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Saturday 19 March 2011

'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.


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

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.   :)


20 comments:

  1. Aaw, it's sad that it's not the ta-dah you were hoping for, but I think it's brilliant!! I love your comment about them being like children: we all love our own. So true I think!! I'm sure your friend and baby Imogen will be thrilled to receive this from you :D

    Much love,
    Kim

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  2. it's very very beautiful!
    i love everything about this blankie and i agree that the other Lucy is such an inspiration, she makes some lovely things and helps others to realise they can make lovely things too.
    oh my, this really is gorgeous and i love that it's meadowsweet too :o)
    i think i must have a go at making one too.

    warmest congratulatory hugs xxx

    millie

    p.s. my computer is still sloooooow, but i am changing my provider soon which will mean improved blogging for me. all i need now is longer days.

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  3. sorry about the excesive use of the word too. not sure what happened there, lol.
    that'll teach me to double check my comments before posting them.

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  4. It is lovely! A very lucky baby! ♥

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  5. I have just found your blog whilst having a little attack of blog hopping disease-- I do not want a cure! Your blanket is just gorgeous and I am sure it will always be treasured
    Kindest Regards Linda

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  6. All your comments are lovely thank you, I still see wonky edging but your complements are convincing me all is well..... :) x

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  7. I love your blanket. You did Lucy proud. I also like your use of the green double crochet between rows. It is bright and beautiful and just perfect for a baby girl. The edging is cute but almost any edging would have been good. Well deserving of your TaDah!

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  8. I love that effect with the double crochet! Looks beautiful, edging and all!

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  9. The blankie is beautiful, Lucy. Lucky Imogen, I say...
    :)

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  10. Did the edging change much with blocking? I think it looks fine but I know what you mean about when something isn't ta-da great.

    I really love the colourful stripes :)

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  11. Whisperedpromises - Hiya, blocking did not seem to do much but it did help the little pointy bits stand up straight, well straight ish. I have never blocked before so maybe I didn't get that right. I am also wondering if my tension was out or something? I would stick to a plain border in future projects :)

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  12. Can I say that this is my very favourite granny stripe blanket? OK, I will because it is! I like it more than any other; I absolutely love that row of green you have put it - it makes it look quite different to all the others I have seen (and I like them too). Yours has taken on a rather exotic look, it is very rich and special looking. Well done for taking something and giving it such a great twist - a fabulous idea. Please don't be underwhelmed by your work! It's so beautiful - I really really love it.

    Now, that is what I genuinely feel - I absolutely love it and feel most inclined to copycat it. However, if you are disappointed and it is something you can change so you can be totally happy then I would do it. I think you feel the border lets it down? If that is so, I would do it again until I was happy. Believe me, I'm not saying that I think you should - for me it is perfection. But I know how I am and that is what I would have to do if I felt like you seem to. However, if I received it I would literally jump up and down as it is so gorgeously pretty. Imogogen and her Mum will adore this blanket.

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  13. That's a beautiful blankie. I would put it away for a day or so. When you come back to it, I'm sure you'll feel better about the overall result. : ) I was seriously considering doing an 'attic 24' in her colours before, but I worked out it would cost (Can't remember exactly, but something like)£50 - which is quite a lot isn't it.

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  14. Anonymous, you are lovely. Will you be my life coach? :)

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  15. budgeteer, I do feel a lot better about it now after everyone's lovely comments. It is unique! My 'Lucy pack' of stylecraft came from 'Masons' I still have a fair amount left but I did need to order more 'Meadow green'. I have seen acrylic yarn cheaper though, so maybe try to get similar colours. Acrylic is acrylic in my opinion. For a gift I thought this was quite reasonable and I have some lovely colours left to play with. If you costed in the minimum wage though you would have to pay me about £500 quid for it!!! Cheap at half the price! :) I need to speed up.

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  16. Sue, I have just read a recipe for Meatballs where you could use Ground Camel!! Ferret does not sound so way out now! :) lol

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  17. Imogen is THE best name of course, ask my daughter :)

    Beautiful blanket, fantastic crochet work its going to be a well treasured blankie for years to come I'm sure.

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  18. Well done - I think is it lovely and totally approve of the edging. Good on you :-)

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