BB (Big Blanket), Ta-dah!

 

Hello! OOooooooooooooooooooooooooo so today's the day!!! Yes, tis offically Ta-dah day!!!!!!!

Can you believe that after so much faffing around, I am finally sitting down today to write BB's much awaited Ta-dah post? It's been a while materialising hasn't it, and I am so sorry for keeping you waiting. I've been looking forward to writing this post very much, and I really wanted the photos to be great. For them to do justice to this project that I've worked so hard on for the past seven months. And truthfully, I don't think the photos I've ended up with are that great, but they are passable and I think given the weather conditions at the present time, they're as good as it's gonna get. And besides I simply couldn't wait any damn longer to share this with you all, the heebie jeebies were getting out of hand!

OK, first off, a little bit of the practicalities. I know how much you like the Details, and quite right too. This Big Blanket of mine (known as BB) is made from Rowan Pure Wool DK in 14 shades, as follows ::

The picture above, top row, left to right ::

042 Dahlia

026 Hyacinth

027 Hydrangea

028 Raspberry

025 Tea Rose

041 Scarlet

040 Tangerine

032 Gilt

Bottom row, left to right ::

008 Marine

007 Cypress

006 Pier

019 Avocado

005 Glacier

039 Lavender

If you've been following my blog during this year and keeping up with my comings and goings, you will know allllllllllllllll about this blanket I expect. Because I have been going on (and on and on) about it a great deal, bombarding you with endless images at every stage of it's creation, so it's been hard to miss.

It started here, on January 14th with the Purchase of the Yarn.

Then shortly after came the actual Design process, and the very first blocks being made.

And then followed many, many updates too numerous to mention.

The highs and the lows.

The excitement when it was going well.

And the misery when it was not.

There were also several tutorials written around this blanket too :: my Summer Garden granny square pattern, plus the two joining methods, and finally the scallopy edging.

It has been an absolute pleasure sharing the making of this blanket with you, and even more of a pleasure sharing it's finale today. Actually I am more excited than I am letting on today, I am writing quite calmly I think. Restrained even. But inside, my heart feels fit to burst.

As you know, I've had a devil of a job photographing BB. Its a BIG Blanket for sure, measuring around 6ft square. Last week I did have a go at clearing the floor in my living room and laying it out in an attempt to take a full photograph of it laid flat. It was very hard to get myself up high enough above it to get it all in the frame. It involved balancing on the arms of my big chair, which was quite precarious and wobbly. Ahh the things we do!

But here, without further ado, I present you with BB....................

Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

To say I am pleased with how it turned out is a serious understatement.

This is the 4th blanket I've made, and honestly it has been the most troublesome (remember those Pesky White borders?). There was quite a time when I really wasn't sure what I thought about this creation of mine. But luckily, after taking a break for a couple months, and dealing with the Pesky White, I fell back in Love again. Pheww. I can't tell you how releived I was to find my enthusiasm return.

Now then, if you'd like to come with me upstairs a moment, I'd like to show you how BB looks when In Residence.

Below is a photo of my bed as it looked before BB arrived..........

 

Cath K rosy pillowcases, and pure white egyptian cotton bedding.

Plain and Simple.

And this is how it looks now.......

 

.....Ta-dah!!!

I am truly, completely, deeply thrilled with it.

  

Words cannot really describe how I feel about BB. How it feels to create something so large that has occupied my thoughts and time for more than half a year. Pride. Love. Joy. Thrills.

Crikey, I do get serious Thrills from being around this blanket!

 

I sneak past the bedroom door and glance in, see it all laid out there and it thrills me.

 

I snuggle under it whenever I can to read, browse, daydream, and it thrills me.

I wrap myself up in it's thousands and thousands of woolly stitches, and think of all the hours I've spent sat with hook and yarn creating those stitches, and it thrills me.

OK, enough of the thrills, lets commence with the Riveting Facts, much as I did when I completed the Ripple and The Hexie.....

Measures :: 180cm x 180cm
Summer Garden Squares :: 144, arranged in 36 blocks of 4
Time :: have no idea, absolutely loads, over 7 months
Balls :: 44 (rough guess based on weight)
Weight :: 2200g
Cost :: £3.50 per ball = £154, and worth every single penny
Mileage :: 44 balls @ 125m each ball = 5500metres = 3.4 miles of yarn (!)

Photo :: me in my pyjamas, snuggled in bed this morning
Blanket :: gorgeous
Me :: happy.

Ok, one last photo..........

Ahhhhhhhhhhh BB, I do LOVE you so!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[rachel]

wow it´s perfect, nice and colourful.I,ve started to make one, but still got a lot to crochet, hopefully i will finish it one day! :)thanks for your tutorials , they are very well explained!

[Jackie]

I love this blanket!! I love the colors you choose and how you arrange them. Makes me want to start another big project! Thanks for sharing!

[Shendel]

I started one today. Thank you for sharing your designs, I love all of them. Cheers from Brazil...

[Stphanie]

I have been cruising (hehe I always laugh when I say that... its my daughters name) your blog for a good half day now on and off as I have just picked up my first crochet hook!! I am liking it already and am really excited about the new prospect of a new craft addiction. Thank you for having a list of tutorials on your blog. I have listed a few (a lot) on my blog to try but I need to get the new language imbedded in my brain first before I leap too far a head of myself. Thanks for listening!!

xo Steph

[Kay Knight]

this is a view of my blanket on my dining room table, the colours show up better on this pic

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz259/kayknight61/Crochet/IMG_0939.jpg

[Kay Knight]

Here is my version of your blanket, I love it thank you for sharing it.

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz259/kayknight61/Crochet/IMG_0941.jpg

[Carolina]

You do should get thrilled with such a beautiful blanket!
Wonderful. That's the only word that I can think about now...

[dini]

wonderful blanket...ijust love..love..LOVE your pictures!!

[Amy]

Beautiful! Next on my list of things to learn to do is "crochet" . Learning French gets knocked to second. I think this might be easier!!!

[Jenny]

It's so pretty!!!

[Alicia P.]

TOTAL FANTASTICNESS!

[mamie jeannette]

bravo, c'est vraiment tres tres joli
it is very very beautiful
( excuse my english)

[Luna]

It is really wonderful!

[Denise]

A quick question - how do you tidy all the threads at the back . . . I'm learning the crochet again through your blog - loving it!!

[Lev Burback]

I think your "Flower Bed" is beautiful! I live where we have winter 8 months of the year, you have inspired me to brighten my winter with a "Flower Bed", too. Thanks Lev

[Ans Harmeling]

Lucy, your BB is gorgeous. You inspired me to make one too. How many balls from each colour do you need for this BB? I can't wait to begin.

[vanz]

you have pretty designs and i just love them...would love to know the patterns of your out of the world summer garden granny squares...if you dont mind sharing it.

[corrie]

oh wow gorgeous!!!!! I want to be like one of those big ladies you see on oprah jumping up and down and clapping saying 'faaaaabulous faaaaaabulous' screaming it out hysterically as its just so gorgeous! well done, I haven't progressed past the lap blanket...I've made oh about 7 and then there was the ripple I made cot size! very impressive...take as many pics as you want!
Corrie:)

[Chrystel]

your colors are really wonderful ! i love love love ! :) bravo !

[Ruth]

Simply stunning, am so envious of your talent.

[Mihaela]

I'm pleased to meet you, BB!!!!
And now, Lucy, what's next?! ;-)

[Leanna]

Wow-- Rowan should seriously be giving you a huge discount... you've showcased their yarn soooo beautifully again! Congrats on finishing :)

[Michelle]

I absolutely love BB! I would be thrilled with it too!

[Ati]

Just found your blog and Flickr site and have enjoyed it. Great blanket !

[jane smallcombe]

Gorgeous! I arrived here via Vanessa's blog! Jane x