CAL 4

Attic24’s Crochet-Along, is a joy! I’m way behind, but still enjoying being part of this project. I’m in Week 4. It is taking me a while as this blanket is the project I have on the go for taking with me to do in odd quiet moments, when looking after grandchildren, waiting for an appointment, chatting with a friend, or watching TV. I like to have something on the go that is pure relaxation and that I can do without having to think too much – and I’m thoroughly enjoying this one.Photographing in dull Winter light is a challenge, so outside I went to have a go. Lucy from Attic24 based her colour palette on Autumn flowers, so today I went out in search of some brave little winter blooms (antirrhinum above) peeping through in my garden.Lucy’s colours are a gorgeous mix. I have substituted some of her choices, simply because I have SO much Stylecraft Special DK yarn already and did not want to buy more. (I’m already wondering if I will live long enough to be able to use all the yarn I have stored away!) So there is no ‘Camel’,’Gold’, ‘Copper’, ‘Grape’, ‘Violet’, ‘Pale Rose’  or ‘Claret’ in mine. Instead, I have substituted ‘Saffron’, ‘Spice’, ‘Bluebell’, ‘Wisteria’, Clematis’, and ‘BrightPink’. My mix looks a little brighter and less Autumnal, but I’m still really pleased with its coziness!

The ‘Magenta’ chimes well with the berries on the, Symphoricarpos, (I think), also known as ‘Mother of Pearl’ or ‘Snowberry’ which you can read more about here. The shrub looks fairly ordinary for most of the year and then the honey bees go absolutely MAD for it in late summer, when it hums for weeks as they cluster round the almost invisible tiny flowers.There are just a few periwinkles around

I suppose I must be about half-way and Little Miss M is determined to help me alongAt 2 she is convinced that she is able to crochet and held the end of the hook as I crocheted slowly for a while and then demanded, “I do it myself!”. She sat there happily pushing the hook in and out for about 5 minutes before it became the perfect blanket for a game of ‘peepo’.

Added 12.Jan.15: I have just seen an African Flower square used as an edging for this blanket on Ravelry. This might be just the edging I need to turn it into a double bedspread. I like the reference to flowers, since flowers were the inspiration for the colour combo.                                                                                This is a free pattern on Barbara’s Blog, set out with helpful photos.

Further progress: Cal5, Cal5 decisions and choices, Cal6