Sunday 17 January 2010

MILLIONAIRE'S BLANKET.......





Good evening! How time flies. But at least the snow has all gone now. I do love the snow, but it had become very dirty and forlorn looking. Time for it to go! It's a strange thing though, that when first opening the curtains to NO snow, the world looked strange somehow. Just for a few seconds. But reality has now returned and life has returned to normality. If only it were so simple as just an inconvenient little bit of snow for the people of Haiti. Such tragedy unfolding there, utter devastation.  It seems to be worse with each successive news broadcast. It certainly puts things in perspective.

Back at home, my week has been unremarkable. Nothing much has happened in my teeny tiny piece of the World, but I have finshed a pair of socks that are long overdue. You can see the finished socks above. The yarn is sooooo pretty. I admired the same yarn that my pal josiekitten had used, but couldn't find it in the UK. When she returned from holiday in Germany, she very kindly brought me some back. I began knitting them on the way to 'I-Knit' back in September. Josiekitten and I had a great day. I've called them my 'Friendship Socks' and they are now finished. They'll be keeping my feet warm and snug at school tomorrow. I'm really pleased with them.

I could hold out no longer. I've looked at, touched, fondled, dreamed about, imagined and at last started to use my Debbie Bliss 'cotton DK' and begun my Attic24 inspired 'ripple blanket'. It's to make a blanket for my little grandaughter, who is due to be born in May. Here's progress so far.....





 The photos were taken this evening, so the colours are not very accurate. The purple is nowhere as dark as it looks. The tutorial given by Lucy on here Attic24 blog is excellent. It's so easy to follow, with clear and helpful photos. So, the crochet side of things has been 'plain sailing'. However....... it's going to be a very expensive blanket. The yarn is cotton and there are only 84m per 50 g. I chose this yarn because cotton is hard wearing and easily washable and the range of bright colours was good. I have not come across anything better. However, one band of colour takes about two thirds of a ball of yarn!!!!! YIKES! That's one very expensive baby blanket. So........................................ Feeling a bit fed up about it tonight, after all the expectation, and annoyed that  I hadn't thought about the yardage.

Still, it's not the end of the World and I feel so let down with myself, that I should be feeling annoyed about something so trivial. Tomorrow's another day.  I can go to bed tonight in comfort and wake tomorrow to go about my business and enjoy the safety and security of my home and family. But I will go to bed tonight with the survivors of the Haiti earthquake in my thoughts.

Good night!


21 comments:

Anna Larson said...

Those are pretty colors. I crocheted my nephew a blue and while blanket for Christmas this year. His was larger because he's already three years old. So I know how much work it takes. But yours looks beautiful so far.

cmv said...

oh what a lucky lucky granddaughter you will have! and what a lucky lucky grandmother you are to be expecting a little one- congrats!
it's such a lovely burst of color to greet her with!

melissa said...

love your finished friendship socks, they're beautiful!

good luck with the blanket - i love that ripple pattern, and the colors you chose are wonderful! it's too bad that it's such a yarn-eater! maybe you can find a sale somewhere?

Dawn said...

Hello, just found your blog - I'm an East Anglian too!
Love the colours of your ripple blanket - gorgeous!

Fluzz said...

I have lots and lots of procion cotton dye in bright colours (fuschia pink, flourescent yellow, turquoise, green) if you want to buy plain cotton and do your own?

I bought the dye for my Etsy shop but that idea went to pot so I have LOADS of the dye and you only need 3 teaspoons full to dye 300g of cotton.

Just an idea.
Fluzz (from Phoenix)

Ali said...

oooh! lovely socks! And that blanket looks like it will be delicious. I find rippling rather addictive, and I like the way the blanket grows to keep your lap warm as you make it! ali x

Northern Monkey said...

I am sure that whilst it will work out expensive your grandchild will love and treasure the blanket so much that it's worth every penny. It looks lovely, I must learn to crochet.

The socks are beautiful also, I love the colours.

Molly the Airedale said...

Mom sure wishes she knew how to crochet. Your blankie is just beautiful and so are the socks!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Tracy said...

Those socks are so pretty and cosy... love those stripes! And your ripple blanket is wonderful...such happy colors there! Happy Days :o) ((HUGS))

josiekitten said...

The blanket is going to be beautiful! We just won't talk about the cost in front of Mr Snoopydog! I think that I'm going to use my Debbie Bliss cotton for a cushion cover! LOL! Love the socks - hope they kept your toes warm today. xx

Jennyff said...

The blanket is going to be gorgeous and worth every penny, Love those zingy socks too, great colours all round.

Sarah said...

You are right, it really does put everything in perspective. I was reading about this lovely girl called Molly Hightower who was a volunteer worker in Haiti-working with orphans. In fact I wasn't reading about her, I was reading her blog. So sad that she has gone and all the other people in such a terrible tragedy.
On the other subject of today's post-it will be an heirloom and they always seem to be good quality things! Have a good week,

Anonymous said...

The socks are absolutely Beautiful! aww and I Love that they are called friendship socks :o)
Congratulations on expecting a Grandaughter xx looks like her blankie is going to be Spectacular - Love the colours.
I felt that same oddness looking at a green world after having a white one for so long.
My thoughts are with the people in Haiti too - can't even bear to watch the news, it's so devastating. Really does make me feel grateful to be living somewhere relatively safe and peaceful.

Wishing You a Happy Ripply week xxx

Sumea

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Love the socks, I'll bet they put a bounce in your step at school yesterday.
The blanket is so vibrant and cheery.
It is a colour combination that will suit your new grand-baby well into the future so divide the cost over years of use and it works out to be less costly.But I'm with Josie, don't let the Mr. know and you just keep on stitching.
Susan

Sally said...

I love the colors in your socks...so bright and cheerful! Don't think of the cost of the yarn for the baby blanket...just think of the love that you are pouring into it and how well loved it will be (and easy care, too!). I STILL have my blankie that my grandma made for me.

Mrs Twins said...

Wow! I just love this wool. I know the wool in the UK is so expensive. I only seem to use the budget wools which really do go a long way. I suppose if it was for something really special I would buy the better quality.Although it's expensive for you it will beautiful for the baby. The ripple is looking really good. You know how I love my ripples!
Thanks so much for popping over to my blog and leaving a comment.
Nice to chat,
Hugs and Love Suex

Unknown said...

I couldn't be more happy to see another Lucy blanket being made. Love your color choices.

Now, about the NAME? Have you come up with one yet.

Soon, you will have some music to hook along too.

Helsie said...

Go ahead with a clear conscience Grandma. Nothing is too good for a dear little grandchild and imagine how lovely the finished article will be. With any luck she will be able to keep it and hand it on to her own child one day so you are creating an heirloom that will be treasured for many years to come!!!
Cheers
Helen

Anonymous said...

Helloooo

Thankyou for Your Lovely comment xx It's so sad You had to give up Your black lab, but he knew You Loved him and it's good that the was able to go to friends. I totally understand Your still missing him. I think about my girl a lot and still talk to her.
I have seen Scott and have been a big fan of his since I first clapped eyes on Your blog. I think Lily has a crush on him too :o)

Wishing You a Lovely weekend xxx

Sumea

Willow said...

Oh my! Those gorgeous socks! Did you have any leftover yarn to add to your mitered blanket?

I made an organic cotton knitted blanket for The New Boy. I spent a million dollars on that yarn...

Mrs Twins said...

Hello! How are you?
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I'm up and running now Mr. TWins has been working on it all afternoon :(
I do hope your ripple is working out for you. Sometimes you can't get them just right. Hopefully you will have more time today to concentrate. I expect you get tired in the week.
Wishing you all the very best with it. Let me know how you are getting on. Kitchen basket this evening!
Hugs and Love Sue
x