I've joined the sisterhood of the crochet blanket!

Hello! I'm saying that in a very, very cheery mood because the sun is shining today! Doesn't it make such a difference when the sun is shining? Even if you have to be indoors most of the day for work, like I do, along with millions of other people on this planet, it's still sunny outside, and I don't know about you, but I can still enjoy the sun whilst being indoors. For a long time now, I've admired all those crochet blankets people show on their blogs. I love them, and when I see them it makes me feel happy. I also seemed to spend a lot of time wishing I had, or could make a crochet blanket. I always felt it was something beyond my capabilities, so the whole crochet blanket phenomenon that is going on out there in blogland, seemed like a fantastic great big club that I desperately wanted to join, but thought was impossible. I've done a lot of free-style crochet, just using the single crochet stitch to make sculptural jewellery (which I must show you some time). But I'd never followed a pattern. When I first started crocheting I attempted to make a granny square following a pattern, but it all went terribly wrong, so I convinced myself I wasn't capable of reading a crochet pattern. Plus, there was the expense of all the yarn. It all seemed like a very costly endeavor to me. Then something happened. In the process of doing the decoration and moving studio, I had to sort through my yarn stash, which I love and hate doing. I love doing the sorting, because I get to look at all my yarn, which is very precious to me. I hate sorting through my yarn stash because it's terrifying how much I have, and I'm always seized with a huge sense of guilt that I haven't used it yet. Then all of a sudden, I had a moment of revelation. I no longer needed to feel guilty about my yarn stash, because I could use it to do my longed-for project! A crochet blanket! I have absolutely no idea why this did not occur to me before............. maybe I had it fixed in my mind that I would have to buy special wool for doing a crochet blanket? So I dug out all the double knit yarn, and assessed the situation. Yep, could get started, definately................ So exciting that moment, I can't begin to describe it properly, other than it being a tight little ball in the pit of my stomach. It was easy to find my crochet book on squares, it was right beside my bed, because it's a book I looked through every night, gazing at wistfully, and dreaming about which squares I liked, and would crochet, if only I was capable. The next stage was to learn how to follow the pattern I'd chosen. It's always slightly uncomfortable learning a new skill, but like with unscrambling knitting patterns when I first started to learn to knit, it was much the same with the crochet pattern. Back and forth from the pattern to the instruction pages, bit tedious, bit frustrating. But got there eventually. And now following the pattern is not a problem I'm enjoying myself very much! This radiator in our bedroom is a very comfy place to sit and crochet, when it has a cushion on it. I should drag the arm chair over to face the window, then it would be like sitting on a cloud, that arm chair is very comfortable. I draw back the net curtain completely so I can watch people walking by with their dogs, put the radio on, make sure my cup of tea is easily accessible, and hey presto! I'm happy, as happy can be! I started the blanket with certain colours in mind. Basically, pink and green. Then I thought I should push myself to try other colours. Plus, to be honest, I got a little bored with using the same colours all the time. I've introduced darker colours, and blue, to tone all the bright colours down a bit. But my heart really lies with the brighter colours, I must be honest. It's all about the colour isn't it? I know I've said that before, but it really is. While I'm crocheting I'm on something like a colour high! My fingers might be aching, but I'm hungry for colour, colour, colour! I'm now addicted to doing this blanket, which is probably destined to go on our bed. My knitting now takes second place. That's a bit shocking to me, as I used to be addicted to knitting! It must be the colour thing that has got me hooked. And of course, now I'm a member of the club aren't I?! The sisterhood of the crochet blanket! I'm so happy to have become a crochet sister! It's fantastic!! Oh, and incase you think you can't become a crochet sister, because you can't read the patterns, I have to say, if I can do it, ANYONE can! See you all tomorrow, I don't know with what, but I'm looking forward to it! Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[The Antidote]

Vanessa your crochet is beautiful, you seem to have started at such a high standard, unlike my own pitiful attempts!
I love the colours you are using they are so restful, perfect for a bedroom. The flower centres are exquisite also.
I must try harder, thanks for the inspiration x

[Hen]

Looks gorgeous, nothing better than green (or turquoise) and pink together in my book. I've just gone back to my abandoned granny squares project. edging all the ones I've done so far in cream and then I do need to keep making more. Perhaps we can have a sisterhood reveal" together!
Hen x

[bakeandsewblog]

absolutely gorgeous. Welcome to the sisterhood girlfriend!!

What pattern are you using? It is stunning.

[Talina]

Heeey! that is one cool blanket you are making!!!! welcome to the sisterhood!!!!!

[Laura]

Your squares are stunning! The blanket will be beautiful! Will it be for you or will you gift it to someone?

[Alice C]

Stop it!! Stop it!! I can feel myself being dragged in and I can see what a DANGEROUS addiction it is.

[melanie]

Hi there, I love your blog and I hope you dont mind, but I've added your blog onto my blogroll on my site.
I am hosting a swap at the moment on my site, please feel free to pop over and take a look, and to join the swap if you wish.
Take Care
Love Melanie xxx

[driftwood]

oh it's gorgeous, are those flowery bits part of the pattern or do you sew them on - you see I am only a beginner crochet sister, I've only managed a cushion.......

[Maureen]

Your Blanket is so pretty, could you please please post the pattern? I too am learning how to crochet and just think your granny squares are the nicest ones that I have come across so far.....
Keep up the good work!!

[Cathy]

Welcome to the Sisterhood! Your blanket will look stunning! I am a long time blanket crocheter, but have always wanted to join the sisterhood of sock knitters - I am just about to finish my first pair! It's a great feeling isn't it? ;0)

[Karen]

They are such beautiful colours - all my favourite ones together. Its going to look wonderful in your new bedroom. You are naughty though as I'm waiting for the flower book and now I want to make a blanket and I haven't got enough time for all this crochet! Have a lovely day. Its cold and damp down here in Sussex. Karenx

[Pipany]

Hello Vanessa. Looks lovely and reminds me yet again that I have not crocheted for years. Time to have a go I think xx

[French Knots]

Looks wonderful, love the colour combinations. I've not got to grips with crochet really, I edged a knitted blanket with crochet and it was rather wonky!

[Aqeela]

I really want to try crochet, but im doubtful il be capable of it! I cant even knit yet! The colours you have used in this blanket are beautiful, it would look lovely in my house!

Aqeela xx

[Anne]

This is absolutely beautiful - hope you will share the pattern with us - pretty please!!

[Alice Saltiel-Marshall]

I so enjoy you enthusiasm and the pleasure your assorted creative endevours give you is uplifting. I completely agree with your words on working solitary.
I think your new studio is wonderful, I love what you have done with your bedroom and your garden ... well, it is simply gorgeous! I'll whine a bit here by saying that I live in zone 3 which I think will make gardening a bit easier than in zone 2 (where I used to live) still I have challenging limitations!

[Julie]

you are so in the sisterhood now!! Congratulations - it looks lovely, and I love the sense of enthusiasm and pleasure in your descriptions. Loving all the colours too - am amazed that you find the time for it all (do you sleep??!)

Would love to be able to crochet, but have never tried, but looking at your lovely work is definitely inspiring me to give it a go.

[Marilyn]

Isn't it wonderful that all the "old" crafts" seem to be making a come back? For those of us of a "ceratin" age (!) we no longer have to feel old fashioned when we get out the needles. Granny squares look so fresh and new these days......must be because the grannies are so young at heart!!!

[Nickie]

Hi-

How odd that you would post this now! I just finished my first crochet blanket yesterday, and I'm already itching to start the next one. Good luck with it. The best bit is joining them all together, especially once you're about half-way through and can sit with the completed section across your lap!

[Susana Alves (mundoacores)]

Beautiful crochet work of yours!!!!!!!! I love the colors combination!!!!!!

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Susana Alves

www.omeumundoacores.blogspot.com