Prestigious Crochet Blanket Awards: Celebrating The Art Of Crochet

The British Knitting & Crochet Awards is an annual event that recognises the best in the industry, from yarn brands to knitting designers. The awards are entirely customer-led, with all finalists nominated and voted for by the public. In 2024, the Dragon Scales Baby Blanket, a mix of regular crochet and Tunisian crochet techniques, received an award for its cool texture. The Granny Square, a traditional and beginner-friendly pattern, has also been recognised in the awards, with a Granny Square dress even making an appearance on the red carpet.

Crochet blankets with awards for their cool texture

If you're looking for a crochet blanket with an award-winning, cool texture, you're in luck! While I wasn't able to find specific awards given for cool crochet blanket textures, I did find some patterns that you can use to create your own award-worthy textures.

The first is the "Stained Glass Blanket" by LillaBjörn Crochet, which uses overlay crochet and post stitches to create a stunning, colourful effect. Another pattern that creates a unique texture is the "Madhu Blanket" by KnitterKnotter, which uses overlay stitches and Tunisian techniques to create a honeycomb texture.

If you're looking for a more classic pattern, you can try the "Mateo's Granny Square Blanket" by Cypress Textiles, or the "Linked Hearts Baby Blanket" by Emma Moss, which uses the filet crochet technique to create heart stripes.

For a more modern take on crochet, the "Waffle Stitch Baby Blanket" by Sirin's Crochet creates a warm and thick blanket with a unique ribbed border. Or, you can try the "Magical Butterfly Throw" by Crochet Kim, which uses cluster stitches to create a lovely lacy texture.

So, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned crocheter, you can create your own award-worthy crochet blanket textures with these patterns and more!

Crochet hooks used for award-winning blankets

Crochet hooks come in different sizes and choosing the right one depends on the type of yarn you are using and how loose or tight you want your stitches to be. The size of the crochet hook is indicated by a letter and a number in millimetres. For example, a US Size J crochet hook is 5.00 mm.

The most common crochet hook size is H (5.00 mm), which is often used with worsted weight yarn for projects like blankets and scarves. When making a blanket, it is recommended to use a larger hook size than what is suggested on the yarn label to achieve a drapey effect.

For a beginner fall throw blanket, a US Size J crochet hook can be used with worsted weight yarn. This type of blanket typically involves double and single crochet stitches, creating a simple yet beautiful pattern.

If you are looking to create more complex patterns for award-winning blankets, you can explore different crochet techniques such as overlay crochet, interlocking crochet, Tunisian crochet, or filet crochet. These techniques often require specific crochet hooks to achieve the desired effect.

For example, the Madhu Blanket by KnitterKnotter uses overlay stitches and Tunisian techniques, requiring a specific type of crochet hook called a Tunisian crochet hook, which is longer than a standard crochet hook.

When choosing a crochet hook for award-winning blankets, consider the type of yarn, the desired stitch size, and the technique you will be using. Experiment with different hooks to find the one that works best for your project.

Crochet awards for the best pattern house

The British Knitting & Crochet Awards, run by Let's Knit and Let's Get Crafting, is a good place to start when it comes to crochet awards for the best pattern house. With almost 15,000 public votes cast in 2016, the awards are an important event for knitters and crocheters across the country.

In 2016, the Favourite Pattern House award went to Deramores, with Stylecraft in second place. The following year, Stylecraft took the top spot, with Deramores in second. In 2018, Stylecraft retained its title, and in 2019, the award went to Marriner Yarns, with Stylecraft and Deramores recognised as highly commended.

The 2020 British Knitting & Crochet Awards saw Marriner Yarns and Stylecraft both recognised once more, with Marriner Yarns taking the top spot. In 2021, Stylecraft was again named the Favourite Pattern House, and in 2022, the award went to Stylecraft for the fifth time.

In addition to the British Knitting & Crochet Awards, the annual awards presented by US-based online retailer KnitPicks include the category of Favourite Pattern House. In 2022, the award went to KnitPicks itself, with WeCrochet and Ravelry recognised as first and second runners-up, respectively.

Crochet blanket awards for the best independent yarn brand

The annual British Knitting & Crochet Awards, organised by Let's Knit and Let's Get Crafting, is the perfect place to start when discussing the best independent yarn brand for crochet blankets. With almost 30,000 votes cast in 2022, these awards are a true testament to the public's passion for knitting and crochet.

Best Independent Yarn Brand Winners

In 2022, the Best Independent Yarn Brand award went to Deramores, a retailer that also won two other categories: Best Chain Store/Multiple and Best Knitting Needle Range. Deramores is known for its wide range of yarns and knitting supplies, offering both quality and affordability.

Honourable Mentions

Other independent yarn brands that have been recognised in the British Knitting & Crochet Awards over the years include:

• West Yorkshire Spinners: This brand has consistently appeared in the awards, often taking first place in the Best Brand for British Yarn category. Their yarns are known for their quality and are a favourite among UK crafters.
• Toft Alpaca: Specialising in natural yarns, Toft Alpaca has been a frequent runner-up in the Best Independent Yarn Brand category. Their yarns offer a luxurious experience for crochet enthusiasts.
• Fyberspates: This brand has earned a spot in the awards, showcasing their unique and high-quality yarns.
• Baa Ram Ewe: With a focus on British wool, Baa Ram Ewe has been recognised for their commitment to local yarns and has won awards for their independent stores.
• LoveKnitting: As a popular online yarn retailer, LoveKnitting offers a vast selection of yarns and has been a consistent runner-up in the Best Independent Yarn Brand category.

Factors to Consider for Crochet Blankets

When choosing the best yarn for crochet blankets, there are several factors to keep in mind:

• Yarn Weight: Bulky or super-bulky yarns will work up faster, while lighter weight yarns will take longer but can create a delicate and airy fabric.
• Fiber Content: Natural fibres like wool provide warmth, while acrylic is versatile, and cotton is great for spring and summer projects.
• Washability: Consider the washing instructions for the yarn. Animal fibres often require hand washing, while synthetic fibres like acrylic and cotton are usually machine washable.
• Cost: Crochet blankets require a significant amount of yarn, so consider your budget and the total cost of the project.
• Texture: Some yarns have a unique texture, like novelty yarns, which can add interest to your crochet blanket but may be more challenging for beginners.

Recommended Yarns for Crochet Blankets

Based on the awards and the factors mentioned above, here are some recommended yarns to consider for your crochet blanket projects:

• Bernat Blanket Yarn: This super bulky yarn is perfect for quick projects and creates a soft and plush fabric.
• Red Heart With Love Yarn: A durable and machine-washable medium-weight yarn that offers excellent value with its generous yardage.
• Lion Brand Heartland Yarn: A soft worsted-weight yarn with beautiful heathering, adding texture and definition to your crochet blanket.
• Lion Brand Pound of Love Yarn: This yarn offers exceptional value with its generous yardage, making it an efficient and budget-friendly choice for blankets.
• Red Heart Soft Baby Steps Yarn: A reliable and affordable option for baby blankets, with a range of pastel colours.
• Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn!": A versatile worsted-weight yarn that is soft, easy to work with, and offers excellent yardage.

These awards and recommendations showcase the diverse range of independent yarn brands available, each offering unique qualities to enhance your crochet blanket projects. Whether you're looking for speed, softness, durability, or value, there's a yarn brand ready to meet your needs and help you create cosy and beautiful crochet blankets.

Crochet blanket awards for the best baby yarn brand

The best baby yarn brand is an important award category as yarn suitable for baby blankets must be soft, durable, and easy to care for. Here are the winners of the best baby yarn brand award from the British Knitting & Crochet Awards over the years:

2022

First Place - King Cole

2021

First Place - Stylecraft

2020

First Place - Marriner Yarns

2019

First Place - Stylecraft

2018

First Place - Debbie Bliss

2017

First Place - Debbie Bliss

2016

First Place - Debbie Bliss

2015

First Place - Debbie Bliss

2014

First Place - Debbie Bliss

Debbie Bliss has won the award for the best baby yarn brand an impressive six times, with Stylecraft and King Cole also taking the top spot in recent years.

In addition to the official awards, several crochet bloggers have shared their favourite yarns for crochet baby blankets. These include Brava and Vanna's Choice from Lionbrand, Softee Baby and Baby Blanket Yarn from Bernat, and Soft Baby Steps from Red Heart.

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