The day before my father went to Alcoholics Anonymos

Early January 1982 we went with my mommy to drop my father Jacob Johannes Kruger off at work.  He was a belligerent functional alcoholic. 

The night before had been particularly horrible.  He had been drinking most of the night, throwing stuff and hitting my mom.  For a change I hadn't had a beating (he got my mom pregnant before she was 18 and apparently it was my fault that he was such a failure).  I was just short of fifteen and for what I can remember of those fifteen years mommy and I had been abused every day. 

For the first seven years we lived next door to my beloved grandparents and it was just emotional abuse and fear, having a gun stuck in my face and being told to shut up about what he did to my mom. 

After we moved away the physical abuse started.  He always beat us where no one could see it.

Most of the time he was out of steam when it came to my sister Tania who was five years younger than me.  She has the same selfish nature as our father and loves to play the victim.  I think that is why he left her alone for the most part.  My nature is the exact opposite. 

On the way to Krugersdorp where he was manager at Stern's Jewellers, my sister was as usual whining about something. He stopped the car just by the railway in Wentworth Park.   Got out of the car, went into the bush and cut a branch off a tree.    He always was armed and had a lead pipe and a massive bush knife in the car.  He pulled me out of the car and beat me actross my back, legs and shoulders.  Then made me get back in the car telling me to shut up or he would give me something to tjank about (whine in Afrikaans).

He had beaten me so badly that my skin split open and haematoma started forming ( I have permanent nerve damage in my shoulders, back and legs).   Mom had tried to shield me and he had for the first time hit her where it could be seen splitting her arms open.  

Mom had to take me to my Nanna's doctor as she could not afford the doctors fee because my father drank out all the money.   The doctor phoned my Grandparents.  They came to the rooms.   The doctor phoned my father and told him he had a record of the abuse.   My Oupa went to my father's work and told him if he ever touched me again he would have him jailed, and if he didn't get sober he and my Nanna would have us taken away.  That was the first time my grandparents found out about this as mom and I had hidden it so well.

That night Mon fetched him.  We stayed home and found a place to hide.  He just dropped mom off and went straight to the bar.  

He came home drunk out of his mind after the bar closed.   Having already lost control of his bodily functions he threw his soiled clothes in the passage and started raging around naked.  Hurling glass and pots out of the cupboards looking for more booze.   He was so off his face he drank methylated spirits.  Which he vomited up all over the kitchen.  

I locked myself and my sister in the sitting room which was the only door with a key and we hiid under the furniture.   We could hear him hitting mom with a police belt he called "Sloegem".   His favourite was beating us with the buckle end.

The next day was the first day of my second year of high school.  I patted baby powder over my face to cover up the redness from crying most of the night.   Put on my uniform and went to school as if nothing had happened.

When we got home there was an intervention from Alcoholics Anonymous.  That was the last day he drank.

He got sober.  Got the badges and the pats on the shoulder for beating his addiction.   He got to be the hero.  

The fact that my father had broken me in every way possible was conveniently forgotten.   He remained an emotional abuser and gas lighter.

My grandfather got cancer and died February 1983.

The thing that enrages me the most was that his sanctimonious eldest sister, Kitty, knew about the abuse and did nothing. If my brother abused his family I sure as hell wouldn't turn a blind eye.

The first time I tried to commit suicide  was just after I left school.  I had been interviewing  for a bursary and he told me I was too stupid to get it and would remain a nothing for the rest of my life.  I  have an IQ  of 145 which by no means makes me a genius  but I'm far from stupid.

Luckily  I knew nothing about meds back then and took just enough paracetamol  to make me violently ill.  I had to be hospitalised  for two weeks.

I did get the bursary, came first in my class and got a brilliant job.   I had to work for two years at the company  to repay my bursary.   

I hope this helps give others a voice to speak out and find healing.

Name THEM and shame THEM 

Project Yarn De-Stash Part 2

....... continued

(this post was written way back at the beginning of November already - I have been in a bit of an internet "dead spot" since then and have only recently managed to get a new line sorted out!)

Cosmos Fields

This pattern was written especially for "novice" crocheters and for those wanting a bit of therapeutic, repetitive hooking.   

It was designed specifically for easily accessible (and super to work with) yarns like Elle and Stylecraft Special DK, but works up fantastically in a more luxurious yarn.

Elle Rustica, Family Print DK and Cotton Fleck (5.00mm hook)

For the shawl a minimum of 55 rows are crocheted before starting on the border and for the scarf 39 rows.  

Elle Rustica and Family Print DK (5.00mm hook)

The repeat rows of double crochet are perfect for using up oddments of yarn, and the simplicity of the pattern allows for incorporation of various types of yarn of the same thickness.     

A mixture of Elle Cotton Fleck and Lollipop Melange DK (5.00mm hook)

The turquoise Rustica compliments the Family DK print perfectly in this gift for a very kind and special lady

Elle Rustica, Family DK, Classic Wool DK (5.00mm hook)

Hibiscus Coast Granny

This scarf was designed for the 2017 Stylecraft Blogtour using Stylecraft Batik DK and Stylecraft Batik Elements DK.    

Saprotex Chick (5.00mm hook)

Repeat rows of granny clusters (3dc) make it easy to add different edging designs, although I think the original edging is too pretty for words!.

A little bobble tassel added for a bit of fun

This is also a great pattern for using up small quantities of yarn.    Here I have experimented using two different variegated yarns. 

Elle Escapade, Elle Family Print, Stylecraft Special DK "Lincoln" (5.00mm hook)

I have been working on a set of three quick and easy patterns worked in a DK stripe, one of which is an asymmetrical shawl.

Elle Classic Wool DK, Stylecraft Bellissima DK

The uncomplicated increases and repetitive stripe allow you to go to town with your colours!

Elle Rustica, Classic Wool DK, Pullskein & Lollipop Sparkle (5.00mm hook)

Project Yarn De-Stash Part 1

Baby Blankets

The past few months have been very unproductive for me.   Projects have been started and then discarded.   Yarns have been rolled or wound up with the intention of starting projects, and then just been abandoned to a basket somewhere in my craft room.

At the beginning of October I decided to sort through these (many, many) baskets and start working my way through the yarns.    The goal was to just make something!   Anything!!  The yarn just HAD to be used!

I started off with a basket full of Elle Family DK,  Elle Pullskein and Lollipop DK (about 22 x 100g) and decided to use that for granny square baby blankets.

I succeeded in making four 75cm x 75cm, and one 65cm x 65cm blanket in six days.   Amazing what little gems were hidden in those baskets!

Next up was a basket with a few cones of 4ply intended for blankets and clothes for grandbaby, which turned out to be too thin for me to comfortably work with.    There was a pretty pink variegated cone and two shades of solid pink, which were wound together to form an 8ply strand.    I added in some Pullskein in the colour "Snowmoon" left over from the granny square blankets to make a striped rectangular v-stitch baby blanket with a frilly border.

The 4ply was purchased before I knew whether grandbaby was going to be a boy or girl and so I bought pink and blue.    The blues have been double stranded and there is enough to make a smallish C2C baby blanket and a SWIRLING SHELLS BABY SHAWL. 

Halfway through these WIPs I was inspired by some colourful Lollipop Chunky and made a pinks, apricot, watermelon and brown rectangular striped blanket

and a blues and greens granny square blanket

I am quite over the moon with the number of completed projects.    In my next post I will share photos of all the "project de-stash" scarves and shawls made.

What are your de-stashing tricks and tips?    How do you conquer a creative slump??   I would love to hear your thoughts on this!!

Life Changes

My favourite Stylecraft yarns are definitely the wool / acrylic blends.  They are so easy to work with and are extra soft and squishy.

I was ridiculously happy when Stylecraft added LIFE CHANGES to the Life family.     Life Changes is a range of 8 totally gorgeous, rich, semi solid shades in a a luxurious mix of 25% wool and 75% Acrylic.    To add to this they released five fabulous new shades of LIFE DK (Silver Nepp, Black Nepp, Mustard, Hyacinth & Deep Purple).

For starters I wanted to make something with a very simple stitch composition to truly appreciate the colour variations in the Life Changes.    My COSMOS FIELDS SHAWL was just the right pattern for this.    I crocheted 40 rows (15 less than the shawl) before starting the border.    This makes for a very generous size triangle scarf.

For this one I used Life Changes "Ashes", Life DK "Mustard" and "Black Nepp".

Here you can see the beautiful subtle colour variations of the Life Changes.

There was a ball of Life DK "Denim" lying on my table next to the leftover Mustard.    I really liked the combination of those two colours and so I made a second scarf using Life DK "Denim", "Stone Nepp" and what was left of the 100g of Mustard and Black Nepp.

The Mustard is too divine with the Denim and the Black Nepp just makes the colours "pop",

I can think of quite a few colour variations I would like to try with the Mustard!!

I have been a bit "hooked" on making this scarf.    Over the next few posts I will share some lovely combos I have made using various mixes of Stylecraft.

Until then ......  Happy hooking!

Stylecraft Blogtour: Kerchief and Tote

In late July his year I once again had the privilege of participating (via Skype) in my third Blogstar Meet Up!  Stylecraft very generously sent a huge box containing their new yarns for Autumn and Winter 2018.     Besides all this yarny yumminess we got to choose from two gorgeous colour packs for this year's Stylecraft Blog Tour.

I chose the "Autumn Leaves" yarn pack which consists of 1 x 100g ball each of 5 fabulous colours:  Sugar Snap;  Mellow Yellow;  Single Cream;  Ash Rose and Rio Red.    Bellissima is the "grown up" version of the super soft and squishy 100% Acrylic Bambino and it comes in 14 "to die for" colours!

Yesterday we visited the lovely Angela at GET KNOTTED, tomorrow we will visit Charlotte Stylecraft's Inhouse Designer and today is my turn!!

Having learnt how to crochet some 48 years ago, I am a huge fan of the granny stitch (3dc groups).

I made a granny stripe tote

and a C2C kerchief from my yarn pack.

 The bag is embellished with pretty chain loop daisies and BRAIDS.

The Kerchief  has a button on either end, making it easy to fasten around any size neck.

The pattern is available as a FREE download on RAVELRY.

You stand a chance to win your very own Autumn Leaves Yarn Pack from Stylecraft.  The giveaway is open from 10h00 UK time on 13 October to 10h00 GMT on 14 October.   Stylecraft will announce the WINNER around 14h00 UK time on 14 October.   I will post the name of the winner on my. ZOOTY OWL FACEBOOK PAGE. To enter the competition, click on the widget below and follow the steps provided.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Swirling Shells Baby Blanket

My great granny was a very clever lady! She had a natural mathematical ability and a near photographic memory. She would see a crocheted item somewhere, fathom the pattern and remember it until she could write it down. I inherited all her crochet paraphernalia when she passed away many many moons ago. Once in a while when I need a bit of inspiration I will go through the box with her crochet notes, which are more like cryptic clues than pattern notes. Obviously granny intended them as a memory prompt and not as an actual chart or pattern. I recently came across a "Circular Baby Shawl" note. I have never been a fan of circular blankets but this looked really promising (what do you think of circular blankets?). It took quite a few attempts to get the increases just right - so that the circle is perfectly flat.

 Once I had it figured out I just knew that Stylecraft Candy Swirl was the perfect yarn for the pattern! I used Strawberry Taffy and I am soo in love with the colours!

I made quite a few of these for baby in different colourways, as this is a delightfully light little shawl perfect over a swaddled newborn!

When I was packing my case (ready to fly up to JHB as soon as we got the call to say baby is on her way) I laid Swirling Shells Shawl out on my big craft table and it hit me that, hooked in Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK, it would make a FAN-tastic tablecloth!      Once you have the hang of the increases you can just keep going and make the shawl (cloth) as big as you like.    The pattern can be found in my RAVELRY STORE

Stardust Crochet

At the beginning of February when we had our Stylecraft Blogstars Meetup (with the non UK girls on Skype), Stylecraft gave us some gorgeous new baby yarns.      

I have been itching to use the WONDERSOFT STARDUST which comes in six oh-so-pretty pastel colours, with an opalescent thread adding a hint of sparkle!   

Our beautiful granddaughter, Madison, arrived on 22 February, weighing in at a teeny 2.8kg and measuring 48cm.     Her birth measurements were almost an exact match to those of her mommy (my daughter).    

Winter is fast approaching here in the Southern Hemisphere and the "Stardust" was just begging to be turned into a little cardigan for my favourite teeny human!

I came up with a quick and easy little cardigan pattern (one size only - 3-6 months) - worked in dc rows from the yoke down, with a sweet braid detail.   

I wrecked the yarn for the first one a bit (pulling out rows to adjust stitch counts etc) - but once I had that sorted churning out the next one was a breeze! 

The Stardust is soft and super to work with, giving really neat stitch definition, and......... I had the perfect matching Owl Buttons!!!

Warning - pattern is addictive.     I have made FIFTEEN so far!!   7 for Madison, 1 for a friend's little girl, and 7 to be donated (more pics in my next post).

I wrote the pattern up in record time (for me) and my dear friend Pat from SUNSHINE AND A SEWING BASKET tested it for me!     

If you would like to make one (or a few) you can find the pattern HERE!!

Happy hooking!

Quick and Easy Baby Cardigan

PATTERN TERMS:   US

Skill Level:  Beginner / Easy

Approximate Time:  3 - 6 hours

Yarn:   DK (8 ply / Light Worsted Weight) Acrylic;  Courtelle;  Acrylic / Wool;  Acrylic / Wool / Tweed

Yarn suggestions: 
Stylecraft Wondersoft Stardust DK
Stylecraft Wondersoft DK
Stylecraft Special DK
Stylecraft Merry-go-round DK
Elle Family Knit Print DK
Elle Family Knit DK
Elle Pullskein DK
Elle Pullskein Print, DK

Amount Required:  300m / 330y (approximately 100g depending on yarn choice)

Hook Size:  4.00mm (Use whatever hook size suits your choice of yarn and your tension)

Size:  3 – 6 months

3 Small Buttons
Length of ribbon (optional)

PATTERN NOTES:   
This little cardi is worked in rows from the yoke down.  The last dc of each row is worked into the third chain of the beginning stitch of the previous row – since the beginning 3ch counts as 1dc, I count it as such in the pattern.  The front panels and the back are worked in one piece after the armholes have been made.    The sleeves are crocheted onto the armholes and are worked in the round.
Decorate the Eyelet Row according to your preference with either a crochet braid, or a length of threaded ribbon;  Or leave it as is!
NOTE:  Odd number rows are worked on the right side (RS).     Even number rows are worked on the wrong side (WS).

Foundation:   46ch

Row 1: 1dc into 4^th ch from hook (counts as 2dc); *2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 2dc* repeat *to* 13 times more.

Row 2:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into next dc; *2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 3dc* repeat *to* 13 times more.

Row 3:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 2dc; *2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 4dc* repeat *to* 12 times more;  2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 3dc.

Row 4:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 2dc;  *2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 5dc* repeat *to* 12 times more;  2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 4dc.

Row 5:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 3dc;  *2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 6dc* repeat *to* 12 times more;  2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 5dc.

Row 6:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 4dc;  *2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 7dc* repeat *to*12 times more; 2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 5dc.

Row 7:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 4dc;  *2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next 8dc* repeat *to*12 times more;  2dc into next dc, 1dc into each of next dc.

Row 8 – Eyelet Row:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into next dc;  *1ch, 1dc into next dc* repeat *to* 69 times more (70 x 1ch spaces).

Row 9:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into next dc; *2dc into next 1ch sp, 3dc into next 1ch sp* repeat *to* 4 times more (2dc + 25dc over 10 x 1ch spaces);
Skip 15 x 1ch spaces (1^st armhole)
*2dc into next 1ch sp, 3dc into next 1ch sp* repeat *to* 9 times more (50dc over 20 x 1ch spaces)
Skip 15 x 1ch spaces (2^nd armhole)
*2dc into next 1ch sp, 3dc into next 1ch sp* repeat *to* 4 times more, 1dc into 3^rd of beginning ch (start of previous row);   (25dc over 10ch spaces + 1dc).  (103dc)

Row 10:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 102dc.

Rows 11 – 24:   Repeat Row 10.   
Fasten off.

Left Sleeve:   With RS back panel of the cardigan facing you, working into the armhole ........

Round 1:   Join yarn around post of last dc of the back panel (Row 9);  2ch, 1dc around the post of the first dc of the left front panel (Row 9) (counts as 2dc tog = 1dc); 2dc into each of next 15 x 1ch spaces.   Sl st into top of 2dc tog to close (31dc).

Round 2:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 30dc.   Sl st into 3^rd of beginning 3ch to close.

Rounds 3 – 13:  Repeat Round 2

Round 14:  1ch (counts as 1sc), 1sc into each of next 30sc.   Sl st into beginning 1ch to close.

Rounds 15 & 16:   Repeat Round 14

Fasten off.

Right Sleeve:  with RS right front panel facing you, working into the armhole

Round 1:   Join yarn around post of last dc of the right front panel (Row 9);  2ch, 1dc around the post of the first dc of the back panel (Row 9) (counts as 2dc tog = 1dc); 2dc into each of next 15 x 1ch spaces.   Sl st into top of 2dc tog to close (31dc).

Rounds 2 – 16:  Repeat Rounds 2 – 16 as for left sleeve.

Edging & Buttonholes: Worked with RS facing throughout.   Do not turn work.   Rows referred to correspond to the row number in the pattern – not to row count.

Row 1:  With RS facing, join yarn in any dc along bottom edge.   1ch (counts as 1sc), 1sc in each dc to corner, 3sc around dc post, 2sc around each dc post along right front panel to Row 1;  3sc around dc post of Row 1;  1sc into each space between dc along neck edge to last dc, 3sc around dc post, 2sc around each dc post along left front panel to Row 16;  1sc into each dc along bottom edge to beginning 1ch.    Sl st into 1ch to close

Row 2:  1ch, 1sc into each sc to corner, 3sc into 2^nd sc of Row 1 corner 3sc.    1sc into each sc along right front panel to Row 12; 2ch, skip 2sc (Row 11), 2sc into each of next 6sc (Rows 10, 9 &8), 2ch,  skip 2sc (Row 7); 1sc into each of next 6sc (Rows 6, 5 &4). 2ch, skip 2sc (Row 3) 1sc into each of next 3sc, 3sc into next sc (corner), 1sc into each sc around neck edge, 3sc into 2^nd sc of 3sc corner, 1sc into each sc along side edge, 3sc into into 2^nd sc of 3sc corner, 1sc into each sc along bottom edge to beginning ch.   Sl st into 1ch to close

Row 3:  1ch, 1sc into each sc to corner, 3sc into 2^nd sc of corner, 1sc into each sc along side;  working 3sc into each 2ch buttonhole, 3sc into 2^nd sc of 3sc corner, 1sc into each sc along neck edge, 3sc into 2^nd sc of 3sc corner, 1sc into each sc along side edge to corner, 3sc into 2^nd sc of 2sc corner, 1sc into each sc along bottom edge to beginning ch.   Sl st into 1ch to close.

Fasten off.  Work in yarn tails.  

Sew buttons on to left side of jersey corresponding to Rows 11, 7 and 3.

Row 8 Eyelet Braid:  With RS of left front panel facing, join yarn with a sl st between 2sc of 1^st edging row.   4ch, remove hook from loop, insert hook under 1^st dc post, return loop to hook;  *4ch, remove hook from loop, insert hook under next dc post, return loop to hook* repeat *to* end of eyelet row.   Sl st between 2sc of 1^st edging row on right front panel.   Fasten off

Tea for Two

For Valentine's Day this year I am going to make a pretty little Tea for Two. 

Red Velvet cupcakes, mini custard slices, teeny sausage rolls and "WASGOEDBONDELTJIES" (translates to "laundry bundles - a square of pastry with a savoury filling, the corners of the pastry are then folded to the centre of the "pie" and secured with a whole clove - like an envelope).

Photo Credit:   Ina Paarman

The tea table will be adorned with a simple fuschia pink square linen cloth, and a 50cm x 50cm granny square overlay made with Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK. 

I love the mix of pinks and purples with the pop of yellow in between. 

Colour Recipe:  White; Shell Pink; Wisteria; Mauve; Poppy; Shrimp; Busy Lizzie; Hot Pink; Sunflower

I made a few GRANNY HEARTS which I intend to use to decorate a very plain white three tier cake stand. 

The hearts are very easy to make and are a fun way to use up scraps from bigger projects.    The Poppy, Shell Pink, Mauve and Shrimp heart is my favourite!

What colour combinations would you choose to make the hearts?

This is a kind of Magic

A few years ago I started making "MAGIC BLANKETS" in order to keep my yarn stash / scraps under control. 

The Magic Blanket concept is a combination of two techniques:   "Multi Stranding" and "Magic Knotting".

Multi stranding is a clever way to rid your stash of those "what was I thinking?" and/or "why did I buy so much of this?" yarns, by toning down brights with a pastel or neutral;  or brightening dull and/or dark colours with something fun and splashy.

If you have never crocheted with two or more strands before, Red Heart Yarn's GUIDE TO MULTI STRAND CROCHET is a good read to acquaint yourself with the technique.

Combine the Multi Strand Technique with the  MAGIC KNOT and you have THE perfect solution to the yarn scrap problem.  Knot together small lengths of yarn and then wind the "new" yarn into balls or cakes.

IMPORTANT!!:    Be sure to check each knot properly before and after you snip the threads. I have been using this technique for years and every now and then I botch a knot (especially when I am a bit tired). If the knot is done correctly it will hold as long as the yarn holds.

These soft and squishy Magic Blankets are robust and very, very warm.     They are ideal donations for newborn babies of underprivileged mommies, the homeless and patients with dementia. 

Knot together cotton scraps.     Use a single strand of Magic Yarn to make wash cloths.     These little cloths are wonderfully soft.   I add a pretty printed note, roll them up and slip them into a cellophane bag, before I donate them to be added to the gift packs for the new mommies at the provincial hospital.

There is a good chance that my friend Kim Ryan from Australia loves making Magic Blankets even more than I do.      She has made so many for the homeless that an Estate Agent in her hometown has undertaken to sponsor her yarn!!    These are just a few of gorgeous blankets Kim has made and donated to the Salvation Army for distribution to the homeless.  For more photos visit KIM'S FACEBOOK GROUP where Kim and fellow MB-ers share their colourful makes.

SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Should I wash the blanket before I donate it?
That is a matter of preference.   I always wash mine since I mostly make blankets for Hospice and Babies born to underprivileged mommy's.    A freshly laundered blanket is just an added personal touch.

How do I wash the Magic Blanket?
An acrylic blanket (or blanket made from yarns with no more than 30% natural fibre content) can be washed in the washing machine on a "gentle" cycle, using a gentle washing agent.  Liquid laundry detergent works the best, as powders often adhere to the fibres and leave them a bit scratchy.  A cold water wash is best (you can use the warm cycle as long as the water is not hotter than 30 degrees celcius). Put the blanket in with other soft washing such as towels and t-shirts. Be careful not to put anything in the wash that has hooks, buttons or zips. I always add Fabric Softner to the rinse. Spin on gentle cycle.  Fold the blanket over the line so that the weight is distributed equally. Once dry I like to give it a short spin in the tumbledryer with an anti-static sheet (such as Cherubs) for 20 - 30 minutes on high.

Tip:  If the blankets are intended for a healthy baby, I then give them a spray with some gently fragranced baby linen spray before packing them in plastic.

Note:   This method of washing is for healthy, full term babies.   Always check with your local NICU what their requirements are for preemie blankets or for babies with special needs.

What yarn can I use?
Yarns with less than 30% natural fibre content are preferable to avoid shrinkage and to limit special laundry requirements. 

I have mixed acrylic / cotton;  acrylic / wool and acrylic yarns together with great success.

What weight of yarn can I use?
Any weight as long as the combined weight of the strands worked together is equal throughout.

16ply is my go to weight.    This can be made up of 2 strands of 4 ply plus 1 strand of 8ply (DK);   or 1 strand of chunky (12 ply) and 1 strand of 4ply, or 2 strands of 8ply (DK), etc.

Do I work with one combined "Magic Ball" or two separate balls?
Once again, a matter of preference.    I find it more convenient to roll the strands together into one ball.    This makes the project much easier to carry along with you.

How do I get the sides to look neat?
In order to get an even side edge ch 2, insert hook in second ch from hook, pull a loop up (2 loops on hook), insert hook where 1st stitch should be, pull a loop up (3 loops on hook) now complete your dc. This works a charm but I don't use it for my patterns as a lot of people struggle with where to put the border stitches.

Do I crochet a border around the blanket?
I would say YES!     A blanket with a border around looks finished and is much neater.

What is the easiest way to border the blanket?

Using only 1 strand of DK in a solid colour and a 4.mm hook.   Join yarn into the top of any dc along side (the same space into which your 1st or last dc from the next row has been worked).   4ch (counts as 1sc, 1ch) , 1sc into top of next dc, 3ch, sc into top of next dc,

along bottom and top skip 2 dc posts between 3ch, sc.

2nd row 3dc into each 3ch, corner 3dc, 3ch, 3dc.    3rd row, into each sp between 3dc groups, 3ch, 2dc, sl st into next sp, repeat along all sides.

These two rows give you a neat foundation with which to work.    You can either add a simple edge after the second row, or work more border rounds.

Which patterns are suitable for Magic Blankets?
Again a matter of preference.     I prefer to use something very simple.      My top choice is the double crochet stripe.      No matter how colourful your yarn, the dc stripe always turns out lovely!

The "v-stitch" stripe is also suitable.     I use this when I have longer colour changes in my Magic Yarn.

A SOLID CONTINUOUS SQUARE is just the ticket when you are not sure "how much" blanket you are going to get for your Magic Yarn. 

The solid continuous square is also suitable for making wash cloths from Magic Cotton Yarn.

I hope this answers most of your questions.    If you would like to know anything more, please leave me a comment or hop on over to Kim's Group and join in the fun!

Happy hooking!!