Earlier in the year I started on a new blanket project with the aim of making one square a day, but what with one thing and another it has ended up being more like one square a week! Today it is cold and windy outside so I've dug out my basket of blankety squares and I'm enjoying snuggling here by the fire and sewing them together.
I wanted to make a geometric blanket inspired by the colours of oriental carpets and I think I am now happy with the pattern the squares are making – I've gone for 4 squares of blue/brown/grey with ochre centres surrounded by a row of red/brown/rust squares with ochre centres and one square of ochre/yellow with a red centre at the point where the lines of reddish squares cross each other.
There is a long way to go before this is big enough to be worthy of being called a blanket but now it's beginning to take shape I'm feeling enthused again and will go back to the plan of making a square a day. I do like working on something different at the end of each day (I'm spending my daytimes working on a small batch of Christmassy bunnies) and something like a blanket that requires lots of little bits is perfect. It's a good way of making me sit quietly, concentrate on the good bits of the day and relax before bedtime.
Things have been a little heavy going here of late because Toby has been struggling to cope with daily life. This term has been a very hard one for him due to lots of changes at school – he's had a new bus driver and escort on the school bus (for the first time in 7 years), a new teacher, classroom and classmates and a completely different school routine. All of which have unsettled him greatly and caused him to be much more prone to self harming, meltdowns and long periods of wakefulness and upset during the nights. Unfortunately things will probably get worse before they get better as on the horizon is the upheaval of Christmas which brings more change to the school routine and of course the dreaded school holidays and we've just heard his new teacher will be leaving at the end of this month. I'm confident things will become more manageable for him as he gets used to everything but I'm not feeling very excited about the thought of Christmas.
Anyway, things are peaceful, calm and relaxing here right now so I'm going back to make the most of my square sewing before the school bus brings my unhappy boy home.
Thanks for dropping in to visit. I'll keep the mailing list updated with news of the little batch of Christmas rabbits which I hope to have ready by the end of the month and I'll pop back soon with some pictures of some other christmassy knitting x
……………………………………………………………………….
PS: yarn and hook details for the blanket are on Ravelry
little cotton rabbits 
Your blanket looks like it will turn out lovely. Praying for some peace and happiness for Toby and the rest of you.
LikeLike
Thinking of all of you. Your squares are beautiful and I really love your plan for assembling the blanket. I definitely see oriental rug in that arrangement.
LikeLike
Very nice colors. Hope that life settles soon. I know how hard this time of year is for you. If I could bottle some sunshine for you, I would.
LikeLike
Glad you are able to find a little time forpeace and calm in your day.
LikeLike
So sorry that things are hard for Toby right now. I do hope that things become easier for him before too long. Christmas is indeed a time of change and upheaval. What some people relish is very difficult for others. You are both in my thoughts. It looks wonderfully cosy by your woodburner, I hope you have a good time by the fire crocheting your beautiful blanket.
LikeLike
Hi Julie
Gosh, it sounds like its very hard for you all at the moment, what a lot of changes. You must be a very strong , determined and patient person to keep persevering through it all for your loved ones. Thank goodness for the therapy that is knitting !!
And your therapy room looks blissful – log burner, big basket of wool and a beautiful blanket underway..
Enjoy and look after yourself.
Kate x
LikeLike
Hi Julie,
You really captured the colors and patterns of an oriental in your blanket!! Wonderful. I’m glad to see you’re relaxing and hope things work out more peaceful than you’re anticipating. Hugs to you sweet one!
LikeLike
Take care Julie , you are an amazing mother , and person. I love the way you find happiness in the simplest things when times are tough. Your blanket is looking beautiful. Take care xxBrenda
LikeLike
I’m sorry times are tough at the moment Julie, hopefully life will settle for you soon as things become more familiar for Toby.
Glad you have something to soothe you at the end of the day, your blanket is beautiful, I love the colours you have chosen!
V xxx
LikeLike
Sorry to read that you’re having tough times lovely lady, but glad that you are enjoying some hooky happiness to leaven the mix. And I do love the colours you’ve chosen for this blanket, I have from the beginning 🙂
LikeLike
Julie.So sorry to hear you are having a tough time with Toby.It seems bad planning on the school’s part to be changing teachers.Children like Toby need stability not change.Hope things improve soon.Barbarax
LikeLike
So sorry to hear any mother tell her child is unhappy
in every-day-life = school ! (As a former schoolteacher
it always hurts !!
Hope to see your new bunnies 😉
b.t.w. lóóóve your rug !
LikeLike
Your Blanket looks truly amazing Julie… the colours are so warming and perfectly made.
sorry to hear that Toby is feeling unhappy at all the changes going on around him,I do hope everything settles very soon all the best to you and your family lots of hugs XXXXX
LikeLike
Love the colours you used.
Hope Toby feels more settled soon…
Penny
x
LikeLike
Oh this looks fabulous, love the colours. Hope things improve soon, sending you hugs
Happy creating…stay warm
Ali x
LikeLike
Yuck! Too much change!! I had that with Levi at the beginning of the school year this year but things have thankfully settled down and Levi is doing well.. I’m so sorry Toby is having so many things change in his life/day at once! God bless you Julie and your family during this time!!
Your blanket is lovely! I need to learn to crochet. 🙂 I know. I’ve been saying that for how long??!! The colors, like your rug, are warm and delicious.
LikeLike
That is an awful lot of change for one little boy to deal with, and very hard for you all knowing that there is no let up in sight. I really hope Toby manages to settle soon. It is lovely to see your blanket developing – the colours are wonderful, and it’s great to have a way to relax after such trying days. Thinking of you all.
LikeLike
I love the colours of your blanket – reminds me of autumn colours with blue skies. Glad that you have your knitting and crochet to provide you with a calm space at the end of the day. Sorry that Toby’s finding life difficult at the moment and hope he finds a little peace within himself soon xxxx
LikeLike
Lovely blanket…such warm rich colours. Isn’t it strange how the impetus to ‘just to make something’ can be so strong? Here it’s an evening spent playing with eyelash yarn from the stash, in various soft blues and whites , for a cosy scarf now that the weather has turned chilly! Sorry that Toby is so unsettled….it seems hard that there should be so many changes all at once for him . Your blanket will one day give you a big hug…in the meantime may I send you a hug to be going on with? Love Jenni xx
LikeLike
The colours of your blanket are perfect, rich and sumptious. I hope Toby settles soon and you all have a peaceful build up to a happy christmas x
LikeLike
You are full of strength, courage and love. I can’t imagine a better person to be mama to Toby.
LikeLike
lovely blanket,and a warm lovely fire place.
LikeLike
I love your blanket, such rich colours – something like this has been on my to do list for ages but so are many other projects. You are a very wise woman to be able to seize moments of quiet in amongst the turmoil, many would not
LikeLike
Oh, Lovely Julie! My heart aches for you and poor Toby who must be feeling so jumbled up! Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and it sounds as though its going to be a tough on
for you all. I so hope things ease up as much as they can soon! Love of hugs and good wishes…Helen x x
LikeLike
Oh Julie, may -i just send you a big hug from Italy ? barbara
LikeLike
bellissimo lavoro!!!come sta il tuo Toby? spero bene! un abbraccio Patrizia
LikeLike
Julie, I find that in your wording, about Toby and the unsettledness of his days as of late, a calmness. A “This is how it is and we will forge on. There will be tough days ahead, and those days are and will be hard, but the sun shall shine again.” The strength you have, because you must, is so amazing. I admire you. I always wish and pray for your family that the days of struggle will grow further and further apart and the days of joy and jumping and swinging and bubbles and walks in the woods with Toby will be more and more frequent. I am so glad to know that there are days of knitting and crocheting pleasure in your life. I am ever and always grateful that you share that with us, your readers. Thank you for sharing everything you do. Many warm and comforting thoughts headed your way. Kathy
LikeLike
I love your blanket – the colours remind me of a childhood paint box which had the names under each one – yellow ochre, burnt sienna etc….
I wish there was a magic wand to bring some solace to Toby – so sad that Christmas will be more hindrance than help. Christmas is only one day – it’s just the ridiculous hype that drags on – like sofa adverts that ‘guarantee’ to deliver in time. Nothing is guaranteed in this life and what do people do the rest of the year – stand up?
Sending a big bunny hug. xx
LikeLike
Oh dear, so much change…..that’s difficult for almost everyone in any age, I daresay. And I can imagine that Toby doesn’t like it at all at the moment. Hopefully he’ll get used to the new situation little by little and that Christmas is going to be better than expected. (Sometimes, when one fears the worst, it actually doesn’t turn out that bad at all, so I keep my fingers crossed for you for that to happen.)
That blanket you are making is just gorgeous, those COLOURS!! ❤
Sending positive thoughts and best wishes.
LikeLike
Sorry to hear that Toby is having a difficult time – so much change at once must be really disruptive for him. Love the way your blanket is turning out. x
LikeLike
Sorry to read bad news about Toby… I find it strange that “they” change so many things at a time at school, and I hope they will manage yo avoid upsetting him when Christmas comes. Your blanket is already a baby blanket, and the colours are great. Take care, Anne
LikeLike
I can totally see what you mean about the colours being like a persian carpet, they are! and it is looking beautiful. I hope that things settle a little with Toby, even if they don’t get better straight away – although I hope that they do get better soon of course. Keep stitching in the meantime, it is great therapy isn’t it. xx
LikeLike
Oh Julie, I love your eye for colour, it’s always really soothing.
I hope Toby finds some peace soon, it must be so, so hard to see your boy in turmoil. Thinking of you all x
LikeLike
My prayers are for your strength and peace for your family. Lean and trust in our Lord for he good to his children.
LikeLike
I love the blanket Julie the colours are just beautiful. I hope things settle down for Toby soon and that he adapts to the changes. Dearest thoughts and best wishes to you and your family x
LikeLike
Great job on your color choices for the blanket and it looks so beautiful against your rug! I have enjoyed your blog for several years now and have started my own. If you wouldn’t mind stopping by at knitterwoman.blogspot.com and giving me some feedback or suggestions I would really appreciate it! I wish you and Toby the very best, hang in there!
LikeLike
Gorgeous rich colours on your blanket.
Hope Toby settles soon 🙂
LikeLike
I just wanted to thank you for your lovely patterns. Wishing you a lovely Christmas and I hope that things go better than anticipated for your son and your family.
Hugs from one mama to another.
LikeLike
Hello , my name is Carolina. I’m from Chile and I do not speak English, but I’m trying to learn. I used a translator to write this post , so I apologize in advance for inconsistencies that might appear .
I recently found your site and I love your animal tissues , not just rabbits. I also love the photographs you put , they are very cute . I tried to buy a pattern on ravelry , but I do not know how to pay in pounds, because I have only pesos. I’ll find a way . Would love to have an herb garden like yours, in fact I have always wanted to see yours and I decided . You are an inspiration , you do everything I wanted to do, but I never do , for lack of time and lack of encouragement too. Seeing your photos I am determined to change that and start again . I have a 2 year old baby and I want her to see the creative side of me that I never have time to draw because I am engaged in absorbing daily routine . Thanks for sharing what you know to do.
LikeLike
I am so sorry to hear about all the changes to Toby’s routine. It must be so disruptive for him and difficult for you. I hope you manage to have a peaceful holiday and that things settle down for Toby.
YOur blanket is beautiful- I love your color choices!
LikeLike
Hello, I have made an afghan blanket inspired by your lovely blanket found on flickr. Thanks for the inspiration! Heather X
LikeLike
I have been making blankets for years now but I must admit your blankets are fantastic and your choice of colours are great!!
LikeLike
Good morning!
I’ve just found your lovely blog via The Quiet Home and love your crochet blanket. I’m new to crochet and have just started something similar, I hope you don’t mind me asking but how do you join your squares, is it by sewing or crocheting them? I do like your idea of a square a day which means by this time next year I will have 365 squares in my blanket which should have a good sized blanket to keep out the cold.
LikeLike
Oh Julie sounds like you’ve been through the wringer with Toby as of late… I hope things are settling and that you can find some calm amongst the business of Christmas. My youngest has just been diagnosed with aspergers so we are changing our arrangements to create a bit of down time this Christmas. DD2 often disappeared onto the stairs in all the fuss at my in-laws and it will be interesting this year if our changes help her cope a bit better. It’s been a steep learning curve for something I think I’ve suspected for many years. Even when we met in Oxford all those years ago at the garden centre she was struggling and now I know why! In other news.. DD1 has made me a cotton rabbit for Christmas from your pattern… I’m so excited! I’ll be sure to blog about it when she gets unwrapped. Well I hope you have a nice Christmas and all the best for 2014.
LikeLike