In the beginning…

I have a new hobby obsession.  Actually, it isn’t new to me, but I’ve recently started doing it again: Crocheting.  I have completed more projects in the past 12 months than I have in the past 10 years!

I’ve discovered some cultural differences with my hobby.  While I say yarn, the rest of Ireland and the U.K  call it “wool”.  Even our stitches are slightly different; A double crochet for me is a treble for Ireland/U.K.  But in the end, we  all  I figure it out one way or another.

Baby blanket almost finished

As for patterns, it is quite easy to find free patterns online, or even purchase them online.  I liked this very soft (free) ripple pattern by attic24:  http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/neat-ripple-pattern.html     You only have to count to 4!  Great stuff!  Definitely a pattern for those of us who are easily distracted, because you know quite quickly if something isn’t right.

Cathedral edging

I bought the yarn in the States on my last visit there. I know, who brings home yarn???  Well, I did… because it was incredibly soft and I loved the colours and I couldn’t *not* buy it!  🙂  It is called Simply Soft by Caron, and it truly is so soft! I thought it would be perfect for a baby blanket.

Cathedral edging

I looked through what seemed like 100 different edging ideas.  But I decided to go with  ‘Cathedral edging’.  I found the (free) pattern here:   http://www.halfknits.com/blanket-edge-patterns/   

a look at the first rows of edging

The only part of crocheting that I don’t enjoy is hiding the tie-ins when you change colour.  Can you see all of the different changes in colours?!  It is crazy!  So I thought I’d try and widen the colours a bit so I wouldn’t have to change so quickly, but I really didn’t like the thicker stripes.  To cover that up, I decided to alternate between 1, 2, and 3 rows of thickness for all of the colours. I think for my next blanket, though, I will stick with two rows for each colour.  I also arranged the colours randomly, and not in a pattern.  I’m not sure if I liked that 100%.  I would probably go for an exact pattern next time.  Good to live and learn!

Completed blanket

The best part of making something so lovely and soft is to give it away to a sweet little girl.  I’m going to share with you that the night before I gave it away, I wrapped the blanket up in a few of my lavender sachets.  I just thought the lavender would be a nice relaxing scent to have for the baby.  My lavender is, apparently, quite strong in scent! But I’m hoping the little one will be all nice and calm and relaxed when she uses her new blanket.

Did you happen to notice the little chair in my pictures?  It is an antique potty chair!  It comes from my father’s side of the family and I just love it and the history of it. Here is a close-up of the top.  Can you imagine using something so lovely as a potty chair?

Antique potty chair

Antique Potty Chair

O.K., now I hardly want to finish my post with a picture of a potty chair, antique or no antique!  So I leave you with a picture I took 2 days ago.  Mr. Fokker Anemone.  They bloom for me all winter long and I just love the little bit of colour they bring to the garden. I hope you are enjoying your winter, where ever that may be!

Peace,
Dana

Mr Fokker Anemone