How to start your 6-Day Blanket with a straight edge
Technique by Betty McKnit
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Here is a technique to start your 6-Day Blanket (or other 6-Day project) with a straight edge, and to fill in the chevrons at the top of the work when you are done.
You may want your project to have a straight top and bottom instead of chevrons. This can be easier to put a fancy border on, seam peices together, or maybe you just like straight edges. I have a pattern for filling in the top and bottom chevrons of your blanket after the blanket is complete, but if you know before you start your blanket, scarf, or other 6-Day project that you want a straight top and bottom, you can start with the following technique.
For First Timers: Swatching is key
Please start with a swatch on 30 stitches to test this technique, learn the stitches, get your gauge for sizing purposes, to have a test piece for washing, and extra yarn for repairs after the fact.
Yarn shown is Lion Brand Mandala Roving
Crocheted with J and I hooks (My favorite is the Furls Odyssey).
Abbreviations (US Terminology):
ch: chain
hdc: half double crochet
rep: repeat
sc: single crochet
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
sts: stitch(es)
I suggest using a .5 mm larger hook for your starting ch than you will be using for your project.
Chain Multiple of 13 + 4 (Each pattern point needs 13 chains, add an extra four. For instance, if you want 10 points, you will start with 13×10 = 130 + 4 = 134.
Switch to smaller hook.
Row 1: starting in second ch from hook, sc across.
Turn
Always start your first st in the st below the turning ch.
Row 2: ch 1, 5 sc, 6 hdc, *7 sc, 6 hdc, repeat from * to last 5 sts, 5 sc.
Turn
Row 3: ch 1, 3 sc, *3 hdc, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, 3 hdc, sc, sl st, sc, repeat from * to last 13 sts , 3 hdc, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, 3 hdc, 3 sc.
Turn
Row 4: ch 1, 3 sc, *3 hdc, 2 dc, [dc, ch 1, dc] in ch 2 sp, 2 dc, 3 hdc, sc, sl st, sc, repeat from * to last 13 sts, 3 hdc, 2 dc, [dc, ch 1, dc] in ch 2 sp, 2 dc, 3 hdc, 3 sc.
Turn
Row 5: ch 1, sc, sk 1, 7 sc, *3 sc in ch sp, 7 sc, sk 1, 7 sc, repeat from * to last peak, 3 sc in ch sp, 7 sc, sk 1, sc
Turn
You should now be set up for Row 2 of the 6-Day Pattern.
When you get to the top of your blanket or item, square it off as follows:
Top Edge
After completing your last 1/2 repeat of the pattern finishing on Row 4, you can turn the work and begin to fill in the valleys on the top edge of your blanket.
Top Edge Row 1:
After completing row 4, turn
Ch 3
Counting the stitch under the turning chain, sk2, 3dc, 3hdc, 2sc, slst, 2sc
*3 hdc 2dc sk2 2dc, 3 hdc, 2 sc slst, 2 sc
Repeat from * to last 8 sts
3 hdc, 3 dc, sk 1, dc in last sc.
Turn
Top Edge Row 2:
Ch 3
Counting the stitch under the turning chain, sk2, 3dc, 3 hdc, sc, slst, sc
*3 hdc, 2 dc, sk 2, 2 dc, 3hdc, sc, slst, sc
Repeat from * until 8 sc remain on the row below
3 hdc, 3 dc, sk 1, dc in last sc.
Turn
Top Edge Row 3
Ch 3, sk 2 (counting the stitch below the turning chain), 3 hdc, 7 sc, *6 hdc, 7 sc* until 5 st remain, 3 hdc, sk 1, hdc in last stitch
Turn
Top Edge Row 4:
Ch 1, sc across.
I’m sure that 6DKBlanketeers will find creative ways to use these techniques for project adaptations.
This pattern is the intellectual property of Betty McKnit/Beth Elliott, and it is protected by copyright. Publishing corrections, translations, written or video tutorials, or variations of this pattern, online or elsewhere, without written permission from the owner is a violation of copyright.
The stitch pattern for the 6-Day Kid Blanket is “Vivid Chevrons” #110 from 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns by Jan Eaton.
Reprinted with permission from Quarto Publishing.
Thank you to the many amazing crocheters of the 6-Day Kid Blanket Facebook Group, and elsewhere for all the love you have given this humble little pattern. Your work inspiring and your questions and feedback help to make this pattern easier to read and follow for others.
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This page contains affiliate links. If you click these links and buy something on the page they take you to, I may, at no additional cost to you, earn a commission. I only affiliate with products and companies I feel good about. Thank you for your support!
