crafts & knitting

cosying

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

It has been so cold here this week. We started the week with snow, have carried on with sub zero temperatures and it looks like we'll be finishing off with another snowfall tomorrow.

 

Frost

 

Not that I'm complaining. I like snow, a lot, especially when I don't actually have to go anywhere and can use it as an excuse to park myself on the sofa with some wool and stay warm and cosy!

 

Snow4

It's given me time to finish those gloves, (full details on ravelry)

 

Mittens2

and wear them! I'm really pleased with how comfy they are.

And some time for bunny knitting too. But the thing that is really entrancing my fingers at the moment is another crochet blanket. At the end of last year I became slightly obsessed with this wonderful blanket that I'd found on my travels around the internet. It really bugs me to not know the source of an image and therefore give proper credit and appreciation to the creator (and often tumblr and pinterest don't link back to the source **) but by happy coincidence I did actually discover the original over on Ros Badger's site.

I am so in love with this blanket – the colours are wonderful and remind me of old oriental carpets with their natural dyes like madder root, larkspur, weld, oak bark and indigo. I also love the way that each square looks like a little tile with that rim of lighter yarn looking like the grouting inbetween. Although I am informed by H (in slightly testy tones) that we really don't need another blanket I have bought the yarn and made a start on a blanket inspired by these particular details.

 

Cascade2

I'll show you where I am with it next time! In the meantime have a lovely weekend and if you're in the snow zone – keep warm and cosy x

** Update: Happily, Solange has kindly updated the tumblr page and linked to the source. I've also had messages to let me know that the pattern is available in the current issue of Mollie Makes magazine and Ros's book 'Homemade: Gorgeous Things to Make with love'

 

53 thoughts on “cosying”

  5. Oh my goodness, that blanket is absolutely divine. You are so right about it reminding you of an Oriental carpet. I shall look forward to watching your progress. Stay warm xx

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  7. I echo your sentiments about the snow! It’s so wonderful to be able to cosy up inside, whilst the temperatures fall outside. I’m so excited to see your new project take shape. The yarn you’ve chosen looks gorgeous, both in texture & colour. Could do with some of those gloves myself, they’re fab 🙂

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  8. Adore those mittens!
    I shall watch with baited breath the progress on our blanket. I fell in love with that original photo the first time I saw it. Do you have the lovely book?
    Stay toasty!
    Diana x

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  10. That certainly is a gorgeous blanket. Blankets aren’t really about whether you NEED them are they? Far more about the fact that we do NEED to make them!
    Angie x

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  11. O I guess my earlier comment got lost in space!
    Love the mittens and because we are having the same weather over here, I’m with you totally.
    Our country is hoping that the frost will stay for a long time, maybe we can have a ‘Elfstedentocht’. We call that our Elfstedentochtfever… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfstedentocht
    Love the blanket too, but I’m not starting anything new and big now. But the colors are gorgeous.
    Can I use the picture some day, I LOVE the picture of the yarn too.
    Please?

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  12. Oooh, another wonderful new blanket on the hook! It’s not really about needing another blanket, is it? It’s all about the making. I can’t wait to watch the progress. Your frost photo is beautiful. Not to mention those lovely mitts!

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  13. Julie
    Love the blanket but when I go to the site I get the picture but not the pattern. Do you have to buy the book? Or do you think it is just granny squares using those wonderful colours because I can do granny’s. Could you give us the pattern if you didn’t have to purchase it? Thanks Jennifer

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  14. Julie
    By the way I forgot to congratulate you on the workshops you are running. What a nice way to share your skills with others. I just wish I lived so much closer so I could attend. I am hoping one day to return to Britain and hope to explore the shops you mention on your blog. Although my local knit shop is good for Canada it doesn’t have many of the yarns you mention.
    Jennifer

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  17. julie, what a beautiful basket of yarn, perfectly chosen colors…i’m in awe of your (and others’) talents for picking just the right complimentary colors, I find that a real challenge. i look forward to seeing the blanket come on. i really like your pretty gloves too! hope you are well, c

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  18. It’s been freezing here too!! Soooo cold. I shouldn’t complain though, at least all I have to do is drive some of my kids to school unlike Kristen who has to go and feed her horses and break the ice in their troughs and thaw frozen pipes! I’m at least in my warm truck going to and from.
    That first photo is just gorgeous. Snow flakes and frost are so interesting and magical to me when you can see the closeup design of them.
    🙂 When I was making quilts Brian would ask me the same thing. How many quilts does a person need? It depends on the definition of need. 😀 Need to cover to keep us warm? Or need for cheaper therapy than me going to a therapist. Take your pick. 😀
    Have a happy and warm day Julie!
    XXX000

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  19. Oh your yarns are gorgeous Julie! And I’m so impressed with how you manage to produce your blankets – my one inspired by your old china blankie is still in pieces needing lots of work! I really must concentrate……….! Lucy xx

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  21. Lovely subtle colours. Very yummy and inviting. Its -8 degrees here in Yorkshire. I just want to hibernate, keep warm, and craft. We are expecting more snow. Those blankets will come in useful, with this cold weather tell H.
    louise

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  22. Hey Julie
    The blanket that inspired you is featured in the latest issue of Mollie Makes. If you don’t get the magazine then I would highly recommend it. Its just a lovely crafty magazine full of vintagey inspiration.
    Happy hooking,
    Em xxxx

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  24. Hello Julie,
    I am thrilled to read about your blanket project! Judging from your talent in all things yarn-related it’s going to be a stunner!
    I love snow too AND the excuse to stay indoors to dream, create, and potter. Pottering is hugely underrated 🙂
    I wish you a few cosy days inside your warm, lovely home.

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  26. You can never have too many blankets! I can’t wait to see yours – it’s a beautiful pattern and your colours are gorgeous as always!x

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  27. OOO I hope that frost wasn’t inside your window brrrr, it is pretty though. I remember thinking that the blanket looked quite oriental when I first saw it… that wool looks gorgeously soft and scrummy. Off to check the link now :-).

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  28. Hi, those gloves are beautiful, how do you knit so perfectly? So pleased to hear that you are doing
    workshops, we are just the other side of Hitchin, so will keep look out for if you should ever do
    a weekend workshop, enjoy knitting and watching the blizzard tomorrow! x

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  30. Hi, I’m the owner of that tumblr (BTW, feito a mao is ‘handmade’ in portuguese) and I’ve been hating myself for not credit it! I lost the original address and was searching for it forever. Thanks!
    (I see my things all over, and rarely it has credit, so I know how bad it is.)

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  31. The blanket took my breath away! What a work of art! Thanks for showing me! I can’t wait to see yours.
    All our snow just melted. But I have enjoyed it this year. Nothing like a real winter to put you in the wool mood! =)
    happy crafting!

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  32. It sounds as though we will both be having a cosy w/e knitting! Your gloves are beautiful and as for that blanket… I have a picture of it on my notice board with thoughts of making something like it one day too. What has “needing” a new blanket got to do with it! Your colour choices are gorgeous.

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  42. I like your ‘frost on glass’ photo. It’s amazing how pretty ice can be. There’s a hedge next to my house covered in frozen spider’s webs. I guess they’re there all the time but I only noticed them when the water on them froze.

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  43. Hello Julie :O)
    Love your top frosty photo, so gorgeous.
    I am very excited to see you new blanket in progress, i just know it will be magic!
    Wishing you a happy weekend
    love jooles xxx

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  47. You know-you might try knitting those mitts on a small circular needle-I use an addi turbo size 2, 12 inches. This works for socks ,as well.:)Enjoy your blog immensely!

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  48. Those mittens are fab. I have had a look at the pattern and would love to have a go – never tried anything with so many yarns! Wish I was nearer to come to your workshops
    Hope Toby hasn’t found the snow too disruptive
    Chris x

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  50. Hi. I am a follower of your blog, and when I saw the linked photo of blanket on tumblr via your blog it immediately clicked – I had seen this photo before but its orientation was different (mirror). Then I figured it out. It is in the latest issue (Issue 23) of Mollie Makes magazine, complete with all the instructions. I just thought you’d like to know. 🙂

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  52. Hi Karin,
    What issue number is it in please? 22 or 23? I’m in Australia so can only buy a digital copy of the mag. and can’t flick through to see if it’s in it!!! Would much appreciate your advice. Thanks heaps. Louise.

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