Unleash Your Inner Yarn Hero.

Allow me to personally thank you for your participation in the Crochet Challenge for Warm Up America 2017. Every baby blanket completed through this challenge will impact a family in an amazing way. I am humbled to have the opportunity to work with such an incredible organization, Warm Up America! Foundation. If you would like to learn more about Warm Up America and their mission, have a look at this earlier blog post

B.hooked Crochet Teams Up With Warm Up America! Foundation

You can also check out their website to learn more about the current donation needs.

Together with my sponsors, Lion Brand Yarn and Clover USA, we bring you the second annual Crochet Challenge for Warm Up America. Are you as excited as I am?!

#challengeforwua

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BEGIN HERE

Use this page as a guideline for your participation in the challenge. There is a lot of information contained in this page. It is organized in the following way:

Challenge rules for entry & timeline

How to get involved and share your crochet challenge experience

Printable forms and help sheets

Supplies

The Pattern: Written Instructions & Diagrams

Video tutorial to help you through the pattern

Blanket Submission Instructions

FAQ

Final Words

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CHALLENGE RULES FOR ENTRY

Anyone can participate, worldwide. To complete the challenge, you must meet the following requirements:

RSVP on the Challenge Facebook Event page.

Your completed baby blanket must be sent to WUA and postmarked no later than January 21, 2017

Your baby blanket must be shipped with the 2017 WUA Challenge entry form filled out and enclosed in the package.

There is no formal sign up for this challenge. All you need to do to participate is purchase your supplies, make your baby blanket and send it to Warm up America!

TIMELINE

The challenge will begin on January 6, 2017. On that date, all information including written pattern, video tutorial and diagram will be posted here at B.hooked Crochet.

The challenge will end on January 20, 2017. Your baby blanket must be postmarked (scanned at the post office) by Saturday, January 21, 2017 to complete the challenge.

[alert-announce]UPDATE: since many of you experienced delays getting your yarn, the shipment deadline has been extended to January 25th![/alert-announce]

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How to get involved and share your crochet challenge experience

Don’t be shy!

The challenge Facebook event page was created for YOU. Post your questions, comments, progress photos and make connections with other yarn heroes like yourself.

Crochet Challenge for Warm Up America 2017 Facebook Event Page

INSTAGRAM, TWITTER & TUMBLR USERS

Tag your challenge progress photos and posts using #challengeforwua so we may follow your progress and experience!

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Printable forms and help sheets

WUA Challenge Entry Form

Printable Written Instructions

Printable Diagram

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SUPPLIES

We will be using Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop and Modern Baby yarn for this challenge. Here’s what you’ll need:

2 Skeins, Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop (your color choice) or 7 skeins of the regular Lion Brand Ice Cream

(your color choice) or 7 skeins of the regular Lion Brand Ice Cream 1 Skein, Lion Brand Modern Baby (coordinating color)

5.5 mm Crochet Hook

Darning Needle

Scissors

Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop is available in 8 different colorways for you to choose from. You can use whichever one you like! The baby blanket pictured here is the Cookies & Cream colorway and the baby blanket you’ll see in the video tutorial is Tutti Frutti.

Attention! Ice Cream yarn is available in two skein sizes. Be sure to get the large skein, Big Scoop!

Disclosure: Please note that the links below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you decide to purchase your supplies through these links. Please understand that I have experience with these products and I recommend them because they are optimal for this pattern, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy them online. If you have received valuable information from me at any point, this is one easy way to say thank you for a job well done. Thank you!





Those of you participating in parts of the world where Lion Brand Yarn is not available may substitute with another lightweight yarn of comparable quality that is suitable for a baby.

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The Pattern: Written Instructions & Diagrams

Crochet Pattern by B. Hooked Crochet, Copyright 2017.

Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern. If you wish to share this pattern, link to this page only. You may sell items produced using this pattern. Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.

This pattern is written in US crochet terms

For a printer friendly version: Printable Pattern

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Gauge and Sizing

Your finished blanket will measure 40″ x 40″

Abbreviations

Ch – Chain

BP – Back Post

Dc – Double Crochet

Hdc – Half Double Crochet

Sc – Single Crochet

Slst – Slip Stitch

4 Tr CL – Four-stitch Treble Cluster ** see stitch description

7 Tr CL – Seven-stitch Treble Cluster ** see stitch description

Tr – Treble Crochet

YO – Yarn Over Hook

To print a list of all crochet abbreviations to keep in your crochet notebook, check out my quick guide here:

Crochet Abbreviations Quick Guide

Stitch Description

Four Treble Cluster (4 Tr CL) – Ch 3. YO twice and insert hook into designated stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (two loops on hook). YO twice and insert hook into same stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (three loops on hook). YO twice and insert hook into same stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (four loops on hook). YO twice and insert hook into same stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (five loops on hook). YO and pull through all five loops on your hook. Ch 3 (first of these three chains is where you work your groups of Tr stitches). Slip stitch in between the next two stitches.

Seven Treble Cluster (7 Tr CL) – Ch 3. YO twice and insert hook into designated stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (two loops on hook). YO twice and insert hook into same stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (three loops on hook). YO twice and insert hook into same stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (four loops on hook). YO twice and insert hook into same stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (five loops on hook). YO twice and insert hook into same stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (six loops on hook). YO twice and insert hook into same stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (seven loops on hook). YO twice and insert hook into same stitch. YO and pull through. YO and pull through two loops. YO and pull through two loops (eight loops on hook). YO and pull through all eight loops on your hook. Ch 3 (first of these three chains is where you work your groups of Tr stitches). Slip stitch in between the next two stitches.

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Written Instructions

Round 1: Ch 4 and join with a slst to the first chain to form a ring. Make a total of four 4 Tr CL stitches in center of ring.

Round 2: Make 10 Tr stitches in the top of your first cluster (in the stitch designated in stitch description). *Slst in the center of ring. Make 10 Tr in the top of the next cluster. Repeat from * around. Finish the round with a slst in the center of the ring.

Round 3: Slst in the first 4 stitches. *Working the back post, make a 4 Tr CL over the next four stitches (corner of blanket). Working the back post, make a 7 Tr CL over the next seven stitches (fourth stitch will be the slst from previous round). Repeat from * around. Finish the round with a slst in between the first and last stitch of this round.

Round 4: Make 10 Tr stitches in the top of your first cluster (in the stitch designated in stitch description). *Slst in between first and last stitch. Make 6 Tr stitches in the top of your 7 Tr CL. Make 10 Tr stitches in the top of your next cluster. Repeat from * around. Finish the round with a slst in between the stitch of your last cluster and the first stitch of the next cluster.

The remainder of this pattern is a repeat of the Tr CL round (ex: round 3) and Tr group rounds (ex: round 4). With each round, our baby blanket grows and therefore we will be adding more and more clusters and groups of Tr. You should use the written instructions, rounds 1-4 to get you started on this pattern.

I strongly encourage you to watch the video tutorial for a more in depth explanation of how to continue adding more rounds to your baby blanket. You can find it just below the diagram section.

Crochet your blanket until it measures approximately 40″ wide by 40″ long. End on a round 4 repeat. Do not fasten off your ice cream yarn.

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Border:

Round 1: With ice cream yarn and working in the back loops only, ch 4. Dc in next stitch. Hdc in next stitch. Sc in next 3 sts. Make 2 sc in next stitch. Sc in next 2 sts. Hdc in next. Dc in next stitch. Tc in the slst from previous round. *Dc in next stitch. Hdc in next stitch. Sc in next 2 sts. Hdc in next stitch. Dc in next stitch. Tc in slst from previous round. Repeat until you reach the last cluster (with 10 treble crochet).

For each corner, you will – Dc in next stitch. Hdc in next stitch. Sc in next 3 sts. Make 2 sc in next stitch. Sc in next 2 sts. Hdc in next. Dc in next stitch. Tc in the slst from previous round.** Repeat from * to ** to finish round 1 of the border. Join with a slst to the third chain. Fasten off ice cream yarn.

Round 2: With modern baby yarn, fasten on in the slst from the end of round 1. Ch 1 (does not count as stitch). Sc in same stitch. *Sc in each stitch across side of blanket. When you reach a corner, make 2 sc in the second corner stitch. Repeat around. Join with a slst to the first stitch. Fasten off and weave in your ends.

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Diagram

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This video is also available in a left handed version. Click here to be directed to the left handed tutorial on YouTube.

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Blanket Submission Instructions

Once you have completed your baby blanket, there are just a few more things you need to do.

Print the 2017 WUA Challenge Entry Form. This form will allow you to enclose a personalized note to the family who will receive your donation. Please fill out each section with as much detail as possible. I’m sure they will LOVE reading about you! Secure the completed entry form within your package. Ship your baby blanket to:

Warm Up America/BHooked

3740 N. Josey Lane

Suite 102

Carrollton, TX 75007

[alert-announce]UPDATE: since many of you experienced delays getting your yarn, the shipment deadline has been extended to January 25th![/alert-announce]

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FAQ’S

When does the challenge begin? The challenge kicks off on January 6, 2017 at midnight. The pattern will be released here on the blog at this time and you’ll have the green light to start working on your donation. What do I do to join? Nothing. Just participate. I encourage you to RSVP on the Facebook Event Page so I have an idea of how many blankets WUA will receive. When is my blanket supposed to be finished? The challenge comes to a close on January 20, 2017. You should finish you baby blanket by this day and ship it to WUA Foundation by January 21, 2017. Dates and addresses will also be included with the pattern and on the Facebook Event page. Can I use a different yarn? The pattern and tutorial are optimized for Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop and Modern Baby. You may make substitutions if necessary. Keep it in the lightweight category and baby-friendly. Can I donate my blanket to another organization? Absolutely. If you live outside the US and you would like to participate, I encourage you to find your local hospital and donate your blanket. What do I do now? Order your supplies and (try to) wait until Jan 6th to begin. Post pictures of your yarn choice in the Facebook Event Page and strike up a conversation with your fellow yarn heroes! Who is Warm Up America? Warm Up America is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 by a courageous yarn hero named Evie. When her vision expanded beyond her capabilities, the Craft Yarn Council stepped in to continue her mission. I encourage you to read more about WUA! Foundation here. I’m Stuck on the Pattern. What do I do? Please direct your challenge and pattern related questions to our Challenge Facebook Event page. Myself and your fellow yarn heroes are there to help!

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Final Words

On behalf of B.hooked Crochet, Lion Brand, Clover USA and Warm Up America! Foundation, thank you very much for your participation in this challenge. Your baby blanket will brighten someones day!