Today's Unallied Artists: 2 Great Blanket Designers!

 I both knit and crochet so I like to have a variety of great pattern choices available to me.  Now some designers work on and release just a few of their projects to the public, some release many.  I prefer quality over quantity.  Beauty AND functionality are what I look for in any pattern.   When I was looking for a subject for today's blog, I decided to focus on just blankets, Why you may ask? In the immortal words of the weather forecasters "Snowmageddon".  As you can see from the photo, Out of the Parc Designs HQ is experiencing yet another snow storm.  It seemed a good day to focus on blankets!  I chose Lacy Crochet  and candylou.com
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FIRST a disclaimer:  Baby blankets especially open work blankets, should not be used in a baby's crib until a baby is 12 months old!  Also, open work baby blankets have been used for years without any injury to babies.  However, please ask your pediatrician if you have any questions or doubts.  (blankets don't need to come with warning labels) 

Always amazed by the talents of Olga Poltava, lacycrochet.blogspot.nl/ is a treat for the eyes as well as the crochet hook.  I wrote a blog about Olga Poltava in the past and her work continues to inspire.  While Olga Poltava creates patterns for more than just blankets, her baby blankets are spectacular.  Show pieces to make and share with special people in your life.   For instance my absolute favorite Poltava creation the White Lace Christening Blanket and Baby Hat.  I love that crochet stitch.  It is very vintage!  With the right yarn, of course, could very easily have that vintage modern look.  Perfect!

Olga Poltava offers both free and premium blanket patterns.  The free patterns can be found on her blogspot page.  The premium patterns can be found in her Etsy store.  All of the patterns are stunning.   I know I have to choose just a few to share on this blog because I want you to visit their blogspot and Etsy pages for yourself!  I wanted to share some patterns from both the blogspot and the Etsy store.  Therefore, I will start with the blogspot free patterns:

• Because this pattern is entitled Lacy Braids, one automatically thinks of girls however, I think this blanket would work for baby boys as it truly does look like braided rope.   Beautiful pattern. 
• Here's a bit of a twist on the "Block Stitch".  Olga Poltava's Easy Blocks Blanket, kicks the block stitch up a notch by adding a lovely edging and adding a stitch or two to the blanket pattern itself.  Simply sophisticated. 
•  My favorite of the free blanket patterns is the Diamond Stitch Blanket.  It is really so charming.  It would look good in any baby's room.  A show piece to give to friends or to make for your own little one.  A keepsake to pass along in the future. . 

Premium patterns (paid) are listed on Olga Poltava's Etsy or Craftsy page.  Many of the blanket patterns sold have a matching hat. can also be purchased either together or separately.  So many really priceless patterns to choose from but again, I am only able to choose a few to share.  (you've no idea how difficult it is to choose!)

• The Star Stitch Crochet Baby Blanket and Hat sports a lovely applique on both the hat and blanket that is a star or snowflake shape.  Considering it is still snowing outside, this pretty blanket called out to me. 
• In the Etsy storefront Olga Poltava sells her Easy to Make unisex  Baby Blanket.  It's simplicity is highlighted by the yarn chosen making this the perfect choice for beginners who want to try their hand at a baby blanket. 
• Made especially for the Caron Cakes "Cherry Chip" yarn, the Cherry Chip Baby Afghan is a great way to use up that Caron Cake you've been dying to try! 

I encourage you to take a look at Olga Poltava's blog site, Etsy and Craftsy pages for more stunning patterns.  If you don't crochet, you can enquire here on the blog page or on the facebook page for my price of materials ect.

I love just surfing the patterns at Ravelry.  This is how I came to find the marvelous  CandyLou.  I thought to myself, have I been living under a rock?  How did I miss this designer???  Mercifully I saw that most of her patterns had been published in 2017.  Of course at first I saw only a few patterns for sale and thought that I could not write an entire blog on just a few patterns? However, knitters can rejoice, CandyLou has a website and a blog upon which there are more patterns!  (not just blanket patterns) I concur with her that it is much easier to use a knit and purl design to keep from creating a mess on the backside of the baby afghan.  As I did with Lacy Crochet allow me to share my favorite free patterns and my favorite paid patterns... if I can manage to choose!  

•  Here is a pattern from CanyLou's blog that is very straightforward yet so sweet.  This will become a favorite blankie in no time!  CandyLou's Love this Baby Blankie is sure to become one of those patterns made again and again! 

• Kristen's Baby Blanket, Hat and Booties, is a quick to work up baby gift or gift for your own little one.  I like this because all three patterns are easy to pick up even if you are in a waiting room some place!  
• This blanket is a little twist on the feather and fan stitch.  I really like this stitch for a blanket or sweater because it's very classy and will make a keepsake of the baby's first events like photos or baptism.  CanyLou's Baby Fan Blanket is a sweet addition to any baby gift.  

There are more free patterns on CandyLou's blog site.  Please don't miss her portfolio.  It's a wonderful collection of her work mixed with work of other designers.  

Candylouscreations on Ravelry is the premium page for CandyLou's designs.   I really struggled to pick out a couple of favorites because I want everyone to check out these pages for themselves.  So I decided on only 2 blanket patterns to get my readers to go over to the Ravelry page for more so I don't give away the game! 

• This blanket is absolutely priceless.  I love it.  Matching a room with a jungle decor or a favorite story about animals. this blanket will absolutely highlight what you love about handmade blankets.  Lionhearted Baby Blanket is a classic. 
• The Butterfly Love Blanket is a sweet little blanket for a nursery.  Like CandyLou says, no strings or messy threads carried over the back to be seen.  The back looks as neat as the front.  Perfect!  

Okay so that wraps up my two in one blog for today.  I do want to thank Olga Poltava and CandyLou for their gorgeous work!  It has been my great pleasure to write about these two amazing designers!