Keep Calm and Crochet Along

In these unprecedented times, with many of us spending more time at home, we turn to our favourite hobbies for comfort and to occupy our minds. Crochet is an amazing craft to help us feel happier and calmer, as well as being a wonderful way to keep busy and connect with like-minded people. We know how popular The Sweetpea Blanket pattern from Woman's Weekly is, and so we're releasing it as a free five-part crochet along to follow over the coming days and we really hope it gives you a welcome project and some enjoyment at home. You don't need to buy anything - just use up your yarn stash and have a go at this project that's ideal for beginners and beyond.

The Sweetpea Blanket is a glorious design by Sue Rawlinson of @sweetpeafamilycrochet on Instagram. Woman's Weekly first commissioned the design from Sue two years ago and it's been a firm favourite ever since. Here's what Sue said about it at the time:

'A little while ago I was commissioned to design a spring crochet along and it was such a pleasure to be asked. My brief was to design a blanket with a spring-like feel that was suitable for a child. It had to be a pattern that would suit a beginner who can work double and treble crochet stitches.

I also wanted it to be a blanket that could easily be popped in the washing machine (an essential requirement for a child’s blanket). The yarn I chose was Stylecraft Special DK which is a favourite of mine. It is hard wearing and easy to wash. It also comes in a great array of colours and is very economical.

I am hoping my blanket will not only appeal to beginners, but to more experienced crocheters as well. I love an easy project, something I can pick up and work on whilst watching TV.

I hope to have captured all of this in the Sweetpea Blanket CAL pattern and that you enjoy making it as much as I have.'

You can download the first instalment of our Sweetpea Blanket CAL today. Simply click the link below. There will be five instalments altogether, with one released every few days. Follow our Facebook page for updates >

Choose yarn from your yarn stash or find the original colour pack for the Sweetpea Blanket here >

Download part one here >

Update 25/3/2020: Part Two is here >
Update 31/3/2020: Part Three is here >
Update 05/4/2020: Part Four is here >
Update 14/4/2020: Part five is here >

Share your progress with fellow crocheters over on The Knitting Network's Crochet-a-long Facebook page. As well as sharing tips, asking for advice and having a chat.

Join The Knitting Network Crochet Along page here >

Happy hooking, keep safe and thank you for taking part.