Monday 6 June 2011

The Finally Finished Ta-dah..............

Morning all....how are you?

Have you just had a half term break? If so, did you survive it well?

Mine was a rested one! We did nothing but simply chill! Life has been so full on of late, it was nice to just wake up and not have plans. I still have a lingering cough, but feeling better now. Thanks for all you well wishes....you're an awesome bunch!

well....................


....The Spring throw........


..........goodness me, it feels like I have been doing this blanket FOREVER! 

432 squares made......




432 squares sewn together.......




432 squares ends weaved in......



I actually would have liked it a little bigger too. I contemplated adding a few more rows.....but I think I just was so desperate to see it in all its glory, I just couldn't hang on any longer!


So.....here it is in all its glory............











Do I like it?..................



I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!




I finished it midway last week. I was really excited , but still not feeling 100%, so as soon as I finished it, I folded it up and put it to one side. I have spent so many hours on this blanket, my fingers were sore from all the sewing in of the ends, and I just wanted to be completely well enough to appreciate the finished result!

So I waited a few days until I felt decent again, then got it out and began to drink it all in.......... spend several minutes just looking at it and feeling happy with what I had achieved!

I really, really, really, really do love it!

Sure, I would have loved using the yarn recommended, but a) the purse just really couldn't afford it, and b) if it could have, I wouldn't have wanted to use it....AT ALL!!!!

My blanket is more vibrant. I really loved the chalkiness of the colours used in the one in the book..........




 ....and I think at some point I would like to make one more similar.......but I am REALLY happy with what I have. The colours are brighter....but you know me..........love my brights........so I am not disappointed.

All my crochet makes are made to be used and to be loved. The Bears really love wrapping themselves up in the blankets and that brings an immense smile to my face. I wanted this blanket to be the same (although, at the moment I am struggling with wanting it all to myself just draped lovingly on my bed! I know that will not happen though!) 

I cannot stop looking at it, touching it, smiling each time I see it. I truly love it! I loved it the first time I set eyes on it...and that is what kept me going. I made a scarf last year I nicknamed the 'Dr Who' scarf as I made it really long so that it could be wrapped round me a couple of times, not sure if anyone remembers.....


I completely love that scarf. It is sort of made in the same way....maybe that's why I love the blanket so much!

The squares were quick to make but the sheer number was really rather off-putting! 

Crocheting them together wasn't so bad, but the angle that I seemed to do it, gave me a headache each time.

(I left the tin out in the garden with all the strands for the birds. It was fun watching them dive in and take beak-fulls up into their nests!)

I did feel elated when all the squares were together, but that turned to horror when I turned it over and saw the sheer volume of ends I had to weave in!!! However....I am glad that I did it that way. If I had sewn in all the ends of each square as I went along, I honestly think I would have given up as it would have taken so long to reach 432. I sort of resigned myself to the fact that I would spend a week just sewing in strands, but knew that the end was so near and that would keep me going! I had to make sure I did a REALLY good job as this blanket was going to be used and abused by the three bears, and I didn't want it falling apart after all my hard work!!!!!

This is a simple little blanket project, but it is a big one, and you have to have patience and really want to see the finished result!

I used various yarns, different brands, acrylic mixes, all the same weight, just to get the colours I wanted. To be honest, I couldn't say exactly how much it cost me, but hardly anything compared to what it would have cost had I used the yarn they recommended!

So.......a big sigh......one more blanket completed. I have a mountain of other WIP's to be getting on with, but I may just have another little ta-dah moment by the end of the week....my little crochet fingers are smoking!!!!!!

Right, laundry and toy tidy are calling me now. After the half term break, the house looks like a bomb site! The boys have an inset day today too, only Baby Bear is at nursery, so a little break to get some housework done............the real world is so exciting!!!!!!!!

xxx

112 comments:

  1. OH My word, beautiful, love it so so so much, you are so talented!
    One day I will get back to making!
    Bring your beautiful blanket next time you are in Wales and we will have a vintage picnic!
    hehhe
    xxx

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  2. Wow, it's gorgeous!!! Really love it

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  3. It's beautiful, I love the colours you used better than the ones from the book, yours are brighter. Lovely scarf too :-)

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  4. Wow! that is a big blanket and a big achievement... beautiful. You are an inspiration x

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  5. Amazing....beautiful.....!

    Marjo

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  6. Wow it's so beautiful, no wonder you are so in love with it! This weekend I tried crochet for the very first time, with the aim of making my own blanket - you are such an inspiration for novices like me! :) Have a super week, Jenny x

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  7. I think I'd be sitting staring at in completely in love too. Absolutely beautiful. Love, Love your scarf too. Boy, I do admire anyone with the staying power for a whole blanket.

    X

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  8. What a lovely blanket and something to be treasured for years to come. I prefer your colours to the one in the book! The scarf is wonderful too!
    June

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  9. It's mouthwateringly gorgeous! Must get back to finishing my granny square one.Glad you had a lovely restful half-term. :0)

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  10. wow!!... its absolutley stunning.. what a fab job well done!!..
    i think i would be just looking at it for a good few days!!
    hope that your'e feeling a lot better!
    charl
    x

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  11. Selam, harika bir örtü ve atkı yapmışsın.Ellerine sğalık.Selamlar sevgiler sana.tebrikler.

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  12. Oh my! That is just beautiful, honey!! Just stunning. Well done you. I sat and did some more last week and am still only a quarter of the way through mine. Your post has spurred me on. I will chant 'I WILL finish it' over and over until it's done. Have a lovely week, sweetheart. xxxx

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  13. OMG! It's just fabulous!! I absolutely love it! Congratuations!!! No wonder you are proud! Now if you'll excuse me I'll go drewl on the pics a bit more. A true inspiration fo the blanket I'm making... my 39 squares seem silly now (though I've been only been working on it for 2 weeks).
    Great job!
    Esther.

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  14. It is truly beautiful! Well done you for all your hard work x

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  15. Totally scrumptious! I really love your blanket and it's sooo inspiring for we (that is, me) who do not yet crochet...but hope to soon!! You have made a beautiful creation and I'm sure you will continue to enjoy it!
    Helen x

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  16. Your work is so very lovely....

    Lx

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  17. OMG - it's beautiful! Job well done, gold star for you!

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  18. Yowza! That is a completely beautiful blanket. Congratulations on all your hard work and tenacity to keep going! You and your work are an inspiration. Hope you have a great week. Big hug, Em x

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  19. It is absolutely wonderful... You must be so proud :) Love your scarf too!
    Angie

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  20. That is gorgeous, you did a splendid job. I always enjoy coming to visit your blog for inspiration and just to put a big smile on my face.

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  21. Gorgeous with a capital "G"!!! Very, very, very pretty! Glad you are feeling muchly better! Cx

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  22. Your achievement is amazing. It is beautiful and all your hard work is well worth it. Congrats.

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  23. Vanessa, it's so beautiful. I think it would take me at least a year to finish it! You're right, yours is more 'zingy' than the one in the book - gorgeous choice of colours my friend!!!

    Btw, just received Mollie Makes and let out a little shriek when I read your name in it!!!!! :-D

    Hx

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  24. Well done it looks fantastic, I have about eighty squares still to make to finish mine hopefully I will have a lovely blanket like yours soon. By the way the colours look great together and I really love your scarf so pretty.

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  25. That is enourmous and soooooo beautiful - you've done well to keep at it.

    I love the idea of a finshed project, but I'm such a slow crafter that nothing ever gets finished around here.

    Enjoy and rest those poor fingers.....for a while anyhow. I know how impossible that is too.

    Nina x

    ps. this makes Mollie Makes - so lovely. N x

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  26. I forgot to ask did you block your squares mine are in cotton and look like they may need blocking some are a little unshapely.

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  27. I'm not surprised that you love it, it is truly lovely, and such a lot of work. Congratulations on such a great finished project.

    I love your idea of leaving the yarn trimmings for the birds!

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  28. Gooooorr-ggeeeeooo--uusss! Just stunning, I love the colours of yours and the look of the yarn, it is just fantastic! One day .... one day I will make my very own blanket :-)

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  29. Wow! That's lovely. I like the colours better than the more muted ones in the original. And isn't it amazing how a finished blanket always seems to be more than the sum of it's parts?

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  30. Wow! Beautiful - I'm not surprised you keep looking at it :) x

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  31. Wow ,wow,wow!!! GORGEOUS BLANKET ,I want one!glad you had a restful week,same here,wouldnt the weather be gorgeous now the kids are back in school!! xxxxx

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  32. Wow ,Wow ,Wow ...I LOVE your blanket . The colours are gorgeous with the white and the raised joining is stunning . I expect this method will stand up to use well . When I join as you go after a while the yarn sort of relaxes and it looks a bit gappy ...maybe my tension is loose .
    Well done Vanessa no wonder you are happy :0)
    Jacquie x

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  33. Absolutely fabulous, amazing and I am envious! all that patience paid off - the colours are gorgeous and it all looks perfect. Bettyx

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  34. Well done Vanessa your blanket is truly scrumptious! Perhaps if it was in paler colours it wouldn't be quite you. I got Country Homes and Interiors magazine and it has a few things from that crochet book in it, including the blanket. I am having a little go at the squares, but I doubt I will complete a blanket, perhaps a cushion, or your scarf is rather lovely. Have a happy monday, love Linda x

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  35. Wow! Gorgeous gorgeousness!

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  36. Wow, really nice! Good work! :)

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  37. Wowza! That is gorgeous and I think your colours are just as nice if not nicer than the one in the book. Love love love it but do not envy all that weaving in! Mind you I have a similar one to get one with weaving in. xx

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  38. Your blanket is really beautiful. I am just at the stage of sewing up the squares on my first granny square blanket and it is sooooo boring! But my squares are five colours so yours would have been smaller = more of them = which means a longer time sewing! I am awed :)

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  39. Gorgeous blanket and gorgeous photos of the gorgeous blanket! :)

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  40. It is so fabulous....I don't know how you do it!

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  41. Wow, I saw when you did a post about the book of this blanket and I can´t believe how quick you are. I haven´t found what kind of yarn you used. Can you say it to me ? Congratulations girl, maybe is it time to think in the other light green you like with nice flowers on it ?
    warm greetings from Spain .

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  42. Oh my its stunning. Love the idea of leaving the wool ends out for the birds xx

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  43. I love, love, love it !!!! Beautiful!! X Claire

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  44. That has to be one of the most beautiful blankets I have seen in a long while. Am definately going to have a go just need to sort out my colour scheme. Something that I always find really, really difficult. Well done Dev x

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  45. Just read Mollie Makes. :-) You're famous, lovely! xxxx

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  46. Vaness, your color version is so lovely and well done...really, your piece de resistance! Oh and I just LOVE that you left your yarn cuttings out for the little birdies...brilliant :-)

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  47. Absolutely beautiful!!!! Well done, you! Pat on the back! Abby x

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  48. What a momentous achievement, just stunning! Well done on all that blood sweat and no doubt tears to make such a huge blanket. A real labour of love xox Penelope

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  49. It's simply stunning - that's my long term aim to make one just like that for my bed. I will bookmark this page.
    I also just noticed mention of you in Mollie Makes ~ congrats!
    Kandi x

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  50. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING... I just found you today. Another yarn lover. Another Fan of the Color. Another shutter bug.... I will be back for sure. I'm a new follower for sure.... I'm off to see what I've been missing all this time.

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  51. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! It looks lovely and WELL DONE for finishing it. I have soooo nearly finished mine - just a few more ends to weave in, then planning a big reveal (yippee).
    Congrats too on your mention in Mollie Makes - that's brilliant!
    Emily x

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  52. Very lovely blanket! And did you really sew the grannys of did you crochet them together? Anyway...it's looks great!
    Greetings from Amsterdam,
    Maren

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  53. OMG it looks fabulous!!

    I particularly love the pic 3rd from bottom. I wish I had had the patience but as I said before I got to 50 and squares and turned mine into cushions!!

    S x

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  54. It is a truly lovely blanket. A tremendous achievement so painstakingly done! You are an inspiration-thanks for sharing. x

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  55. So you make a beautiful blanket. I hope I can show mine very soon.

    Good work love it!

    Greets Francoise

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  56. Fantastic blanket and so neatly finished off, beautiful. My mum sent me the pattern for this blanket but the 400+ squares put me off!lol

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  57. Gosh it's stunning! Well done you. I particularly like the raised edges where it's joined together. Lush colours too. I guess if you feel it's a little on the small side you could add a big boarder like this one:

    http://flowergoddessmom.blogspot.com

    I am coveting the top you are wearing in the Dr Who scarf pic.

    I'm trying to get on top of all the housey crap and do a bit of gardening and catch up with blog stuff but it feels like everyone is posting today and I'm behind AGAIN!!

    If you have probs getting MM mag in a couple of days I'll post you mine.

    xxx

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  58. Your blanket is so gorgeous, well done you! The colours are really pretty, a lovely combination. Didn't envy you having to sew in all those ends though! Michelle x

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  59. OMG what patience you have!!!! It is just soooooo beautiful. I wish I had that perseverance but I know I would get bored after four !!!!
    Enjoy itxx Pauline

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  60. nice!!
    °º♫ °º✿ º° ✿♥ ♫°

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  61. Stunning, stunning, stunning! Your finished blanket is beautiful & well worth all your hard work.

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  62. That is a very beautiful!!! Congratulations!!!

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  63. Wow, well done and so quick too. It is absolutely beautiful. Liz xx

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  64. This blanket is lovely , well done , it does take forever to make but look at the beautiful result .TAKE CARE WELL done !!!! LOVE Helen xx

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  65. Wow for all those comments you have, and wow for that b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l blanket. All that hard work, and all the love and thoughts that have gone into each stitch, well done you x Jo

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  66. Your work is BEYOND beautiful! What a project! I can well imagine you L-O-V-E it! And I sooooo remember THAT scarf! I've started one of my own...that's how much I loved it. After starting it, I was a bit distracted and put it down, but I'm still working on it! Enjoy your blanket and if you ever tire of it, I know of someone that would put it to good use. ha ha ha...Meeeeeeeee! x&o, Annette

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  67. I bought this book just to make this same afghan. I happened upon your blog today for the first time and seeing yours completed is an inspiration! Congratulations on a beautiful finish. I am new to crocheting having only just taught myself last summer. I hope to finish two projects I am working on and then it will be off to buy enough yarn as it says it uses a great deal.

    Thanks for the inspiration...

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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  68. WOW, I love it, you are a true inspiration. It looks like the one I have just started, I got the pattern out of a magazine.
    You must get yourself to the Loop shop, just don’t blame me if you spend loads of money. :0)

    WELL DONE with the blanket it is BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Lou xxx

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  69. Oh my!! That is an absolute beauty. Really truly heavenly. You must be so proud! And it's huge!!! Where are you going to put it? Is it destined for the bed, a sofa or are you going to let the bears snuggle in it? I'm so impressed and totally spurred on to finish my own inferior blanket.

    Has no-one mentioned your utterly gorgeous turquoise chair? LOVE! I want one. It doesn't look very comfortable but I could just use it to make things look pretty everywhere!

    Well done. Also nice to see your blog mentioned in Mollie Makes too. Bet they are going to have you featuring properly in that magazine soon...? :)

    Nicki xx

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  70. That blanket is taking my breath away. Absolutely stunning. So so SO you. Spot on. And I love your scarf to. I actually love the photo of you (is it you?) and the scarf. It is really pretty. I would frame it and put it up on the wall if it was me. You are so consistent in your creations. I always wanted to be consistent but no matter how hard I try I am always all over the place. Like my head. Scattered brain. Now I am babbling. Fantastic. Really. I just can't stop looking at this blanket. Today you must be the proudest girl in the world. :D Well done.

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  71. Dear Vanessa, this blanket of yours is so sooooo amazing! I cannot believe you already finished it... you are amazing! Well done and I guess we are all extremely jealous :-0. Can't wait untill the next project,
    love Maaike

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  72. You must be absolutely over the moon - your blanket is STUNNING!! I think your colours are fabulous, I like them more than the original picture. It's such a lovely feeling, finishing a big project then just looking at it and smiling. Have a wonderful week!

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  73. No wonder you got all these favulous comments..well deserved...what a work of love..it is so beautiful..make you just happy seeing it!
    xo

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  74. This blanket is absolutely gorgeous! I am sooo jealous!! I just found your blog via Tangled Happy. You have just gained yourself another follower. Lovely cheerful blog, love it.

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  75. Wow - you have some patience. I couldn't contemplate starting a project that large. The blanket is just incredible, very beautiful. you must be so pleased. I love that you left the ends out for the birds, I'd never thought of that before. You have inspired me to keep going with my blanket - not much further to go now. x

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  76. Blimey, that must have taken some patience! All those ends too.
    It's gorgeous though and so are your pics.
    Congrats on being in Molly Makes too.
    x

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  77. hey - feeling the love, sharing the love....
    and loving the idea of leaving the little strands out for the birds - how cosy their nests will be!

    We have had a splendid half term at chipper towers - 2 full weeks - what a treat.
    Looking forward to a belated family tea party at the weekend - which I have nothing to do with (feels v strange). The boys asked for PVA glue earlier - hoping this has nothing to do with the buffet!

    off to see what else you've been up to while I've been away - glad you're feeling better
    fee x (♥)

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  78. It is truly BEAUTIFUL Vanessa, no other words are needed..Well done on your work of art :0) Hugs and hope you are feeling all better xx

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  79. Hello, I found you through your blanket being pinned up on Pinterest. This blanket is truly gorgeous and I am jealous that you have the patience to make it so big with such little squares.
    Can I ask how you do that raised joining stitch? I love the way that looks.

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  80. Congratulations on completing such a mammoth task. You must feel so proud whenever you look at it. It's gorgeous :)

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  81. I'm at home with just Mini for company, I'm doing blog catch up and "Trout" just came up as a word verification. I'm laughing myself silly and wanted to share with you! Trout! Helmet! Trout! Trout's a good one!

    Did you get MM mag? My local newsagents has said they'll be regularly stocking it so I can pop by and grab you one if you have probs, although you said your Smiths had loads so you'll prob be ok. Just say though.

    xxx

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  82. WOW! VANESSA!
    It's absolutely blooming beautiful.
    And I LOVE the bit about the strands you left in the garden for the birds to take home to decorate there nests with...how wonderful too!
    Glad you are well.
    I have been very silent at Swedish House...no posts really and just popping by my FAVOURITE blogs to check-in.
    Have been working on making a dream come true... hence the silence
    Have a wonderful weekend
    LOVE PEACE enJOY
    Julie
    x

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  83. Thank you for telling me about the joining stitch. I tried it out on my WIP granny blanket last night and it looks so much neater front and back than the one I tried on my first row. I love the character it brings to the blanket too.
    Cheers!

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  84. What a beautiful blanket but can I please discourage leaving the wool ends out for the birds. They cause terrible problems getting caught around little legs and choking babies.

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  85. Lalabibaby - gosh really with regards to the birds? Oh no, all the best intentions! Well I hope what did get picked up will be well mushed in, but will certainly bear that in mind for the future. Thanks for alerting me, wouldnt have crossed my mind.

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  86. What a beautiful, beautiful blanket! What book did you find the pattern in? I would love to try this.

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  87. I have never seen a more beautiful blanket from squares and your work is perfection!

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  88. Okay, another GORGEOUS piece that I need to the pattern to. Where can I find it? I would love to know! Thank you, and what an inspiration all of your pieces are! WOW!

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  89. Ditto to Patter - I would love to know where to get that pattern! It's absolutely gorgeous! Love Love Love the raised edging on the joins!

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  90. Awesome work.....just really beautiful.....Enjoy it!!
    Jerilynn

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  91. Beautiful work! You should be so happy with it! I would love to know the secret of the joining technique - it looks gorgeous and I love texture.

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  92. Could you please tell me where to find this beautiful pattern? Yours came out stunning!

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  93. Now, that is rather lovely. Your finishing off is so neat, and you've lined all your squares up really well. Fabulous x

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  94. This is gorgeous! Great work.
    I wouldn't give the scraps to the birds though. Their little feet get tangled in it, and the fibers are not good for their lungs.

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  95. Would love the pattern!! Any chance you putting up a link? The joining of the squares are amazing! Nice texture.

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    1. The pattern came from the book 'Cute and Easy Crochet' by Nicki Trench. Hope this helps! : )

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  96. Love the rug :) I thought joining 144 together was a pain LOL 432 is awesome.
    http://crochetquackers.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/photo-of-rug.html

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  97. WOW! Amazing job & a true labor of love!

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  98. Preciosa, la manta es encantadora...
    Felicidades!!!

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  99. absolutelye beautyful! quite impressive all those squares!

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  100. That is simply gorgeous! If it was on my bed, I'd keep going in there just to smile at it and just feel, ah so pretty inside. :) Love it!

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  101. I would love to know the title of the book this is from.

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  102. Followed from pinterest. LOVE IT!! Great job!!

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  103. How did you join your squares.....I mean what method of joining did you use?? Would very much LOVE to have the pattern for this amazing blanket, but will settle for knowing how to join the squares, if possible. Thank you so much. Your blanket is such a magnificent piece of artwork. ADORE IT!!!!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words! I joined the squares together using just simple DC (UK) stitch. I did it on the forward facing side so that it was raised and defined. I hope this helps. The pattern is called springtime throw and is from Nicki Trench's 'Cute and Easy' Crochet book. You might find it on Ravelry too if you are a member.

      Have a lovely day

      Vanessa : )

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