JOANN Stitch Along Spring 2020
Designed by Erin Black for Yarnspirations, and used as the JoAnn Stitch-a-long Spring 2020 pattern, the gift-worthy Woven Pattern Mosaic Crochet Blanket is a beautiful single-piece afghan made up of a sampling of various mosaic crochet stitches. At an ‘intermediate’ skill level, this is the perfect project to relax & unwind all while learning a new technique to add to your crochet toolbox; or if you’re an entry level crocheter this project is a great opportunity to advance your skillset. Read on for an overview of the Woven Mosaic Blanket Pattern and download the pattern to make one yourself!
My Experience
It was May 2020, peak pandemic, and I needed a nice big project to fill my new-found free time. The Woven Pattern Mosaic Crochet Blanket was my first introduction to the concept of a stitch-a-long, and I loved the idea. Although for me it was less of a ‘stitch-along’ and more of a ‘print the entire pattern’ situation, because (of course) the event had ended by the time I had found it… One of these days I will participate in an active CAL!
Anyway, I drove myself to JoAnn’s (essential store FTW!) to stock up on yarn, where I patiently waited a solid hour and change in the hot Florida sun just to get into the store. Do you guys remember doing that? Waiting in line to get into any given store (that was ‘essential’ and allowed to be open) because they lowered their capacity to like 5 people. That was absolutely nuts… what a time to be alive. I digress.
The wait was worth it though. I got everything I needed to make what would become my favorite project I ever made.
I had been on a bit of a creative hiatus pre-panini, and this was the project that reignited my passion for crochet. It is also the first thing I made that I truly love & gets regular use. This pattern really helped me learn the ropes of mosaic crochet, which is now arguably one of my favorite things to create. You can make so many cool designs with it, and the options are truly endless.
The mosaic technique is fun to do, and once you get the hang of it and the pattern you’re working on, you can really get into that flow of nice rhythmic, meditative crochet. It also allows the project to be worked into one solid piece, resulting in an end product that has a fabric with a tighter weave; Which means a cozy & warm blanket, with no big holes for your toes to stick through!
Pattern Overview
This pattern will teach you four different stitches using the mosaic crochet technique:
- Stacked Blocks
- Zig-Zag Mosaic Pattern
- Chevron Chain
- Offset Squares
- Standing Tiles
Because the Woven Mosaic Crochet Blanket was released as a stitch-a-long, the pattern is broken down into four separate weeks. Week 1 will show you the Stacked Blocks & Zig-Zag Mosaic Pattern stitches. Week 2 will go over the Chevron Chain Mosaic. Week 3 will see you learning Offset Squares, and Standing Tiles. The fourth and final week will have you revisit Stacked blocks, and show you how to edge and finish your new blanket.
Check out week 1 of the video tutorials to get an idea of what you can expect from this pattern.
I’ve seen some really beautiful examples of this blanket worked in all sorts of colors. Most notably was a creator whose MC was a bright teal, and their C1 was a rich coral color. Playing with the colors on this blanket can absolutely transform it, and it is very easy to put your own personal touch on it. I have also seen a lot of crocheters who are not fans of tassels omit them completely and either finish the blanket with a SC border around the whole thing, or create their own edging entirely.
The pattern also includes several stitch charts. Personally, trying to read a crochet stitch chart is like trying to read music, Russian, a calculus textbook… I just don’t get it. It’s a language made up of symbols I just don’t understand. I mean, I get the concept but I just don’t have the patience to sit and study a chart when I’m in the mood to create!
If you are one of the magical unicorns that does prefer to read a stitch chart, or just like to have it to reference while working, this pattern includes all the charts you’ll need to learn each of the specialty mosaic stitches.
Don’t be intimidated! As a crocheter who does not read charts I still found this pattern very easy to follow (and this project was my first foray into mosaic crochet). The instructions are very in-depth and go into good detail explaining mosaic crochet and how to create it.
Stitch Overview
If you are familiar with tapestry crochet, mosaic crochet is very similar but with a couple of key differences. You can read more about them here, but the main difference is that you carry your unused color up the side of your work, instead of crocheting over it. This results in using less yarn, and keeping your project from becoming extra bulky.
What is Mosaic Crochet?
Mosaic crochet is a really great crochet technique because it allows the maker to create a multitude of designs within the piece. It’s actually a pretty simple technique to master (although it surely doesn’t look that way) as it is achieved by using your standard single, double, and triple crochet stitches. Using two or more colors (and switching between the two often) the main color jumps in front of, behind, above, and below stitches to form the various shapes and patterns. To quote the pattern:
“Mosaic Crochet Patterns are worked in alternating pairs of single crochet (sc) rows, with each pair consisting of a right-side (RS) and a wrong-side (WS) row worked in the same color.”
A great way to think of mosaic crochet is like a typewriter. You are creating the pretty design on the RS, and when you turn your work to the WS you are just taking yourself back to the beginning so you can work on the RS again.
If you find yourself stuck, or written instructions and stitch charts are just not your thing, make sure to check out the tutorial videos by The Crochet Crowd that were released along with this pattern. There are four separate videos, one for each week of the stitch-a-long, and each one goes over a certain section of the blanket. Even if you are already familiar with the technique of Mosaic Crochet, the videos are incredibly helpful for checking your progress.
Yarn Overview
This pattern calls for 3 balls of Caron One Pound (812 yds each) in your Main Color (MC), 2 balls of Caron One Pound for your Contrast Color B and 1 ball of Caron Jumbo (595 yds), for your Contrast Color C. In the four color ways offered in the pattern, Contrast Color C is always a variegated yarn. If you can’t find the color recommended by the pattern, another medium-weight (4) yarn in the color of your choice will work just fine.
I highly recommend using the Caron One Pound balls of yarn for this project. Not only is it what the pattern calls for, but solid Caron colors do not have a dye lot. This means you are not forced to buy all of your yarn up-front and at once (and you can use your craft stores’ coupons on each skein if you need to go back multiple times!) And since this is a project that takes A LOT of yarn, having the option to not have to bulk-buy is really nice! I also recommend working with the One Pound and Jumbo balls because you don’t have to manage a bunch of smaller skeins, and while that’s convenient, that ultimately means fewer ends to weave in!
Having made this blanket with the recommended yarn, I can say that after many washings it is still holding up great and is cozy as ever. It remains the go-to blanket in my house (proud crocheter moment) 🙂
The Pattern
Summary
As I’m sure many of you can relate, I have about half a dozen or more unfinished projects littering my office & closets. The Woven Mosaic Crochet Blanket is not one of them. Once you get started with it, it’s too much fun and the results are too cool to put it down! I ended up with a beautiful blanket that gets used on almost a daily basis, and is a great accent in my living room. You’re going to have a blast creating it, and I can’t wait to see what you do! I believe in you!
If you find yourself running into trouble, re-read the instructions, check out the tutorial videos, and if you’re still stuck feel free to reach out! This is one of my favorite projects I’ve made to date, maybe I’ll be able to help you out of a jam. The Crochet Crowd also has a Facebook page with a plethora of insider info on this pattern, and so much more, and the beautiful members are always willing to help a hooker in need.
Have fun!
-Shelby
Creative Goblin 