Cosy Blanket CAL : Part 1

Those of you who've been visiting me in the Attic over the years will be very familiar with my blanket obsession. When I first picked up a crochet hook in the Summer of '07 and taught myself what to do with that metal stick, I knew without doubt that my very first project would be a blanket. No question about it, I was always going to be a Maker of Blankets. Seven years and a good many projects later, and nothing much has changed, which is kind of comforting really. And I guess that's a big part of the appeal for me - the comfort of crocheting a blanket over a length of time is just so addictively lovely! You can lose yourself in those therapeutic rows of colour, snuggling under them as your blanket grows, and at the end of it all there is a beautiful object that carries on delivering comfort for many more years.

Towards the end of August I decided to plan a special blanket journey that would take me from Autumn to Winter, something to look forward to after the hectic Summer months preparing for Yarndale. I was craving an easy blanket that would deliver a maximum amount of hooky pleasure with very little brain power. Something simple, relaxing and soothing. I actually set about choosing some colours before I settled on the pattern, and this part of the decision making came together remarkably quickly. I could already visualise what I was after you see - something warm, rich and cosy which would cheer my soul as the Autumn season closed in.

As you know I absolutely adore playing with colour, and coming up with gorgeous colour schemes floats my creative boat almost as much as the crochet does. I look at the above colours, and my heart sings with pleasure! They look so scrumptious!

Following on from my previous two blankets (the Coast and the Cottage ripples), I chose 15 colours of Stylecraft Special DK for this Autumn-inspired blanket. These colours give me exactly the feelings I was after as we head away from my beloved Summer - they are happy, vibrant, rich and warm.....perfectly cheery for the cold months of the year.

The colours were inspired by my memories of Autumn, by the things that I associate with the natural world at this time of year. Leaves, berries and flowers - nature's Autumnal rainbow if you like. I made the above sample to test out the rainbowy credentials of the colours, to see how they would look when placed in a very considered order. I absolutely love the way this looks, and honestly for a while I was very tempted just to stick with this tried and tested stripe order. I dithered over making a "Cosy Rainbow" blanket, but in the end I know myself well, and I know that by repeating the same colour sequence I would get a teensy bit bored after a while.

But that doesn't mean to say that I can't play with the rainbow idea for a bit, does it?

A few weeks ago, I happened across an amazing artist called Philippa Stanton, who works with natural finds to create the most incredible still life images. She regularly photographs her "pickings" (leaves, berries, flowers, moss, twigs etc) on an old table in her home in Brighton and shares her images on her blog { 5ftinf }. Her work is utterly captivating and inspiring, and I instantly felt a strong connection as we appear to both own the same rainbow-tinted glasses! Do go and feast your eyes on Philippa's colourful work, I'm sure it will make you smile (a lot).

I know she inspired me enormously, as I found myself one glorious Autumn day last month gathering my own colourful bits and pieces of nature to feed my creative soul. I think I must have been colour-hungry that day, because I spent all morning playing with this little lot, gobbling up the gorgeous colours and immersing myself in a 5ftinf-style rainbow photo-fest........

oh, the joy!!!!!!!! The absolute joy of playing with bits of nature, just for the sheer pleasure of it! I was trying to see if I could create the real-life natural version of my Cosy Rainbow.....

.....and yes, I pretty much think I managed it. I had imagined these things in my mind when I put the colours together back in August, and it was unbelievably lovely to see that the reality did in fact match the memory.

I imagined Autumn leaves, chinese lanterns, beech nuts and shiny chestnuts....

....glowing red and orange berries, sycamore seeds and that particular type of limey green and golden yellow that appears in the leaves at the end of the Summer....

.....and I thought about hydrangeas and those beautiful purply-blues....

....and the way that magenta and pink is still very much a part of the floral world in Autumn.

That day back in October that I spent making colourful photographs was infused with deep happiness, at a time when actually things weren't feeling so good. The whole experience uplifted my spirits, it really did.

I started making my new Cosy blanket in the middle of October, but I had this idea that I would love more than anything to go back to the business of sharing my journey here on my blog. Making the Coast and Cottage blankets earlier this year taught me that I am much happier doing the sharing thing, than doing the secretive thing. It suits me much, much better to be able to talk about what I'm making at the time I'm making it. So I've decided to do just that - to share the journey. It means there will still be a happy Ta-dah moment at the end, but you will be able to follow the blanket as it progresses and grows.

I also thought it might be fun to casually invite you to crochet a long with me, if any of you would like to? I say casual, because this CAL (which stands for "Crochet-a-long", in case you often wondered but didn't like to ask) will flow gently as we head through November and December, and possibly into January depending on how distracted I become by a) a Winter Wreath idea shouting for attention and b) a desire to crochet some Christmas decorations next month.

Do you like the pattern I'm using? it uses just one crochet stitch -  Treble Crochet (Double Crochet in the US). It's an incredibly simple but very effective mixed stripe using two rows of crochet for each colour. The simplicity of it (very little counting or pattern reading!) makes it a hugely enjoyable project where you can just get lost in the joy of the colour.

The rows grow satisfyingly quickly, and the simple mix of stitches creates a beautiful surface texture. The rows do look quite "bumpy" and textured here, but I'm thinking it'll probably stretch out and relax a bit more as the blanket grows and there is more weight to it.

I came up with this pattern as a way of providing myself with a super-relaxing, low-brain-power project, but also as a way of encouraging Newbie Hookers to think about having a go at making a blanket. I know that often new crocheters are daunted by the prospect of embarking on a big project, fearing that they might not be able to ever finish, or that they simply might find it too hard. I've made this stripe as easy as I know how, whilst still making it look a little different and new. And I promise you, it really is easy (just trebles!). I've written up the pattern (it's called the Cosy Stripe) with a full step-by-step tutorial to guide you through each row.

You can use whatever yarn and colours tickle your fancy for the cosy stripe, just so long as they make you feel warm and happy. This blanket would make a great stash-buster if you've got lots of odds and ends of colours that would look good hooked into random stripes.

There aren't any rules with this Crochet-a-long, it's going to be ridiculously casual, excepting that I am making a promise to open my Attic window and show you my blanket progress every Sunday throughout November and December (and possibly January, depending on how far I get this side of New Year). I'm using 15 Cosy Colours of Stylecraft Special DK (on a 4mm hook) for my blanket, worked in a random order as that is what makes me tick. You are very welcome to follow along with me as I'll be sharing my exact colour sequence each week as I work my own blanket, but that's only if you wish to. The whole point of this CAL is that it gets us all snuggling under some happy colourful rows, which in my opinion has to be a good thing :) The colours that you choose have to be right for you, they have to make you feel happy!

Each week when I share my progress, I'll show you the part of the blanket I've just made. The image above shows the very beginning of the blanket working from the bottom (Petrol) row up to the top (Violet) row, as follows :

1. Petrol (foundation chain and rows 1 & 2)

2. Meadow (rows 3 & 4)

3. Camel (rows 5 & 6)

4. Gold (rows 7 & 8)

5. Claret (rows 9 & 10)

6. Copper (rows 11 & 12)

7. Lime (rows 13 & 14)

8. Khaki (rows 15 & 16)

9. Grape (rows 17 & 18)

10. Magenta (rows 19 & 20)

11. Pale Rose (rows 21 & 22)

12. Spice (rows 23 & 24)

13. Raspberry (rows 25 & 26)

14. Denim (rows 27 & 28)

15. Violet rows (rows 29 & 30)

In case it's helpful - here is how I "do" random colours for my blankets. I use yarn pegs to help me order the colours first, playing with the pegs and working out 15 rows/colours at a time. When I'm happy with how the pegs look all lined up, I use snips of yarn selotaped to a bit of paper to act as a "colour pattern". I keep this with my crochet hook, then I always have a clear guide to working up the next set of stripes. It also means that when I head out to the café/pub with my hooky, I only have to grab 3 or 4 balls to pop into my bag rather than cart the whole lot out and about.

I would love to hear if you're going to join me making your very own Cosy blanket - what colours are you going to go for I wonder, will you stash-bust or choose your own collection of cosy colours? I really hope you'll love working the pattern as much as I do, it really is fab.

Here are some info links ::

♥ Cosy Stripe Pattern ♥ Cosy CAL thread on Ravelry ♥ Cosy yarn pack ♥

Remember I'll be sharing the Cosy CAL every Sunday, so Part 2 will be this coming Sunday 9th November. I've created a CAL category so that all posts relating to this blanket journey will be tagged to make it easier if you are coming in part way through and want to get to the beginning. You don't need to sign up, or make promises to join in this CAL, just jump in and have fun, take it at your own pace, but don't forget to tell me how you're getting on!

Happy Cosy Hooking!

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Comments

[cynthia]

Very tempting! I love these colours but also drawn towards the coast blanket too! Many thanks for combining them in colour packs for us, as someone said above you have a great eye for colour that not all of us do, but now we can all make beautiful blankets thanks to your generous gift of sharing your time and skill with us. Much love xxx

[Housewithhearts.blogspot.co.uk]

Too lovely. My Stylecraft stash is calling me! Lil x

[Lizzy]

Loving the colours! And the pattern looks as if even I could follow it so I may have a go at one myself!

[MissCornish]

I am yet to properly learn to crochet. I seem very good at wanting to try several crafts, reading, researching but not actually completing much! So why do I love to pop by the attic if I don't crochet? For me it is like a warm cup of my favourite tea. Reminders to appreciate what is surrounding me restore my perspective. Joy from colours, shapes, textures. All written beautifully. Thank you Lucy.

[Lynne]

Waiting for my kit to arrive at the bottom of the world lol Can't wait to start on this, I love these colours so much! Don't know if I'll be able to keep up but it will be fun to CAL as I can. I'm going to make a throw instead of a blanket....and it's going to be for ME!! I give most of my handmade things away but this one is definitely staying here :) Thanks for sharing with us Lucy
Hugs from Australia
Lynne xx

[Sarah]

Hi Lucy this CAL sound great, whilst I understand you are a very busy lady, could you please consider writing and putting up the pattern for the sweet flower granny squares. You have created my love of crochet and love the way that you explain the patterns
Thanks xx

[samantha dikeolakos]

I ordered the yarn today to make this blanket and I can wait to get started! I love following your blog I miss the simpler life you have back home!!

[patty]

Oh you make it so easy Lucy.What a wonderful thing the packs are.Perfect every time one is finished.Like yours is. A million thanks.xoxo

[Theresa J]

Just waiting on my yarn pack to arrive here in the US/New Jersey, and will have some serious catching up to do. I've been crocheting since I was five. Taught by my grandma. Looking forward to finally joining in after many years of reading your blog. I adore your sense of color. It's all so happy and we can all use a little happiness in this world. Thank you!

[Hayley.]

Made a start on the cosy blanket tonight. Even though I have a patchwork one on the go and I'm doing little Christmas birds. Again all your inspiration!!
Love your colour choices and the way you choose them.
Many thanks for what you share and I hope you do earn something for all the effort you put in.

[RuralTN]

I like it and plan to make one.

[KnittyNora]

The comments on here are more entertaining than the posts! Keep it up girls!

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy I hunted through my stash and found some of the colours for the cosy blanket! I love how you have picked out the colours from the yarn
matching the plants. When looking through Sarah Raven catalogues I try to match the colours to yarn. Anyway lots of the colours you have chosen are
ones I would have chosen. Treble stitch is my favourite one to crochet!
I shall be doing a sample this weekend to decide on the combination of colours. Wonderful inspiration!! x

[Michaela]

Dear Lucy,
wow, what a wonderful post!!! The floral and natural pictures are so, so great.
I think, i have to make a blanket too with your yarn from UK.

With best wishes from Germany

Michaela

[Jan C]

Hi Lucy and all you good people!
Lucy I've followed your blog off and on for a couple of years. In that time I decided to and then DID retire early to spend more quality time crafting and outdoors (AND I now have a grandson too! so tripping up and down the country). I think it is true to say that your upbeat blog was a small and positive factor in my decision to call time on my long career!!
I'm moved to comment now for the first time for 2 reasons... one, having seen the recent criticism and discord here.. much of which seems OTT and some plain mean spirited, I just want to say that I hope you have been able to chew it all over and that it has fallen into it's proper place for you.
Secondly, I am a great fan of your superb sense of colour, attention to detail and the JOY which you have put into selecting all those autumnal elements and matching them with the yarns for this latest project. I will be buying a pack and making this in due course... though have other wips at present so shan't be CAL-ing!
Thanks again and best wishes - Janx

[lalalala]

Perfect, Lankybird, perfect !!!

[Ger Marnane]

Can't wait for tomorrow Sunday 9th to start the next 15 colours! Don't know how I've contained myself! Love making this Lucy. Thanks a million.

[Rona Griffiths]

I've been getting on with my granny square blanket and have made a crochet poppy while I've been waiting for the next instalment of the cozy blanket, so keeping busy but looking forward to tomorrow when I can get onto the cal again.

[Patricia]

Thanks for this inspiration. Am starting chemo on Monday and need something easy and colourful to take with me and to carry me through the next four months.

[Sarah gower]

Hi Lucy - been following your blog for a while now and love the thought of a CAL - ordered the cosy colours pack and will be joining in with your colour selection as it looks gorgeous !! Sarah

[Lynne]

I for one, really enjoy reading your lovely, colourful and inspiring blog, and have been doing so for over a year now. I love the colours you choose for your projects and think the yarn pegs are a brilliant idea, so am borrowing that! The only problem is deciding which of your last three blankets to make. Having decided on the coast, I was then swayed by the cottage garden - and now want to join the cosy blanket cal! Thank you from a very satisfied, hooky obsessed lady!

[Sara Phipps]

Lankybird, hahaha!

[Lisa Allen]

Hi Lucy! Ive been following your blog for about 3 years now, that's about how long ive been hooked on crocheting! (its become abit of an obsession if im honest!) Im so happy you are doing a CAL and im definitely going to be joining in! With so many makes in mind for xmas presents its nice to know I have a 'no brainer' project in my WIPS basket that's going to be just for me! Im going to use stylecraft also as there yearn is so soft and affordable.
Ive actually just started my own blog (eek!) and my second post is going to be a little list of some of my all time fav crochet blogs, yours is of course on there! so please take a look! I plan to post it on Sunday evening. So scary to be posting blogs! Although at this point I have a feeling I shall be the only one reading them! I look forward to reading your CAL update tomorrow. Much love Lisa x

[Diane]

Looking forward to joining in on the fun! I just love autumn colors in nature but have had a hard time finding enough yarn variety to avoid the 70s avocado and mustard look, so I think your idea to add on pinks and purples and blues will help me overcome my hesitation! It will be a nice contrast to the Christmas colors that are starting to invade my project basket :)

[Vicky]

Lovely colours!