the coolest thing i've ever made?

You were expecting a white couch in my front yard, perhaps?

There is something so very deeply satisfying about crochet.  You can ask different crafters and get different answers; but, quite frankly, time-wise, you get a lot of bang for your buck.  I made Babette in a month.  That's how long it took me to make Ruby.  It took me longer to weave loose ends and write the pattern.  It also took me a while to decide whether I would release the pattern or not.  After searching the internets and countless on-line library catalogs (or OPACs for you library types) for a traditional granny hexagon pattern and coming up empty-handed, I made one up.  You can reverse engineer it, or, you can just use my pattern and save your time for working up your color combinations.

So, here she is.  This is, yet another, blanket that is not destined to cozy up my home, it was made for a really artistic friend who loves bright colors.  I think she will be pleased. I, too, am pleased, which means I will likely be making another one for my own abode...maybe two.

My friend wanted something that was "granny" but "not granny".  I knew what she meant.  I like hexagons, and I like to think of crocheted blankets as an opportunity to play with color, because these bright colors would never really occur to me on a normal occasion, I don't think.  And I like squares, but they are so...square, and hexagons are... awesome.

I worked on this blanket quite a bit traveling to Kansas City for the funeral of Special K's grandmother, Ruby, who was a pretty amazing crocheter, so the name seemed pretty appropriate.  When I finally finished this blanket, Special K said that it's "the coolest thing [I've] ever made."  Really?  Maybe.  Yes, okay.  I think so, too.

Pattern is up in Ravelry (probably the best place to download it).  Or you can download it here (it make take a while to download, there are a few pages).

This is my first crochet pattern.  In terms of skill, I am a much better knitter than I am a crocheter; but, I had some friends (thank you knitbloggers and flickr friends: Maryse, Bertha, Lauren, Anne and Emily) test the hexagon motif for me to ensure that my directions could, indeed, be duplicated.  The description for the edging is long-winded with (what I think are helpful) photos because, quite frankly, if I was doing it for the first time, I would want to be walked through it.  The edging is actually something I figured out after I finished the blanket.   Oh, decreases in the corner joins, of course!  I have listed the yarn and colors that I used; but, I have provided no color chart, because you should come up with your own combinations (that is really the *best* part of this project).  You are smart fiber folk, I am sure your will come up with all sorts of fabulousness.

There will likely be ways that the pattern could be made better, if you have constructive criticism, please let me know and I will update the pattern to reflect constructive user feedback.  So again, this is my first crochet pattern that I am putting out there for the masses, it is free, Happy January.  Be nice.  Have fun.

Comments

[Kelly]

awwwwwwwwwwwwesome! Thanks for the free pattern!

[Loribird]

You know how cool this pattern is?? It's so cool it's going to make me learn to crochet. I never really learned because there wasn't much I wanted to do with the skill... and suddenly I'm dying to do it! Thank you!!

[Kate]

Wow! That is one gorgeous blanket! Your friend will be thrilled.

[Melissa]

That is so beautiful! I think I'm going to have to suck it up and actually finish a project for once because my mind is telling me I need one of these. Thanks for sharing!

[Jennifer]

Love it! Awesome job!

[Sonja]

You've made a beautiful blanket there. What a treasured gift it will be!

[luvinthemommyhood]

I'm obsessed and in love with this blanket! Great job on the pattern! I cannot wait to make it! I added this to our “link luv roundup” today! Come by for a peek!
http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2010/02/link-luv-roundup_24.html

[Julie Bogrett]

Love the little face hiding in the folds of the afghan, beautiful baby! thank you for the pattern and gorgeous pictures!

[Marlena]

Gorgeous! Learning to crochet is on my list of things to do, for the sole purpose of making a blanket. So this is perfect!

[Ella]

It IS gorgeous! Thank you for the pattern. I finished mine a few days ago, and photos are up at Flickr, in Hexagon Love, at sparksella's photostream. http://www.flickr.com/photos/46896219@N02/5077040392/in/pool-464932@N23/

Maybe it's time now to start a new Flickr group, dedicated to the Ruby!
Again, Nova, thanks.
Ella, Arizona, USA, Oct 13, 2010

[Antivirus_man]

You write well will be waiting for your new publications.

[JOBS_frend]

Hi, I congratulate you on Merry Christmas!

[school_dubl]

Interesting site, always a new topic .. good luck in the new 2011. Happy New Year!

[Rental]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, a cool site I like

[alona arobas]

beautiful pattern!
i'm injoying crocheting this pattern this days.
i sent you an email today ( second time..) to ask your permission to translate this pattern to hebrew in my blog(:http://www.tapuz.co.il/blog/userBlog.asp?FolderName=alonaarobas)with a link to this post of course!
hope you'll accept my request.
alona arobas

[rachel mizrahe]

thak you

[alona arobas]

thanks to your pattern - look what i have;
http://www.tapuz.co.il/blog/ViewEntry.asp?EntryId=2069113 :-)

[cecile]

That is great ! Thank you so much for taking the time to write and for sharing your pattern.

[flash games online]

This blanket really reflects the heart and energy you put into projects ... something I really admire. The design and colors you created are wonderful. Id love to make one someday.
+1

[Liz Connelly]

I would love the pattern they look brilliant

[Vicki]

So gorgeous. Thank you for all the time and energy you put into making such a comprehensive pattern.