As an aspiring romance author, I find there are times when I want to wrap up in a blanket and do some editing or writing, but sometimes it's hard to wrestle a whole blanket. This wrap has handy pockets to hold some "author's tools": a pocket dictionary or thesaurus, a small note book, a pen or highlighter or just a place to put my hands when I'm reading my book on the laptop. This pattern would also make a good afghan if worked as one piece and made wider. I've told you the multiple in my notes.Materials used:
MC (main color): 4 skeins Caron Simply Soft Eco (5 skeins may be needed if pockets are made)
CC (contrasting color): 1 skein Caron Simply Soft (use two skeins if they are only 5 - 6 oz)
Notes:
~This wrap is done as four pieces. The two large pieces are sewn together and the pockets are added to each end of the wrap. If you would like, the wrap can be worked as one piece, I've told you how in the pattern.
~If you would like a wider or narrower wrap, add or subtract 9 stitches from your starting chain or starting row (depending on method used).
~The skipped chain 3 on the first row and the chain 3 at the beginning of the remaining rows always counts as a dc.
Special Stitches:
Chainless Double Crochet Foundation Stitch
Sideways Cluster: Chain 3, *yo, insert hook in 3rd chain from hook, pull up a loop, yo, pull through two loops on hook. Repeat from * two more times. Yo, pull through all loops on hook.
Cluster: *Yo, insert hook in specified st, pull up a loop, yo pull through two loops on hook, repeat from * three more times. Pull through all five loops on hook.
Reverse Single Crochet (aka Crab Stitch)
The rows of color go like this:
19 rows MC
14 rows CC
22 rows MC (for half pieces)
Half Wrap Section (Make 2)
Row 1: With MC and using chainless double crochet foundation, make 63 dc. If using a chain, chain 65. Dc in fourth chain from hook and in each chain across. (63 dc).
Row 2: Chain 3, turn. Dc in next dc and in each dc across.
Rows 3-19: Repeat row 2.
Row 20: With CC, chain 3, turn. Dc in next dc, *work sideways cluster, skip 2 dc, work cluster in next dc, work sideways cluster, skip two dc, work 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, repeat from * to last two dc. Dc in next 2 dc. (6 cluster flowers)
Row 21: Chain 3, turn. Dc in next dc, * chain 2, skip sideways cluster, work cluster in cluster, chain 2, skip sideways cluster, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, repeat from * to last two dc. Dc in next two dc. (6 clusters)
Row 22: Chain 3, turn. Dc in next dc. *2 dc in chain 2 sp, dc in cluster, dc in chain 2 sp, dc in each of the next 4 dc, repeat from * to last two dc. Dc in last two dc. (63 dc)
Row 23-31: Repeat rows 20-22 four times
Rows 32-33: Repeat rows 20-21 once more.
Row 34: With MC, repeat row 22 once. (63 dc)
Remaining rows: Repeat row 2 a total of 21 more times.
One Piece Wrap:
If you want the wrap to be worked as one piece, from here, repeat row 2 22 more times (44 rows of 63 dc total) with MC, join CC and repeat rows 20-22 four times and rows 20-21 once more. Join MC and repeat row 22 once then work row 2 18 times.
Holding the piece wrong sides together (you decide which side is the right side) and whipstitch the halves together. Weave in loose ends and work edging.
Edging:
Round 1: Join yarn with sl st or sc to any corner stitch. Sc around entire piece, working 3 sc in each corner and a total of 2 sc for each dc row. (If it ripples, some decreases may be required) Join with sl st to first sc and finish off.
Round 2: Join contrasting color to any sc. Work reverse sc around entire piece. Join to first reverse sc and finish off. Weave in ends.
Note: additional rounds of sc in either color may be added. It's up to you.
Pocket (make 2):
Row 1: Make 27 foundation double crochet or chain 29 and dc in third chain from hook and in each ch across. (27 dc)
Row 2-9: Repeat row 2 of wrap pattern (27 dc)
Row 10-11: Repeat row 20-21 of pattern (3 cluster flowers)
Row 12: Repeat row 2 of pattern
Optional edging: Sc around entire pocket.
Finish off with tail long enough to sew pocket to wrap in desired position and place. Weave in ends.
