Handmade Blanket: A Story of Personal Connection and The Power of Giving
This blanket holds a special place in my heart. It was crafted with love and care, and is not the first of its kind that I have made for this family.
About four years ago, my sister's long-time friend was hit with devastating news when her husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer. It was shocking as he was one of the healthiest people we knew. It reminded me of the time I was diagnosed with a life-changing illness after doing everything right. I could relate to every emotion he must have been feeling and empathize with his wife.
I got to work crafting one of my "healing blankets." Knowing that he and his wife were passionate sailors, I headed straight to Joanns to select the perfect fabric. Since my own recovery was aided by these special blankets, I wanted to share the love and offer him a sense of comfort and security during this difficult time.
According to his wife, he cherished the blanket and wrapped himself in it every night. It provided him with comfort during his challenging chemotherapy sessions, and he found solace in having it close by.
“Sail Away”
I named this Healing Blanket “Sail Away” I found it fitting in so many ways.
This go round, I was filled with joy at the thought of constructing a blanket to celebrate the arrival of a new baby girl. After experiencing such deep sorrow only a few years ago, this wonderful family was now expecting a granddaughter. Witnessing their happiness and excitement was truly a beautiful thing. They honestly deserve this blessing. I was eager to pour all my love and creativity into crafting the perfect blanket to honor this precious gift
After considering different themes, I opted for a woodland concept. Joann's offered an array of adorable woodland themes, but I settled on the Magical Woodland Anti Pill Plush Fleece Fabric for the front side and Watercolor Packed Floral Anti Pill Plush Fleece Fabric for the back. The vibrant colors and pop of pink caught my eye. To bind the two sides together, I used Bernat Baby Blanket Sparkle in Planetary Purple. Additionally, I utilized Michaels Sweet Snuggles™ in Rose.
Magical woodlands
I just love this color combo!
What You’ll Need For The Entire Process Is Listed Below
Because this is a baby blanket I only used 1 1/2 yards of fabric for each side.
1 1/2 yards of Anti Pill Plush Fleece Fabric “Magical Woodland Anti Pill Plush Fleece Fabric” for the front
1 1/2 yards of “Watercolor Packed Floral Anti Pill Plush Fleece Fabric” for the back
A very sharp pair of scissors (Fiskars scissors work fine for me.)
A Rotatory Cutter (I use a Fiskars limited edition pink glitter. Wow awesome! I posted a picture at the bottom of the page so you can easily purchase this. )
Self-Healing Cutting Mat (I use the Sullivans Gridded Cutting Mat. It's made in the USA and fits perfectly on top of most home tables. It's also great for the floor. This too can be purchased at Joann’s and is awesome!)
Long Acrylic Ruler with horizontal and vertical markings (Fiskars sells these in multiple lengths and sizes.) I just recently purchased a Omnigrid Non-slip Rectangle Quilting Ruler with Removable Lip. It's awesome! The 0.125-inch removable lip adheres to the mat and prevents slippage. (I purchased mine from Joann’s.)
Straight Pins
Bernat Baby Blanket Sparkle in Planetary Purple 1/2 Skein
Michaels Sweet Snuggles™ in Rose 2 Skeins
Crochet Hooks Size 4 MM and size 6.50 MM (Everyone has their favorite hooks but for me, I love Hooks by Susan Bates. I posted a picture at the bottom of the page of a small collection of hooks by Susan Bates that I frequently use.)
Although some of these items may be an added expense to your creative toolbox, I honestly believe if you invest in them now, it will make the creative process run more smoothly in the future.
Now it’s time to square up your fabric! If you’re new to this, remember you can find all the deets on my previous blog page. “Let’s Get Squared.”
After squaring my fabric and using my rotator cutting blade, I used my Susan Bates 4 MM hook to work a double crochet (DC) all around the blanket, making sure to put two (DC) in the corner followed by 1 (C) stitch with another 2 (DC).
With my blanket now completely assembled, it was time to add a border. I had already decided to use a flower stitch to complement the fabric. Lately, I've been really loving Michaels Sweet Snuggles™ yarn because it's incredibly soft, cozy, and has a luxurious feel to it. The yarn is also simple to work with, and the range of colors available is fantastic. I went with the flower stitch, which is similar to the star stitch but with some slight modifications.
First border.
The next step is to incorporate the flower border. Below, you will find written instructions and a tutorial on how to execute the flower stitch:
Follow these simple steps to create a beautiful border for your blanket:
Begin by inserting your crochet hook into the first row of the border and pull up a loop.
Move to the next stitch and pull up a loop until you have a total of 6 loops on your hook.
Yarn over (YO) and pull through all 6 loops.
CH 2, insert your hook into the second chain from the hook and pull up a loop.
Locate the center of your flower and pull up a loop.
Insert your hook into the petal directly below and pull up a loop.
In the next 2 stitches, pull up a loop.
You should now have 6 loops on your hook.
Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops.
CH 2 and slide your hook into the second CH from the hook and pull up a loop.
In the center of your flower, insert your hook and pull up a loop.
Insert your hook in the last stem and pull up a loop.
In the next 2 stitches, insert your hook and pull up a loop.
Repeat steps 2-13 until your border is complete.
Tie off your end and tuck in your tails.
The final result of the blanket left me absolutely enamored, but I felt that it needed a little something extra to make it truly special. I decided to personalize it by incorporating the couple's last name and the year of their baby's delivery. This added a unique and sentimental touch that they could treasure for years to come. Using my Cricut, I skillfully added the personalization using a Pink Foil Iron-on Transfer and a cute font that perfectly complemented the blanket's design. I am so pleased with how it turned out, and I can't wait to share a video and blog post about the amazing process soon.
Finished blanket!
The cutest woodland bunny sits atop this amazing blanket! It was lovingly crafted by my talented daughter-in-law to match the blanket, and she did an incredible job. She is a master of amigurumi and puts her own personal touch on each one to make them truly unique and special. I will include her information so you can check out her amazing creations. I may have convinced her to partner with me to incorporate these stuffed animals along with a blanket for some of my very special "healing blanket" recipients.
Woodland Bunny: You can find my daughter-in-laws items here: homestitchingshop@yahoo.com.
It's amazing how a seemingly ordinary item like a blanket can carry so much emotion and significance. Beyond being just a piece of fabric, they symbolize love and support for those who need it most. They serve as a powerful reminder that even in life's toughest moments, love and hope can still be found. Furthermore, these blankets can also celebrate new beginnings, bringing happiness and serenity to families who've experienced hardship. The positive impact that these"healing blankets" have had on so many deserving people is truly heartwarming to witness.
Personally, I feel immense joy when I gift a "healing blanket" to someone – whether it's to celebrate, to support them in a difficult time, or simply to show them I care. It's my hope that this inspires you to join the movement and create your own "healing blanket" to share with someone who could benefit from your creativity and love. It's important to recognize that you also deserve love and kindness. Therefore, if you choose to keep this “healing blanket” for yourself, that's perfectly acceptable too. You're deserving of special treatment, and I believe you're exceptional!
