As you may recall, we ran a CAL earlier this year, designed by Judie Huhn Benson, entitled “The HUG“. The design came from hours on end in hospitals, Emergency Room waiting areas, and endless periods of waiting for her son Brian while he battled courageously with Hemophilia. He unfortunately lost his battle with this disease, but he gave it his all, with Judie at his side, crocheting away, the entire time. The HUG became a part of every trip for medical attention, and was a constant reminder to hug those you love for Judie and all the recipients of this beloved design.

The HUG, although simple and familiar in design, uses a different “cluster” of stitches to make the time tested Granny Square blankets we all remember learning to crochet with. The easy and quick design we are accustomed to has become more durable and just as quick with this pattern.

If you are looking for a quick design to change up your living room or guest bedroom for guests this holiday, wanting to showcase your crochet skills with a new piece set on the armchair at your next holiday dinner party, need something for a gift for someone special and don’t have endless hours left for crocheting a large project, or just need something cozy and yarny to cuddle under….. The HUG is the answer you have been waiting for!

Judie has created a new colorway for her design that adds to the holiday feel. Throw in a sparkle yarn and you have a totally different look! The solid “border” blocks in this picture have changed the entire look from the original HUG that we showcased as a CAL in May 2018.

CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY HUG

To recreate this particular design you will need to use 3 colors instead of 2. You will need to make:

INNER BLOCKS:

•8 blocks with rounds 1-4 in red and round 5 in green.

•1 block with rounds 1-4 in white and round 5 in green.

•1 block with rounds 1-2 in green, rounds 3-4 in red, and round 5 in green.

•1 block with rounds 1-2 in red, rounds 3-4 in white, and round 5 in green.

•1 block with rounds 1-2 in green, rounds 3-4 in white, and round 5 in green.

•1 block with rounds 1 and 3 in white, rounds 2 and 4 in red, and round 5 in green.

•1 block with rounds 1, 3 and 5 in green, and rounds 2 and 4 in red.

•1 block with rounds 1, 3 and 5 in green, and rounds 2 and 4 in white.

OUTSIDE BLOCKS:

•All 5 rounds in green.

FINISHING:

•Sew all blocks together with green yarn.

•Border / Edging – the final edging will be done in red.

There is always room for another HUG!

CHRISTMAS HOLLY HUG

To complete this colorway you will need to create your blocks as follows:

INNER BLOCKS:

•Round 1: Red

•Round 2: Green

•Round 3: White

•Round 4: White

•Round 5: Red

Sew all inner blocks together in red.

OUTTER BLOCKS:

•Rounds 1-5 in green

Sew all outside blocks together with green.

FINISHING:

•Border/Edging: the final edging will be done in red.

There can never be too many HUGS!!!

The original blog about The HUG can be found here:

https://calcrochetalong.com/2018/04/15/the-hug/

And the FREE PATTERN can be found here:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hug-blanket-cal

Be sure to watch for future designs from Judie in our “Celebrating the Flower Series”.

Make sure to give someone a hug this holiday, even if it’s for yourself!!!

Happy Holidays,

Jo