what should I crochet next?

[GingirlBells]

I've almost finished a cushion for DS2 made up of hexagons. I can't decide what to do next. I think I would like to do a blanket. I like to use a combination of different stitches (is that the right word?) but just can't decide what to do.
I have been tempted by the Sophie's universe blanket but don't know whether I would be better doing something made up of lots of granny squares rather than a continuous piece.
Do any experienced crocheters have any ideas?

[RiaOverTheRainbow]

Is there any particular stitch or colour combo you'd like to use? That's where I usually start. Or do a patchwork blanket with lots of different squares, so you can just do what you fancy rather than commit to a whole blanket's worth.

[anyoldname76]

How about the spice of life blanket, its a free pattern on ravelry, I can't remember the designers name though

[Hereslookingatchoo]

A ripple blanket from the Attic 24 blog? I love ripples, they were really satisfying!

[Hereslookingatchoo]

Little Tin Bird does a lovely patchwork blanket too.

[TurduckenForDinner]

I have a few blankets that I would like to do, but I have two single bed size and one baby blanket to finish first.

My shortlist includes
this, this, this and this.

[TheGreenNinja]

If I could crochet, I'd be doing a Death Star. In fact, my plan for the year is to learn and then make one!
So far I've made a tiny amigurumi mouse, but it's a start.

[TurduckenForDinner]

The continuous piece blankets do get heavy, so eventually you'll only be able to work on it at home and in cool weather. The advantage of the granny square style is that you can take a bit with you, good for waiting in the car for DC to get out of school, for instance.

[DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn]

The advantage of a one piece blanket is that you don't have to sew it together at the end though :)

I never had an issue with them being too heavy and I still take then in the car at school pick up. Great for winter hooking once it's big enough to keep your knees warm!

[GingirlBells]

Thanks for all the replies.
Love all of the blankets linked to. I had forgotten that I have the stylecraft CAL lily pond queued on Ravelry, so have ordered the wool to do that next. It is squares and stripes, so portable, but is supposed to be joined together as you go along, so will hopefully be the best of both worlds. DS1 is hassling me to do him a cushion, so I'll need ideas about that next. And I've still got a scarf to finish, so that's probably enough projects to have going at once!

[itallsucks]

I've just completed a 12 point round ripple blanket for a friends DD (toddler so not overly big and managed it in a week, evenings only) and am just starting a 6 to 24 point round ripple for her other DD, only issue is it does get a little repetitive but that's when you pull out a smaller project for half hour to give yourself a change lol

[P1nkP0ppy]

I'm Gin at the lily pond blanket....way beyond my crocheting!
I've ordered the yarn for the Attic 24 ripple blanket and I've got cold feet before it's even arrived!

[TurduckenForDinner]

I started the Lily Pond, but got bored so it's hibernating at the moment. There are a really good series of YouTube videos by Sarah Garner (search for Lily Pond CAL) that is really useful for the times that you're not completely sure where you should be putting the stitches.

She also did charts for every part of the CAL, I find it easier to follow charts than written instructions. I think the only way to get the charts is to join Treacle's Lily Pond CAL group on Facebook.

[Nibledbyducks]

How about the 2014 CAL on look at what made?, I started then hibernated the Sophies Universe to make it instead, and have found it good practise for it as it uses most of the stitiches.

[GingirlBells]

P1nk I'm not sure my crochet is up to it, but I like a challenge.
Turd sorry, couldn't resist Turducken thanks for the advise about the youtube videos and the FB page. I also like a chart, so might look for that.
Nibled I like that CAL, lots of different squares. I wish I had more time to crochet as there are so many things I want to make and so little time to make them in...

[DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn]

The 2015 Moogly CAL was great for lots of different squares. I got sidetracked by lots of lovely alternative squares suggested on the Ravelry group and then by other projects but the squares were wonderful and full of different techniques - some of which would probably be too tricky for a new hooker!

[badasscafe1]

slight hijack here- but am currently making stormtrooper blanket out of granny squares. Does anyone have good directions or link for joining granny squares together? this is my first crochet project-- many thanks

[GingirlBells]

Doesnt that CAL looks great, too. If I stop sleeping, maybe I would have time for all these lovely projects
badass lookatwhatimade link, with instructions on different ways to join squares further down the page.

[DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn]

You'd need to stop all housework too...

[badasscafe1]

thanks Gingirl

[CallieTorres]

these! are! amazing! and easy to do

crochetdreamz.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/adeline-fingerless-mitts-or-arm-warmers.html

the pattern
app.box.com/s/3upeab0h0a0y2jaill2y