My last update stopped with the row of Meadow - DC clusters. So we will pick up here with the yellow.
1 row hdc - Saffron
2 rows hdc - Wysteria
Star Stitch - Shrimp
1 row hdc - Aster
1 row sc - Fondant
2 row sc - Magenta
2 rows hdc - Spring Green
Outline Cluster - Lipstick & Sherbet
2 rows hdc - Cloud Blue
1 hdc - Pomegranate
1 hdc - Spring Green
1 hdc - Wysteria
As of today, this blanket is 7 1/2 feet wide and 4 1/2 feet long. I'd say that makes it about half way done. I feel like I've accomplished so much...but it will never be finished. My tendency has always been to make really big blankets. When I was a kid (high school!) I made a giant broomstick blanket - ambitious for a teenager! Working with the broomstick stitch across long rows was not easy. Thirty years later, I still have it somewhere. Anyway, the point is, I like big blankets! (I feel a new blog post coming on.... "I Like Big Blankets, and I Cannot Lie!") I've just never had a project take so long. I started this four months ago and it's only halfway. My groovyghan is just as big, and was finished in 3 months. Oh well, I do love this project, so I will just keep going....and order another pack of Stylecraft DK from Deramore's!
The edge was curling in, so I'm holding it flat for you to see the stripes. That happens to me when the rows start from the same side, instead of flipping the work and going back and forth. When I do 2 rows of the same color, I always flip the work. Sometimes, I flip even if I'm doing one row and changing colors. Sometimes, I don't flip it. I've made those decisions as I go, depending on the look I want. I have not indicated whether I flipped or not in these instructions, but most of the time, I do flip it.
In this picture (from an earlier spot in the blanket) I worked single rows of sc, switching colors for each row, and flipping the work. You can see when the rows were worked on the wrong side, sandwiched between rows worked on the right side, less of that color shows through. The shrimp and meadow were worked on the wrong side - so they appear as thinner stripes on the right side, even though it is all the same stitch. Does that make sense? It gives a little different look. Compare it to the picture above, those last three rows are all hdc, all worked on the right side.
At the end of the day, it is personal choice. I really like the variety of widths in the stripes in my blanket. I like that some stripes barely show through, and others are wider and bolder.
I would love to see what other people are doing. If you are following Little Woolie's CAL, too, post a link to your blanket!
Your crochet blanket is gorgeous. I love the pattern of different kinds of stripes, so beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think 4 months is a long time to work on such a big blanket. I have crochet blankets stored away that I have worked on for two or three years... one day I'll get around to finish them :)
Have a happy weekend!
Thanks so much! I have a tendency to have too many things going on at once, so I tried to make a "rule" that I'd finish blankets before starting new ones. I have smaller crochet projects going on - but only one big one at a time. I'd never finish anything without that rule! :D
DeleteHi. I saw your blog from your comment on meme-rose blog and I popped over to see. I'm always amazed when people I don't know have similar interests and connect through blogging. I started almost a year ago and have been discouraged by the lack of comments and followers at times. Thankfully I really do enjoy writing my blog whether anyone reads it or not. I have so enjoyed seeing your crochet projects and have been particularly interested in your posts about chickens. I also live in a suburban area and wondered if you have had any complaints from your neighbors? My husband is particularly worried about the smell... Is it bad in a confined back yard? Sorry this is such a long comment but any advice about backyard chickens would be welcome :-). Thank you and so nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting :D
DeleteI do not find the chickens smelly at all. I use a deep litter method in the coop, with pine shavings, and only do a major clean out about twice a year. When I do, all the used litter goes to the compost.
My neighbors have never complained about the chickens. Some say nothing - others really like them. When I have extra eggs, I try to share. But honestly, we love the eggs and I find ways to use them up. There is nothing quite like the deep orange yolk, and lovely flavor of eggs picked today. I just had some with shredded potatoes and onions for brunch. Amazing.
The hens are no noisier than my dogs. Actually, they are LESS noisy than my dogs! And we do not keep roosters intentionally. Our yard is a good size, fenced in, and right now the hens have the run of it all day. That is going to change, though, as they tend to poop everywhere - which makes my husband crazy. We will be fencing in a section just for the little girls, so that the areas of the yard we use, and the dogs access, will be free from the chicken bombs. It's amazing how much they go. Nobody seems to talk about that, though, do they? :D
Right now, we have 9 hens. Started with 6, but my Lucy went "broody" a few times last year, so I got her some fertilized eggs to hatch. It was fun to experience that process, and she was a good little mum. From 2 batches, there were 10 babies, and we kept 3 hens. The roos went back to the farm. Some of the little ones were taken by hawks, and 2 were accidentally killed by my golden retriever. They are so fragile! I'm hoping we can do without hatching babies this summer. I do not need or want additional hens right now.
I hope that helps! I'm happy to answer questions any time. When you get chickens, it is a big commitment, so I do understand thoroughly researching before diving in. My oldest daughter and I spent a good year or two reading and researching before we did it. If you have anyone around with a small backyard flock, it's a good idea to visit and see their setup for ideas.
And very nice meeting you, too!
Hi, I am thinking about trying one of these stripey blankets, what do you mean by flipping it to stop the curling? Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Pip,
ReplyDeleteI guess turning would have been a better word choice than flipping! Let me try to explain more clearly...
Crochet is worked right to left. Some patterns call for turning the project at the end of each row working in the opposite direction from the row you just completed - which is essentially working on the "wrong" side.
In this project, some of the stripe patterns specifically call for working on the "wrong side." But when you are making the simple sc and hdc rows, it doesn't matter. You decide if you want to start each row from the right, which means cutting the yarns at the end of each row (on the left), NOT turning the work, and beginning again, working right to left.
When you turn the work at the end of the row, and work back and forth, not always right to left, it gives a little different look to the stripes.
I found with sc and hdc rows, working strictly right to left, NOT back and forth, my project curls a little on the edge. I hope that clears up what I meant!
I would absolutely encourage you to do one of these blankets. They are so much fun - and really, there is no one way to do it. It's all a matter of personal choice. :)
Great thank you, I understand now, am collecting up some wool to have a go at this, I guess its one of those things you just have to start rather than just sitting here thinking about!!! :-)
DeleteI follow little Willie's blog and I love your blanket. If you have time can you explain how you ordered the special yarn pack? I followed your link but could not find it. Also is it possible to follow you by e-mail?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Beth
Biscottibeth@yahoo.com
Hi Beth!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I'm kinda new at all this, I do see a link at the bottom of the page here (while I'm adding a comment) that says "subscribe via email." Did you follow that link?
Looks like Deramores is out of the "Special DK Colour Pack" right now. That happens frequently, as it is so popular. When it's out of stock, it doesn't show up on the website at all. Just keep checking back for it, or call the company directly. They are really great to work with. Be sure to use a coupon code. RAV2013 will give you 10% off. And, spend $50 to get free shipping. Totally worth it.
The individual 17 colors are: Aspen, Meadow, Spring Green, Aster, Cloud Blue, Turquoise, Lavender, Sherbert, Wisteria, Plum, Magenta, Clematis, Shrimp, Pomegranate, Fondant, Lipstick and Saffron. You can try to order them individually, but I suspect at least one of them is out of stock, which is why the color pack combination is not showing up.
I hope that helps!
Thank you!
Delete