'Ta-Dah' Meadowsweet Granny Stripe

This is my first Attic 24 inspired blanket, I have crocheted plenty of Granny Squares and Granny Stripes in the past but had never seen such lovely colourful blankets as those on Attic 24.  When my work colleague found out she was expecting a baby I was delighted for her and knew I wanted to make something special.  She has had a baby girl, called Imogen, so this is Imogen's blanket.  I am thrilled for my friend but I so miss her at work as it just isn't the same without her!  I have only just completed the 'Blankie' so I have not handed it over yet, I can't wait too.  I don't actually like holding other peoples babies, I like a little look and then I would rather chin wag with the new Mom and see what I can do to help out...washing up, making a cup of tea etc...It will be lovely to catch up and meet Imogen.

I made this with a 'Lucy Pack' of Stylecraft.  I am hopeless at choosing and co-ordinating colours, it was somewhat of a random selection, but I wanted more pinks than any other colour.  I also decided to be a bit experimental and break each row with the Meadow green colour.  I worked it in two rows of Granny stripe, followed by one row of double crochet in Meadow Green.  The three row pattern meant that there was no right or wrong side, and the rows of double crochet appeared in thin and slightly thicker alternate stripes.  I quite like the effect.  I think these blankets are like our children 'We all love our own!'  

I thought long and hard about edging, I wondered about a frilly shell pattern, plain meadow double crochet, I love the Tutorial on 'Crochet with Raymond' for the neat little zig zag edge.

Crochet with Raymond - Tutorial for 'Carnival Edge'

Then I looked at Teresa's edging, I loved the idea of Tulips, grass and sky.  How Arty for a granny stripe.

  

Teresa's 'Tulips, grass and sky' edging   

I chose the carnival edging and my six year old son approved and complemented the work in progress.  I nearly frogged it many times, as I was unsure of the the wonky zig zags, but resolved to keep going and try blocking, I have never blocked anything before. 

I wondered should I have just kept a plain edge or should I have gone for a shell edge...I decided you could ponder it for ever, so stuck with the 'carnival' zig zags.   I bought a packet of 200 pins for the blocking job and ran out!   It has taken all day to dry on top of the washing line in some warm sunshine.  I am now feeling underwhelmed by the finished article, it is a bit of an anti-climax.  I am trying not to be disappointed and I don't have the heart to frog the edge now and try to make myself happier with it.  It is pretty just not quite what I hoped for. 

It may be a while before I Granny stripe again and even longer before I try 'carnival edging'.  I think 'Carnival edging' would be great for smaller projects.  Not quite the Triumphant 'Ta-dah' moment I had anticipated.   :)