Yesterday evening I hit twenty five squares on the misty afghan (I have got a little ahead of the one-a-day schedule thanks to some wakeful nights with Toby who sleeps less well than usual in the heat)
But I cannot decide whether the two squares with the dark brown in them stand out like a sore thumb or are quirky features. For now I will keep on making centres and will mull this over carefully before sewing more squares together, any opinions on the brown gratefully received.
There's a difficult week ahead for us here as Toby's routine is turned upside down because of his annual school play. His school 'day' for the next 3 days will be 4-9pm and so he'll be arriving home at 9.30pm tired and confused and in a grump no doubt. Not happy days so I hope the good weather holds and he can play out in the garden during the daytime which will help cheer him up. As a result I expect I'll be more tardy than usual in replying to emails etc. Apologies in advance x
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PS: thanks so much for all of the lovely comments about Amorette. I really enjoyed making her dress and as I have some Quince & Co. sparrow left I'll no doubt be making some more linen lace clad bunnies. Amorette and her friends are still patiently waiting for me to finish writing their descriptions and print their labels. I will update facebook and send advance emails as soon as they are ready.
Also the pattern for the little seed pouch is nearing the top of my to-do list, thanks for being patient with me.
little cotton rabbits 
I like the quirkyness (sp??) of the brown.
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I hope this week isn’t too problematic. As for the brown, I had to search carefully through the squares to see what you were talking about. It’s definitely stronger but I don’t think it jars, it’s the same tone as your other colours. 🙂
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Think I’d have to take them out of this blanket and make a whole new one with brown in it 🙂
Hope your week goes better than expected.
Hugs,
A x
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Julie, that Afghan is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen for a while, the colour palette you have chosen is so delicate …and is just up my street! I think the brown is okay, it’s still quite a delicate shade of brown and adds a little definition here and there. My favourite square has to be the light aqua and teal one .. dreamy!
Love the new blog banner too!
Hope you all have a good week and that Toby isn’t too unsettled.
Fleur xx
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love your afghan!!! and Amorette, too!!!
a big hug, xxx Alessandra
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You have such a great sense of colors & patterns. Those squares with dark brown would make the blanket even more interesting, I think.
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This is a beautiful palette of colours and I think the brown adds a little texture which enhances the overall effect – go with it!
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I’m just wondering if Toby is in a special class for autistic children (you might have mentionned this before) ’cause I really don’t understand why they would change the shedule of such a class! Over here we (and the schools) make sure shedules of autistic children stay as much the same as possible …
I’m keeping my fingers crossed the weather stays up so he can be outside all the time!
The brown stands out a bit … I would either add more squares with the brown or leave them out I think.
(I read your blog regularly but don’t comment often … I work with autistic kids a lot and I know how hard it is, i think you are doing a great job with Toby and your daughter, balancing it all …)
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Thanks for your kind words Rebecca. Yes Toby attends a severe learning difficulty school that only takes children with the most extreme learning problems (the majority of whom are autistic) and the decision to annually re-schedule this week is not a popular one amongst most of the parents that I know. Sadly that doesn’t prevent it going ahead and my only other option than sending him is to keep him off school this week – which I may decide to do if he is too distraught tomorrow. Fingers crossed he’ll cope without too much stress.
Like you I advocate keeping to a regular and predicatable schedule as much as possible and Toby clearly benefits from this as he is much calmer and more interactive when he is relaxed.
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I would respectfully comment that the dark brown squares are jarring within the softer palette of the rest. They are lovely in themselves, but are a bit too dark and do not blend with the others. Sigh. I do see that I am in the minority with this opinion! The Misty Look is so satisfying. Blessings for the week ahead.
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I wouldn’t worry about the brown, it’s subtle, and it gives the blanket some depth.
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Do hope Toby is doing well so far today….fingers crossed for the rest of the week. Routine is so important when it gives such positive shape to life. Isn’t your blanket beautiful! Personally I like the brown and think it helps the eye move over the other colours! (Our computer is on the blink so today is a catch up day…and I saw Amorette! She’s gorgeous! Don’t part with her….she’s for you)! Someone once said to me that there is always a special place in a knitters heart for one particular thing she (he) makes…perhaps this is yours! Love Jx
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I didn’t notice that brown squares until you mentioned them, and then i really had to look for them. Once found though i was drawn to them more and more each time i looked a your lovely WIP. Would i remove them, no, but i might have a few more squares with smaller additions of brown just to balance it out. Beautiful work though, i’m really inspired by the muted colours.
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I agree with Skeindalous about the brown jarring a little however I defer to your superior judgement. I could never pick such a beautiful and elegant range of colours so whatever you think looks best will be best. I really feel for you with the change in Toby’s routine. I can imagine it would be very hard on him (and of course on your family). Imagine ending your day at 9.30pm?! I’d be a massive grump. Will be thinking of you and hoping it is not too hard. I think you are amazing. You create beautiful works of art balancing with the busy demands of your family. Bravo!
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Like Nina, I had to look for the brown in the squares, they just didn’t stand out. I’d scatter a few more throughout the afghan to keep it balanced. I think they enhance the afghan.
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Love the new bunnies dress — so pretty. I love your new project and I don’t think the brown squares standout — adds a uniqueness to the squares. Hope your week goes well. Deb M
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I like the brown Julie – and I had to look hard to find it – but you will know best whether you can live with it if it is jarring to your eye. Toby’s school’s decision to completely disrupt their week must be rather frustrating for you and the other parents – I hope it is less distressing for him than you anticipate. Sending you lots of love Lucy xx
P.S. my nasturtiums and borage seedlings are growing beautifully! xx
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The brown squares didn’t stand out for me until you pointed them out – now they are all I can see! I don’t think they jar, I just think you have to be careful with your placing when adding any more so that there is ample space between any squares with the brown. Too many together would draw the eye…but you already know that, I’m teaching my grandmother to suck eggs here!
Funny system to completely upset a week of schooling with children who really need routine – if that had happened to my daughter at that age she would have gone into complete shut-down – plus those are some very late nights. I’m sure you will make the right decision – no point in sending Toby in if it distresses him too much.
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Wishing you blessed weather this week to help with Toby, being prepared for the change will hopefully help you this week.
Your afghan is soft and wonderful, the brown does change the look, if you keep them I would make one more, I like odd numbers. Either way make yourself at peace with it.
Amorette is lovely.
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I think I’d take it out, its not at all horrible but I have learned that when I question something my gut is usually steering me in the direction I will be most happy with.
My 49 yr old brother is also autistic and consistent routine has been the best way for him. He was diagnosed with an assortment of things what now seems like a million years ago, and then finally, finally a real diagnosis, so there have been years and years of angst, anger, frustration, support, lack of support, tears, joy and championing while the medical experts seemed to be terribly slow at evolving in their thoughts and spent the better part of their time throwing assorted medications at him. You are so fortunate to have a school devoted to this, and you so strong, candid and graceful in the way you handle it all
Your bunnies are the best, photos terrific and the blog is my favorite!
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Your afghan is lovely. The brown squares, I had to search for them, add a tang to the afghan, a break from the predominate dark center, pale surround, dark border of most squares. Yes, they stand out a bit, but I think it enhances the overall effect. Perhaps one or two more to give the eye more travel time?
I hope Toby finds some peace this week; too much heat, not enough sleep, and disturbing schedule changes are jarring to him. Hmm, how does he like the darker squares?
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I’m with the “take the brown ones out” brigade, the rest of the colours are too soft and subtle.
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I love your new banner. Amorette is lovely. And I think the brown is just quirky.
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Oh Toby! Oh Mommy! Oh sleepless nights and grumpiness! I am sending lots of hugs and prayers that this week will go much better than expected and that Toby will be able to ride through the change without difficulty. One can hope and cross fingers right?
Not all fingers though. Not the ones needed for crocheting. Your squares are lovely. I think if you made a few more with the brown in them and placed them here and there throughout the blanket it would work just fine. As is, I had to go back and see what you were talking about. They didn’t stick out at first but then I went back and looked, my OCD noticed and I think for me, either I’d add more or take out the two.
That is just me though. I get bugged over the dumbest things!!
Our kids are home for the next three months on summer break. Heaven help us all!!! 😀
Lots of love!! xxxooo
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I had to look for the brown after your comment…..it didn’t stand out before then!!! LOL! I like it……I’d just use more of it,
to bring the whole thing together.
It’s going to be a lovely afgan!
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I also had to hunt for the brown ones. I would leave than in and add just one more in a random spot. Love this blanket so much.
I hope you can spend the hot nights and the disrupted schedule at the same time. I wonder if skipping this part is an option in the future?
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I like the brown too. I didn’t notice it until you said and I had been looking quite closely at the pictures because the squares so far are so beautiful. Such nice colour changes and beautiful subtleties in there too. I realise what you mean once you’d said and once you notice, I agree they do have more contrast. But, overall I like it and if you shut it in a cupboard for 6 months and looked at it again fresh, you probably wouldn’t find they jar either!
I hope next week is less disturbing than you fear. Sometimes the thought is worse… Fingers crossed this is one of those times.
S x
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I can’t read the other comments – the day is already speeding past me – so I might be repeating someone. Getting ahead of your schedule, by the way – I can’t help but do that every time. I have to finish things, can’t stand NOT finishing. This isn’t a good thing, but it makes me into a sprinter. Which could be good or not. When you are running, you don’t really see where you are – you miss so much richness.
I had to look for a long time to see what brown you meant, which means that they do not stick out. Once I realized that I wasn’t looking for a brown center, I found them, and then I could see what you meant. There is no sore thumb about it, but they will affect the balance as you place them. In a larger collection of squares, you could think of the brown as a spice, a visual surprise – which is not at all a bad thing. But you will have to be very careful of the placement so that the resulting balance is peaceful
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Hello Julie,
I am still drooling over your banner…I belong to the ‘the brown did not jump out at me’ camp; it simply looks beautiful, Julie.
I am sending you deep heartfelt postive thoughts for the week ahead. I suppose it’s a case of one day – or maybe one hour – at the time although broken nights do not lend themselves to serenity, do they?
Keep knitting Amorette’s friends…
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I love the soft palette that you have chosen, the brown is a little darker but with a few squares using in dotted about would add another dimension.
Seems crazy to disrupt their pupils schedule so dramatically and with such a late finish, I’d certainly be out of sorts myself. Hope you find a way through the week xx
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Hello Julie,
Here’s hoping you have a good week. Thanks for keeping up such a beautiful blog despite all your other commitments.
I think the brown is more noticable but as long as you add more brown squares in I think it will look lovely.
Can’t wait to see it progressing.
Best wishes,
Katie
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I also struggled to spot one of the darker browns, even when searching for it… So I’m with the ‘add a few more’ team!
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I think your blanket is really beautiful. I too had to double-check for the brown that you were referring to. In my opinion, it doesn’t stand out at all, it is balanced by the deeper tone of blue so it’s not the odd-one-out. I think you should trust your initial judgment – you have a brilliant eye for colour and these deeper dusky shades sit beautifully in the overall palette you’ve chosen. On a more philosophical note, I really believe that if a project has a little element that challenges you – even just a tiny bit – this might be the very thing that lifts it out of the ordinary. Rambling now… I should stop..! I think the colours are perfect. xx
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I love the afghan but I do think if you decide to leave the brown squares in then you should do some more to keep it balanced. Love your site and beautiful rabbits.
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I envy all the work you have put into this and all your other projects.
The brown squares do stand out but only slightly. A few more would certainly dampen the impact.
Keep up the rabbits too…
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Julie,
My heart goes out to you. What a wondeful Mum you are. Well done for finding the silver lining in the sleepless nights ( extra crochet time!)
As a teacher, I am all too aware that the break down of routine does no one any good. (Teachers find it stressful too!!) Cannot imagine the upset at home. I am sure you will make the right decision for Toby. We are always grateful for parents who make sensitive decisions for their children at busy times.Shame that the play can’t be done elsewhere to keep the routines going…..
re the brown… take it out. If it is annoying you, it will annoy you. I think it is fine but I am in awe of your crochet skills and may be blinded by that! You could put less brown in some other squares as the colour goes really well with the rest of the palette. Depends how big you are going tho’ If it ends up 10 x 10 you’ll probably never notice… That wasn’t very helpful was it?
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I really really like the darker brown. I think it lifts the afghan. The colours, overall, are just wonderful.
I hope the week goes better than you fear. I hope the weather allows lots of playing outside because it makes everything easier, doesn’t it? Thank you for your lovely blog.
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I love your work, it is so inspiring. I started up knitting again since reading your blog, I just wish I was as neat as you! Regarding the brown in your afghan, to be honest, I hadn’t even noticed the brown sticking out until I read the whole of your post. Maybe because you are so conscious of it you feel it does not tone in as well as the other colours. I personally like it 🙂
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I love the brown Julie but then it is one of my favourite shades. 🙂 I think it’s about balance and the more you add the less it will stand out for you but I do love it!
Hope this week isn’t too stressful for Toby and yourself and that the weather stays fine for trampolining!!
Vivienne x
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I had to look back at the blanket a few times to see the darker brown you were talking about. I think the blanket looks amazing and by adding the darker brown, agree, that it adds a little contrast. Perhaps a few more squares with the darker brown in it might give it that “balance” you are looking for?? BUT, I DO believe, if you are really not happy with the brown, then take it out.
I sincerely hope this week is not too unsettling for you all, particularly Toby. And, I do agree also that Amorette is a lovely bunny – particularly love her cream dress. I think you should keep her for yourself as a prototype, of course 😉 !!
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I hope your week goes as smoothly as possible… it doesn’t seem right to me to change up the schedule like that, but then again I guess all school systems have some quirk that makes us all a little bit crazy!
I love the colors in your current afghan, and I think as long as you keep sprinkling in a few brown ones here and there you should be balanced out & they add a nice bit of interest. If they are worrying you though, then you might want to go ahead & pull them out… your crochet is supposed to give YOU some peace & calmness in your otherwise chaotic world… don’t worry about what the rest of us think!
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I love the blanket and I think the darker brown squares are ideal. Think about the inspiration behind this–a woman in times gone by who sat with her scraps of many colours and started working on a blanket to keep her family warm. I believe Kaffe Fassett did a great job of shaking up colour theory and I always try to remember to put some contrast in, go for the colour that I really don’t “like” etc. That is what gives a finished project some oomph.
I do the same when I plant hanging baskets etc. Soft colours–pink, purple, white, very restful, very boring so I have to put some orange marigolds in to make the basket pop.
Keep up the great work and I hope you come to the right decision about Toby and school. My two are starting the testing for their grade level tomorrow and they are feeling the pressure (even though it does not affect their marks). Any change is tough in the world of autism.
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I adore this gorgeous blanket with or without the brown! but this from someone who hasn’t got a millimeter of your talent! The problem with leaving out the brown is that you run the risk of it being too slick and loosing its craft appeal. I was taught to always leave some sort of “mistake” or “mismatch” in any art you do….that’s what seperates it from the mass produced! All the best for your horror week.
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I wouldn’t say they ‘stand out like a sore thumb’ because I had to ‘look’ to find which ones you were referring to, but they do call they eye once you are aware of them, I think it is maybe because at the moment there are only two of them in the whole blanket and if there was a third or more, it would balance it out? It is looking beautiful though, lovely calm colour ways seem to be your signature palette. Always a joy to see your current projects. x
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Absolutely love Amorette!!! Your blanket is lovely, but I have to admit my eye was immediately drawn to the square in the bottom left corner. Like a couple of others I seem to be in the minority here, but I think I would take the brown out, or try it as the centre of a square instead. Hope your week goes okay.
Rachel
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What an unsettling week for Toby, I really feel for all of you. I worked my way through uni as a weekend respite carer for 2 autistic children, and i know how upsetting they found any alteration in their routine.
Re the controversial brown squares… I think the colour itself is beautiful, and goes so well with the rest of the palette. It just seems a little overpowering as a large border. I think if it were mine, I’d use the brown for some of the centres, but keep the paler shades for the borders. (Of course, if it were mine it would also be full of holes and missed stitches!)
Laura xx
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what a beautiful beautiful blanket…it is coming along super fast…i love it , just as it is…stunningly misty!
I hope your week with Toby is as calm as it possibly can be. My friend has a severely autistic son, he is now 17, their life is also turned upside down when school days are changed, it seems such a shame when the children get so unsettled by it all.
take care
love jooles x
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I do think you combine colours wonderfully in all work. Well done. As for family life….. thinking of you. x
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I, too, like the brown and it did not stand out for me immediately. The blanket is coming along beautifully.
Good luck with the change to Toby’s routine. Do these people have no common sense?!
I hope the weather keeps fine for you and that you can all enjoy the Jubilee holiday.
Thinking of you. Zoe x
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It is looking lovely. I actually didn’t notice the brown ones until you pointed them out so they can’t be too obvious. Once I did see them, I liked them and if you do a few more they will add to the loveliness of the blanket!
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The squares are all lovely. The browns have more contrast than the others but I agree with someone else who said they are in the same color family so that they don’t really stick out. If the contrast distracts, take them out but it could also be what makes it charming. Ask kids to find what’s different…like an I Spy game!
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Dear Julie,
The afghan colors are soft and lovely, though i do think that the brown patches stand out too dark in contrast to the other colors. Your new bunny and her
dress are absolutely beautiful and vintage looking with
the lacey dress. Your new banner is also lovely.
Best wishes, Rebecca
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I love the brown ones, Julie. I’d add more.
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I love the brown squares, Julie. I’d add more.
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I do hope your week is going well Julie x
I saw the brown in those squares straight away, so they do draw the eye of some of us at least. As the blanket grows though breaking up the mist with the odd accent may be the thing that lifts it from nice to spectacular. If it were mine I think I’d keep them, add similar accents to squares with other colours at their centers (just a few, 2 per 25 looks about right) and then be very careful about overall placement when I stitched things up. I can’t wait to see it finished, whatever you do with it.
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Always a treat to catch up with you.
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I think I would keep the brown as it adds interest and variation of tone. My favourite quilt of Alica Paulson’s is made up of beautiful fabrics but then also the plainer ones and darker ones that I would not have included. I’ve since looked at other quilts absolutely full of beautiful fabrics (which would have been my approach). They are pretty yes but not beautiful or even very interesting. Sometimes the addition of something a little outside the palate, serves to throw light on the lovely things, making them look even more delicious. I think the brown in your blanket is doing this. I think your misty blanket is looking exquisite and I wouldn’t change a thing or worry over it. That obviously is my opinion, your sensibilities are different. If you really don’t like it in there then yes take it out. Personally though I absolutely love it all.
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I must take crochet lessons from you ….! Keep the brown – it doesn’t jump out, just adds to this feast for the eyes …. x
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It’s funny – I didn’t even notice the brown ones until I read the last part of your post and now they stand out like sore thumbs! If they annoy you now, you will notice them everytime you look at the finished blanket so if you truly don’t like them, now is the time to remove them! I love the overall colour scheme – the tones are beautiful and it is going to be lovely when it’s finished. Hopefully the remainder of your work can be completed during the day!
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I love the color combination. This project is so functional. I can use this as a furniture cover or even a bed sheet.
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I would agree with WB above. I thought you meant the middles so no, do not think they jar, would do a few more making an odd number always! Love it.
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Hello little cotton rabbits! i love your site and marvel at the neatness of all your works. I do absolutely love your afghan, the colours look brilliant together – even the ones that include the brown. I crocheted a ‘granny’ square blankie last year and i struggled with how to put the squares together. how are you doing it – sewing or crocheting them? It seems to be a huge secret in the crochet world! i see how busy with your life you are but if you could spare 60 seconds to let me know, I would be grateful. happy afghaning!
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This is just incredible! The colors are so soothing and striking together. I love your new header, so fun!
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Hi Julie
I wanted you to know that we are all thinking of you. As we haven’t heard from you for a while it is evident that the change of program for Toby didn’t go well and you are going with the flow so to speak. You are leading by example and are a strong mom. We are proud of all you do in the knitting world and your role as mom. Feel good in yourself, stay well. We have an expression “If mom isn’t happy aint no one happy”. Stay well, be Happy and hope to heard from you soon. By the way always go with your first instinct, note I said “your”.It wouldn’t let you down.(when we are talking brown)
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Your little cotton rabbits are an absolute delight. Every time I visit your blog I feel sooooo inspired to dust off the knitting needles, but sadly I think it is the best part of thirty years since I did any knitting or crocheting….I am sure it is like riding a bike.???
I love the rug you are working on, I didn’t notice the dark brown until I read your write-up…..they are not offensive (lol!!!!) but now that they are pointed out to me they are very visible…..it will be a work of art with or with out them.
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hey there! i think the shade of brown at the bottom left corner is a little too dark, but the one on top should stay!(:
btw, i hope to work with kids with special needs in the future!
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I think that you should follow your instincts and take out the darker brown squares otherwise you will always look at your finished blanket and have doubts. Beautiful colours. First time I have visited your blog and it all looks so lovely!
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i would definitely keep the brown! i think those squares add interest-beautiful work!
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