Crochet a Cozy Lap Blanket with Icelandic Wool for Ultimate Warmth

Are you looking for a project that combines creativity, warmth, and practicality?

Crocheting a lap blanket offers just that!

Using Icelandic wool elevates your creation to a new level, thanks to its remarkable warmth, durability, and appealing texture. In this guide, I'll showcase the unique benefits of Icelandic wool, provide an easy pattern for a snug lap blanket, and share tips to enhance your crocheting journey, making it enjoyable and stress-free.

Hexagon lap blanket crochet with Icelandic wool, Lettlopi.

Why Choose Icelandic Wool?

Icelandic wool stands out because it originates from a special breed of sheep native to Iceland. These sheep have adapted to the harsh Icelandic landscape, producing a wool that offers unparalleled warmth and water resistance.

Lettlopi yarn left over from the hexagon blanket project.

Key Features of Icelandic Wool:

• Two-layer Structure: A long, water-resistant outer fiber (tog) that repels water and a soft, insulating inner fiber (Þel) that traps warmth. This unique combination makes the Icelandic Wool, lopi that is warm, lightweight, breathable and durable which makes this wool an ideal choice for cozy projects like lap blanket.

• Colors: You can find Icelandic wool in a variety of natural shades, from soft grey to earthy browns, allowing for stunning crochet and knitting designs. The white wool of the Icelandic sheep is also dyed in yummy colors using sustainable and eco-friendly methods.

• Locally made by Istex: The main manufacture of Icelandic Wool is Istex, which was established in 1896 in a city next to Reykjavik, Mosfellsbaer. The Icelandic farmers own more than 80% of the company and the wool is certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX.

Materials Needed for the lap blanket

Before you embark on your crocheting adventure, make sure you have the following materials on hand:

• Icelandic wool yarn: Gather approximately 1000 grams of Lettlopi. This estimate depends on the size you prefer for your blanket. My lap blanket is 41"x66", just the right size when cozying up with a book by the fire.

• Crochet hook: Use a 6 mm hook to achieve a loose stitch.

• Scissors: For cutting threads. There are a few!

• Tapestry needle: Essential for weaving in loose threads and assembling the blanket.

  
  

Equipping yourself with the right materials will lead to a smoother and more enjoyable crocheting experience.

Basic Crochet Stitches

If you are new to crocheting, familiarizing yourself with fundamental stitches is crucial. The main stitches used in this lap blankets include:

• Magic loop

• Single Crochet (sc)

• Half double crochet (hdc)

• Double Crochet (dc)

• Treble Crochet (tr)

• Slip Stitch (sl st)

• Chain stitch (ch)

source:Crochet 365 Knit Too

If you're new to crocheting, numerous really great online resources are readily available. I prefer picture tutorials, but choose any video or picture tutorials that provide step-by-step guidance for mastering these fundamental stitches.

A Lap Blanket Pattern with hexagons

Here’s a straightforward pattern to create a cozy lap blanket using Icelandic wool:

Step 1: Create hexagons, total of 144 + 18 half hexagons

Rnd1: Make a magic ring and crochet 12 dc, finishing with a slip stitch (12 stitches)

Rnd2: Make 3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 1 ch into the same stitch, then two dc into each stitch from previous round (24 stitches)

Rnd3: Start with 3 ch, 1 dc into next stitch, *into the next stitch 2 dc with 1ch between, then 3 dc into the next 3 stitches, repeat from * , finish with 1 dc and a sl st to finish the round (30 stitches)

Rnd4: 3 ch stitches into any of the center stitch from the previous round, 1 dc into next 2 stitches. *2 dc into the corner stitch, 1 ch, 2 dc, 5 dc into the next 5 stitched, repeat from *, finish with 2 dc into the corner stitch, 1 ch, 2 dc and 3 dc into the next 3 stitches (42 stitches)

For this lap blanket I used Lettlopi from left over projects, total of 14 different colors and light grey. It's made out of 144 hexagons

• 69 hexagons with rnd1 in colored yarn

• 65 hexagons with rnd1/rnd2 in colored yarn

• 10 hexagons with rnd1/rnd2/rnd3 in colored yarn

I then crochet 18 half hexagons to make the side of the blanket straight. I basically just took the pattern and halved the pattern and made a half hexagon. Forgot to take a photo, but hopefully you get my thinking.

Step 2: Sew the hexagon together

Now comes the fun part, designing the blanket and sewing the hexagons together. There are many ways to accomplish this, but I used a needle and went into the back loop of each hexagon, sewing the sides together and going around each hexagon linking it to the next hexagon making a solid surface.

Basically you insert the needle into the back loop of two hexagons making sure they line up. Then you follow it around and sew the next one to it.

Step 3: Crochet a boarder on the top and bottom of the blanket

To make the blanket with straight border I crochet the following. On top of each hexagon I started with a sl st, then sc, half dc, dc, triple dc, then towards the center, where the hexagons joined I made 5 triple crochets that I crocheted together before I reversed the order of my stitching to fill in the space between the hexagons at the top and bottom of the blanket.

Crochet sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, 5 tr crochet together, tr, dc, hdc, sc, sl st to fill in the space between each hexagon at the top and bottom of the blanket to make the boarder straight.

Step 4: Crochet a boarder around the blanket

I started with 1 row of dc into every stitch around the blanket to make it easier to make a smooth boarder. Then I stitched into every other stitch 1 dc with 1 ch between. In the next row I crocheted 1 dc into the chain stitch and 3 dc into each corner. This gave me a straight boarder and a finished look. As you can see on the picture below, I alternated light and colorful rows and used up nearly all my leftover yarn I had in my stash.

Boarder is made with crocheting 1 dc and 1 ch, skipping every other stitch to get a light boarder. Total of 10 rows, alternating between light and colorful rows using any leftover yarn I had left in my stash.

This was so much fun. Love this boarder as it's made with nearly every color that I hadn't already finished while making the hexagons. What a relief that I finally found a project to finish of all those left over skeins from various lopapeysu that I have knitted for my family through the years. All in all the boarder ended with 10 rounds of alternating light colors rows and bright colors rows, finishing of the blanket with back boarder.

It just needed a black row to finish of this lovely blanket, and the best part is that I used up around 1 kg of left over skeins of lettlopi in various colors that I had in my stash.

Helpful Tips for Working with Icelandic Wool

1. Gauge Swatch: Before starting your blanket it's advised to make a gauge swatch, but I didn't. Just make sure you always use the same size and make of needle. This will ensure your stitches match the required size, leading to uniform dimensions for your blanket.

   
   

2. Care Instructions: While Icelandic wool is naturally water-resistant, it is important to hand wash your blanket in cold water and lay it flat to dry. Avoid the washing machine, as it can lead to felting.

   
   

3. Explore Color Combinations: Do not hesitate to experiment with different colors of Icelandic wool. Try creating stripes, blocks, or even gradient effects for a look that's uniquely yours.

   
   

4. Comfort is Key: Crocheting can be a lengthy but fun process. Make yourself comfortable in a supportive chair, take breaks, and keep a cozy blanket nearby for extra warmth as you work. Hexagons can be made anywhere, it´s only when you start constructing the blanket that it needs to lay flat!

   
   

My finished lap blanket - it's so yummy, warm and cozy!

Wrapping It Up

Creating a lap blanket from Icelandic wool is a fulfilling project that not only keeps you warm but also acts as a functional piece for your home. Thanks to the unique properties of Icelandic wool, your blanket will remain cozy and durable for years.

Whether you are an experienced crocheter or just starting, this project is accessible and enjoyable. So gather your materials, find your favorite spot, and start crafting your very own cozy lap blanket. Mix up the colors, mix up the size of the colored center in each center. Find all your leftover lopi yarn and just start. You can't go wrong. Own your creativity, Own your design and have fun.

Happy crocheting!