Starting the Blankets (Blanket 1)

 This post may look familiar! This is the same post as the one with the three layouts. We are reposting it because we are going to start focusing on making the blankets. This month we are going to be posting four graphs (Mario Monday). Again if you are doing the Ultimate Crochet Along, you will make all of these. So layout one is of four graphs together in what looks like a windowpane. Now the example says 15 x 10 but that's just an example. You can use 35 x 20 or 40 x 20 here, we are using 40 x 20s (the graphs where the characters are holding items - also you can choose to use one of each character or all the same character).

**NOTE: Most of the time you can substitute 35 x 20 graphs for 40 x 20 graphs. You just have to pay extra attention to the layouts and remember the substitutions you have made. Keep in mind the graphs you use now will effect the ones you have leftover for the other blankets. **

Layout #1:

These first three graphs are somewhat "basic" we are just going to use the four graphs and then do a simple stitch around them. Now you can use any stitch you want to help grow these blankets. We are going to do three different examples, you can choose the one that you enjoy best or do one of each.

Option 1: Granny Stitch - Now there are many different granny stitches you can do. For this option we are sticking with a more tighter one, simply so we can show the explame we have stitched. Any granny square type will work well. So like the example below, all the way around the rectangle we have created with the graphs, until you have reached the size you like or want for this blanket. (If you are crocheting a baby blanket it may be the perfect size without the added border.)

Option 2: This one is also a granny stitch but this one is going to work up much quicker and it will have more holes in it. So something like below, but again with the graphs at the center of the blanket.

Option 3 - This one is plain and simple, using any stitch you want around the graphs and then finishing with a border of your choosing (and even that is optional). For this purpose, we are going to do half double crochets around, and then end with a ribbon border but that is totally up to you.

Don't worry if you don't know yet how to do these options we will be sharing tutorials all month long to help out!