Isn't it strange how things sometimes go? I have been coveting the blanket that I mentioned in the previous post for a few months now, but it was on a site that at the time had no link to the source – it does now 🙂
Then coincidence (in the form of a special joint project with some other lovely crafty people, Ros Badger included, which I'll tell you about another day) led me to her blog where I found the original picture. And now thanks to mentioning it in the last post I've discovered that the pattern has just been published in the latest issue of Mollie Makes
magazine (thanks to everyone who left a comment or emailed to let me
know) and I've also been told it is in Ros's latest book Homemade: knit, sew and crochet. I do love coincidence and it makes me certain that I was supposed to make this blanket (that's what I'm telling H anyway)
I began working on this at the beginning of December before finding out there was a pattern and I've therefore used the original design as an inspiration rather than replicating it exactly. The main design elements that I admire most in the original are the 'oriental carpetish' colours and the lighter surround to each square that makes it look like a little tile. Those are the two elements that I'm incorporating into this blanket and here's where I am so far …
I've been playing around with colour combinations and have ruled out using the deeper indigo (pictured in the basket at the end of the previous post) which seems to overpower the other colours. I'm also not quite sure yet whether to randomly order the squares or whether to be more structured. I'm leaning towards structure at the moment, but am keeping my options open (having learned my lesson with 'the old china blanket' when I had to unpick a load of squares because one of the colours didn't make me happy).
This time I'm being un-characteristically patient and won't start sewing the squares together until I've got a plan.
Unlike my previous blanket projects I'm not going to commit to one square a day – more 'one when I feel like it' and will just go with the flow and see how big it grows. Though I have a feeling that this will end up being a big blanket 🙂
Some blankety details:
Based on the Granny Square Blanket originally published in Homemade: Gorgeous things to make with love by Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson (April 2009, republished May 2010).
using a 3.25mm hook
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers yarn in:
2425 provence, 2427 Glamour, 2431 chocolate, 2435 Japanese maple, 2437 kansas, 2440 vinci, 2442 fog hatt, 2444 flame, 2453 pumpkin spice, 4010 straw, 8013 walnut, 9332 sapphire, 9491 greystone, 9562 coffee bean, plus some oddments of yarn from my stash
and Cascade 220 8011 aspen heather as the surround for each square.
I've added the pattern to ravelry. I've also ordered a copy of Ros Badger's book so when it arrives I'll update the ravelry page with the yarn details and hook size that she recommends.
Meanwhile it has been snowing here all day today and we now have quite a covering.
H cleared the driveway earlier but it's covered over again. If it continues to snow overnight we will no doubt have a snow day tomorrow and the children
will be off from school. The perfect excuse for a day of cosy cuddling and crochet!
little cotton rabbits 
Hi Julie, the colours for that blanket are gorgeous. (Where are you buying the yarn from?). I am almost on the last round of an Attic 24 inspired throw in very bright colours. It was my resolution to finish it this year because, although it is by no means a large blanket, it seems to have taken forever. I adore your finished gloves in the previous post and this is the perfect weather to wear them. Keep warm!
LikeLike
Absolutely Julie, this blanket was meant to be!!!! 😉
I love the colours ~ soft and warm, just my cup of tea!
Stay warm and cosy, our snow was thankfully short-lived.
V xxx
LikeLike
I love your granny square 🙂
LikeLike
hi julie, similiar snowy scenes here in Northern Ireland, cant wait to see how your crocheted blanket “grows”, ali
LikeLike
So lovely. May I come for a cuppa and a biscuit? It is a bit grey here, no rain, but cold. I’m making chicken and dumplings (aka boiled biscuits). Now I’m wishing for some yarn and a nice fire.
LikeLike
Julie, I believe you were meant to make this blanket which will accompany your day-to-day life for many weeks now. How beautiful those colours are.
I love snow. I was quite shocked to hear my 24 year old nephew, whose birthday it was today, telling me he was getting too old to like snow! In an ideal world children would have one day minimum off from school a year due to snow. 🙂
Enjoy yours tomorrow.
LikeLike
i love the colours you’ve chosen. I’m normally a bright colours girl but these look fantastic together.
Cant wait to see it finished.
I’ve got a snow day tomorrow too so maybe time to start my blanket. 🙂
xxx
LikeLike
That last picture is breathtaking – so beautiful!
Your blanket is looking lovely too – thanks for sharing, xx
LikeLike
Really nice your “blanket to be” !!!!
xxx Alessandra
LikeLike
Ach – that’s the first I’ve seen of your neighborhood and I am quite charmed by it! Snow is not falling here. It already fell. When was it – before Christmas? Maybe a little after. And it’s still here. I don’t think more than five percent of it has melted away. And it’s so cold, the snow is still very white, if a little stiff and deliberate-looking.
I love it when you write about your color thoughts – I see you running the colors through the hands in your mind, almost as if you were judging the hand of each of them. I don’t make blankets anymore. We don’t use half of what I’ve made over the years, and I am too tired now to make anything larger than a soft pony. I love the idea of Persian rug colors –
LikeLike
Before Levi was born I was into quilt making. Quilt after quilt after quilt all the while wondering why we needed another quilt. 🙂 We didn’t, I just liked making them. My favorites are what is called scrappy quilts. I would take fabric, cut the pieces up into the sizes I needed, throw them all into a paper bag, and then pull them out at random and sew them together how ever they came out. Some I did were more organized and deliberate but I find I like the scrappy look.
Some of my sons were complaining the other night that we need more quilts. So many I’ve made are loved and used and on beds now piled up so there aren’t enough for lounging around on the couches.
I guess we need more blankets around here! 😀 Don’t have to ask me twice!! I’ve not though about crocheting one. Well, I have… but I don’t know how to crochet so…….. that’s as far as it has gotten.
The photo of your neighborhood, I looked at it for the longest time. The blue with the yellow lights……. it is beautiful…..
As Kristen said, we’re cold here. Snow and cold. No one wants to be outside. A good time to stoke up the wood stove and cuddle. I hope you get some good cuddle/snuggle time tomorrow. Tell H to teach Amy how to shovel. 🙂 They can bond together while throwing snow at each other. 😀
LikeLike
It looks like it is going to be glorious (and well worth waiting for)!
LikeLike
How very serendipitous! Can’t wait to see how this comes along – I don’t have time to crochet one of these myself, but I shall enjoy following yours vicariously!
LikeLike
Is there anything better than crocheting (or knitting) a cosy blanket when there is a blanket of thick snow on the ground? It’s looking lovely already.
LikeLike
Serendipity! x
LikeLike
Serendipity! x
LikeLike
Hello Julie :o)
Oh, your new blanket looks like it is going to be so cosy, the colours are so warm and comforting and it was obvioulsy meant for you, I love it when things happen like that ….. wonderful.
Brrrrrrr ….. stay warm and cosy
love jooles xxx
LikeLike
Beautiful colours that you have chosen. Fiona x
LikeLike
It is looking so beautiful and as always you have such a great feel for colour – I wish I had! But you have inspired me once again and my neglected granny blanket has been picked up once more :o) Lucy xxx
LikeLike
It’s looking beautiful Julie. I can’t wait to see the process with you — thanks so much for sharing. And thanks for sharing the pattern details too!
LikeLike
Your photographs are always amazing as are your choice of color combinations. I love Mollie Makes this must be in the latest issue. The last issue has a blanket by Erika Knight with jewel tones such as you’re using. Love these colors. I am just finishing my very first blanket with bright colors.
What brand of yarn? I suppose I shouldn’t ask as it probably Rowan which is pricy here in the U.S.
Love, love, love…your blog!
LikeLike
Hello….just discovered you and your blog…love your work, beautiful…alas I love crafting but I am not a knitter…I do love cooking and baking and drinking from lovely cups…and have spent many years of my life supporting people with Autism. Please can you add me to your mailing list. X
LikeLike
What gorgeous colours! Spicy is what that blanket is going to be – a lovely blanket to be cosily wrapped in eating a lovely bowl of chili con carne…bliss…
LikeLike
I think I am going to have to come back here in Autumn and order some of that same yarn for a similar blanket – such a beautiful, beautiful, collection of colours.
LikeLike
I think I am going to have to come back here in Autumn and order some of that same yarn for a similar blanket – such a beautiful, beautiful, collection of colours.
LikeLike
I think I am going to have to come back here in Autumn and order some of that same yarn for a similar blanket – such a beautiful, beautiful, collection of colours.
LikeLike
I think I am going to have to come back here in Autumn and order some of that same yarn for a similar blanket – such a beautiful, beautiful, collection of colours.
LikeLike
I think I am going to have to come back here in Autumn and order some of that same yarn for a similar blanket – such a beautiful, beautiful, collection of colours.
LikeLike
I think I am going to have to come back here in Autumn and order some of that same yarn for a similar blanket – such a beautiful, beautiful, collection of colours.
LikeLike
I think I am going to have to come back here in Autumn and order some of that same yarn for a similar blanket – such a beautiful, beautiful, collection of colours.
LikeLike
I think I am going to have to come back here in Autumn and order some of that same yarn for a similar blanket – such a beautiful, beautiful, collection of colours.
LikeLike
I think I am going to have to come back here in Autumn and order some of that same yarn for a similar blanket – such a beautiful, beautiful, collection of colours.
LikeLike
It’s going to be gorgeous! I can’t wait to follow the blanket’s progress. I just started my own pink and gray alpaca granny square blanket. I was inspired by the one on your header. We have snow forecasted tomorrow. We shall see how much we get! Stay warm!
LikeLike
The blanket was obviously destiny! I do love to follow your blankets – they always look so beautiful and inspire me to get making! Maggie.
LikeLike
Hello Julie Some things just do seem meant to be…..or meant to be made. There is a lot of serendipity in the things we create I think. I have long admired that beautiful blanket that inspired you too, and your own blanket is going to be gorgeous…..enjoy the snowy days and keep cosy.
Helen x
LikeLike
Hello Julie: I went to the local Barnes & Noble bookstore to check out the pattern in Molly Makes magazine. The pattern is for a large, continuous Granny Square in which she used 11 different earthy colors of yarn…even a hot pink color was in the mix!
I have checked the Cascade 220 sites here in the USA, some of the colors have a different number! I want to use the same colors you’ve used as I find that palette so restful.
What size is the finished square once you’ve made the light color edging? Do you have an estimate of the number of yarns and the yardage needed to make a large blanket? I hope you post them here if we want to tag along with you making this lovely blanket.
LikeLike
Such a beautiful photo
LikeLike
Another gorgeous blanket in the making. Thanks for your lovely email – I replied back this morning.
LikeLike
This really is going to be beautiful! Can’t wait to see the finished thing.
Thank you so much for the get well wishes Julie 😀
LikeLike
You live in what looks like a wonderful place. I love homes all on one floor.
I also love your blog.
You make such wonderful little things and your choice of colors warm
the heart.
Keep up the good work. 🙂
LikeLike
Your color choices seriously make me drool. Thanks for listing the colors you are using-I may have to copy you:) Have fun with your hook!
LikeLike
A woman after my own, I do love a bit of crochet. It often sits by me while a film is on, my favourite type of evening!
A lovely pic and fab colours.
LikeLike