Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Long overdue post!

We're well into the month of February and I realised I haven't posted since the 1st January! I have been super busy with work and the kids and Church stuff. Things have been going great. A real turn around finally! 


So, today has been declared a Snow Day. I set out this morning with the kids in the car, skidding all over the road and then suddenly came to a halt as all the traffic was well and truly at a standstill. A quick phone call to the Head told me that many other staff members had been stuck and so he was declaring a snow day. Hence, the long, overdue post from yours truly. 

A couple of nights ago, I finally got around to finishing the Cath Kidston style stripe blanket. I had ran out of white wool but my lovely neighbour, Sue, came to the rescue. Thank you Sue. You can find Sue's blog here. It's good to have a stitching/crocheting neighbour! 

So here are some of the pics of the finished blanket. The pattern was lovely to work. You can find the pattern here. I used Stylecraft Special DK in the following colours:

Lipstick
Cream
Fondant
Cloud Blue
Lemon
Meadow 
White





I tried to get similar colours to CK as I could and think I have just about cracked it. I did four rounds of granny edging and then I began my border. I couldn't find quite what I was looking for so I decided to make up my own border and this is it. 



I did 3 chain rounds, twice and then I did a 4 or a 5 chain around that. Then I began to do my triangles. So into one chain space I did: single, half dble, dble, treb. At the top of the treb I did 3 chains and then hooked it back into the top of the treble to make a point. Then I did a double, half dble, single to finish the triangle. Into the next chain I made 2 singles and then just repeated this all the way around. 

With the remainder of the wool, I am making a Blooming Flower Cushion. This is how far I have got with it. I need to go get a cushion pad so I know how big to do it. You can find the pattern here. I think it will match the blanket perfectly and it has been a sweet little project to work on this winter.



My next project is the granny Patchwork. It is similar to the Elmer blanket I did for the new baby last year except I will just be doing 3 rounds and using the Special pack of Stylecraft. I do love the Stylecraft but part of me is now hankering for something more heavy and cotton like. 

I will try my very very best to keep this blog updated and I appreciate every one of you stopping by to check up on me. Hope you are all keeping warm today!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

43 comments:

Julie said...

How can you have snow? we have the most beautiful sunny day here today, very springlike lol.

A super blanket, the edging looks superb. I do like the cushion, that's been on my 'must do one' list for ages...

Good to see a post from you Hazel and so wonderful to hear life is going along beautifully for you and the family. xxx

Annette-California said...

Oh Hazel! Your blanket is truly Gorgeous. I love your colors. Puts CK to shame:) Enjoy your snow day.
love Annette

Chris said...

Your lanket is gorgeous and the pillow will be too. I think you did nail the colors and look of CK.
Be safe in the snow.

Giovanna said...

Great crochet - such pretty colours! Congrats on finishing the blanket. Take care in that snow.

cucki said...

Wow your blanket is looking so pretty and the cushion is just perfect with it..
Keep warm x

Jackie's Stitches said...

I'm glad to hear things are going well!

Your drive to work sounds crazy with all the slipping. Living in a warm climate my entire adult life, I can't imagine driving in all that.

Congratulations on your finish! Love the edging!

priscilla said...

Beautiful blanket and I love your blooming flower pillow cover ! Its funny hen you see pics on Instagram and then see them blogstyle :) Have a great day !

moleymakes said...

I think the colours you picked are spot on for your CK inspired blanket. It looks lovely. What luck that you've enough leftover for a matching cushion :)

Boo sucks for more white stuff. We're snow free here. I'm just yearning for slightly warmer weather now. I've had enough of winter now. Hurry up spring!

CJ in OK ;-) said...

Such a pretty blanket and the edging looks lovely. CJ in OK

Catherine said...

So very pretty!! I have never seen Cath Kidston colors in person, but from what I have seen, looks like you nailed it! Looking forward to seeing your cushion as well!
Enjoy your snow day!

Vickie said...

Hazel I am so very happy for you that things are looking up and doing well.Good for you!
Your blanket is positively lovely! Job well done!

Elisa said...

gorgeous blanket Hazel, love the design and colours, I am also half way through y blooming flower cushion....gorgeous aren't they xx

Margaret said...

Happy snow day! Looks pretty -- we have some of that on the ground too this morning. Love your blanket finish -- so pretty! I love how you trimmed it -- just lovely! Love the blooming cushion too -- cool! All the colors are lovely!

Devon said...

Glad you got a snow day,,love your blanket what a beautie.. And so is your cushion..well I hope you had a relaxing day...
Devon

Marsha said...

Two gorgeous blankets, one of snow and one of fiber! So pretty and warm. The border on your blanket is so nice. Can't wait to see the flower cushion.

Jane said...

Bitterly cold wind here in The South today but hopefully no white stuff!
Beautiful, pretty blanket Hazel and a perfect match to any Cath Kidston creation, no-one would ever know!
Look forward to seeing the finished cushion. Stay warm and have fun xxx

Helsie said...

Love, love, love the blanket nd the cushion will look lovely with it.

Heather said...

Beautiful projects!

Anne said...

Love the colours you've used, and the blooming flower cushion is adorable! :)

Nicola said...

A beautiful finish and very CK. Congratulations.

Christine said...

The blanket is gorgeous

Brigitte said...

A snow day, how great. I'm sure you spent it in a perfect way. We also have snow and it's a lot. And I'm so tired of driving on slippery streets. But the weekend approaches, which means no more driving, lol.
Such a lovely blanket, Hazel.

Shirlee said...

Your beautiful crochet work always amazes me. I'm so glad your life is good right now : )

Sally said...

Your crochet blanket is beautiful Hazel. Love the cushion too.

Karin said...

Beautiful work! I love that you finished something so colourful in the middle of all of this white!

Anonymous said...

What a beuatiful blanket. I love the colours. And yes it certainly is great to have a neighbour like that :-)

Anonymous said...

colourful perfect for winter! :)

Karoline said...

Your blanket is gorgeous, congratulations

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

Your blanket is THE MOST PERFECT COLOUR SCHEME OF BLANKET EVER! I was looking online for Stylecraft colours in shades similar to my Cath Kidston mug, and found YOUR BLANKET. Oh my goodness, it's SO lovely! I'm currently using up my yarn stash, but then I will be rushing off to buy the yarn colours you listed.

Thank you so much for listing them, I can't wait to start mine now! Only a few box loads of oddments to use up first, lol! xx

pippa moore said...

i'm loving your blanket and it looks great edged in white. i've just finished a blanket in lots of bright greens and blues but now I think i will go for colours more like yours.xx thanks for the inspiration
pippa

Dawn said...

Oh my! This is so very lovely! wonderful photos too! :) Well done!

littlefroggle said...

Hi there! I found your blog through Pinterest, and I had to tell you how much I adore this blanket! You have got an eye for colour - these are gorgeous.

I just blew my birthday gift voucher on Amazon buying the yarn for this blanket, and I was wondering if you can remember how many balls of yarn it took to make this? I've purchased 14x 100g balls, 2x each colour.

Also, to be cheeky, is there any chance you can elaborate on your starting chain length and how you did the first row? The pattern is in Dutch, and while I'm a competent crocheter, I would hate to think that I did something wrong on a piece this size!

Thanks so much for your posts...you are truly gifted!

Jo <3

Hazel said...

Hi Jo. I am sorry I cannot remember how many balls of wool it took but my last Granny stripe blanket took about 18 or 19 which is a similar size maybe a little bigger than this one. You can do a starting chain and then take hook out and start at the beginning of that chain again - that way you can add more chains or less if it is too short long as you go. For the pattern I just followed the picture chart. You can't go wrong with it. It is very simple. Hope it goes okay and look forward to seeing pics. x

littlefroggle said...

Hi Hazel. Thanks for the reply, and for the starting chain tip - makes perfect sense...that'll be why I never thought of it before! :) I shall definately send you some pictures when I begin.
If I run out of wool toward the end, I guess I'll just have to spend another small fortune in Deramores' shop! ;)
I hope it goes well, too...it looks do stunning that I have to try. ♡

littlefroggle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
littlefroggle said...

Hi Hazel...thabks ever so much for tge tip - I have never thought to leave the foundation yarn connected in order to lengthen it. Simple genius! My wool turned up this afternoon, so I am just about to get started on the first coloured row...all going according to plan so far! :)
I shall absolutely put some pics up as soob as I get into it...I'm going to put the pattern and pics up on my blog, FellAsleepHere, when I get motivated: please may I link to your blog as the source for the project? Happy hooking! Jo ♡

Hazel said...

Yes you can link back. thanks. xx

Shannon said...

I just discovered your lovely Cath Kidston project! Beautiful! Are you on Ravelry? I'm inspired to make my own this summer! Thank you!

Shannon said...

I just discovered your lovely Cath Kidston project! Beautiful! Are you on Ravelry? I'm inspired to make my own this summer! Thank you!

Shannon said...

I just discovered your lovely blog and Cath Kidston project. I'm inspired to make my own this summer! Am wondering if you are also on Ravelry? I'd love to see your other projects! Thanks!

Rhyleysgranny said...

Hi Your blanket is lovely. I had just finished a never ending granny square for my granddaughter and loved the colours I had done it in and decided to do a different one but in the same colours but wanted to include a little blue. I was amazed when i went onto Pinterest and found your blanket. I actually have all the colours you mentioned. How coincidental is that? I love the pattern but i will need more yarn as I want to do a bedspread for a single bed. I was wondering if you could tell me roughly how much yarn you used. I would be grateful as I would like to try to keep the same dye lot.
Cheers
Brenda x

Hazel said...

Ryleysgranny - you have your comments set to no reply so I can't email you. I have also tried writing on your blog but something is stopping me there too. I think if I remember right that I used 1 x 100g ball of Stylecraft for each colour. Hope that helps.x

Jacqui said...

Hi. I love your blanket so much. I am still finding my way around patters so can you confirm the following is correct:

Foundation Row
Row 1: ch1, dc in second st (so ch1 acts as first st) *ch2, miss 2 st and dc in next st* repeat to end and then dc in next 2 st
Row 2: Ch 3, *3 half tr in next ch sp* repeat to end, 1 half tr in last st
Row 3: dc in first 2 st (so no ch 1 at beginning?), *ch2 and then I have to dc into a st but I cannot work out what. Could you help please

Also what colour did you do the odd rows in? I can see the pattern in the even half tr rows but not the odd rows