It's here, the start of autumn, and I can't tell a lie and say I'm not pleased! Not that summer has been bad, in fact it's had some really lovely bits this year but it's hard work keeping Toby occupied and safe during the school break and even Amy has found it a bit long. She was so excited to start at her new senior school yesterday and Toby seemed very happy to start at his school again this morning.
Over the summer we did pack a lot in and Amy & H had a fab time in France despite a thorough soaking thanks to the unseasonal weather! I even managed some knitting time, although crochet did end up featuring a little more heavily as it was easier to pick up and put down without having to finish a row first – an essential when I'm at Toby's beck-and-call!
I even finished my one-a-day blankie!
It ended up being a little smaller than planned (at 12 x 15 squares it's more of a snuggle-on-the-sofa throw than a bed blanket) but it felt like the right time to finish it (and I'm itching to start on a new crochet project – but more of that another day).
I'm quite pleased with it, although there were some colour issues along the way – my mathematical approach to having each and every square different hit a snag when I discovered that some of the colour combos were truly foul – especially the darker blue, green and purple one! So I did end up repeating a couple of favourite combinations instead. For a first blanket it's not bad and it's been a great learning curve for me. Thanks to Solveig for her wonderful free pattern.
It's lovely to be back here, although I'm feeling so out of touch with everyone and being away from the computer for the best part of 6 weeks has left the blog writing bit of my brain feeling all rusty. I'm going to ease back in slowly and spend some time catching up with my favourite blogland people (I've also got an email inbox that's brimming over). But for now I'm off to savour the peace and quiet of the first day of term and enjoy exercising my knitting muscles again.
Thanks for visiting xxx
little cotton rabbits 
Morning Julie,
Lovely to read your post, I have missed you. The blanket is beautiful. You have worked wonders yet again. Mylittle one starts nursery today and I have been dreading it. Seeing her in her uniform yanked at my heart strings more than I thought it would. Enjoy having it little more time to yourself again, and welcome back x
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Your blanket is so beautiful! Don’t be down on the colour combo you don’t like, it was the one I was instantly drawn to and immediately thought how pretty! You should feel very pleased with your handiwork. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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Julie your blanket is lovely the colour choices are beautiful and I think the size is just right.
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Hello Julie, I know what you mean about feeling rusty! I am so far out of it all I’m not sure I’ll ever catch up!
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Hi Julie, so lovely to have you back in circulation again, you have been missed!
Glad too that going back to school was a happy event for everyone.
Your blanket is absolutely gorgeous, the squares are like little jewels ~ just beautiful!!
Looking forward to seeing what those knitting muscles produce! 🙂
Vivienne x
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Autumn is truly wonderful isnt it. I adore your crocheted blanket, just gorgeous. Hope you get some time to relax while the kids are at school.
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Its lovely, mine is in a bag somewhere languishing, a wip waiting for me. Mine is back to school today – a sigh of relief here too 🙂 Look forward to some more lovely pictures.
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The blanket is just the ticket for the blustery day today! Here’s to autumn : )
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I re-discovered your blog over the summer and began this blanket. Yours us gorgeous.
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well sweetie, it’s lovely to have you back!
Your “blankie” is fab, something I would definitely snuggle up to during the winter months!
Glad your summer was a good one {even with the up and downs}…
hugs
hello gorgeous xxx
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It’s so lovely you’re back – I’ve missed you!!
Your blanket is gorgeous, such beautiful colours!! I keep starting blankets and then putting them to one side as I find I hate the colours!!
S x
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It’s lovely well done!!!
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You blanket is just gorgeous. I really love the colour combos. Have a great day with your knitting.
A x
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Your blanket is an absolute dream Julie. The colours remind me of midget gems. Enjoy your day. It’s lovely to see you here again.
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It’s beautiful!
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Lovely blanket and lovely to have you back.
Looking forward to seeing what you’re up to next.
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Absolutely beautiful blanket. Good to have you back
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I love your blanket! what wonderful colors!!
xxx Sara
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Welcome back 🙂 How nice to sit down and put your feet up, I know just how you feel after the long summer holidays, it takes a while to get back into the groove. Your blanket is gorgeous and I love the blue stripe around the edge, sets it off perfectly! Another crochet project….see it is addictive 😉
Enjoy your ‘me time’ xx
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Welcome back! Such a beautiful blanket, I’m not sure you can consider yourself a crochet novice anymore!
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Good to have you back.I’ve missed you.I have just finished a crochet blanket from Jane Brocket’s new book.Lovey and snuggly.
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It’s beautiful Julie – the colours are wonderful! I have a crochet “lap” blanket (thrifted) which I have on my favourite chair in the living room. We all fight over who gets to snuggle in it!
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love your blanket and look forward to seeing your next project.
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It’s absolutely perfect. I love it! You always inspire me to finish my projects, and I’m so glad to see you back in blogland. Hugs, Tina xxx
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Wow — it’s just gorgeous Julie. That would take me forever to finish. Congratulations on a beautiful job!
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Welcome back! The snuggly blanket size throw is infinitely more useful than a bed throw. Good choice, when it’s time to stop it’s time to stop. Enjoy the new project!
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Wow!! Your blanket is beautiful and the colours are gorgeous!! Well done.
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Its lovely to see you back I have missed you , the blanket looks lovely .
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The blanket looks lovely, I am really tempted by that pattern but I really must finish some stuff first.Hope Amy enjoyed her first day at big school. My neice did her first day today. Looking forward to seeing your next blanket.
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Fabulous blanket . Glad to see you back.
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That blanket is just gorgeous. The colors are wonderful…however you managed them, they came out lovely. Congratulations on the finish!
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Hi Julie
You have been missed! The blanket is gorgeous and I love the way you have edged it, I still can’t get to grips with crochet but have a few knitting projects under way!
My summer was strange this year although I did manage a few days in Padstow and 5 days in Dorset I just couldn’t face a proper holiday this year 😦
But I managed to relax more than I expected to and left it late to get the admin done for the pre-school so there was a bit of a last minute rush!!
It’s lovely to have you back
Davina xx
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Julie — so glad you are back — just love reading your blog and I missed all the updates during the summer. I too am glad to be back into the routine. Enjoy your time — Deb M.
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The blanket is so beautiful. I hope all goes well with Amy and Toby this term, and you get some well-deserved ‘me time’. Iwent back to school yesterday, but my week’s now finished as I do 2 days 1 week, and 3 the next. Lots of time for baby knitting, as grandchild no. 4 is due to be born at the end of October. managed to knit a pram blanket while driving to and from brittany (not me driving, obviously. I have yet to conquer driving and knitting at the same time).
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Gorgeous blanket Julie. I too am pleased summer hols are over. I had a new job to start and my son started upper school. We were raring to go.
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Welcome back, Julie!
Your blanket is beautiful. I’ve had one in progress since last year but your one a day idea might just help me get it out of its box and get it done!
xx
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Julie: Your blanket looks great! Truly inspiring. Must get started if I ever hope to finish. Thanks again for your inspirational work. -cyndy
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Really love the blanket Julie – the colours ‘pop’ beautifully against the pale background. Welcome back, too!
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the blanket is a beauty, Julie.
Enjoy the well earned bit of piece and quiet that the new school year brings—you’ve earned it.
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Stunning. That’s lot of work. I know just how much love and time was put into this one. Now, don’t touch. Just put it where you can look at it for a while. Sweet.
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What a beautiful finished blanket- I’ve been looking forward to seeing the final product. It’s inspired me to give crochet another go.
What Persephone book are you reading? I recently bought my first three (love the shop!) and have just finished Miss Petigrew Lives for a Day and am planning on blogging about it too- so enjoyable!
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Enjoy the peace! Your blanket is gorgeous.
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It’s a beautiful blanket. This pattern is one of my favourites and you done a wonderful job with it.
S x
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Sooo delicious! And I don’t mind the odd color clanger – adds to the interest.
You inspired me to do my own blanket but my colors are very different and the white background looked wrong and I wanted to keep the circles as circles so at the moment I am in a bit of a pickle trying to work out how to join circles and what color to use.
As for the color combination, I also worked out all my combos so that I didn’t repeat any, but . . . .
I have left out one color combination only (my little joke) and when I told my daughter in law what I had done I immediately saw her eyes fixate on the pattern trying to work out which one is missing.
Mothers-in-law are blamed for many things but I can truly say I might just be responsible for driving my DIL mad and she simply doesn’t deserve it!
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Love the blanket/ throw Julie – it looks fabulous. I think you should write an occasional article called ‘crochet for cowards’to get people like me started …!
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I am also lamenting the end of summer. Dont get me wrong, autumn is just lovely, but its that flippin winter afterwards that gets me down a bit.
The balnket is JUST GORGEOUS!!! I so want to make one of those. I have only just sort of learned to crochet so might be a while.
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Hi Julie..good to have you back…Kit is right…do read “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”…it was our summer Book Group read…and I loved every word, and read it three times! It’s a cheerful and light as your blanket! Lov Jenni x
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Everything you do is so beautiful. I am not surprised that this is too. I so enjoy looking at your pictures. Welcome back. I really hope I am able to purchase one of the next batch of animals for my first grandchild.
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When all of The Native’s went back to school, I thought I would get a ton done. All I’ve been doing is napping!!! I’m more tired than I thought I guess……
I love your blanket. I think you did a great job. I really like the edge where you put the little blue in there with the white.
I haven’t quite gotten back into the blogging world like I’ve been in the past yet. Slowly she goes I guess. 🙂
Can’t wait to see what you create with your knitting!!! Hugs!
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oh my word that blanket was certainly worth the wait, it is stunning! Welcome back to bloggy land, I have been away too and know what you mean about getting back into it.
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What a lovely blanket – a little bit of summer for when the dark wintry nights draw in!
Dawn x
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Your gorgeous blanket is finished just in time for this change in weather and the need to hunker down and usher in Autumn.
Look forward to seeing you around more too.
xx
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Holy schmolly, my dear – you’re out for six weeks, but look at the crowd just waiting to pick you up and carry you around, here! Wonderful. I like that pattern. Granny squares have never appealed to me – but this pattern, (and, of course, the way you’ve gone about it) and the South African flower pattern have changed my mind about that. For us, summer was neither long nor short, just distressingly odd – so cold and wet until July, then so dry and hot till just a few weeks ago. The personal oddness – the appliances blowing and the children in (admittedly mostly glad) upheaval – I think it’s left me like a night of too much dreaming does – a little disoriented. I think, in fact, I’m still waiting for summer to actually begin –
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Beautiful blanket – I am very envious – I must learn to crochet as I really want one. Glad that you have survived the holidays and can get some more time to yourself now.
Take care.
Alison
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Wow, that turned out beautiful! Now I really must make one 🙂
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Glad you’re back Julie – I missed your lovely blog! I’m making Solveig’s blanket too and enjoying it very much. Yours is really beautiful – you picked the perfect palette! xxx
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Amazing! Just the crochet hexagon tote I did the last time was tiring after a while! Especially all the tail tucks!
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your blanket is gorgeous!!! no wonder you are pleased with it. Lovely to have you back!
xx
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It’s beautiful!
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Beautiful blanket! Well done. I’m afraid I like to do the mathamatical thing too, just crocheting random colours doesn’t do it for me, I like to mark off on a sheet and she what comes next, lol.
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Hi Julie,
I just discovered you and bought your bunny egg cosy. I was wondering if you have any other patterns available for sale. I’d like to get some of the bunnies, foxes, monkey & elephant. Can you tell me how to purchase these? I knit for the children at my church. When they parents come to church for marriage counseling we like to give them a little knit toy that they can take home with them and I would love to be able to knit some of yours. Please let me know. Thank you. Robin
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Awww…it’s lovely! Just like you. 🙂 May I put a picture of it on my blog and link back to you?
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Just stunning…..
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Hi Julie
I LOVE this blankie. I noticed that you finished it a little differently from the original pattern. Is there a pattern or reference you could point me to?
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Oh wow it’s gorgeous. I can’t believe it’s your first one!!! Xxx
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Your blanket is so gorgeous!! I want to make one for our sofa, thanks for the inspiration. Blessings Niki x
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wow, that is just stunning!
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Very pretty. Nice variation on ol’ granny squares.
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I love it! I am starting my own tonight and I am using the same yarn as you it is so beautiful 🙂
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Oh my gosh. I just saw the little spotted rabbit head in the bowl and fell in love, then I scrolled a bit farther and there was a monkey in the next bowl. Love them. Please finish and let me be lucky enough to finally purchase one.
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MERAVIGLIOSAAAAAAAAAA!
Kisses fron Italy.
Francesca
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I’ve been inspired by your posts to start my own one-a-day blanket. I’ve got 5 squares done already and love them, but I find weaving in all the ends very tedious and time-consuming! Do you have any tips for making the process a little less laborious?
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Beautiful pattern! Is there anyway you could tell me where I could find/purchase this pattern? It’s gorgeous!!
Thanks
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Amazing blanket, I love the colours. I’m off to John Lewis tomorrow….hoping they’ve got some of these colours in stock!
Would you mind telling me what stitches/pattern you usd to edge your blanket please? It looks so pretty and finishes it off perfectly.
Thanks for your help.
Carole 🙂
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I’m not sure if my comment has been posted…can’t see it anywhere!
I just wondered if you would mind sharing the stitches/pattern you used for the edge of this stunning blanket? It is such a fabulous creation…I love it and am hoping to stock up with this yarn tomorrow at John Lewis!
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