Wowzers.....this week has whizzed by. Apologies if you are awaiting replies to anything asked. It has been the first time in 6 days I've had a chance to sit and spend time trying to catch up on everything. It's slow going. I'm having to battle time between catching up with emails etc and doing housework. I know which I'd rather do, but my house is SCREAMING out for help. It's not a pretty sight for the eyes I can tell you.
My Sunshine Day Afghan Blanket has sort of been put on hold. Seriously, I've got it so wrong. I upped my motif count to 120 from 80 something, to make it a reasonable size..........and it's STILL not satisfactory for me. It's sort of HALF what I need. Another 120 motifs? Geez. I make myself giggle. I am such a muppet. I really do have NO sense of proportions when I do stuff.
Urgh.
I AM loving it, don't get me wrong. I just thought it'd be a quick one. Working now, it takes me twice as long to get projects finished. I think what I will do is crochet together all 120 squares that I have. Then I'll leave the edging for a bit and just add a row or two in the next month or so when I have the time. A tad frustrating.
I really want to start a new project. Something I fell completely and utterly in love with. But it's not going to be easy. I ordered the book in which the pattern was in....but it's in German. I was hoping against hope that there would be some pictoral diagrams (that's how I manage to faff my way through the japanese books), and with the help of 'translate' I could bumble my way through it. But alas, it reads all gobble-de-gook in translate (oh the irony in this sentence). Sigh. A tad frustrating. I was hoping that the Bears' German lessons would come in handy, but they are useless and can't help me with anything. Middle Bear is planning to take it as a GCSE, so maybe in a couple of years he might be more help with translating it for me.
I also just picked up a cheap crochet book whilst browsing the poultry aisle (yes I know, weird hey?). Almost nothing in it that took my fancy, but a long cardigan coat that looked like it could be a fun make (not one of those strange 1970's crochet patterns for clothing you always seem to get). I'll ponder on it.
It has been cold here this week, but as I type, the sun is poking through the grey clouds. Thank you kindly sun.
I bought some of my geraniums in for winter keeping, and they are starting to flower again. Yipppeeeeeee. I ADORE geraniums. Probably because they are hardy enough not to die at my hands. These along with Hyacinths are keeping me jolly on these dark grey days.
I cannot wait for the scent to hit the room when these beauties open.
I had some yarn arrive which I'm planning to make into a scarf. Baby Pink, Pumpkin, Warm Brown and Ivory will be a nice combo to make a block scarf. If I really cannot fathom the german pattern, I might have a go at the scarf. I just have to get the house in order first, and get my little sunshine motifs all attached.
First, I want a steaming hot coffee....and porridge......with lashings of cinnamon. That'll do quite nicely.
Please Sun.....please stay for a while. I am quite liking you being here today.
xxx
There is a group on the Ravelry called "Excuse Me?" They will help you with translating patterns :)
ReplyDeleteooooh really? That sounds fab, I'm off to check it out.......... : )
DeleteJust what I was commenting to say! I hope they can help.
DeleteRe the blanket, maybe if you set a target of just one square a day? You would rack up an extra 30 before you know it. It is going to be so gorgeous, it would be such a shame if it was a permanent WIP. I fear that if I don't feel like completing a project immediately then I certainly won't feel like completing it anytime soon in the future... in fact putting something to one side is the kiss of death for any of my projects!! I will be your cheerleader to keep the blanket moving if you like! Could you make just seven squares in seven days? :-)
ReplyDeleteIf I'm disciplined in an evening I can whip up about 15. It depends just how much vino has been consumed! I really do want to get it finished asap, it's just trying to fit it in amongst all the other demands of daily life! x
DeleteWould love to see a picture of that new project. By the way, I'm head over heals in love with your header!
ReplyDeleteThe blanket is beautiful, a real delight shame not to get it finished.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to try hard to get it done. I really do like it. It's just finding the time at the moment........especially when I thought it was almost done!!!!!!
DeleteThe blanket's going to be gorgeous, I really love that pattern. A shame about the German book, but maybe someone will be able to help you. Alas my German extends only as far as, "Do you have a pencil please?", "How do I get to the town hall?" and "Is there a local disco?". I'm intrigued by your shop with not only a poultry aisle but crochet books as well. Sounds wonderful. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI asked the Bears to find out if any of their friends were any good with German translations. The answer was 'Nah, they are all just as pants as us!'. I had hoped they had made an english version of the book, but they hadn't. It's a shame, as the book is really great.
ReplyDeleteI like the shade you've used to finish of your squares, it's very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanne. It's a Women's Institute DK yarn in colour Grey. I wanted a mid grey. Not too light to make the other colours hide, and not too dark to make the blanket heavy. A mid shade of grey worked best I think.
Deletewant help with translation of the pattern? I could help (I'm dutch myself, but know german well enough to THINK I could help :-) ) Your blanket looks lovely...
ReplyDeleteAh thank you. I'd hate to take up your time as I know it's such a precious thing! I was going to have a look on Ravelry and see if it has been done on there in English. x
DeleteYou could put nothing but pictures of your yarn up every day and I'd be happy. I love your color choices and combos! Your blanket will be gorgeous when you're happy with its size. Remember to enjoy it and not rush through without soaking up some pleasure. I always have to remind myself of that because I'm always rushing, rushing, rushing to be finished so I can make the next thing! I hope the sun stayed out for you to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I think that's the main thing.....to enjoy it. It was just a little disappointment as I thought it was nearly done! I might just add a few more rows and be done with it. I think I'm just not used to small blankets! x
DeleteOh my goodness......that blanket, wonderful! Gorgeous flowers :) xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit slap dash! I don't usually block my motifs when I make blankets and this perhaps could have benefitted from doing that! But, I'm a fly by the seat of her pants kind of gal and always look for the shortcuts. I NEVER learn! x
DeleteYou know, I've been thinking about crocheting shawls FOR my chickens lately, since it's been so cold out. But you're probably talking about poultry to be eaten...ha. I really love making blankets with small squares but my last one was 192 squares and I thought I'd lose my mind toward the end there, so it's straight rows for me for a little while. :)
ReplyDeleteWell Jennifer, I think that your chickens would be all nice and cosy were they to have little crocheted shawls for this cold snap! Hummmm, yes the thought of another 120 squares to get to a decent single bed size doesn't fill me with enthusiasm. I'll just pass of another couple of rows and be done with it! it can be a car blanket for Baby Bear!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeletefirst I would like to say - What a beautiful blanket! Gorgeous pattern and colors! If I were you I would love that I mis-calculated the amount so you have more opportunity to enjoy yourself. And - you could start a new project anyway, couldn´t you?
And I am Austrian (mother-tongue German), so maybe I could help you with language questions.
Best wishes
Knitgudi
Yes, I shouldn't moan, as it's an enjoyable project to work on and I am liking how it is turning out! Thank you so much for the offer of help with the pattern. I may well take you up on the offer if I really am struggling! I think crochet terms translated are what are confusing the translation app! It's not simple basic sentences so they are not translating well AT ALL! x
DeleteJust a little help: Masche (M) = stitch; Reihe/Runde (Rd.) = round/row; Luftmasche (lM) = chainstitch; Kettmasche (KM) = slipstitch; feste Masche (fM) = double crochet; halbes Stäbchen (hSt/hStb) = half treble; Stäbchen (Stb) = treble; doppeltes Stäbchen (DStb) = double treble...
ReplyDeleteOh that's so helpful.... THANK YOU!!!!!! The crochet terms are just really not translating well if I run them through translator so nothing is making ANY sense!
Deletewhat great pictures and inspirations !!! love greetings from angie from Germany
ReplyDeleteThank you Angie! x
DeleteIs this the right time to admit I have a German degree?! Fact. Not sure how much crochet German I know but in could give it a go, perhaps? I once found an amazing pattern through Pinterest but it was Italian. I put it through translate and followed it but it didn't look anything like the pattern in the picture. I ended up working from the picture and making my own pattern! X
ReplyDeleteDo you Erin?! I may send Middle Bear your way then!!!!!!! ha ha! No I think Translate is fine for regular sentence structure, but patterns with abbreviations etc, it cannot cope with and it's all a load of nonsense! I do have a picture that I could try my hardest to try and recreate but it's a round cushion with a rose centre and puffy bits! so there's a lot of increases and I really need a solid pattern to try and get it right. I think I would fail miserably if I tried to make it from the pic alone! x
DeleteThat blanket is going to be stunning. After 2 years of German many moons ago, I can just about do the days of the week and say birthday cake and fried potatoes - any use to you?! x
ReplyDeleteWell that's a few more words than I know!!!!!!!! I really am useless! x
DeleteI know what you mean about dark grey days. No sun here in West Virginia either. Love the blanket colors. I know different types of geraniums have different smells (citrus, woodsy). I read that somewhere. I always rub my grans geranium leaves when they are different types. The hyacinths are beautiful when in bloom and smell divine. I am jealous. I have to have hearty plants, as my thumb is not even close to the color green :-) Love your blog. I follow and share. Thanks!
ReplyDelete~Crystal
I am the same. I kill off practically everything! I tend to just stick with what I know will bloom a bit!
DeleteSee if the kids German teacher can help you translate!
ReplyDeleteI met her last night and she seemed really scary!!!!!!!! x
DeleteOoh it won't take you long to whip up few more circles you are the crochet blanket queen! My projects would also grow quicker were it not for a soothing glass of wine or two. Interested to see the German book you found as I live in austria , will be watching this space. P.s. A bit of housework deserves a bit of crochet.
ReplyDeleteAh yes.....wine seriously affects my motif making rate!!!!!!!!! The book is called Hakeln nicht nur im Quadrat by Stephanie Thies. Some beautiful motifs in there. The motifs themselves have diagrams which I can do but the projects are all written.
DeleteThat Warm Brown - What Is The Yarn??? It is SO beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI am cou ting squares as well…chasing 288…I love your grey edging. Hence my asking about the brown, which is in my plans :-D
The yarn is Drops Cotton Merino and the brown shade is colour 12. It's a lovely soft yarn in a nice colour range too!
ReplyDeleteOh I am glad that I'm not the only one who feels the need to 'make it a bit BIGGER'. My last one went from a sofa/lap blanket to a 'crikey that fits a super-king bed!'
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely LOVING the colours, my 19 year old son has requested a winter blanket for next year and I was edging towards grey & orange...but now am set on grey/orange and a few other colours for good measure.
Beautiful flowers, such a pretty pink
Nicky
x
Oh I know the feeling, I am so far behind again with everything! I don't know how it happens. I hope that you can get things sorted. My big blanket I made last year took 210 squares - 4 round grannies - it is amazing how many you need to get a big blanket isn't it! xx
ReplyDeleteWow! I love the blanket, you definitely need to keep going. The colours are beautiful. I'm working on a very similar project in deep blues, greens and purples but it is definitely my back-burner project as I only make 5 or so squares each time I need a break from whatever else I am working on. I currently have about 50 squares but I am starting to worry that the 100 I originally estimated will be nowhere near enough!
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant post, colour, wine and WIPs. What's not to like. Love your blanket and good luck with the translation. I have just bought several Phildar books to knit my grandsons sweaters. Completely in French...and I've worked it out! Yippee. Would be absolutely rubbish at German but good with a corkscrew, so any help there needed and I'm your woman. Jenny x
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWow these grannies look so lovely. I really like the colors you chose.
ReplyDeleteI'm awe of your endurance with this blanket, my two granny square blankets didn't make it beyond throw size....guess I'm an impatient crocheter but I plan to make a real granny blanket this year (or at least start with it)
I'm curious about the book...what is the name of it? If you need help I could translate the pattern for you - I'm german ;)
Christine
These squares always end up taking. so. much. time! And many, many, many more squares than anticipated. That said i always feel a loss once such a project is done and once i am over my relief LOL. Your blanket is gorgeous, I love how the grey acts as catalyst for the colours.
ReplyDeleteI have not had any luck with Geraniums overwintering. I am seeing Spring flowers in the shops now so next time I go I will get a Hyacinth as they smell divine. It will be awhile until Spring so I enjoy them in the house. Then they go in the garden for next year.
ReplyDeleteJanice
I can imagine (been there!) that it is somewhat discouraging when you think you're nearly there and then... you're not. But I DO love your blanket so much and I can totally see why you want it to be big. It's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI see other commenters have offered their help with the German pattern, and - although I was not particularly excelling at German during secondary school *ahem* - I would also offer mine too.
Your geranium is lovely. Mine are still outside I'm afraid. (One is still flowering though, which I find hopeful...)
Have a most lovely day!
xhaafner
PS. Thanks for your most kind comment. ;-)
Your photos are gorgeous, so bright & happy, they've cheered me up on this grey & miserable morning. Loving the blanket, the colours are perfect & pop so much against the grey, I really want to use this pattern but it will have to be a cushion as I cannot have another WIP blanket lol. Good luck with the German pattern!! xx
ReplyDeleteSeu blog, suas fotos e seus trabalhos, são lindos!
ReplyDeleteUm ótimo final de semana pra você.
Beijos
Sônia Maria
www.falandodecrochet.blogspot.com
Seu blog, suas fotos e seus trabalhos, são lindos!
ReplyDeleteUm ótimo final de semana pra você.
Beijos
Sônia Maria
www.falandodecrochet.blogspot.com
Beautiful blog!. I have nominated you for the Premio Dardos Award :)
ReplyDelete