Cosy Blanket CAL : Part 2

This Cosy blanket is proving to be one huge, big, happy pleasure ride for me, delivering exactly the right amount of relaxation, comfort and joy as I grow these delicious rows of colour. Thank you so, so much for your wonderful response to my Crochet-a-long idea, I am honestly thrilled that so many of you are going to be joining me with your own creations. It makes me incredibly happy to imagine all of us around the world making our rows of treble stitches together, creating beautiful blankets for our homes and loved ones. That collective hooky feel-good is just wonderful to imagine, isn't it?

Thank you so much for telling me of your own hooky plans too, I really love to read how you are planning your own blankets. I know many of you are choosing to play alongside me using the same cosy colours, and I'm excited to tell you that the more the blanket grows, the more the colours are singing, you're going to love it. I am also delighted to hear that many of you are diving into your stash and creating your very own cosy palette, which is wonderful. Many of you are using the cosy stripe pattern, while some of you are using the cosy colours but with the neat ripple pattern (would love to see that!). I am really excited to see the collective cosy blankets unfold in all their colourful glory.

So hopefully those of you who have jumped in and made a start have managed OK? I've picked up on a few minor troubles with stitch counts and tension/size, but mostly I think this pattern is easy enough not to cause too much scratching of heads and raised eyebrows. The tension issue is interesting....obviously this is not a garment and the tension is not critical in terms of fit or style, but at the same time it's helpful to know that 1500g yarn will indeed produce the blanket. On the tutorial page I've advised folks to check the measurements after working row 1. You are aiming to produce roughly 120cm width, so if after row 1 you have ended up with a lot more than that, you know you will probably run out of yarn! You can either stick with it and use more yarn, or reduce your starting chain (keep to multiples of 3) to make it roughly the correct width. I'll leave that up to you :)

I was working Part 2 of my own blanket during Half Term when I was down in Dorset. It proved to be a blessed thing indeed, given that for much my time away I was battling with a huge amount of nervous tension and anxiety combined with long hours sitting with my Mum. I sat beside her in front of her beautiful wood burning stove, drinking endless cups of tea in floral bone china mugs, talking gently and hooking. Sometimes not talking at all, but just sitting, thinking, working my hands in that familiar rhythm to ease away the tension. Mum loved the colours, they are perhaps a little bright for her, but I think she enjoyed their cheerfulness and appreciated the Autumnal thing.

When I had completed part 2 (30 stripes) I laid the blanket out on the decking in the back garden of my Dad's house and thought : WOW. I really, really love these colours, and I really, really love the effect of this stripe. I love the series of little arches/holes created in rows 3, 7, 11 etc, they please me enormously and remind me of the famous Ribblehead Viaduct in the Yorskhire Dales!

So here are the colours for Part 2, working from the bottom upwards. I'm going to start numbering them in terms of stripes now so we can count/keep track more easily.

16. Khaki

17. Petrol

18. Copper

19. Lime

20. Camel

21. Spice

22. Claret

23. Magenta

24. Grape

25. Violet

26. Denim

27. Meadow

28. Gold

29. Pale Rose

30. Raspberry

Here are some links ::

♥ Cosy Cal Part 1

♥ Cosy Stripe Pattern

♥ Cosy yarn pack

♥ Cosy CAL thread on Ravelry

Wishing you a glorious week of happy hooky, I'll be back with Part 3 next Sunday 16th November.

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ps just a gentle reminder that this is a relaxed, casual Crochet-a-long, so please don't feel pressured about being behind or catching up or starting late. Work at your own pace and enjoy the whole experience as it fits in with your life and other projects etc, this is all about cosy pleasure remember :)xxxxx

 

 

Comments

[carol sewell]

hi lucy have just got an email about the ripple blanket I am quite new crochet it will b my next poject it looks fun to do thanks carol

[Teri Sullivan]

Dear Lucy, I have finally started my Cosy blanket with your choice and order of colors. I am only up to color 7 but I have to tell you I am already in love with this project. I have several others WIP now but I am pulled to pick this one up every evening! I am already planning the next one, the coast Ripple! Your work is so inspiring and I love reading all your posts. Thank you so much, Teri Sullivan, Staten Island, NY USA

[Liz Lyness]

I have just started the stripe blanket and have got 28 rows done. It is really easy to do and your instructions were very clear. I haven't crocheted for many years but it quickly comes back. I have used the yarn you recommended but not all the exact colours you have used but it is coming out really nice and I am very pleased with it.

[Margret]

Just ordered the yarnfrom the Woolwarehouse and can't wait to start. Wonder how long it will take for the post to get the parcel to me here in Iceland.

[Robin W.]

I AM SO EXCITED!! The cosy yarn pack I ordered arrived today...can't wait to start my blanket. I adore the colors. Thanks Lucy for assembling this pack and sharing with us all!

[Paula]

I received my BEAUTIFUL cosy yarn yesterday from Wool Warehouse. When I bought my Lucy pack, I didn't know that you had a store, I bought it through a US supplier. From now on, I'll be buying through your blog, which I found was actually less expensive and only took a few more days to arrive from England than from Texas. Weird, huh..... Anyway, I have been so inspired by your blog that I started one of my own!!! http://lalalovescrochet.blogspot.com/
I'm new at this blogging thing but I'm trying to devote a little time every day to it. Lots of Love!!!! Aunt Lala

[morag]

Well its Saturday morning, normally I want the weekend to last for ever but today I can't wait for tomorrow morning 😊.
I was tempted to do my own thing for a bit but decided the wait will Do to the pleasure. If off to walk in the pentlands hills instead.
As soon as I wake up tomorrow I'll be straight to attic 24. I just love this cozy blanket. Thanks so much for sharing it Lucy. Morag x

[Janet linehan]

Started this yesterday and am up to my eighth stripe. The colours looks gorgeous, really pleased with the yarn and the useful project bag it came in. Great project, thanks.

[Elaine Hocking]

All ready to start part two. I am a little concerned about my uneven edges. Lovely blanket to crochet whilst I am recovering from total knee replacement. My exercise is to go into another room to collect the next ball of wool!

[Maggir cooper]

Am just starting my 4th colour and love it already. Really enjoying the beautiful vibrant colours and love the gorgeous bag they came in! My first cast on row is tight - how can I get over that? Or will it just blend in. Thanks so much for the tutorial is really brilliant x

[morag macpherson]

I'm living the colours and can't wait to get back from work to do some more each day. Enjoying every minute of this

[C]

Dear Lucy, Thank you for this lovely pattern and the joy of being able to buy all the right wool so quickly and easily thanks to the beautiful wool pack you've put together :-) I'm hoping to crochet along but have't got much time so I'd like to make a baby version of the cosy blanket- any idea how long the starting chain should be?
Thanks
Claire

[Sharyn Mathieson]

I want to learn crochet as your lovely work inspires me. What project should I look at as a beginner?

Thanks
Sharyn

[Tracy]

I am so excited, I received my wool & instructions for the blanket yesterday! I was very pleasantly surprised as I expected the wool to be wrapped in a brown paper bag like it used to be when I was young, but it came in a beautiful organza bag tied with ribbon. It was gorgeous & shows off the wool really well, what a gorgeous touch!! Can't wait to start & I hope it won't be too hard for me as I am a relative beginner, but I'm determined it will work!!
Thank you so much for introducing me to crocheting & proving it isn't just about granny squares!!

[Christine Russell (Kiki)]

I LOVE your Blog, so easy to follow, and really clear information, with gorgeous colour pictures.
I've crocheted for years and still learn from you.
It's easy to forget what to do at the beginning and end of rows on Blankets, so thankyou for the reminder. Kiki

[Sandra (Cherry Heart)]

Ooh, I really love the latest additions Lucy, they really are singing aren't they? Gorgeous!

S x

[Richa Wennerholm]

I am enjoying your crochet-a-long using the same yarn in a prior colorway. This project is really just the perfect way to calm myself as the holiday plans roll around in my head. So thanks very much for the pattern, beautiful yarn colors, and the inspiration!

[Sharyn Mathieson]

How easy is this to do? I have not crocheted since I was a child and I was not great then. Can I do it or would I be better trying something a bit easier? I've been reading your blog for sometime now and I really like this and would like to take up crochet again. I am more of a knitter but you inspire me to take up crocheting and perhaps teach my daughter as well. Great colours too, just love it:-)

[Anne Warburton]

Beautiful colours, nearly up to date with the rows.....do you think you could do the same pattern for a Spring/Summer blanket...to maybe include white!!!....will be ready by then to start another....many thanks, I'm really enjoying this one x

[Emma Moore]

My yarn has arrived today and it was so exciting! The colours are gorgeous and this only my second blanket! I am addicted to your blog!

[Jill]

I have ordered my yarn, but decided to go for subtle shades the will work well with my first ever chrochet item, can't wait to get started.
Jill

[Katrina Moen]

I gtt my pack today and can't wait to get started :-) I think I'm going to do the ripple again though, I do love that pattern. will be beautifulllllllll! Thanks as always Lucy for your lovely colour schemes and your hard work!

[Yvonne]

I just ordered the yarn pack for this blanket from the Wool Warehouse and can't wait for it to be delivered! I know it's a bit unimaginative to just crochet exactly the same blanket as you, but your sense of colour is so much better than mine. Apart from that I never know what exactly the Stylecraft colours look like in real as this yarn is not available in my country. I do however love this yarn and prefer to order it in the UK than using yarn that's available here (and it's also cheaper...). Thanks a lot for all your work in general and for creating this CAL!!! I love your blog.

[Lisa Wallace]

Hi There,
I have got so deep into amigarumi that I am beginning to dream of making another blanket that doesn't involve too much counting as I find them very therapeutic. Just one more Santa critter...
Lisa

[Rosie Collins]

Dear Lucy, Thank you for all your beautiful ideas - I'm really enjoying making this blanket. Your creative, colourful energy spreads warmth and joy to many corners of the World.
Don't be disheartened by the negative comments of the few...the very few. So many people love you and are inspired by you. Who you are and what you do brings happiness and light, especially in the cold, grey depths of winter, into the lives of those who read about your days. Your Autumn nature photos are so beautiful - the colours glow and vibrate.
Thank you for everything you do.