When I studied geography long time ago, I learned to crochet. At that time they had nothing to do one with another, except for that I loved both.
Until one day a friend who was on mission in Africa, asked me for a gift: a crocheted pillow. Beige. And I had this thought: Africa! I will crochet the map of Africa for her! That’s how it started.
Purchase printable PDF on Etsy HERE or on LoveCrafts HERE.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.
Pin in for later HERE.
Crocheting maps is my passion and it’s so versatile. People like having things that remind them of their homeland/places they’ve been to or dream to visit.
As the years went by, I had a growing family, growing love for crochet and for the world. And as you know, nature can be the best designer! So when people ask what my inspiration is, I say “the world atlas!”
Beginner C2C Skills Are All You Need
This pattern uses c2c technique. If you’re new to it, Jess has some great tutorials how to start. It’s not difficult and it’s worth learning, because it opens the whole new world of possibilities of crocheting (not only maps!) If you’re afraid of the color changes – don’t worry! Thanks to Africa’s simple shoreline there are very few!
You Can Easily Design Your Own Map!
Nature is the greatest designer of all and physical maps are a definite proof of it. All you have to do is use nature’s designs! Africa is a beautiful continent and whether you’ve already been there or dream to go one day, you can have access to it now at home. You can wrap your new baby nice map blanket right from the beginning. And when he, or she, is older, use it to learn geography!
If you like the idea of crocheting maps and want to design one of your own, I have some tips for you. All you’ll need is use Google and Stitchfiddle.com (not difficult, huh?).
When you decide which land you want to crochet, search a silhouette of the country or state. For example, I searched for “Africa map silhouette” from Google. Download the one that looks like a solid map, not a sketch.
Then on stitchfiddle.com (what an AMAZING tool!) use this picture as a base of your c2c crochet pattern. You will have to adjust the dimensions depending on your gauge, number of yarn colors etc. Remember: the thinner your yarn is, you can have “higher resolution” of your pattern and thus make it more detailed!
You can also try crocheting with colors. I’ve already crocheted plenty of maps and I generally use c2c for blankets and throws, because there is almost no “wrong side” in c2c. Both sides look great. (See more of my crochet map projects here!)
I use fair isle crochet for pillows because you can “hide” the wrong side inside the pillow. You can have a look on maps in both techniques on my Instagram or Pinterest profiles You can even have your own New Zealand or Greenland this way! Tempting…
And so the adventure begins!
You like the idea of crocheting a map, but would prefer to start with something smaller thana blanket? Have a look at my other Africa patters, including potholder, shoulder bag, wall hanging: BIG or SMALL, pillow or granny square motif.
Explanation: Add a spirit of adventure to your place with this vintage-map-style blanket! Big enough not only for a baby, it’s great for kids of all ages to play and learn with it. If you know how to c2c crochet, this pattern will be easy for you to make: Africa is a solid block of land, so there are at the most only two color changes and (hooray) just a few ends to weave in! Amazing softness and wonderful colors of yarn make it both cozy and beautiful!
Purchase the ad-free printable pdf on Etsy HERE or on Lovecrafts HERE.
Add to you Ravelry queue HERE.
Pin it for later HERE.
Supplies:
Yarn
• Lion Brand Heartland (Weight: 4/medium – 251 yds 5/230 m)
For the main blanket, according to the graph:
– Light: Yellowstone (#136-158) – 3 balls
– Dark: Glacier Bay (#136-105) – 3 balls
Additional yarn just for the border:
– Acadia (#136-098) – 1 ball (just a few m/yds of it)
• Size H (5.00 mm) crochet hook
Sizes/Measurements:
• 40.5” x 43.5”/103×110 cm
Gauge:
• 5 dc tiles = 10cm/4”
Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
RS – right side
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
WS – wrong side
Overall Pattern Notes:
• Main blanket pattern is worked using this free graph and the diagonal box stitch (c2c) in double crochet stitches. The borders are added once the blanket is complete.
Begin in lower right hand corner and work diagonally through Vintage Africa Map Blanket graph using the double crochet C2C stitch (tutorial HERE).
Next: Fasten off. Weave in all ends. (They are NOT MANY! Hooray!)
BORDER
Notes:
• Borders are worked in the round with RS of blanket facing throughout.
• See photo below for close-up of borders.
Attach Dark color yarn in any place on the outside edge of blanket.
NOTICE: There are 3 skeins of Dark color (Heartland Glacier Bay) needed to complete the main blanket. You likely have very little left, just enough to complete this first round of border. If for some reason you don’t have enough of it, use Heartland Acadia color to make border 1.
Border 1: Ch1 (counts as sc), 3 sc in each tile. Place 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to first ch from beginning of round to join. Fasten off.
Border 2: Attach Acadia yarn, ch1 (counts as sc), sc in each sc of previous row. Place 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to first ch from beginning of round to join.
Border 3: Continue with Acadia yarn, repeat previous row. Fasten off.
Border 4: Attach Light color yarn, ch1 (counts as sc), ch3, *sk 2 sc, sc*, repeat to complete round. Sl st to first ch from beginning of round to join.
Border 5: Continue with Light color yarn. Ch1, sc in ch3sp, *6dc in next ch3 space, sc in next ch3 space*, repeat to complete round. (Don’t worry about exact math of 6dc fans placement at corners. Only be careful not to make it too tight, so the corners don’t curl up.)
To finish border: Sl st to first ch of round to join. Fasten off and weave in all remaining ends.
To use you lefover yarn, consider making South America Map Pillow. Find the free pattern here.
This pattern was originally published on Make and Do Crew blog. Jess, I am forever grateful for this opportunity!
If you like this pattern but have already too many WIPs, PIN IT FOR LATER. When you make it, please tag me on Instagram @pukapukapl so that I can see it and for a chance to be featured!