It's been dawning on me that I'm not doing too well with my new year's resolution to look for the best in each day. In theory it's a simple one, but in practice I find when I sit down at the end of the day my mind starts going over all of the negative bits. So I started thinking of ways to make me focus on the positive moments and I think I've come up with a way to end each day on a happy note.
It was love at first sight when I saw Solveig's gorgeous blanket but at the time I was all cack-handed on the crochet front. Now I've got a few crochet projects under my belt and I feel ready to take on a bit of a challenge. I'm going to take it slow and steady, just doing one square at the end of each day and as I work on each one I'll be mulling over the day's good bits.
For my one-a-day blanket I've chosen Amy Butler's Belle Organic DK yarn by Rowan because I love the softness of it and I've decided on a limited palette, using just 7 of the gorgeous collection of colours: Robin's egg, Cornflower, Peony, Hibiscus, Persimmon, Basil and Cilantro along with the main colour 'moonflower' which is a cream.
I know it will take me most of the rest of the year but at the end of it I'll have a lovely blanket (well hopefully if it turns out even half as nicely as Solveig's) and I like the idea that it will be made with happy thoughts in my head.
little cotton rabbits 
Gorgeous colours and a lovely pattern. When I was at Uni I used a drawing technique with coloured pencils. I layered lots of different colours on top of each other and found it quite therapeutic. My lecturers (all male) called it knitting, in a very critical way. Little did they know the craft revolution about to engulf them!
I gave up the technique but stuck with the knitting, although it took me two years to make a cardigan, but that was two years of therapy!
xx
LikeLike
What a good idea! I love the yarn and colours…. it’s going to be absolutely beautiful 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely, like the chosen wool and colours. I really want to learn crochet and last weekend picked up a hook and wool for the first time. I found it all very fiddley but may have another go again this weekend. still only trying a basic chain and how best to hold the wool – all fingers and thumbs liturally. Leah x
LikeLike
Lovely!! But I bet you end up doing more than one most days. I find grannies completely addictive and a real stress buster. The only difficult bit for me is choosing which colours to put together!
LikeLike
Such a great plan!
I love the idea that at the end of your year you’ll have a blanket full of good thoughts.
LikeLike
What a wonderful idea – and such a pretty and hopefully soothing way to end each day. Those colors are beautiful! I too am having trouble most days looking for the best in each day. This is a great idea. Thank you!
LikeLike
It’s not always easy to focus on the positive, from my experience it takes practice so don’t give up!As for the blanket the colours you have chosen are just lovely!
LikeLike
This is absolutely gorgeous! Wow. Such a lovely idea too. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
What a great idea and manageable too. I wonder if you’ll associate squares with special moments? If so, you’ll be making a blanket of memories – I like that thought. Lovely choice of colours. Do keep us posted on your progress. Becky x
LikeLike
I already faved your project on rav.I think a sqaure a day is a really good idea and I thinking I should get my blanket out and do the same.
LikeLike
How Lovely! I can’t wait to see the finished product!
LikeLike
What a great idea and what a beautiful blanket.
I love that yarn and what gorgeous names the colours have. How beautiful is ‘Robin’s Egg’!!
Have a lovely weekend Julie and enjoy your crochet. 🙂
Vivienne x
LikeLike
And you must make sure that your work in progress is displayed somewhere you can see everyday. Good way to keep positive thoughts flowing.
LikeLike
I love this afghan blanket and the colors are so cheery.
LikeLike
Love the idea of letting go of negative thoughts and stresses at the end of each day in such a concrete way. The foxes a couple of days ago are just gorgeous – first up I thought that they were mice, which would be cute too. Barbara.
LikeLike
I think that’s a lovely plan. One square per day does seem manageable, doesn’t it?
Hope things are trundling along well there overall. I’ve had a down-ish day today after a very up one yesterday. The mind is a funny old thing!
LikeLike
Wonderful solution!! One a day is a fantastic idea!
LikeLike
That’s a great idea! And those colors are absolutely gorgeous.
LikeLike
Lovely choice of colours! I crocheted a blanket for Zac whilst I was pregnant with him. I love wrapping him up in it now especially as it used to keep me (and him) cosy and warm whilst I was making it! Nice thoughts crocheted into every stripe! X
LikeLike
So pRetty Jule, love the colours, can’t wait to see the finished item xx
LikeLike
What a wonderful idea- I have just recently picked up crocheting and I love it! May I ask where you got that beautiful yarn? Can you purchase it online?? Please say yes, please say yes!
LikeLike
I don’t know about you, but I find my knitting acts as a great ‘aide-memoire’ – when I look at some pieces I can remember what I was doing that day or what was on tv while I was knitting. So your blanket may well hold more than just happy thoughts, it may trigger great memories too – lovely idea.
LikeLike
Oh it looks beautiful already. I love the Amy Butler colors–so perfect. How I wish I could crochet!
K x
LikeLike
That’s a beautiful idea and the beginnings of a beautiful blanket.
I too have taken the bull by the horns(you may recall I wanted to take an occasional sidestep from knitting by learning to crochet) and have booked a beginners crochet class in April at the gorgeous Mrs Moon woolshop in St.Margarets.
It’s a lovely shop run by two sisters and as I am taking my sister along with me to the class it will be a family affair! their website is well worth a look mrsmoon.co.uk
Have a lovely weekend
Davina x
LikeLike
What a great idea, such a manageable project when you take it nice and steady and at the end you’ll have a lovely blanket.
LikeLike
The colours are beautiful. Definitely a reminder that spring is just around the corner.
It is beautiful pieces of work like this that make me want to take up crochet. I must try to learn.
LikeLike
what a lovely positive idea! I think it is going to look amazing and have so many memories associated with it – just one thing – don’t worry if you miss the odd day – its not a punishment! I tried a few ‘daily’ things and always got so cross with myself if i lapsed – so have a day off now and then – and make two the next day!!!
love to you as always
K
x
LikeLike
I am so envious of your crochet work. I resolved to learn to crochet this year and attended a two hour workshop which resulted in a Valentine’s heart – just!!
I knit, sew and do all types of needlework but, for some reason, find the principle of crochet very difficult. Having seen your lovely colours I know I must try again!
LikeLike
What a lovely way to reflect on the good parts of each day. I’m crocheting bunting from that yarn at the moment – it’s gorgeous and soft.
LikeLike
Thats a really nice idea! I find crochet at the end of the day very relaxing and almost like a meditation. It calms the mind and ends the day nicely. I love that pattern and the colours you have chosen, very spring! Are you joining as you go? What a good idea because sewing in the ends and then joining it all together is the worst bit about crochet. I love that you will have a happy blanket at the end of the year. Lovely Julie, looking forward to seeing it grow 🙂
LikeLike
What a super idea Julie – you’ll end up with such a happy blanket! Lucy xx
LikeLike
What a lovely idea. It will be a wonderful happy thoughts blanket when it’s finished. Love the colours you have chosen.Keep positive.
LikeLike
What a marvelous idea! Both the ‘focus on and cherish the good bits’ part and the ‘make something lovely and meditative at the end of the day’ part. Best wishes. Keep us posted!
LikeLike
beautiful yarn and pattern…..i feel inspired, thanks, ali
LikeLike
Such pretty colours, Julie. I’m trying hard to stick to what’s in the stash but the Amy Butler yarn calls to me every time I go into a local shop. I’m really into blanket making though – it’s a good way to give your mind time to mull over things as the repetition becomes second nature after the second or third square.
Thank you for the lovely comment, by the way.
LikeLike
The colours you’ve picked are lovely! I like the idea of making one at the end of each day. It’s a bit of “me time” where you can just sit, and think, and do 🙂
LikeLike
Those colors just make me so happy looking at them! I can see why you chose them. I think I’ve been a bit of the same rut as you. I came to the conclusion myself that at the end of the day, I need to write something I’m grateful for in my journal. I think I like your idea better though! What a neat gift you will have when you are finished. A gratitude blanket. Makes me smile just thinking of it.
So, for today, my gratitude thought is visiting your blog and your inspiration. I’m blessed to be getting to know you.
LikeLike
What’s the saying .. slowly slowy catchy monkey … it’s going to look gorgeous whenever it’s finished .
LikeLike
Oooh, I love this idea!! I’ll definitely want to try it someday, at the moment though I’m having trouble enough with just knitting! lol It looks really good though, I bet it’ll be at least as pretty as Solveig’s!
LikeLike
You are such a great person!! A brilliant idea, to think positive thoughts and to make a beautiful blanket as a BIG BONUS.
I admire your strength and get courage out of it, maybe even copy your idea for the one a day. A big hug from the netherlands.
LikeLike
Sweet child, how can you possibly doubt your positivity and beautiful up-beatness?
Everything about this site says “No matter what, the turkeys will never get me down.”
The problems you face everyday and keep going, the colors you use in your work, and the simple fact that you can plan ahead be it for Toby, Amy or your next project is just inspiring.
Maybe you don’t think personally you are doing too well, but for all who read your blog, you give something to each of us. Especially me!
In fact I struggle when you have to take a break.
LikeLike
Hi Julie I couldn’t find your email address so I will put this link here for you. My aunty sent me this and you may have already seen it but it is amazing!
email me if this link doesn’t work and I can try again 🙂
LikeLike
Such a beautiful idea to help you focus on the best of each day xox
LikeLike
Terrific idea. At the end of the year yuo will have a ‘hug in a rug’ for those days when a hug is sorely needed.
Much love
x
LikeLike
Beautiful! Enjoy making it and the special moments that will come with it.
LikeLike
What a wonderful idea and one that I may have to borrow!
LikeLike
Lovely colours!:-)
LikeLike
I love the colour palette you have chosen and I like the ‘cack handed’ description. Very similar to my own style I think.
Happy thoughts coming your way for today
B x
LikeLike
What a lovely idea!
LikeLike
Such a lovely idea. But can you stop at one?
LikeLike
Really, really nice idea. It’s amazing how the best solutions are sometimes the simplest.
LikeLike
Lovely palette. It looks like a flower garden. May your happy thoughts keep you as warm as the beautiful wool.
LikeLike
Wow Julie — it’s going to be gorgeous. I love the colors you’ve chosen. Thanks for the link too!
LikeLike
Love your “one a day” Im new to crochet and this one and wondering if this pattern is considered easy, but Im lost in translation!! Any help for a fan in Texas?? Thanks
LikeLike
Love the colours that you have chosen, and I like the idea that at the end of the year you’ll have a blanket as well.
LikeLike
Love the colors, pattern, and most of all the idea, something meditative to focus the mind on good things and with a beautiful product too! 🙂 I might borrow it when am able to knit/crochet again 🙂
LikeLike
what lovely crochet – i think i may just pop over and have a look at the pattern!
x
LikeLike
Good for you! Love the crochet squares, they look so pretty. Thanks for the link, I’m going to look at the blog to see the blanket! :0)
LikeLike
Nice blog 🙂 Bought a nice pattern of yours 🙂
Nina / Vilma
LikeLike
Oh its going to be a beautiful blanket and it WILL remind you of all those happy thoughts. I associate different projects with what I was doing at the time, for example the crochet blanket for my bed reminds me of winter, sitting on my bed watching the film version of ‘Bless this house’, and the japanese flower shawl I’m making now has been associated with 3 weeks off work, watching Jeeves and Wooster 🙂
LikeLike
This beautiful idea and blanket has inspired me to try my hand at it. Unfortunately my hand is unskilled and I cannot get the first round going…can anyone point me to ana explanation of starting that first round? The tutorial provided is not helping me.
I enjoy reading your blog 🙂
LikeLike
Hi! I stumbled upon your blog a little bit ago and I feel in love with all of your sweet crochet photographs…
I have just recently started crocheting and while I have a whole lot to learn I love it! I have made a few simple blankets (for my son) and also some dish clothes etc but I would love to try my hand at a beautiful blanket like this one. I am hoping to make another baby blanket by next November. My husband and I just found out we will be adding to our family then and I would love to bring the baby home from the hospital in something cozy and handmade.
I have looked up the pattern that you linked to (thanks for sharing) but I was wondering if you could help me by giving me an idea of how much yarn I would need to finish a baby blanket. Any advice or help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much for your time and happy Monday to you!
LikeLike
Just stumbled across this and my fews mirror a number of others! A one a day commitment to something like this is great. Not only do you have something beautiful, but it can work as a meditation moment, I know it does for me! I felt I needed the same kind of thing and so have taken up a 365 day challenge of crafty goodness myself.
LikeLike
Beautiful…love how the circles become squares…have to try that…
LikeLike
HI Julie, I have been following you and enjoying your projects for years. During this quarantine period, I started this blanket but i am unable to fine a good tutorial on joining them. With your extremely explicit notes on your bunny patterns, did you happen to take notes on joining? would love to see them if you did. Thanks! Leslie
LikeLike