Well here we are on the very last day of the year, and I've been working on my usual end-of-year review posts which I always enjoy. I was beginning to assemble all my crochet photos from 2014 when I suddenly realised that I hadn't shared a proper ta-dah moment for my Cosy Stripe blanket, dear oh dear, how very slack of me!
As you all know, I decided to share this blanket journey each and every week throughout November and December, so it's progress has already been well documented. I've written at length about the colour choices, and about how very much I enjoyed making these simple rows. It has given me so much pleasure crocheting each day during the transition from Autumn to Winter, more than I am able to put into words really. The more the blanket grew, the more comforting it became.
By the time I had made ninety stripes, well, I was well and truly smitten. It is everything I imagined when I dreamed up the idea of a Cosy blanket, the warmth and vibrancy of the colours and the simplicity of the stripes is a very successful combination I think, both the making process and the end result.
Working this blanket as part of a Crochet-a-Long has been a huge amount of fun, I've absolutely loved everything about it. It's given me an enormous sense of well-being knowing that my own blanket is just a small part of a much bigger crochet-collective, what a fabulous thing to be a part of! I worried at the start that I might find the weekly time schedules restrictive or stressful, but in actual fact I crochet quite fast and found that I could fairly easily fit 15 stripes into a week without any bother. Really, the making of this blanket has given me so much pleasure and satisfaction, that I have become extremely attached to it.....I love it so much!
Because of the season, I wasn't able to take any outdoor photos of my blanket (I had imagined it somewhere Autumnal and golden and woodsy, but of course that couldn't happen cos it's now Winter and leafless and soggy). But I did mange to take some pictures of it one morning at my studio just before Christmas.....
........................................Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It doesn't look half bad as a rug, does it?! I like the look of it against the old wooden floorboards in my studio, but of course this blanket is destined for domestic duties and is needed on the home front......
....it's been residing on my bed this past week, adding an extra blankety layer during the nights when temperatures have fallen below zero. It's not quite as warm as the pure wool blanket underneath (that's my beloved BB) but the double layer is super cosy.
I would like to say a huge, squishy, heart felt {{THANK YOU}} to every one who has been journeying along with me and my blanket and creating your own cosy little number. I have enjoyed your company very, very much. I'd like to make one last post about the CAL to include lots of images and colour stories, so please do make sure to share some pictures! You can upload them to Ravelry (on this thread) or to the Attic24 Inspired group on Flickr.
And finally, a few cosy blankety facts:
Blanket measures : 120cm x 165cm
Yarn : 15 x 100g balls of Stylecraft Special DK (available here)
Pattern : Cosy Stripe (here), with edging pattern (here)
You can read all previous CAL posts by following this link.
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ps almost forgot to wish you all a very Happy New Year!
I just love this blanket! Wish I had been able to crochet along with you! But, as soon as my hook is free....yep, gonna do this :) Happy New Year!
Posted by: Shan | January 01, 2015 at 06:43 PM
Hi Lucy! I love all your blankets! A question for you: Is there any particular reason that you always use DK weight yarn? I always use worsted weight, usually with a J hook (sometimes K, depending on the yarn). My projects seem to look like yours but work up faster due to the thicker yarn and larger hook size. Would love your perspective on this. Thanks and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Diane | January 01, 2015 at 06:27 PM
Happy New Year, dear Lucy!
Posted by: Erendis | January 01, 2015 at 05:57 PM
Another beautiful 'juicy' coloured blanket. It so made me think of those juicy fruity sweets. It's been wonderful seeing other peoples interpretation of your blanket. Best wishes for the New Year.
Ali xx
Posted by: Ali | January 01, 2015 at 05:55 PM
It's a lovely blanket, like all your blankets are. : ))Such an eye for colors. I think the next baby blanket I'll use your stitch combination.Happy new year Lucy! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | January 01, 2015 at 05:18 PM
Communal projects are fab, aren't they?!
Posted by: Claire | January 01, 2015 at 05:16 PM
Thanks for the updated pics. I have been watching this blanket and I am in love with the colors you chose. So bright in a warm way. I would love to be snuggled in it right now. I put this on my to-do list, as I love to work in color. You are very talented (I love the pillow too) and I read every post. Thanks! Happy 2015!
~Crystal
http://krystlewv.blogspot.com
Posted by: Crystal Wall | January 01, 2015 at 04:48 PM
Happy new year Lucy. I love the cosy stripe pattern so much I have now started a cushion with the chunky wool pack I got for Christmas.
Posted by: judith rigg | January 01, 2015 at 04:32 PM
Amazing snuggly blanket Lucy! I kept saying to myself last year that I must do this and follow along with your project but time was against me! As I listen to the wind howling outside now, I think I will grab my hook and some of my (dusty) wool and start this one to keep snuggly for the cold weather ahead :-) A very Happy New Year to you too xx
Posted by: Chel @ Sweetbriar Dreams | January 01, 2015 at 04:31 PM
I wish you and your family an Happy New Year!
Your blanket is beautiful!
Best wishes! Frédérique
Posted by: Frédérique | January 01, 2015 at 04:10 PM
Thank you for sharing all your beautiful crochet. I always enjoy seeing what you are working on. Happy New Year.
Posted by: Teri | January 01, 2015 at 03:37 PM
Happy 2015 Lucy. I received my yarn pack for Christmas and am looking forwards to starting my cosy blanket now in January. It should keep me warm until Spring!
Posted by: Gill | January 01, 2015 at 03:25 PM
So lovely!!!!! Can't wait to try my own!!!! Have a wonderful New Year!!!!
Posted by: Pam Roach | January 01, 2015 at 03:11 PM
Wishing you all at Attic 24 a very happy healthy 2015. Thanks for a great year and here's to the next Xx lots of love Joy Xx
Posted by: Joy | January 01, 2015 at 03:09 PM
Happy New Year !
I find the next few months very hard to get through, but just visiting your blog and all the bright and happy colors that fill my screen is therapy in itself. Its this time of year, I look for a new project to start, and hope you will do another crochet a long soon !
Posted by: Amber | January 01, 2015 at 03:09 PM
Oh how could it be? Since I started with reading blogs 7 years ago, I started reading attic24. Time goes by and when I had to start over as working mom last spring, I simply forgot your attic. So now over the christmas I had a lot of "free time" and there was time to go back to the roots and to attic. I am so glad, that it is still a wonderful, colorful, happiness bringing, eyecandy giving blog. You are great - thank you so much for all those stories and pictures you share with us.
greetings from icy, snowy bavaria
ninifee
Posted by: ninifee | January 01, 2015 at 02:55 PM
This is a beautiful blanket.
Have a great new year. Anny
Posted by: Anna | January 01, 2015 at 02:05 PM
This blanket is a true beauty! My fingers are crossed that 2015 will be filled with more blanket beauties for you!
Take care
Anne (Crochet Between Worlds)
Posted by: Anne | January 01, 2015 at 01:51 PM
Happy new year Lucy amd family :) the blanket looks awesome hunny, I am currently rippling but hope to get cosy soon ;)
Heather x (itssewthisnthat.co.uk)
Posted by: Sewthisnthat Heather | January 01, 2015 at 01:37 PM
Happy new year to you here from Denmark. I absolutly love your new blanket. Cant wait to see more blankets in 2015 :)
Posted by: Hanne | January 01, 2015 at 01:24 PM
Lovely. I've no doubt it will be a firm favourite around the home. Wishing you and yours a very good New Year Lucy. May 2015 be a year of success and happy adventures. I'm looking forward to following along. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | January 01, 2015 at 01:20 PM
That is a truly scrumptious blanket! I'm joining the crochet along party a little late, as my Mum got me the yarn pack for Christmas -yay! I am very excited to think that my blanket is going to be as beautiful as yours! I've nearly completed my first fifteen rows already and I'm really enjoying the simple, theraputic back and forth. Happy New Year, Lucy!
Posted by: Jen | January 01, 2015 at 01:09 PM
Lovely blanket! Keep us colourful in 2015, won't you?
Posted by: Angel Jem | January 01, 2015 at 01:06 PM
Happy New Year to you Lucy ....I'm still plodding along with mine and loving how I can pick it up as and when without too much worry where I stopped. Having a short break to make my friend a cowl scarf in Blues/Greens marble pattern chunky and it wont take long !!
Posted by: Rae | January 01, 2015 at 01:05 PM
A beautiful blanket - as always. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy new year, and I look forward to seeing your colourful 2015. x
Posted by: Sara Jenkins | January 01, 2015 at 12:22 PM