Blankets in Sirdar Cotton DK - 8257 - Downloadable PDF

Blankets in Sirdar Cotton DK 8257 – Crochet Pattern Summary

This downloadable PDF from Sirdar contains instructions for two charming crochet blankets worked in Sirdar Cotton DK: an Elephant Blanket and a Duck Blanket. Both designs are ideal for nurseries, baby gifts, or cosy home accessories, and are rated as intermediate level crochet projects. The pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for crocheters who prefer to work from a digital copy.

The Elephant Blanket

The Elephant Blanket measures approximately 67 x 76 cm (26½ x 30¾ in) when finished, making it a generous size suitable for a pram, cot, or lap blanket. One of its most distinctive construction features is that it is worked sideways, meaning the rows run in the opposite direction to a conventionally constructed blanket. This sideways construction can create interesting textural effects and is a technique worth understanding before casting on.

Techniques and Stitches – Elephant Blanket

• Sideways construction – the blanket is worked from side to side rather than bottom to top, which affects how rows and shaping are read throughout the pattern.
• Mesh pattern – a key structural element of the blanket, the mesh is formed using a combination of treble crochet (tr) stitches and chain spaces (ch sp), creating an open, lacy fabric with excellent drape.
• Treble crochet (tr) – referred to throughout using UK terminology (equivalent to US double crochet). Trebles form the main body of the mesh and the denser sections of the design.
• Double crochet (dc) – the UK term used in this pattern (equivalent to US single crochet), used for edging and finishing sections.
• Slip stitch (ss) – used at the beginning of rows to position the hook correctly, a common technique in shaped or sideways-worked crochet pieces.
• Chain (ch) – used both to create the mesh spaces and to form turning chains at the start of rows.
• Motif – the elephant design is incorporated as a motif element within the blanket, adding a pictorial focal point to the finished piece.

The tension for the mesh pattern is 18 stitches and 10 rows to 10 cm over mesh pattern on a 4.00 mm hook. For the motif section, the tension is 29 stitches and 16 rows to 16 cm (6¼ in). Checking tension carefully before beginning is strongly recommended, as the sideways construction means that row count directly affects the finished width of the blanket.

Materials – Elephant Blanket

• Yarn: Sirdar Cotton DK shade 520 – 4 x 100g balls
• Hook: 4.00 mm (UK 8 / US F/5) crochet hook

The Duck Blanket

The Duck Blanket measures approximately 71 x 72 cm (28 x 28¼ in), producing a near-square blanket that works beautifully as a play mat cover, pram blanket, or decorative throw. Like the Elephant Blanket, it features a charming pictorial motif – in this case a duck design – set against a textured crochet background. The combination of mesh and denser stitch sections gives the blanket visual interest and a professional finish.

Techniques and Stitches – Duck Blanket

• Mesh pattern – as with the Elephant Blanket, an open mesh formed from treble crochet stitches and chain spaces provides the main fabric of the blanket.
• Treble crochet (tr) – the primary stitch used throughout, worked in both single and grouped formations to build up the duck motif and surrounding mesh.
• Double crochet (dc) – used in finishing and edging to create a neat