Autumn Virtue

This is becoming my favourite Helen Shrimpton pattern (And it’s free!)

I like it because the corners are built up in the round, which means there are a lot fewer ends to sew in than on other patterns where the corners are built up separately.

I have made this Throw for the daughter of one of my closest friends.

Lucy is the same age as my first born and her Mum and I lived in the same village. We became friends when we had our babies together in 1976.

Lucy has a Podcast: Spinsterhood Reimagined, which celebrates the positives and discusses the challenges of a single, child-free life.

She had seen my blankets and throws on Instagram and remarked ‘I want one!’.

I had wanted to make another ‘Virtue’, so when she said she would choose Autumnal colours, I was thrilled and started immediately. I just love this colour combination.

So cosy!

Stylecraft Special DK, 10 colours:

Tomato, Spice, Gold, Dark Brown, Burgundy, Claret, Copper, Walnut, Khaki and Bottle.

The pattern comes with Video Tutorials and is lovely to make.

I stopped short by a few rows and edged the throw with Helen’s Knot Stitch, from another free pattern – Sacred Space, Part 9. Penultimate row.

🙂 Haggis (f) likes it. 🙂

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A Bedspread Reborn

Back in February 2015 I made a bedspread for Little Miss M

She loved it but sadly it got too close to something hot and looked like this

I could not bring myself to throw it away so I folded it up and put it in a bag and forgot about it …. until now. In my new bid to sort out WIPs and UFOs etc I washed it in the machine, dried it and chopped out the damaged bits.

The rest, I have unpicked and rolled into balls. It is making its way into another scrappy blanket. Inspired by Mrs Snail, I just tie the ends together with a reef knot and leave them showing.

Little Miss M now has this blanket

You can see more photos of this Mandala Blanket on my Throws Page.

The pattern is Mandala Madness, by Helen Shrimpton, a free pattern.

~

Joining Kate and other Happy Scrappers for Scrap Happy Day, the 15th of every month.

Kate , Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan,
Moira, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean,
Joanne, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Connie, Bekki, Pauline, Sue L,
Sunny and Kjerstin

 

Sunset Blanket

Oh such a happy photo!

And look at us all so close together – seems light years away doesn’t it.

This was taken on the beach on a windy Sunday in February this year – hard to believe.

We are a group of Attic24 fans who all live in Dorset and we had gathered together at West Bay, Lucy’s old stamping ground, for crochet and a cuppa. It was in those heady days of Dahlia mania as thousands of crocheters all over the world were busy making Lucy’s annual Crochet Along – this year inspired by dahlias.

I used Stylecraft Special Double Knit and a 4.5mm hook.

You can still buy Lucy’s Colour Pack at Wool Warehouse.

I followed some of Lucy’s Colourwash colour order but substituted colours to make it more ‘Sunset’. I reduced the number of sections for each colour to 3 in order to get it fading from dark to light to dark to light to dark.

Colour order as follows:

Each colour is 2 rows of crochet

Foundation chain and rows 1 and 2: Claret

Rows 3 and 4: Lipstick

Rows 5 and 6: Claret

Rows 7 and 8: Lipstick

Rows 9 and 10: Tomato

Rows 11 and 12: Lipstick

Rows 13 and 14: Tomato

Rows 15 and 16: Spice

Rows 17 and 18: Tomato

Rows 19 and 20: Spice

Rows 21 and 22: Sunshine

Rows 23 and 24: Spice

Rows 25 and 26: Sunshine

Rows 27 and 28: Apricot

Rows 29 and 30: Sunshine

Rows 31 and 32: Apricot

Rows 33 and 34: Powder Pink

Rows 35 and 36: Apricot

Rows 37 and 38: Powder Pink

Rows 39 and 40: Blush

Rows 41 and 42: Powder Pink

Rows 43 and 44: Blush

Rows 45 and 46: Shrimp

Rows 47 and 48: Blush

Rows 49 and 50: Shrimp

Rows 51 and 52: Pomegranate

Rows 53 and 54: Shrimp

Rows 55 and 56: Pomegranate

Rows 57 and 58: Fondant

Rows 59 and 60: Pomegranate

Rows 61 and 62: Fondant

Rows 63 and 64: Magenta

Rows 65 and 66: Fondant

Rows 67 and 68: Magenta

Rows 69 and 70: Boysenberry

Rows 71 and 72: Magenta

Rows 73 and 74: Boysenberry

Rows 75 and 76: Plum

Rows 77 and 78: Boysenberry

Rows 79 and 80: Plum

Rows 81 and 82: Claret

Rows 83 and 84: Plum

Rows 85 and 86: Claret

Rows 87 and 88: Lipstick

Rows 89 and 90: Claret

Rows 91 and 92: Lipstick

Rows 93 and 94: Tomato

Rows 95 and 96: Lipstick

Rows 97 and 98: Tomato

Rows 99 and 100: Pomegranate

Rows 101 and 102: Tomato

Rows 103 and 104: Pomegranate

Rows 105 and 106: Shrimp

Rows 107 and 108: Pomegranate

Rows 109 and 110: Shrimp

Rows 111 and 112: Blush

Rows 113 and 114: Shrimp

Rows 115 and 116: Blush

Rows 117 and 118: Apricot

Rows 119 and 120: Blush

Rows 121 and 122: Apricot

Rows 123 and 124: Saffron

Rows 125 and 126: Apricot

Rows 127 and 128: Saffron

Rows 129 and 130: Sunshine

Rows 131 and 132: Saffron

Rows 133 and 134: Sunshine

Rows 135 and 136: Spice

Rows 137 and 138: Sunshine

Rows 139 and 140: Spice

Rows 141 and 142: Tomato

Rows 143 and 144: Spice

Rows 145 and 146: Tomato

Rows 147 and 148: Lipstick

Rows 149 and 150: Tomato

Rows 151 and 152: Lipstick

Rows 153 and 154: Claret

Rows 155 and 156: Lipstick

Rows 157 and 158: Claret

Next on the to do list – the edging.

Rainbow for Big Bro

The last of the 8 blankets I have crocheted for my Grandchildren. It is quite a relief to know they all have one now.

I am following in the footsteps of my paternal Grandmother who crocheted a blanket for each of her 14 grandchildren, luckily, I only have 8.

The brief: Big Bro wanted ripples like his brother’s blanket, but different.

He wanted bright rainbow colours and lots of blues. I made a sample in all Stylecraft Special DK yarn, but the purple, orange and some of the blues were not quite right, so we scoured the internet to find the colours he liked.

I always really enjoy the design process with my Grandchildren. They have very clear ideas about what they want and I like to encourage them. I believe it is important to give children opportunities to make creative decisions – a life skill worth having which encourages them to develop their own style.

The pattern is Attic24’s Neat Ripple Blanket using Acrylic DK and 4.5mm hook

I did a starting Chain of 213

It measures 1m 34cm x 1m 94cm

Each row of colour (2 rows of crochet) takes about 15 gms of SSDK yarn.

The mix of repeating colour orders and random mixes makes the blanket more interesting – well I think so. Do you agree? Or would you prefer a strict repeating pattern?

Colour Order:

You can find the colour order for the first 30 rows in this post.

Rows 31 onwards

Geraardsbergen (2011).  Scheepjes Colour Crafter

Saxe           Cygnet DK

Petrol   James C Brett Top Value Shade 846

Hayfield Bonus Extra Value Shade 0824

Turquoise SSDK (Stylecraft Special Double Knit)

Empire SSDK

Petrol SSDK

Green SSDK

Grass Green SSDK

Sunshine SSDK

Bright Orange – James C Brett

Matador SSDK

Fuchsia Purple SSDK

Orchid – King Cole Pricewise DK

Purple – King Cole Pricewise DK

Lobelia – SSDK

Royal – SSDK

Lapis – SSDK

Aster – SSDK

Turquoise – SSDK

Azure –  Hayfield Bonus DK, Extra Value (0824)

Petrol – James C Brett

Empire – SSDK

Petrol – SSDK

Bottle – SSDK

Green – SSDK

Grass – SSDK

Sunshine SSDK

Bright Orange – James C Brett

Matador  – SSDK

Raspberry – SSDK

Fuchsia Purple – SSDK

Orchid – King Cole Pricewise DK

Purple – King Cole Pricewise DK

Royal SSDK

Geraardsbergen (2011).  Scheepjes Colour Crafter

Aster – SSDK

Lapis – SSDK

Empire – SSDK

Azure –  Hayfield Bonus DK, Extra Value (0824)

Turquoise – SSDK

Petrol   James C Brett Top Value Shade 846

Petrol – SSDK

Bottle – SSDK

Green – SSDK

Grass – SSDK

Sunshine SSDK

Bright Orange – James C Brett

Matador  – SSDK

Fuchsia Purple – SSDK

Orchid – King Cole Pricewise DK

Purple – King Cole Pricewise DK

Lobelia – SSDK

Royal – SSDK

Saxe           Cygnet DK

Geraardsbergen (2011).  Scheepjes Colour Crafter

Aster – SSDK

Turquoise – SSDK

Azure –  Hayfield Bonus DK, Extra Value (0824)

Petrol – James C. Brett

Empire – SSDK

Petrol – SSDK

 

THE BORDER

The first row in Petrol – James C. Brett,  filled in the troughs of the waves, following the instructions onAttic24’s website.

The second row of single crochet (US) is in the same yarn.

Third row in Azure –  Hayfield Bonus DK, Extra Value (0824) is double crochet (US)

Fourth and last row is in Turquoise SSDK in Crab Stitch.

~~~

Ta Dah!!!

~~~~

For other crocheted blankets go to my THROWS page

 

Pastel Mandala Madness

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

It is WIP-busting time here. This project has been lying patiently in the pile since August 2017. It was originally started as one of a pair for my twin Grandaughters, but I decided that it would be more practical to make their blankets in SSDK  so this project was put away….. until now.

Here is a link to my Photo tutorial for the Spiro Star Centre. and how it connects to the Mandala Madness pattern

Both patterns are by Helen Shrimpton, and she kindly gave me permission to share how I joined the two together. There are superb video tutorials by Esther from Its All in a Nutshell for the rest of the Mandala Madness pattern.

Made with Scheepjes Stonewashed, 78% Cotton, 22% Acrylic, Sport/Baby weight and a 3.5mm hook. The colours are wonderfully subtle shades, easy to blend for an ombre effect, but have not come completely true in the photo. Go to the Scheepjes link to see truer colours.

The Colours I have used are (in order of use): Moon Stone as the main colour, Rose Quartz, Citrine, New Jade, Larimar, Amazonite, Axinite, Pink Quartzite, Green Agate, Crystal Quartz.

Colour order Round by Round as follows:

Round 1: Moon Stone

Round 2, 3 : Rose Quartz

Round 4, 5: Moon Stone

Rounds 6,7,8,9: Citrine

Rounds 10, 11: Moon Stone

Joining Round 1: Pink Quartzite

Joining Round 2: Moonstone

Joining Round 3, 4, 5: New Jade

Joining Round 6: Larimar

Now you go to

Round 20 in Part 2 of the Mandala Madness pattern: Larimar

Round 21: Larimar

Round 21: Larimar

Round 22, 23: Moon Stone

Part 3

Round 24: Amazonite

Round 25 and 26: Amazonite and Citrine

Round 27, 28: Amazonite

Round 29:Rose Quartz

Part 4

Round 30: Axinite

Round 31: Pink Quartzite

Round 32, 33, 34: Moon Stone

Part 5

Round 35, 36: New Jade

Round 37, 38: Green Agate

Round 39: Larimar

Round 40: Crystal Quartz

Part 6

Round 41, 42: Moon Stone

~~~

This completes the colour order as shown in the top picture.

The lack of stretch in the cotton yarn takes a bit of getting used to but I love the colours and the feel of the piece – strokeable – verrrrrry strokeable.  🙂

 

Lost Garden: Vintage look.

The Lost Garden throw is finished. This is a wedding present for the daughter of one of my closest friends, following the colour scheme the engaged couple have in their sitting room. This is not a palette I would have chosen myself, but it has been oh so soothing to work with.

Some people on Helen’s Hookaholics Facebook group have said it reminds them of snowdrops, Meissen china, Victorian design and Poldark so I thought ‘vintage’ probably brings all those descriptions together.

The pattern is by Helen Shrimpton and it is a delight to work – very relaxing, nothing too demanding or complicated.

Made with Stylecraft Special DK in Parchment, Lincoln, Cream, Stone and Toy and a 4.5mm hook.

It measures 1m 43cm square.

I have listed the colour order, up to the border in two previous posts:

Victorian Snowdrop Garden

and

Lost Garden Corners

and now for the border order!

Vintage Lost Garden Border

Round 67: Toy

Round 68: Stone

Round 69 and 70: Toy

Round 71: Lincoln

Round 72 and 73: Toy

Round 74: Stone

Round 75: Toy

Round 76, 77, 78, 79: Parchment

Round 80: Lincoln

Round 81, 82: Stone

Round 83 – 89: Parchment

Round 90: Lincoln

Round 91, 92: Cream

Round 93, 94: Parchment

~~~~~~

I’m sure to make this pattern again one day and I’m wondering what it would look like in a graded yarn like one of the new Scheepes Whirl Cakes, Turquoise Turntable or Jade JimJam for instance. Or Melting Macaron, working from the centre out and then joining with the outside of Turquoise Turntable – mmmmm – mouthwatering!

Yarn Along with Ginny

The Scrap Happy Throw is coming along. If you remember I started this as an easy project I could take with me whilst travelling to Egypt. Great to make on the plane and anytime I did not want to have to think about what I was doing.

It is a great project for using up all sorts of scraps of yarn of all different weights – all tied together with a Reef Knot. I will be leaving the ends on show.

I am making it as a throw to protect a kitchen armchair (not this one) in my daughter’s new house. Perfect for her farmer husband to sit in when he comes in for lunch covered in farm grime.

It needs about 10 more rows before adding a one coloured edge.

I have also just completed a little 6″x6″ cotton doily as a housewarming present for a friend.

Made with a 2mm hook in Scheepjes Sugar Rush crochet cotton, Capri Blue.

This is the second time I have made this pattern – it is not the easiest to follow, I probably won’t make it again.

#1 Favorire on Ravelry.

I’m joining in with Ginny and other Yarny Crafters in Ginny’s Yarn Along.

I’m not reading any books but I am listening to The Horn Section on Radio 4 Extra .

 

Cosmic Bedspread Complete

Tah Dah!!!       Drum roll please!

At last it is finished

This has been a really fun project to make. The journey began back in April when Helen Shrimpton’s Crochet Along started and I finished the CAL back in June, but I wanted to do a few more rows to make it bigger and work out how to make a scalloped edge.

The bedspread, shown here on a 5′ wide double bed, had to wait patiently in the background whilst I made a couple of dreamcatchers for birthday presents, and then it was hard to pick it up again.

But I did it!!

I can highly recommend Helen’s patterns and this one is FREE and comes with a video tutorial.

To see other amazing Cosmics, join Helen’s Hookaholics on FB and go to the Photo Albums. If you ever need inspiration for colour combinations there is surely no better place to go.

I made this Bedspread with Scheepjes Whirl and Whirlettes and a 3mm hook:

2 x Rosewater Cocktail Whirl

1 x Jumping Jelly Whirl

1 x Citrus Whirlette

1x Blueberry Whirlette

I really enjoyed mixing up the Whirls and playing with the gradients in the colours to get the effect I wanted.

It measures 1m 41cm – 1m 35cm.           or             4’6.5″ x 4’5″

Blog posts showing progress:

Making a start. Parts 1 and 2

Parts 3 and 4

Parts 5 and 6

Parts 7 and 8

Part 9 and beyond

I am so happy with my zingy bedspread!

Cosmic Cal Parts 7 – 8

With Part 6 of the Cosmic Cal completed,

doesn’t it look perfect with this chair covered in a luxurious fabric by ‘Timorous Beasties‘…..

…….. on to Part 7 in which we meet the dastardly Cosmic Stars!!!

Helen’s You Tube tutorial for Part 7 is  here.

Continuing with the Jumping Jelly Whirl until completing Round 78, I worked Round 79, the first part of the Cosmic Stars, in Citrus Whirlette.

I don’t know if it is because I am left-handed and following a right-handed video, or because I was using a 4 ply cotton yarn which has no give, but I just could not get the placement of the spokes right – stitch markers to the rescue!

There was much chat on the FB groups about these stars and I was near to giving up on them when one wonderful person suggested working into front posts instead of front loops and this worked much better for me. Phew!

By the time I had worked along one side I was down to only needing the bottom middle marker to show me the way

Finding the ‘eye’ of the star in the completing row was tricky, so I employed a knitting needle to make the hole big enough to get my hook through

I was so relieved to get to the end of those Stars, knowing I would never have to make them again!

However, lots of people said they loved them and are making several more Cosmics including the Stars.

Mercifully Part 8 was delightfully relaxing as I continued into the orange section of the Jumping Jelly.

Part 9 to come.

Cosmic 4

 

I am thoroughly enjoying following Helen Shrimpton’s Cosmic Crochet Along (Cal). She really is an outstanding designer with plenty of challenges to keep you on your crocheting-toes.

Following  Part Two came the excitement of Part 3 in which we would be learning a new stitch – Star Stitch!

Cute!

But first there were a few more rows to square up the hexagon……

The rows of doubles and trebles (US) in this 4ply cotton yarn were getting to look a bit like a string vest in the corners so I decided to add a bit of texture in the form of popcorns and bead stitches.

To keep in with the Cosmic theme, I’m calling them Sputniks

The yellow for the two rows of Star Stitch came from the beginning of my second ball (yarn cake) of Rosewater Cocktail.

I continued with the first cake, which was now moving into the pink mixed with turquoise.

The photo below shows Parts 3 and 4 completed

I was thrilled that the first Whirl just made it to the end of Part 4.

The tail of yarn you can see was all that was left!

Joining in with

 

Cosmic Crochet Along

Behind the scenes I have been beavering away at Helen Shrimpton’s current Crochet Along, the Cosmic Cal 

and I have just completed Part 6

Currently measuring 32″ x 35″.

Some of you might have seen my progress on Instagram.

Having seen so many wonderful creations using gradient yarn, I was eager to try it and after much deliberation went for Rosewater Cocktail, a Scheepjes Whirl

You can see all the other colourways here.

It was not easy to choose so I joined the Facebook Group Scheepjes Whirl Creations! 

I could then see all the wonderful things that have been made with Whirls and how each colour looks when it is made up. What a wonderfully helpful community crochet groups are. I’ve learnt so much and been able to ask loads of questions. It has been an enriching experience.

Unsure of how much yarn the blanket would take, I bought 2 Rosewater Cocktails and a Citrus Whirlette as I already knew I wanted to mix up the colours a bit.

But a few rows in I realised I might want to add more colours and bought a Jumping Jelly Whirl.

In a series of blog posts I will describe how I used the Whirls and Whirlettes together:

I wanted to have some turquoise in the centre so I wound off the dark blue of the outside

Cosmic Cals started to appear on Helen’s Hookaholics and I tried out a couple of designs

On the left, I used a 3.50mm hook and included some of the Whirlette, on the right I used a 3mm hook and made the centre look more like a flower

the centre was made with yarn that was pure turquoise

the star was made with yarn that had flecks of pink in it

 

after the turquoise I introduced a round of Citrus Whilette, which is a burnt orange.

and then continued with the yellow from the centre of Rosewater Cocktail.

Wanting to define the hexagon I wondered which of the blues to use

and went for the darker blue with flecks of turquoise in it

(gosh how the colours change according to the light – the photo below does not show the true colours!)

and then one row of lighter turquoise before returning the where I left off with the Whirl.

Continuing with the Whirl until the end of Part 2

More to follow ……

Edit

You can see progress up to Part 4 in this post: Cosmic 4

~

And on Fridays a treat – pop along over  to Nanacathy for a good old Knit and Natter

Crochet Progress

A bedspread in the making for one of my twin Granddaughters.

I am mostly following Helen Shrimpton’s wonderful Rosslyn Pattern. This is a paid for pattern and worth every penny!

It is a wonderful pattern to follow and very relaxing to make. Well it would be if only I could stop myself making a few additions, changes and adjustments as I go – the creative mind is never at rest!

The 5 Changes I have made:

1. Surface sunrays were added over 2 rows
2. The popcorns are closer together than in the pattern – this happened by accident, but I decided to leave them in
3. There are some breaks in the row of popcorns, with some plain stitches
4. There is a colour change in this row
5. 8 colours have been used instead of 5

I was wondering if I was making the pattern look too ‘busy’, but I think I will stick with my changes. What do you think?

The yarn is Stylecraft Special DK, the hook 4.5mm.

The 8 colours:

Soft Peach, Buttermilk, Duck Egg, Pale Rose, Cream, Raspberry, Lincoln, Storm.

At this stage it measures 28 x 28 inches or 72 x 72 cm.

Have you made any of Helen Shrimpton’s patterns? If so please leave a link, I’d love to see them.

And if you enjoy a good old natter, pop along over to Cathy’s place for Knit and Natter Friday.

Mandala for Little Miss M

My celebratory TaDah! Moment

I started making this blanket back in July 2017 when I needed a break from working with the dark colours requested by Master R.

The pattern is Helen Shrimpton’s Mandala Madness with her Spiro Star at the centre.

It is for a single bed so I stopped at Round 88 in Part 14 .

I like the way the edge is shaped at this point, so I created the next few rows to keep that shape.

Edge

Little Miss M likes orange (Spice), so the edging had to be in orange.

I made small popcorns (3dcs instead of 5) at some of the points and the simple edging is 2scs, ch 2 repeat (US terms)

Blocking was done on an old blanket laid on the floor over a carpet.

I smooth the blanket out – take an overhead photo which shows up any lack of symmetry;

adjust;

pin with steel blocking pins right through the carpet;

spray mist the whole thing with water, then using a damp tea towel and the iron on its highest setting I VERY lightly press round the edges only of the blanket, reheating the iron when necessary (it has to be unplugged to reach);

I then lightly pressed the yellow and turquoise pointy bits so that they would lie flatter;

left it in situ over night to thoroughly dry.

Stylecraft SpecialDK and a 4.5mm hook – the blanket mearures 4’8″ across

List of colours (mostly chosen by Little Miss M):

Spiro Star Centre

Fondant, Saffron, Fondant, Cloud Blue, Bluebell, Bright Pink, Spice

Mandala Madness Part 2

Meadow, Turquoise, Fondant,

Part 3

Wisteria, Saffron, Wisteria, Sunshine,

Part 4

Spice

Part 5

Aspen, Pistachio, Cloud Blue, Bluebell

Part 6

Soft Peach, Duck Egg, Fondant

Part 7

Lobelia, Petrol, Bright Pink, Spice, Turquoise,

Part 8 

(My favourite part!)

Bright Pink, Cloud Blue, Saffron, Bright Pink,

Part 9

Meadow, Pistachio, Aspen, Sunshine

Part 10

Bluebell, Soft Peach, Meadow, Fondant, Bluebell, Cloud Blue

Part 11

Bright Pink, Spice, Turquoise, Fondant, Candy Floss, Bluebell

Part 12

Bright Pink, Spice, Saffron, Meadow

Part 13

Turquoise, Spice, Fondant

Part 14 

and Edge

Bluebell, Bright Pink, Petrol, Sunshine, Spice

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I could never have made this without the fabulous video tutorials by Esther at Its All in a Nutshell.

Huge thanks to Esther and Helen.

~~~~~~~~

Joining in with Ginny’s Yarn Along. She asks us to add a book that we are reading, but I rarely read books nowadays. I do however watch DVDs whilst crocheting or knitting and one I have thoroughly enjoyed recently is this documentary about Gauguin, which gives a fascinating account of his difficult and colourful life

 

Squirrel Nutkin Woodland Blanket

Nearly finished!

All the motifs sewn on – I just need my Grandson to try out the finger-puppet to decide how long the cord needs to be.

Pattern for the blanket is by Lucy at Attic24:

Woodland Blanket CAL: Random Colour Order

With additions:

Patterns by Lucy: Autumn Leaves and Acorns 

Pattern by Charlotta for the larger Oak Leaves.

Pattern for the Larger Maple Leaves by Michelle

Pattern for the Squirrel Motif and Finger Puppet by me.

Pattern for Old Brown, sewn on as a pocket to hold Nutkin, is an adaptation of this cute little owl by Jacquie at Bunny Mummy. Jacquie has kindly given me permission to share my adaptation – coming soon!

I stopped after the 89th colour row (each colour is 2 rows) and this blanket measures.

1m19cm (3’11”) wide

1m 64cm (5’4″) long

Using Stylecraft Special DK, I mostly followed Lucy’s Random Colour Order, substituting Mocha with Walnut and changing the order a little here and there.

4.5mm hook

Foundation Row: Lime

Ch 239 to start.

1 – 18

Cypress, Meadow, Mustard, Tomato, Spice, Storm,

Duck Egg, Copper, Walnut, Gold, Pistachio, Grey,

Lincoln, Silver, Tomato, Gold, Lime, Lincoln

19 – 36

Grey, Walnut, Copper, Spice, Mustard, Pistachio,

Duck Egg, Meadow, Silver, Cypress, Gold, Tomato,

Meadow, Storm, Lime, Silver, Mustard, Pistachio

37 – 54

Spice, Copper, Walnut, Cypress, Duck Egg, Lincoln,

Mustard, Spice, Meadow, Silver, Linciln, Storm,

Walnut, Tomato, Gold, Lime, Cypress, Duck Egg,

55 – 73

Pistachio, Grey, Copper, Gold, Meadow, Cypress,

Tomato, Storm, Duck Egg, Mustard, Grey, Silver,

Lime, Copper, Spice, Walnut, Pistachio, Lincoln,

74 – 89

Cypress, Gold, Tomato, Copper, Walnut, Meadow,

Duck Egg, Pistachio, Mustard, Silver, Storm, Lincoln,

Spice, Gold, Meadow, Cypress

 

Edge

Lime, sc

Mustard, blsc

5mm hook, Walnut, bl slip st

5mm hook Tomato, bl sc

 

Wow! I have so enjoyed making this and am excited to show Little Bro (5) this weekend.

 

 

Afghan, Boyghan or Manghan

At last my blanket for Master R is finished!

My daughter thinks it looks a bit wizardy – I see what she means, the designs could definitely be magical symbols used in an 8 year old’s incantations – he’s reading the Harry Potter books at the moment.

The blanket measures 1metre x 1m30cm, just right to snuggle under on the sofa, or to go over his duvet on his top-bunk bed.

Master R is now aged 8. He was 5 when I started it. He wanted a blanket in purples and greens, not colours I would choose to put together.

I usually LOVE co-creating things for my grandchildren and bringing their ideas to life, but this has been my most challenging project to date.

Back in July I wrote of the journey thus far showing some of the early ideas, experiments and samples that had been rejected by my co-designer.

Together we arrived at these Squares and colours, he knows what he likes!

On the whole I feel it is important to encourage children to make as many decisions for themselves as they can – but I have to admit this one took me to pushing past my own resistances to make something I personally did not love! It languished in the W.I.P. pile for far too long at times.

However I’m thrilled with how it turned out and to know Master R will get what he wanted is very satisfying indeed.

The square patterns are from the Nuts About Squares crochet along.

Master R’s choices:

Esme’s Winter Cottage by  Dedri Uys

and my variation

Denna by Polly Plum

Bavarian Beauty by Heather Gibbs

Made in Stylecraft Special DK and a 5mm hook

Colours

Emperor, Wisteria, Violet, Khaki, Pistachio, Meadow, Lime, Cypress, Midnight, Silver, Grey

I made up the border design

Starting with the surface zig-zag as shown in Esme’s Winter Cottage, then a row of double crochet (US) in Emperor; a row of Single Crochet (US) in Khaki; a row of double crochet in the back loops only, in Meadow; a row of SCs in Khaki; then a row of back loop DCs in Emperor; finished with a row of Crab Stitch in Emperor.

I’m enjoying my Ta Dah! moment!

Joining Nancy Merrill’s Photo Challenge: PURPLE

A Bedspread for Master R

This has been my most challenging project yet! It turns out that co-designing with a 7 year old boy is not easy!

First of all he asked for SQUARES – not my favourite things to crochet. Secondly he asked for the colours to be PURPLES and GREENS – not an easy colour combination for me to enjoy.

I started this project in July 2016 when he was just 6 and in my mind young children like bright colours so I set to work creating squares that combined purples and greens with other colours (of course, now I realise it is me who likes bright colours!)

I didn’t like the look of this and neither did he. I scoured Pinterest for inspiration.

So next up, a selection of smaller squares, grading the colours

Master R did not like them, he was very polite about it and spent some time explaining his reasons …….. I knew that this idea had to be abandoned …….. so, what to do? ……

In the process I have amassed and huge pile of squares!

They will probably go into a blanket for refugees, I know Mrs Snail is contributing to the 60 million trebles project, so they might go that way.

I was at a loss to know how I was going to come up with something for Master R that he likes and I like well enough to want to make it. His two sisters have blankets they love: Miss E has this one

and for Little Miss M I made this one, which, of course was perfect for all those occasions when you want to be a ghost, or a monster.

Both were made with nice easy relaxing ripple stripes – but Master R is set on having squares.

How could I make the colour combination work – I looked to garden design – there was a lot of purple and green at Chelsea and now this Hampton Court Flower Show garden is a beautiful example. Photo taken from the BBC website.

Then, like a knight in shining armour, galloping over the hill in February, along came the Nuts About Squares Crochet Along (CAL) 

Hurray! Something I would enjoy joining in with and a blanket made of squares.

The patterns are quite complex, I would learn new things. Some excitement about the project began to creep in.

Week 1 – Esme’s Winter Cottage by Dedri Uys

Master R’s loves this square. He tells me he loves “the design and the texture” – he knows what he likes!

I’m not so keen on the diamonds so I made this variation – thankfully Master R thinks this design is ok.

Although he doesn’t really like the introduction of the Cream colour, his favourite colour after purple is khaki green – Oh lawks! Can I bear to stick to only dark colours!

He is pushing me way out of my comfort zone here.

Work in Progress! On we go!

Moorland, more and more

I am so pleased to have joined in with Attic24’s Moorland CAL. The whole experience was made so much richer by following the thread on Facebook, both on Lucy’s Attic 24 FB page and a new Page set up by Clare, especially for the Moorland Cal. Such camaraderie is a joy to find.

Lucy chose the purples, greens and browns of the Yorkshire Moors for her colour palette, but a few of us chose colours from our own environment.

Jan chose sunset colours :

I took my inspiration from Dorset summer hedgerows and found this photo on the internet to show you the sort of thing I had in mind,

and came up with this palette.

My grandson seemed to like it whilst it was being made

I am very pleased with the finished article.

and it is already much appreciated by my niece who will take it back with her to Uni

If I was to make the blanket again I would substitute the dark green Khaki for the lighter green Pistachio and would use Lucy’s Cosy Stripe pattern, which I find much more relaxing to make.

Update: The edging I used was one row of single crochet (US) in Meadow, one row of Double Crochet (US) in Duck Egg Blue and then a row of Crab Stitch.

Hedgerow Edge

Finished!

Well the body of the Dorset Hedgerow (Attic 24’s Moorland Cal) Blanket is anyway – and all those pesky ends are sewn in.

It has been a joy to make, enhanced by joining a delightful dedicated Moorland Cal Facebook group – what a wonderfully supportive group of fabulous women from all over the world. Crochet could save the world!

Now I have just the edge to do.

Help!

Decision time.

Should I do the edge in pinks and greens

or

Blues?

Any ideas? What would you choose?

I’d really appreciate your thoughts.

Joining in with Ginny’s Yarn Along.

Ginny asks us to share a book we are reading. Last weekend I was staying with my son and his family in London and he was reading ‘Black Box Thinking’ – he was so enthusiastic about it, I started reading it myself……. in between making yet more seahorses, which were just the right size to take on the train

 

 

Hedgerow Blanket 2

I am joining in with Attic24’s Moorland Crochet Along. Week 6 has been published, but I have just started Week 5. It is not a race but I am itching to get the series of blues that represent the sky and finish the blanket – just 8 more rows to go til I get to ‘Duck Egg’ blue.

Lucy’s colour choices are based on the Yorkshire Moors, mine a Dorset Summer Hedgerow.

You can see my list of colours in order in this post: Hedgerow Blanket.

Whilst crocheting I am watching BBC4’s archive arts programmes. Today, this one with a young Germaine Greer interviewing Paule Vézelay in 1984.

Linking with Ginny’s Yarn Along.

Yarn Along: Hedgerow Blanket

An update on my progress with the Attic24 CAL

Lucy has designed a beautiful Moorland Blanket using mainly greens and heather purples. I have substituted some of the colours with pinks and other neutral colours to use yarn I already had and this has created what I believe is a palette representing English Hedgerows in early summer.

Does the palette suggest something different to you?

My substitutions:

Lucy’s Moorland Colours          Hedgerow Substitutions

Pistachio                                           Mustard

Mocha                                                Parchment

Walnut                                               Silver

Grape                                                 Raspberry

Plum                                                  Pale Rose

Violet                                                  Soft Peach

Wisteria                                             Cream

~

Here is Lucy’s list with my substitutions up to colour row 70.

My previous post showing the sequence of the first 40 colours is here.

The list from colour 41 to where I am today, each colour is two rows of crochet.

Lucy’s Colours                     My Substitutions

41. Mocha                         Parchment

42.Plum                                 Pale Rose

43. Violet                           Soft Peach
44. Khaki
45. Mocha                        Parchment
46. Meadow
47. Plum                           Pale Rose
48. Violet                         Soft Peach
49. Cypress
50. Mocha                        Parchment
51. Walnut                      Silver
52. Violet                        Soft Peach
53. Meadow
54. Cypress
55. Plum                         Pale Rose
56. Violet                        Soft Peach
57. Khaki
58. Mocha                      Parchment
59. Plum                        Pale Rose
60. Sage
61. Walnut                    Silver
62. Grape                      Raspberry
63. Violet                     Soft Peach
64. Plum                      Pale Rose
65. Wisteria                Cream
66. Grape                     Raspberry
67. Sage
68. Pistachio              Mustard
69. Mocha                  Parchment
70. Plum                      Pale Rose

~

Joining in with Ginny’s Yarn Along.

Whilst I crochet I am watching/listening to the first series of  “Money for Nothing” presented by Sarah Moore, which I bought for £10.99 from BBC iPlayer. She gathers items destined for the tip and with the help of top class artisans, she repurposes them.

Sarah was the first winner of BBC2’s ‘Great Interior Design Challenge’ in 2013.

Go to my THROWS Page  to see other throws, blankets, afghans I have made with hints and tips on how to make them yourself. I am happy to answer any questions you might have.