I'm hooking again

So, with the goal to use my leftover sock yarn for good, I have decided to make a blanket. That of course leads you to the dilemmas associated with patterns and yarn quantities. Not to mention whether to knit or crochet.

In the end I chose to crochet, so I have something different and quick going, plus I love granny square afghans. So I chose one of the smaller leftover balls and crocheted a square, large enough to use the majority, but leaving a little over for the final border.

I'm reasonably happy with the result, but it has been difficult retraining myself in hooking. I don't do it often! I intend to crochet the squares together with white yarn in a single crochet, to give each color square a nice border to keep the colors apart so the stand out on their own.

The home for this blanket will be my car. A big blanket, large enough to fit both kids under during long drives.

Long time, no post

Things have been crazy for the last couple of months. The dramas I have had with my family exceed any soap opera. Seriously. But some good has happened too, wedding date has been postponed so it falls on our 10 year anniversary. I have finished my course for this year and am learning to drive. So it's all good.

I finished my dad's jumper and have made no progress on my black ribbed cardigan. I have lost complete interest in the dishcloth blanket too.

But I did make a pathways blanket which took a couple of months but was fun because the colors were always changing so it was hard to get bored. It used up a lot of my scrap yarn. Only problem is it is more of a display blanket, not too comfy being it had so many weaved in ends. Not very drapy, but I love it.

Now I am working on a cabled cardigan for my daughter, the pattern i found on ravelry. It's called "Mi escuelita" by Rosi GArmendia. It's absolutely gorgeous and i am delighted with my progress so far. Cables are certainly easier than I expected and lots of fun. I can't wait to get to the next cable turn and watch it grow. I'm making the cardigan in purple and might even make another one for my little sister. In a different color of course :)

I also have a country style stitchionary blanket on the go, when I get bored. It's fantastic learning new stitches on a small scale. Plus it helps to use up all the single skeins i have floating around. I need the space!

Til next time, Danii xoxox

Bored and Excited!

I have gotten bored with my current projects, dad's sweater because it is sooooo simple and sooooo brown, my ribbed cardigan because it is sooooo black and soooo ribbed, my niece's blanket because it is soooo pink and sooooo awkward the longer it gets.

So I have had a few ideas, which should keep me busy for many many months (and more!) and keep me interested with the different colors and techniques. I am going on a quilt/afghan/blanket binge. they are:

1. Pathways blanket, using all the varigated, self-striping and patterned yarns with a base cream color, knit on a diagonal. Quick and easy little squares, lots of color and as I'm sewing them together as I make them......quite addictive.

2. Blue Blanket, Green Blanket, Purple Blanket, Yellow Blanket, Pink Blanket, Natural Blanket, Red Blanket etc. These blankets with all be made from individual colors, but with as many variations that I can find. I intend to go through a stitch dictionary, The Harmony Guide, and create squares using techniques from the book, beginning to end. Covering basic stitches, cabling, lace, colorwork and fairisle, I hope to have very colorful, interesting and individual blankets.

3. Classic Country Quilt, using the above technique of squares using various techniques but using a variety of colors that to me represent a classic country look. Cream, muted and musty pinks, greens, blues and reds, This quilt is destined to be the centrepiece of whichever room it ends up in.

In case you are concerned about the destiny of all these quilts, they will eventually make it to their owners, the family members or friends who fall in love with them. I have no fears that they will end up homeless or banished to a cupboard, even in this house there can never be too many blankets/quilts/afghans/throws etc.

I also have plans to make baby clothes for my niece who will be delivered on 9 November. But no hurry there, I'll be making size 1 & 2's, plenty of time. I will not forget my current projects, they still hold their places, the sweater whle reading, the cardigan outside and the blanket for watching movies.

Til next time............happy knitting!

Danielle