crafts & knitting

Déjà vu

 

Misty3

 

If you've been reading my blog for a while you may have a slight feeling of déjà vu in seeing this post. Don't worry, it's not you it's me – I have made a virtually identical blanket in the past.

I'm not by nature an obsessive person, in fact ask H and he'll tell you I'm a natural slob when it comes to housework and there's always a small pile of discarded clothes next to my bed rather than neatly folded in drawers and cupboards. But when it comes to making woolly things it seems I do have compulsive leanings. I've been fighting this particular urge for a while but a few weeks back I began to wonder what harm there would be in giving in to something that is going to give me pleasure and contentment and so I have started work on a second misty blanket.

 

Misty4

 

I'm essentially using the same colour palette as before – I had quite a bit of yarn left over from the first which helps and there is something about this combination of colours which I find peaceful and that makes me rather happy. This time though I'm making some changes:

  • adding an extra round to each square
  • being more structured with the coloured centres
  • using more subtle shades in the beiges and greys
  • only chaining 4 at the corners instead of 5
  • working groups of 3 stitches into the corners on all rounds (previously I'd used 2 stitches on the first few rounds)

 So, this is how the Misty Mark 2 currently looks

 

Misty2

 

And this was the mark 1 about the same stage:

 

Misty mk1

 

It's not that I don't like the first one but there are a few bits of it that do niggle me. In particular my misguided use of a dark brown yarn (which I remember being unsure of at the time) and I now notice leaps out in a very inharmonious way. Also, whilst I'm feeling critical, the gaps at the corners are just a bit too gappy if you ask me.

See, gappy corners and standy-out dark brown bits…

 

Misty1

 

The first misty will still be loved as a snuggly throw in the garden room and the second misty will be for our bed. All in all I'm much happier with how the new version is starting to look and it's nice to be crocheting again in the evenings when the lights are low and I feel sleepy. I just have to deal with telling H that there's going to be yet another blanket in the house – he's not actually noticed it yet 🙂

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PS: if you want any yarn/hook details I've added this to my ravelry project page and will keep that updated as I work on this.

52 thoughts on “Déjà vu

  1. I hadn’t seen misty1 before. I instantly loved misty 2…the gentle subtle colours really draw me in and are captivating. Misty 1 then appeared and it felt louder, however both are stunning. Oh, I’m going to be thinking about those colours all day now 🙂 …why do I always choose brights?!
    Tracey xxx
    Ps…going back for another look 🙂

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  2. I loved your first one Julie and I LOVE your new one ….. but I know what you mean when something bugs you, it just jumps out at you screaming to get your attention! the colours are stunning
    Oh you can never have enough handmade blanket and cups ….. that’s what I say, of course men don’t see it that way.
    Happy new week
    love Jooles x x x

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  3. Well Julie, if it makes you happy…then do it! It is a very beautiful design so I can see why you wanted to revisit it, I always loved the colours! Nothing quite like a soothing bit of crochet to relax with.
    As for men……well they’re just not from Venus…are they!! 😉
    Have a good week,
    V xxx

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  4. I love the original one, and this one is looking even lovelier. The muted colours are perfection. Maybe your other half will be confused and think you are still working on the old one. No need for him to worry about the odd square of crochet here and there is there..?

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  5. I love both versions – the darker one will be perfect for hiding dirt outside and the paler one just right for a cosy snuggle indoors. We’d never learn or improve anything if we didn’t make mistakes, so just embrace the dark brown, I say. Every time you look at it, you can think it taught you how to make the next colour scheme even better! Happy hooking and I look forward to seeing the finished product. x

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  6. It is beautiful and if it makes you happy that can only be a good thing. Besides, you can never have too many blankets (I think I have three on the go at the moment!)

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  7. It’s really beautiful. I think you should work on projects that make you calm and happy. Isn’t that what it is all about! Happy crocheting!

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  8. Gorgeous, gorgeous! I love it…….the colours are so you. I look forward to seeing the finished article. I am sending lots of love and calmness your way (yeh, calmness…..like that’s going to happen……). Xx

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  9. You always do such superbly clean work. Your joins on your squares are so perfect! How do you do it??? I love your site. I love just looking at all the wonderful things you create. Your patterns always give me peace. They are all so comforting! It’s like the feeling I get from reading “The Wind In The Willows” (if that makes any sense). Thank you for such a great site!

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  10. Hi Julie! It always makes me smile when I realize you have a new post; thank you for letting us peek into your world. I love both your blankets and would never have noticed the “gappy corners and standy-out dark brown bits” – – – – but now that you’ve pointed them out, I do love version number 2 best! Your work is amazing, and I love to see your color choices. I’ll look forward to seeing the finished blanket! xx

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  11. Oh!…just love your restful calm Beautiful Misty 2……. It’s gorgeous!…I ‘m a great believer in crafting the thing that makes for good feelings!
    Jenni xx

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  12. Oh, my! I’m so envious. Love the colors, love the pattern. The thing that is stopping me from copying is the yarn purchase. I have too much yarn, now, as it is…. and I can’t justify buying more. I’ve got to get motivated to use up my stash, so I can start anew!
    Thanks for sharing this lovely project!

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  13. Misty 2 is beautiful, Julie! Even though I like Misty 1, I have to say that the softness of colours of Misty 2 is more appealing to me. It’s almost tranquil colour palette (if I can say so). I totally understand your urge to give this blanket another go while “fixing” all the things that you (and probably only you) notice and unhappy about. I have done this myself so many times. 🙂 As always, lovely work, Julie!

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  14. I think the first blanket is beautiful but your new one is absolutely gorgeous. So subtle and snuggly looking. I am inspired to make one too – love it! Thanks for revisiting what was already a stunning project and making it even more so.

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  15. So gorgeous! And working on a project that gives you so much pleasure has got to feel amazing when you sit down to work on it every time. And how lovely it will look on your bed!

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  16. you’ve made something so beautiful even more beautiful……thank you for sharing…..you are an incredible inspiration…….love your work soooo much x

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  17. Beautiful. I loved the first Misty afghan so much it inspired me to make one a little similar for a friends baby shower which is this Saturday. I will let you know her reaction to it.
    Your colour palate is gorgeous. x

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  18. Well I can see why you wanted to re-make this blanket, the first is just gorgeous and I’ve come and drooled over it on many occasion! In fact, it inspired me to make my own, although mine ended a complete riot of colour as I just can’t seen to manage something subtle or as divine as your blanket. I’d absolutely love to know what colour shades of cascade you are using if you ever get time to note it down as I seemed to have a lot of trouble ordering shades for my blanket. Many looked so different from the pictures I could’ve sworn it was another colour altogether! Still, you live and learn I guess. Anyway, this is wonderful and I hope it brings you as much pleasure as the first.
    S x

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  19. I love the Misty 2 – the colours are much softer and gentler. As for starting another blanket – my naturopath would say that you are engaged in a self-nourishing project and, therefore, is worthy of the time, effort, and materials involved in its creation. I will follow this project with interest. Thank you for sharing with us!!

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  20. His julie
    Loved misty mark 1 but adore the mark 2. I love, love , love the gorgeous colours – a little bit vintagey! Please, please will you wtrite a pattern for those of us who a bit hooky challenged?
    Mandy

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  21. I love both your misty blankets, Julie! The first was so lovely, I can see why you decided to make it again, and I know that feeling of wanting to slightly alter something you have already made! I love the soft colours and the way the greys really do look misty and very beautiful.
    Helen xox

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  22. Oh Julie, I love both your blankets, I do love the softer shades your working with on misty, so peaceful and soothing….. your a star everything you make is perfect lots of love to you and your family 🙂
    Meg xx

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  23. Love, love, the color combinations in the “new” Misty blanket….while the original is beautiful as well, the new version is awesome! I will definitely be checking out Ravelry for the colors and yarn. Beautiful work as always….

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  24. I picked up a quote today that you might like … “Addictions are thin threads of repeated action that weave themselves into thick bonds of habit.”. I think your hooky blanket habit is to be celebrated x

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  25. That’s growth for you. Love of doing something should always make you smile and grow to a new level of passion.

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  26. Both are beautiful. I’m sure you’re the only one who has any criticisms of the first one. I am totally with you on the husband thing. I let mine find out for himself rather than declare, because very often, he doesn’t notice! Happy hooking x

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  27. I love them both but think there’s a lovely lightness to #2. Your colour choices are beautiful and you make colours that I’d never think to put together look so good!
    I’ve had a sudden renewed love affair with crochet recently. It’s such a rhythmic, soothing thing to do. I have one more thing I definitely want to make and then I’m going to give in to the siren call of a nice bit of hand-quilting!
    xx

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  28. Oh my, what simply wonderful calming colours you have chosen for this crochet project…. I L-O-V-E IT!!
    I have whizzed by your other posts and can see you are very talented, with a perfect eye for colour.
    THANK YOU SOOOOOoooooOOOO much for sharing.
    Best wishes, Jay
    thesewingwren.wordpress.com

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  29. Hello Julie – it’s certainly been a while for me too. I love your blanket and the subtle hues you are using…I think you’ve just inspired me to pick up a hook again.
    Nina x

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  30. *** whoops! I forgot to change my account name…sorry.
    Nina x
    Hello Julie – it’s certainly been a while for me too. I love your blanket and the subtle hues you are using…I think you’ve just inspired me to pick up a hook again.
    Nina x

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  31. I’ve only just found your blog but I’m already really enjoying it so I’m sure I’ll be back! 🙂
    Beautiful blanket. I’ve had a crochet square blanket on the go for ages now but every time I think I have enough squares to get a decent-sized blanket I try it and realise I need another 60 or so. At this rate I’ll still be working on it in 10 years time…

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  32. PERfect is not beautiful. and beauty is not perfect.
    art can be beautiful, but it is seldom perfect.
    i love both, but prefer the first because of its uniqueness.

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  33. Hi Julie,
    Not visited in a while so it was nice to see what you have been up to and that the Misty Blanket is making another appearance.

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  34. Very, very, nice colors. I would like to find similar of them here in Italy. Could you tell me how many ball of wool you have bought, please?
    Thank you,
    Miriam from Italy

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  35. This is a lovely blanket. I’ve noticed in particular how neat your joining looks. Could you please tell us what joining method you are using? Many thanks!

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