Dotghan .25 (measures 15.5″ x 21″)

This is intended to be a small blanket appropriate for preemie use. Like Dotghan 1.0, this project uses the game DOTS as its source of inspiration.

Materials:
5.0mm hook (H hook)

Red Heart Super Saver:

I used Red Heart Super Saversoft white for the back ground, and Red Heart Super Saver gold, spring green, delft, cherry red, and dark orchid for the dots.

In order to get the straight edge that does not require a border, I modified the way the first stitch of the row is typically worked, and there are specific directions for how to turn the piece at the end of the row. What follows are some notes and a video that I hope will be helpful to anyone wanting to make this project.

Notes:

• The first hdc of each row (including the foundation) is worked by pulling up a loop of approximately 1/2″ and then working an hdc into the stitch indicated.
• For the foundation row, the hdc are worked into the back ridge of each chain.
• After working the last hdc of each row, turn the piece counter clockwise.

In this video, I make a small half double swatch that demonstrates the three technical aspects mentioned in the above notes:

Now for the pattern:

Using Red Heart Super Saver soft white and a 5.0 mm hook, chain 45.

Row 1: Draw up a loop and work a hdc in the back ridge loop of 45th chain (mark the first hdc of the row with a stitch marker, hdc in each of the 44 remaining back ridge loops. (45 hdc).
Turn the piece counter clockwise.

Row 2: Draw up loop and work an hdc through both loops of the first stitch of the row, hdc in each of the remaining 44 sts (45 hdc).

Rows 3 – 49: repeat Row 2. Fasten off.

Half double dots:

Make a variety of dots in the colors listed above depending on how you want to arrange the dots.

Using a 5.0 mm hook, chain 4 and join with a slip st to the first chain made to form a loop.

Round 1: Pull the loop on the hook up approximately 1/2″ and then work the first hdc into the loop. Work 9 more hdc into the loop. Join with a slip st to the first hdc made (10 hdc)

Here is a video that demonstrates how I make two-round half double dots (for this project, you will just work the first round, fasten off, and leave a tail long enough to applique the dot to the blanket and weave in the end on the back side of the project):

Once you have the dots made, space them out evenly onto the afghan and applique them neatly into place.

For Dotghan .25, I found it helpful to wait to applique until all of the blanket was completed and use lengths of yarn basted through the completed blanket to create a grid to guide me in placing the dots as pictured here: