Designer: Becky Pickett (MeasuredAndStitched)
Yarn: Caron Jumbo Ombre (Lake Mist), Caron One Pound (Off White)
Hook: K/10.5-6.5mm
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I don’t know if there’s anything more relaxing and therapeutic than the moss stitch. Becky did a phenomenal job taking this seemingly simple stitch and adding her own beautiful flare to it in the form of asymmetric stripe thickness and color changes.
For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been working with Becky Pickett of MeasuredAndStitched through various pattern tests since August 2022. I started testing for her when she was releasing the Acadia Trails Baby Blanket, a beautiful granny square style blanket that incorporates double crochet, X-stitches and back loop stitches. Since then, I think I’ve applied for and worked on every single pattern she’s released to date. If you’re looking for an awesome designer, look no further than Becky.
If you’re not familiar with the world of pattern testing, testers typically supply their own yarn. In exchange for completing the test within the testing window, you’re usually compensated and thanked with a free copy of the designer’s ad-free pattern. There are some cases where designers will supply the yarn, but those are few and far between (at least in my experience). More about that another day. There are so many things that go into pattern testing, so I plan on making a whole post or series about it.
Look, it’s no secret that blankets are yarn eaters. This pattern alone calls for almost 2,000 yards for a 47” x 60” throw, and obviously the bigger you go, the more you’ll need. Keeping cost in mind, I headed to my local Joann to find the perfect yarn. After perusing the aisles (multiple times), I landed in the value yarn section.
I decided to go with Caron Jumbo Ombre as my main and One Pound as my contrast. The ombre gave my mind juuuuuuuust the right bit of spice to keep things interesting. I’m always a sucker for neutrals and earth tones, so the Lake Mist color made me feel all warm and fuzzy. It covers a whole array of nature-inspired colors, from pale and dark blues to green. If you’re a crochet n00b (no hate, we’ve all been there), then one thing you’ll need to know is that value yarns have a reputation of being scratchy and uncomfy. This is NOT the case with these caron yarns. The moss stitch that Becky used gives the finished fabric just the right amount of density to be cozy yet NOT overbearingly heavy, and the yarn itself has this beautiful silky feeling to it. It glides over my metal hook so nicely and has been a dream to work with. It’s 100% acrylic, which makes it machine washable AND dryable. Insider tip: wash it on a gentler cycle and dry on low heat. I’ve learned that this helps reduce pilling within the fibers. Acrylic is also plastic (fun fact, right?) so high heat will cause it to melt. Nobody wants a melty blanky.
I tend to get tired of value yarns as I continue to work on them, but I’m about half way through this 60” blanket and my hands are still feeling good (aside from the remnants of carpal tunnel that I still have from my pregnancy that ended over a year ago -.- ). I think this is the longest I’ve worked with Caron yarns, and now I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. This is definitely a yarn you’ll want to keep in your stash.
What’s nice about Becky’s pattern, specifically, is that I don’t get bored. It’s a pretty simple stitch pattern, composed of chain 1’s and single crochets, but the striping sequence mixes it up. The stripes are asymmetric, meaning they’re not all the same width. I personally LOVE this concept. It feels abstract 😉 I also really like what she did with the edges. Instead of starting each row with a single crochet in the first stitch, you always are working into the space. I think this will make it a great beginner-friendly introduction to a sophisticated-looking stitch pattern.
Pro tip: use stitch markers in the first chain 2 space to start the row. I personally like these. They don’t come off easily (at all, really) and they help tell you where your last stitch of the row should be. Stitch markers in general are life savers for crochet projects.
If you’re new to crochet, or even just new to moss stitch, you might find yourself wanting to rip out fairly early. Not gonna lie, moss stitch looks weird until about row 6 or 7 and it can be confusing to know where the stitches go. If you get those stitch markers I linked earlier (trust me, they’re lifesavers), you can put one in each chain 1 space and just move them as you go. It seems tedious, but if you’re concerned about stitch placement, having the visual is a great tool.
Regardless of your perceived (or actual) crochet skill level, you’ll love the way this blanket works up. I can’t wait to share my version with you. Until then, enjoy some sneak peeks below. 😉
The Mediocre Homemaker 