Today I’m sharing with you a project that I wanted to finish by the back-to-school/dorm time, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to complete it on time. I’m still working on it between Halloween projects (yes there are more coming =) ) and I intend to finish it soon because I know that some of you already feel the need to cover yourselves with a nice warm blanket.
But better than a soft warm blanket is a soft warm blanket where you can brush up on your chemistry =)
That’s why I’m making a Periodic Table blanket! I ensure you I know more chemical elements names and symbols now than ever before!
So that’s what these colorful rectangles are, chemical elements. Each color represents one group of the periodic table.
Each rectangle represents one element where you can see the symbol, name and atomic number. As you can see some elements still don’t have their names.
This project arose because I wanted to learn Tunisian crochet, its texture reminds me of waffles =)
As I learnt how to make it I encountered some beautiful projects where you could see that it worked really well with pixilated images. I also noticed that this could work really well with text and that’s what gave me the idea to make the Periodic Table blanket (that and my love for science).
For the elements’ rectangles I used a normal 5mm crochet hook, but for the longer pieces I had to buy a proper Tunisian crochet hook! Yay! =D
So now I just need to finish a few rectangles, sew the names of some elements and join all the rectangles (that should be fun…). I’ll be sure to make a tutorial on joining the rectangles when I start doing that.
Oh, and one quick tip, weave in the ends as you finish the rectangles. In the beginning I didn’t do that and then I had to weave in ends that never seemed to end… =P
What are you working on for the cold months ahead?
What a unique idea! Do you have a pattern for the squares? My brother would love this blanket!
Hi Amanda!
Thank you for your comments!
The blanket is not ready yet but I am planning on releasing the pattern once it is finished! When it happens I'll be sure to give you a heads up = )
Hi did u ever finish the blanket? I'd love to see it. 🙂
Hi Bernadette!
I did finish it! =D
You can check it out here: http://www.buddyrumi.com/blog/2013/5/20/in-my-project-bag.html
Thank you!
Ana Rosa
Did you use a color work technique for the element symbols or sew/embroider them onto solid colored rectangles? (i’m trying to make something similar, but am a bit confused)
Hi Ame,
To make the element symbols I just changed the color I was working in to make the letters. I started with the background color and changed to a black yarn when I had to make a stitch to form the letters.
The only thing I embroidered was the atomic number and the name of the elements.
Hope it helps!
This is really cool! Did you ever post the pattern for this? I couldn’t find it
Hi McKenzie,
Thank you so much! =)
Unfortunately I never finished the pattern… It’s one thing I wish to do but it seams that something always jumps in front of it…
When I finally finish it I’ll be sure to give you a heads up! =D
Hi is there a pattern? i would love one
Hi Ari,
Unfortunately I never finished this pattern.
Thank you for your interest anyway! =)
What size are your squares?
Hi Louise,
The rectangles are, more or less, 12x9cm (4.72×3.54 inches).
Thank you!
This is very cool. I am totally impressed with the inclusion of the element name. I have been working on my own knit version for over three years now. Some days I feel like I will never finish it. That is when I turn to Google for inspiration. Thanks for showing me it is possible! Oh, and I left my ends so I could connect the squares with them – less weaving over all that way! https://www.ravelry.com/projects/tcbosco1/periodic-table-of-elements-blanket
Thank you so much Trish!!!
I know what you mean, there were times when I couldn’t look at another rectangle! =P
I think I joined the rectangles with a seperate yarn at the end so I could join the rows all in one go, and later the columns. Hope that makes sense… But your way is so smart! =D
Love how your letters and squares are so neat and love the chemical structures, You have done an great job!! It looks like you’re almost done! You can do it! =)