Many people have picked up new hobbies over this pandemic. My new hobby was trying a new crochet stitch called “corner to corner”. After a weekend of watching some YouTube videos, I found I really enjoyed the stitch and thought I would make a “themed” blanket for one of my sons. I found some free patterns online, and make the first “square”, a cloud from the Mario Brothers video game. So proud of my work, I showed my youngest son. His reply?

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“I want a Harry Potter theme blanket”

Well, drat.

Thankfully, the next response was totally unexpected and quite thoughtful. He said I should make a blanket for my nephew, cause he loves Mario Brothers. Problem solved.

Since I started the blanket in June (ok, May 31st) my first thought was “THIS IS GREAT!!! I WILL MAKE ALL FOUR LITTLES (ages 3yo – 6yo) BLANKETS FOR CHRISTMAS!”

Then, reality set it.

There was no way I was punching out 4 blankets in 7 months. I mean, really, it took me THREE years to do one temperature blanket so what was the chance of making four with a new stitch in 7 months. Odds were not in my favor.

There was another option. Birthday present.

Brilliant solution, just brilliant.

Project One: Mario Brothers

So I crocheted my heart out, each month. Sometimes I would go a few weeks without crocheting, then would ignore everyone for the weekend and punch out an entire square in forty eight hours. This stitch is called a corner to corner, and pretty self-explanatory. Instead of working left to right on a blanket, you are actually stitching from corner to corner (c2c). Here is the YouTube link I started learning from for c2c, and one for color changes, plus this one is for the mini corner to corner that I am using for the next blanket.

Here’s a little recap of what I had made:

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Our family tradition is to meet on your birthday, sing for sweets and open some gifts. I was cutting it close to the wire (actually still had a few loose ends to weave in the hour before the gathering). I finished up the blanket just in time for the 7 year old pandemic celebration!

Birthday success – just look at those eyes! That’s one happy 7 year old!

Now – I have three more blankets to make. Ok, technically 6 because I have my three boys blankets to make, but one is designing his from scratch, the other is undecided and the Harry Potter theme says I can work on Birthday blankets first.

Project Two: Kitty Cats

Next up – March birthday. Theme. Kitty Cats. Oh, and dogs, so I had to add four dog squares. The plan is 13 squares, this time using a mini c2c stitch that is going SO much faster. And by fast I mean in one week I have finished 3 squares. I don’t expect this pace the entire time, but since I only have about 10 weeks left, I am off to a good start.

This is where I am at with this.

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Feel free to follow along on my Instagram feed – I am always updating my finished squares!

I will always try and support my local craft stores for my yarn, hooks, and craft designers for patterns (check out Etsy – so many talented crafters you can support by purchasing their c2c patterns!). There are times that going out is difficult, and there are some great purchases you can make to get started! All you need is yarn, and a crochet hook, and you’ll be ready to go! Happy Crocheting!