MERRY MONOCHROME

Ring the changes this Christmas with home projects in striking black, white and gold

BLISS BLANKET Take a break from the preparations (or the festivities!) and snuggle up under a graphic throw with golden tassels. Mosaic crochet is having a moment right now.

GRAPHIC GARLAND Glow up a dull corner with a touch of glitz and glamour. We’ve given bunting a Yuletide twist with metallic stars and tassels. Can you stop at just one string?

STARRY SNOWFLAKE Catching snowflakes is a pastime to cherish. Our cushion will add class to your sofa, with a surface crochet snowflake and a gorgeous gold star as its crowning glory.

WREATHED IN SMILES Now here’s a holly hanging to make any minimalist’s heart sing. Make as many or as few classy embroidered holly leaves as you like, we’re not here to judge.

GOLDEN GIFTS Some lucky person could find this little sack full of presents from Santa sitting at the end of their bed on Christmas morning. Quite a sight to behold.

BLISS BLANKET

What’s better than a crochet blanket? A belter of a graphic blanket from mosaic crochet supremo Esme Crick, that’s what

■ Yarn And Colors Must-Have (100% cotton; 50g/125m) , 10 balls of Yarn A Black (100 ), 8 balls of Yarn B White (001)

■ Yarn And Colors Glamour (100% polyester; 20g/158m), 5 balls of Yarn C Gold (089)

■ A 4mm (US G/6) hook

■ Cardboard, 12cm long

TENSION

Tension is not critical, but it may affect the yarn quantities required

MEASUREMENTS

Blanket measures approx 90x117cm (35½x46in) excluding tassels

ABBREVIATIONS

mtr Tr in skipped st 3 rows below, working in front of the ch-sps of the previous 2 rows. For a full list, see page 78

NOTES

Parts of this pattern are worked using the mosaic method. Instead of changing colour mid-row, you will skip sts and work a ch-sp where a different colour is required. Then on the next row that uses that colour you will work mosaic sts into the skipped sts, working in front of the ch-sps of the previous rows. You can find tutorials on this technique here: www.gathered.how/knitting-and-crochet/crochet/how-to-mosaic-crochet There is a Chart on page 79, which you will need to refer to when working the mosaic sections. Read each row twice, once from right to left for the RS row and once from left to right for the WS row. Change colour at the end of WS row. If a second colour appears on the row, you will need to skip the number of sts shown in that colour and work a ch for each skipped st plus 1. For example, if you skip 2 sts you will make a ch3. On the next row using that colour you will work an mtr into each skipped st. The first few rows of the Chart have been written out to guide you.

On the mosaic sections, rather than fastening off, carry the unused strands up the side of your work ready to use again when directed. You can work over the carried strands when making the Border.

MOSAIC BLANKET

Using Yarn A, ch171.

Row 1 (RS) Dc in bl of second ch from hook, dc in bl of each ch to end, turn. [170 sts]

Rows 2-4 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in each st to end, turn.

Change to Yarn B.

When working from the Chart, work sts 1-72, then work the rep section twice before working the final 2 sts.

Row 5 (RS) Ch1, 1dc, ch2, skip 1 st, 4dc, *ch3, skip 2 sts, 4dc; rep from * to last 2 sts, ch2, skip 1 st, 1dc, turn.

Row 6 Ch1, 1dc, ch2, skip ch-2 sp, 4dc, *ch3, skip ch-3 sp, 4dc; rep from * to last ch-2 sp, ch2, skip ch-2 sp, 1dc, turn.

Change to Yarn A.

Row 7 Ch1, 1dc, 1mtr, (2dc, ch3, skip 2 sts, 2mtr) twice, ch3, skip 2 sts, 2dc, 2mtr, ch3, skip 2 sts, 2dc, *(2mtr, 2dc, ch3, skip 2 sts) twice, (2mtr, ch3, skip 2 sts, 2dc) twice; rep from * to last 2 sts, 1mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 8 Ch1, (dc in each dc and mtr to ch-sp, ch3, skip ch-sp) rep across to end, turn.

Change to Yarn B.

Row 9 Ch1, 1dc, ch4, skip 3 sts, 2mtr, 2dc, ch3, skip 2 sts, 2mtr, 2dc, 2mtr, ch3, skip 2 sts, 2dc, 2mtr, *ch3, skip 2 sts, 2dc, (ch3, skip 2 sts, 2mtr, 2dc) twice, 2mtr, ch3, skip 2 sts, 2dc, 2mtr; rep from * to last 4 sts, ch4, skip 3 sts, 1dc, turn.

Rows 10-36 Cont in patt set, using the Chart as you work.

Cont with Yarn A.

Rows 37-38 Ch1, dc in each st across, turn. Change to Yarn B.

Rows 39-238 As Row 37, changing colour every 4 rows between Yarn A and Yarn B.

Rows 239-272 Rep Rows 5-38.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

BORDER

Work with 2 strands of Yarn C held together as one throughout.

With RS facing, join Yarn C in first st in the top right-hand corner.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 1dc in each st to last st on top, (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in last st (corner made), rotate work 90 degrees, (1dc in next 3 row-ends, skip next row-end) rep to end of long side, (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in first st on bottom edge, 1dc in each st to last st on bottom edge, (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in last st, rotate work 90 degrees, (1dc in next 3 row ends, skip next row end) rep to end of long side, (1dc, ch2) in same st as first dc, ss to first dc, turn.

Round 2 (WS) Ch1, *(1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 sp, 1dc in each st to next ch-2 sp; rep from * around to end, ss to first dc.