Big Family Blanket and Day 45 of 365
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Last year I bought some gorgeously soft and snugly Merino wool and started my first ever blanket (Afghan). I wasn't really sure what it would look like or how big it would be. Taking a few hints from the extremely talented Lucy at Attic24 I opted for smaller squares. She'd done a lovely Summer Granny Square blanket and I hoped mine would turn out as good..JPG)
I quickly had piles of squares all waiting to be stitched together..JPG)
Even with stopping for a cuppa and an early mince pie!!.JPG)
Soon the rows were appearing faster than I could make the squares!! But with that came the feeling that I didn't "really like it". What to do?Frogging was the only answer and soon all the squares were ripped ("Rib it", get it? - Frogged! took me a while!!) back and I made them into bigger squares of 4.
I had my first go at "Blocking" them and they seemed to look better all ready.
It got the point then, that I had a lot of bigger squares and was not looking forward to sewing them all together. Popping back over to Attic24 I found Lucy's tutorial on how to "join as you go". That was that. I soon had all the squares joined together in a what was fast becoming something that resembled a blanket!I worked out that I would need 25 bigger squares before I could start the border. It wouldn't be enough to cover the bed completely but would be big enough without having to buy more wool.
The border seemed to take ages as it's a long way around 25 squares!! The edging (also one of Lucy's very own creations) took me hours and gave me sore fingers, but at last it was finished.And TA DAH!!!! ................................................ here it is.
Not a particularly good picture but the best I could get on a grey day! It looks better once it's on the bed :0)So........... I bought the wool in July 2009. Started the squares in August. Changed my mind in November. Cracked on with it in January 2010 and finished it in February. Not bad for 6 months work.
I'm really pleased that it's finished as it did become a labour of love towards the end but the finished blanket is now where it should be, keeping us warm on these chilly nights.
Day 45 of 365
Day 45 of 365
** Lovin' it **
Woa... you sure worked hard on that Liz... well done on completing it...it's gorgeous...would you like to make one for me now..lol..xox
ReplyDeleteWow, this is gorgeous. I love it. I made one like that about 35 years ago. Threw it out a few years ago and now I ask myself why I did it. It was so nice, in red and black and white. When I see yours I might start one again. I visited the site you mentioned several times and she wants you make you start right away. Maybe I will now.
ReplyDeleteOh Liz Sweetie...
ReplyDeleteThat is the most beautiful blanket and the warmth that it will give to you and DH. How beautiful it truly is. I just love the colors of wool that you chose, and making them into the bigger squares was such a great choice. I do love it. It looks gorgeous on your bed.
Thank you for sharing it with me today. Someday I hope to learn to knit or crochet. I keep trying. I am not very good with the knitting directions, so I am not sure about what to do just yet. I'll keep you posted on my journey.
Country hugs sweetie and so much love...Sherry
It looks amazing!! It may disappear when we house-sit ......
ReplyDeleteOh this looks lovely Liz....love the colors and appreciate the hard work it took to accompolish this.
ReplyDeleteGood for you.......:-) Hugs
It look great. Will you make more or have you got a new project in mind?
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have one somewhere (packed away in the attic I think) that my mum made for me years ago.
Love it love it love it - you have made a really lovely job of it and I always get bored with putting them all together. It looks gorgeous.Am off to have a look at Attic 24 now.x
ReplyDeleteYou've done a great job with the blanket and it looks so warm and inviting on your bed! Well done on completing it so quickly, what are you going to do next? I started a blanket with slightly bigger squares a year or so ago but ended up not liking the colours so much so I stopped. I may just have to consider getting different colours and starting again ;)
ReplyDelete