Monday 20 October 2014

An Autumn Blanket Ta-Dah.....




The story behind this blanket......

Last year, I was to become an Aunt...twice....with both babies dues within a week of one another. I decided, rather than buy a 'welcome to the world present', I wanted to make baby blankets for each of them. I was always a little bummed that I learnt to crochet after my bears had come through the baby stage. So, this was the perfect way to make something for a baby. I knew one was to be a boy, and I made a ripple baby blanket for him. The other baby was a surprise, So I wanted to make a blanket that was universal. It was to be a little cot blanket, and I wanted something a little bit more than just a granny squares blanket. 

Whilst perusing the internet for inspiration, I came across Ingrid's 'Harlequin Blanket' from Wood & Wool Stool Blog. I thought it was ace. It looked like a stained glass window pane (which are things I have always adored), and I thought, made in pastels, it would make a lovely baby blanket for my new niece/nephew. Ingrid's 'Harlequin Blanket' pattern is for sale here in her Etsy shop if anyone would like to have a go at making one, (it's an instant download too).

It was a joy to make the baby blanket, and I loved how it turned out.


Remember this one?




I have a thing for Carousels, and Big Bear said it looked like an old carousel with the colours that were used, so it was nicknamed the 'Carousel' blanket in the house.

 (Carousel image copyright of Eye Poetry Photography)


It was given away and put to use.

That was the end of that.

As this Autumn season approached this year, and it was about blanket making time again, I asked the Bears' what they thought I should make. I have a list of blankets that I'm aiming to get done (most, assorted granny squares), but the Bears declared that they wanted a blanket like the one I gave away to their Cousin. It's not usually that much fun making the same blanket twice, but they were quite keen I make one for them. I had a look in my stash, and had many of the similar shades, and thought well why not, it was a fun blanket to make. I had a couple of darker shades of brown and butterscotch, which I thought would make it slightly more Autumnal for this blanket.

This one was bigger, so that all three Bears could fit under it. I made 124 diamonds, 18 halves, 12 slithers, and 4 end quarters. All on a 4mm hook and assorted dk yarns from my stash. Sorry I cannot be more specific than that. I know many of you love to know what specific yarn and shades I use. I REALLY wish I was more like the other wonderful crocheters who manage to list every detail, but I'm pants at that. Always have been, and I'm just not gonna change. I buy whatever I see at the time and like. It's always a bit of everything and I usually have no labels to refer too once I've broken into the yarn. Sorry.


Connecting it together, I realised it was a labour of love with it's size.




It took me AGES to crochet it together. I remembered it took a long time with the baby blanket size so I wasn't looking forward to doing this big version. I also had so many distractions. I'm usually really good at being quite determined to get it all done in one go. This one was quite frustrating as I had to keep stopping and starting. Not the blankets' fault, just mine and my bonkers life right now. But I loved it when it was done (and there aren't actually that many ends to sew in which was a blessing). I love its wonderful raised texture. I think that's what drew me to Ingrid's design in the first place. I know at the moment there is a huge surge in diamond tapestry crochet with gorgeous works from this lady and this lady and also from Ingrid herself.

I would at some stage love to have a go at this method of crocheting, but I'm a texture 'gal, and I do love this pattern for its texture.




Apologies for the not so great images of the blanket. The weather, as glorious as it has been through September and October, has now changed, and become quite wet and dark. To be honest, time is not on my side at the moment, so taking any kind of shots and getting a post up, has been a real achievement for me.

But......

....it has been put to good use already; and I'm sure will be a firm 'go to' blanket on colder days.

Cheerio for now....


xxx

97 comments:

  1. wow, sieht die decke schön aus, tolle farben!!! liebe grüße von angie aus deutschland

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  2. Wow, Vanessa! this is BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  3. What a lovely blanket it turned out to be. I must say I like the joining too.
    Colors are so nice and timeless.
    Have a nice day

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    1. I think the joining has to be the best bit about the blanket, although it was the most tedious bit to do! x

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  4. Absolutely stunning blanket
    Karen x

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  5. It's beautiful Vanessa, you have a real eye for putting colours together. Have a lovely week.
    Jane x

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    1. Ah thanks Jane. I'm liking these colours together. Have a beautiful week too! x

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  6. It's beautiful - lovely pattern and gorgeous colours. I think a 'Harlequin Blanket' may be next on my list. x

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    1. Oh give it a go! Ingrid is inspirational with her designs! x

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  7. Elle est magrnifique! Gorgeous! I love the colors and the pattern.
    Have a great week!

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  8. Oh Vanessa, it is stunning. Have been waiting for the Ta-dah post on this. And really does look like an old carousel, beautiful colurs and a simple yet stunning pattern.

    xx

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    1. Thank you Emma. I have loved how it has turned out. It took longer than planned to get it all put together, but it was worth it! x

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  9. It's beautiful. I love the colors, especially that warm golden one. It really does look like a stained glass window.

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    1. It's quite a soothing palette. I like Ingrid's with bright colours though as that screams fun! x

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  10. Tambien estoy haciendo mantas para mi primer nieto de crochet y las tuyas me parecen muy originales y los colores preciosos.

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    1. Awe thank you, it's all thanks to Ingrid's design! x

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  11. Stunning, a beautiful blanket, great colour combinations.

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  12. Lovely blanket!!!!! It sort of reminds me of stained glass and loooooveeee the joining!!!! Have a fab week!!!!
    Love
    AMarie
    xxx

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  13. What a beautiful blanket, the clours are lovely too

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  14. Vanessa, it's absolutely gorgeous!!! <3
    Well done!
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

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    1. Thank you Ingrid, I'm pleased with how it turned out! x

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  15. Oh my goodness gracious, this is one of the *prettiest* blankets I've ever seen? How is it that even your bits of scrap yarn look so fabulous all hooked up? It is a beauty that will make you smile all through winter...Chrissie x

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    1. Thank you Chrissie! It's been in constant use since it's been completed. I think it'll be a well used one over the winter! x

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  16. Wow, that is simply stunning! I loved the original Carousel blanket so unsurprisingly I love this one too. I really want to make my own version, would it be selfish to make it just for me? Xx

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    1. No, it wouldn't be selfish AT ALL!!!!! It's a lovely blanket to make actually. Ingrid is very inspirational with her blanket design! x

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  17. So beautiful!! I love the colors and pattern! :) Wishing you a lovely day!! xo Holly

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  18. What a truly clever bean you are Vanessa - its an absolute work of art. I love everything about it. from the colours to the texture to the 'differentness' of it.
    I can see that many happy hours of snuggling can now commence !
    Have a lovely week, Kate xx

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    1. I'm pleased with how it has turned out Kate. I'm glad I had enough in scraps to be able to make one for the Bears, they seem to love it. It's a lovely design and I totally fell in love with the uniqueness of it when I saw it on Ingrids' blog. She's really the clever bean, not me!

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  19. so nice, very nice, i love this blanket.
    Greetings from Tatjana

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  20. Oh Lordie...I adore it! So pretty in the colors you chose. And I love the creamy colored seams. Hubby walked by and said, "Is that argyle?" And I said no, it's diamonds. So we had a big discussion and Googled "argyle" to see if it was the same, and what do you know...it is! Anyway, your blanket is just gorgeous and looks like it was worth all the time you put into it. Lovely job, as always!

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    1. Thank you Pammy Sue! It definitely was worth all the effort. It'll definitely be a well used and much loved blanket in the house! x

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  21. Soooooo beautiful Vanessa. I love it, but like your boys I loved the one you did last year too. Please tell me you remember the colours? Would love to try and make it. Have a lively week and thank you for sharing and inspiring me as always. Xxx

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    1. Thank you! I have no idea of the actual yarns used, but the colours used were, ivory, oatmeal/latte, mid petrol blue, seafoam green/blue, mid pink, pale pink, spring green, mid brown, pale grey, and a shade of golden yellow or ochre. I hope that is of help! x

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  22. I'm definitely with you on the textured joining - it's awesome. Love it and your choice of colours - as always - is inspiring. Lucky bears!

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    1. Yes, the textured joining is what made me fall in love with the blanket on Ingrid's blog! x

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  23. Your blanket looks absolutely beautiful Vanessa! Have a lovely week!

    Madelief x

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  24. It is beautiful!!! I love the colours, the pattern and the photos and the story behind why you made this! How great that your children wanted this above all others! I am sure that it will be well used and loved, just like all of your other blankets. It was definitely well worth waiting to see it! xx

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    1. Awe thank you Amy for your kind words. It turned out well and the Bears love it, which is what it was all about really. xx

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  25. It's absolutely wonderful, I particularly like the white joining parts. You've made such a beautiful job of it. CJ xx

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  26. This is such a beautiful blanket! I love the browns and the pastels. It feels like the perfect balance of summer and fall. xx

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    1. Thank you Rosie. It needed the brown and grey and ochre to balance all the other pastels and not make it sickly sweet! x

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  27. Goodness, what a beauty! I just love your colours here too

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  28. Simple Gorgeous!!!
    I love patterns, color combo and all images...
    Lots of love...

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  29. WOW, it's beautiful. Congratulations on finishing such a gorgeous and big blanket.
    Anne xx

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  30. Beautiful blanket!!! You chose lovely colours, I love the way you mixed them... Marysia

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    1. Thank you Marysia, I'm pleased with how the colours all turned out together x

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  31. Simply beautiful. You are an inspiration.

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  32. Awesome!!! I love all about your blanket!
    Hope you have a wonderful Fall!
    Hugs from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  33. Lovely blanket, enjoy it :)

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  34. Oh, Vanessa! Which blanket so beautiful! and what a joy to receive a handmade gift made with love!
    It is a great work! and a beautiful color combination! I LOOOOVE IT!!!!
    Have a nice day kisses from Catalonia!

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    1. Thank you Cristina. The bears love it so I am pleased! x

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  35. Hej Vanessa! The blanket turned out wonderful! I also love the look of the blanket in the pastel colors you've used. Oh, I do know all about the work to join all those tiny harlequin projects together. It takes forever, but it's a masterpiece! Thanks for linking back. Ahoy from rainy autumnal Netherlands. Ingrid x

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    1. Thank you so much for the amazing inspiration Ingrid! My sister-in-law loved her blanket I made for her new baby last year, and my sons love this one too. It's a nice feeling to make something you know will be well loved and enjoyed for many years in the house! Ha ha, yes, it took a while to get it all joined...but was so worth it!

      Take care and thanks again for being a wonderful inspiration to so many crafters xxx

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  36. Gooooorgeous!!
    I've been checking your blog every day, because Although I'm suscrived to your newsletter, more than a week had passed. I always look forward to your posts. Now I know what kept you so very busy (beside "the bears")
    Cris xoxo

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    1. Thank you Cris! It took longer than expected to get it all put together! It's been put to good use already though! x

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  37. LOVE this! I'm working on a similar one, but I keep getting sidetracked by so many other exciting projects, so who knows when mine will be finished....I think I have to stay away from all sources of inspiration for the next 6 months, and actually try to finish some of my many, many WIPs....Love you blog and your beatiful makes:-)))

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    1. I know what you mean! Making blankets is hard, especially if they are big and take a long time. I often have tiny little projects on the go to break it up so I don't get bored. My list is long for blanket making, but I think I have enough for now! I need to steer myself in a new crochet direction perhaps! x

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  38. Ah thanks lovely Jooles! The Bears are loving it and the colours are soothing on the eye so happy all round! x

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  39. Now that is a thing of beauty ... nicest crochet blanket I've seen in a good long while :)

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  40. Wow!!! I´m impressed Vanessa!!! I feel like there are so many things more and more in my list to do now!!! Thank you for the inspiration ~ ♥ ~

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  41. Absolutely gorgeous... No better word could've describe it. Impeccable taste Vanessa.hanks for sharing.

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  42. You make the loveliest blankets. I cannot even imagine making something so grand with a crochet hook.

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  43. Another stunner! It's sooo beautiful. Your choice of colours is - as always - sublime.
    Thanks for sharing, it makes me happy just looking at it!
    xhaafner

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  44. I'm making one!!!!!! What stitch did you use to join them?

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    1. It was just a simple dc (UK) along the edges. Lining up the two diamonds to be crocheted together, I made 3 dc's in each treble stitch. I hope that makes sense!

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