
• All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
• Please verify your entry is in our gallery prior to our draw. We need up to 4 days to get your entry into our gallery. We upload it ourselves as part of our review process. If you do not see your entry, we most likely haven’t received your email. Do not wait until after the draw to check if your entry is in. 

This is intended for a fun community challenge only. We each are deserving of the highest praise possible for our own creativity. Let’s have fun.

How to Submit

Please read the guidelines below to understand what we are looking for.

Send your photo to us through email to [email protected]

• Use Subject Line: Bobble Textures (PLEASE STATE WHAT SIZE YOU ARE ENTERING)
• In the email leave us the following information.
  • Your Full Name
  • Your Mailing Address
• We will not be adding your name or email to our database.

We are accepting entries from Oct 26, 2020, to Nov 30, 2020 at 11:00 pm ADT. 

You can email at any time. 

• We will email you if something is questioned in your photo.
• You will not hear from us if your email didn’t get to us. So if you don’t see your entry after 4 days of submission, it means we haven’t received it.

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