Dad's Favorite Shoulder Blanket by Cara Louise Reitbauer

Dad's Favorite Shoulder Blanket

Crochet
September 2023
Aran (8 wpi) ?
14 stitches and 7.5 rows = 4 inches
in Linked Double Crochet
5.5 mm (I)
950 - 964 yards (869 - 881 m)
one size
US
English
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My dad always loved to wander around with a blanket on his shoulders, even after my parents moved to Florida. He always said it just felt cozy. What he didn’t love was that rectangular blankets would always slip off his shoulders, because shoulders just are NOT very rectangular! So I designed a shoulder blanket for him (we definitely never called his a shawl!), so it would stay put.

(I made mine in shades of pink, but I’ve also made the photo black and white so you can imagine this in shades of gray. Dad’s was nautical blue and green.)

There’s no fancy stitching here, just rows of a very simple linked variation of double crochet stitches. The LDC sts lend a bit of texture interest without making it frilly, meaning that this is something anyone could be happy to be “caught” wearing! Making this in an easy care, washable and dryable yarn is important, because this one is going to be used constantly, it’s not just a special occasion item!

This is going to be your favorite too. Throw it over your shoulders, or as a lap blanket, while watching TV, or when you’re not sure whether you need a sweater while sipping your morning coffee, or running out to get the mail…The raglan construction means it’s actually shaped to fit over your shoulders, just like a sweater.
But, making one with special yarn for special occasions is a fabulous idea too! Any fancier edging could be added to dress this up further if desired.

YARN
2 skeins Red Heart Super Saver Ombre (100% acrylic; 10 oz/482 yds per skein), or any other worsted #4 weight yarn of your choice

HOOK
I hook 5.5 mm

OTHER MATERIALS
Stitch Markers
Tapestry needle
OPTIONAL 4 buttons, approximately ¾ inch diameter

FINISHED SIZE
Approximately 18 inches around neck; 20 inches long down front edge.