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