4kcbwday2 - A Mascot Project

Day Two: A Mascot Project
Your task today is to either think of or research a project that embodies the house/animal you selected. It could be a knitting or crochet pattern – either of the animal itself or something that makes you think of the qualities of that house. Alternatively it could be a type or colour of yarn, or a single button. Whatever you choose, decide upon a project and blog about how and why it relates to your house/creature. You do not have to make this project!

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As soon as I finished reading today's task the idea of creating a project that contains both knit and crochet techniques came to mind.  Specifically, a sampler blanket.  Being the Bee that I am, I'm always excited to start something new.  The thrill of each new cast on or starting chain must be how the bee feels when he lands on a flower and prepares to sample the nectar for the first time. Ahhh, the anticipation.  How will it taste?  Will I like it?  How long will it take before I've had my fill and I'm ready to move on?  What's on the horizon?  Is that something I might like?  Will that one be better than this one?    I don't think there is anything that better exemplifies the desire to try new things than a blanket made of blocks showcasing examples of knit and crochet stitches.

With so many places on the internet to find patterns I figured that it would be a snap to find just the right one.  After all, there are lots of people who do both with equal skill and enthusiasm.  So I did what any modern girl would do.  I created a Pinboard and set to tracking down my ideal project.

Turns out it's not as easy as I thought.  My first stop was Ravelry.  When I searched "Knit and Crochet Combination Patterns" I was rewarded with 7 results. The one afghan it contains is actually a knit sampler with crochet edging. Hmmm.... Not quite what I'm looking for.  I tried a variety of different searches with very disappointing results.

Time for Google.  This lead me to Crochet Pattern Central and Knitting Pattern Central, websites that I've had good luck with in the past.  Here's a funny thing.  Both sites have a tab at the top for Knit & Crochet Combo Patterns.  The one on the knit page links to a blank page while the one on the crochet page links to a moderate size list. Anyway, I was once again disappointed with the results.  While the patterns do employ both techniques most of the ones I looked at were knit projects with crochet trim, and I didn't find any "sampler" patterns.

After wondering aimlessly through a variety of blogs and websites I decided that perhaps the only way to get what I'm after is to come up with my own.  By searching for knit or crochet "sampler" patterns I was rewarded with a much larger selection.  I'm sure a lovely blanket could be created by combining my favorites from this group.  Somewhere along the line I did find one combo pattern.  It's the blue sampler afghan from Red Heart. 

There remains one afghan that has been on my radar for some time.  It's the Groovyghan by Tracy St.John.  This eye popping burst of colors, shapes and lines simply captivates me.  I love the way that Tracy uses so many different crochet techniques.  By combining horizontal and vertical lines with circles and squares there's so much movement and energy I can't help but smile every time I see it!

Of all the patterns that I've seen, the Groovyghan is the one that most appeals to the Bee in me.  There's so much going on that it may be one project that I could create from start to finish without working on anything else!  It also seems to welcome the addition or substitution of knitting where there has only been crocheting. I'm longing to make a cotton blanket and I can already see my version of this one waiting on the back of the recliner when I snuggle down on Sunday nights to watch my favorite Mad Men!

There you have it friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.  Be sure to come back tomorrow and see what I come up with for Day 3.  For more posts on Day 2 of Blog Week, type 4KCBWDAY2 into the search engine of your choice or click here.

Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!