Do you know, it's almost five years since I made my Granny Stripe blanket, inspired by the purchase of our beloved caravan on 1st May 2010. By the end of that same month, I was beginning this colourful blanket journey using 17 shades of Stylecraft Special DK which I bought from my local yarn shop. I remember it all so clearly, the joy of these bright, jolly colours and this easy pattern, mixed up with a huge dose of caravan induced excitement. Happy times indeed.
I have so many memories wrapped up in the making of this blanket, memories of a wonderful seaside holiday when the Little People were still oh-so-little (Little Man and Little Lady were 7 and 6, and Little B, awwww Little B was a weeny 5 month old baby!) Oh the emotion of it!! Just look at Little B's fingers and toes in this post!!
Crochet blankets are such terrific guardians of memories, which is one of the reasons I love making them so much. Of course, the memories which attach themselves to the making of a blanket are really only the beginning, because blankets are made to be used. This happy stripy blanket has now given us five years of layered holiday memories, oh I treasure our caravan holidays so much, they are an incredibly precious part of our family archives.
It's funny looking back at the history of this particular blanket now - at the time I made it I had absolutely NO idea that these seventeen colours (chosen in less than 10 minutes in a rather badly lit corner of my local yarn shop) would become so well loved by so many people around the world. To me, they are my "happy colours". They are colours which remind me of sunshine and camping and seaside jollies, of picnics and happy little children playing, of star-gazing and dewy early morning grass, of the joys associated with simple outdoor summer living. The fact that this collection has become known as "The Attic24 Colour Pack" really pleases me enormously, and I honestly love seeing these colours together as much today as I did five years ago. Simply put - they make my heart happy ♥
Over the years since I shared my blanket I've been meaning to write up a proper tutorial for it. I wrote out the basic pattern for working the Granny Stripe (find it here), but never got round to making a proper blanket-making tutorial. I'd really like to find time to do this during the next few months if possible, I'll keep you posted on that. In the meantime, in response to frequent requests I thought it would be helpful to share my colour order for those of you who are wishing to make your own Happy Blanket. I used 17 colours of Stylecraft Special DK, and worked up sixty stripes in total (two rows for each stripe).
♥
1. Pomegranate 21. Shrimp 41. Lipstick
2. Plum 22. Lavender 42. Aspen
3. Fondant 23. Turquoise 43. Meadow Green
4. Lavender 24. Magenta 44. Lavender
5. Aspen 25. Lipstick 45. Magenta
6. Spring Green 26. Meadow 46. Plum
7. Aster 27. Aspen 47. Cloud Blue
8. Turquoise 28. Spring Green 48. Spring Green
9. Lipstick 29. Saffron 49. Turquoise
10. Shrimp 30. Cloud Blue 50. Clematis
11. Saffron 31. Wisteria 51. Pomegranate
12. Meadow 32. Plum 52. Shrimp
13. Magenta 33. Aster 53. Saffron
14. Clematis 34. Pomegranate 54. Sherbet
15. Sherbet 35. Turquoise 55. Fondant
16. Spring Green 36. Sherbet 56. Lipstick
17. Wisteria 37. Clematis 57. Aster
18. Aster 38. Shrimp 58. Meadow
19. Pomegranate 39. Fondant 59. Plum
20. Fondant 40. Saffron 60. Pomegranate
The border was made in six rounds as follows ::
1. Lavender :: granny clusters
2. Aster :: treble crochet
3. Aspen :: treble crochet
4. Clematis :: double crochet
5. Sherbet (two rows) :: double crochet + soft wave edging*
* The edging pattern is written up in the Ta-dah post here.
EDIT TO ADD :: A few of you have written to say you've lost your yarn labels and can't remember what the colours are called. So here is a colour-map for the stripes. I've split it into five sections - remember to read each image from the bottom up to the top!
Above photo shows the beginning of the blanket. 1st stripe is Pomegranate, 15th stripe is Sherbet.
Above photo shows part 2 of the blanket. 16th stripe is Spring Green, 27th stripe is Aspen.
Above photo shows part 3 of the blanket. 28th stripe is Spring Green, 39th stripe is Fondant.
Above photo shows part 4 of the blanket. 40th stripe is Saffron, 52nd stripe is Shrimp.
Above photo shows the final part of the blanket. 53rd stripe is Saffron, 60th stripe is Pomegranate.
At the end of last Summer, we took Connievan up to the coast of Northumberland. We had a terrific week away and I realised just now whilst searching in my archives that I never shared that holiday on my blog. How very slack of me!! I'll try and find time to show you some "postcards" from that holiday, I'm quite fancying a bit of a virtual seaside pootle.
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USEFUL LINKS ::
Granny Stripe Ta-dah (includes pattern for the edging)
x
Could you please print the trim for ending this beautiful blanket?
Posted by: Rosemarie Babin | January 29, 2019 at 02:42 PM
I haven’t done a blanket in a long time but I’m going to try this it is so pretty with all the colors but I didn’t read anywhere of the size hook u used or how many chains for a foundation row would like to make a throw size. Was looking for a pattern that didn’t have big holes don’t like Hollie blankets.
Posted by: Renee harper | November 07, 2018 at 02:49 AM
Will you write a tutorial for this? I think this pattern should be included on the yarn pack from wool warehouse. :)
Posted by: Carly | September 09, 2015 at 10:35 PM
Hello Lucy, Love your blog! Could you tell me how many skeins of each colour is needed for this blanket? Thanks!
Posted by: Heather | August 27, 2015 at 10:50 AM
I know this is an older post, but your comments about young men in an RV (which is what we call a caravan here in the States) reminded me of camping with my son when he was in his teens. When he outgrew sharing a bed, we just pitched a pup tent right outside the door. Most of the campgrounds we used were mixed RV and tent camping and once we explained our need for an 'extra bedroom', didn't mind. The tent became the 'boys dorm' and a place for the older kids to get away from the younger ones for a bit when necessary.
BTW, I'm working on your "neat ripple" blanket for my granddaughter - thank you for the tutorial.
Posted by: threadbndr | August 23, 2015 at 11:53 AM
My sister asked me to make one for her daughter as a bedcover. Any change on getting a Dutch translation for making this very pretty blanket?
Posted by: Corrie | June 02, 2015 at 10:25 PM
Ordered my pack yesterday. What a surprise a super squashy parcel arrived today full of bueatiful colours, can't wait to start my granny stripe blanket. Thank you Lucy hope you are enjoying your holiday. X
Posted by: Julie Dowthwaite | May 28, 2015 at 03:57 PM
Thank you Lucy for giving me the courage to try "color". I have been crocheting on and off for 50+ years but never before did I change colors. Now I am making items with glorious, lovely color thanks to your blog and the way you share your projects with the rest of us hookers.
Posted by: Penny Rongo | April 30, 2015 at 04:46 PM
I LOVE this blanket, it's so colourful and vibrant! I've just started to learn how to crochet and have started with the basic 1 colour granny square! I'm happy with my progress so far, but would love some advice on how to get straighter edges and have consistent sizes! This is what I have achieved so far: https://thoroughlymodernmaisie.wordpress.com/ but would love to get started on a project like this blanket, however at this moment I don't think I'm a strong enough crocheter, but it's all a learning process!
Maisie,
Thoroughly Modern Maisie
Posted by: Maisie Pearson | April 22, 2015 at 01:29 PM
Hi Lucy,I love your blog! You have a picture above of a granny square blanket where the squares are of varying sizes. Do you have a tutorial for that because I reeeeeeally love it!! Thanks!
Posted by: Karen | April 20, 2015 at 03:45 PM
YAY, YAY, YAY!!!!! I'm soooooo happy to see this post. Thank you so much for listing the colour sequence for this blanket Lucy :) I've been putting off trying to work out the colours from the photo....my kit has been patiently waiting for me to get started lol I love my cosy throw and my friend loves her Coast throw. Now I can make this one up for another special person, who is going to LOVE these colours.
I haven't had time to visit your blog for a while. I'm so glad I came for a catch up and stumbled across this post!! As always, I find your blog so uplifting.
Hugs from Australia
Lynne
Posted by: Lynne Armstrong | April 02, 2015 at 12:12 PM
Oh so bright and cheerful, love it.
Posted by: Elizabeth Rivera | March 31, 2015 at 03:38 PM
Wow Lucy - that is really amazing. They look just beautiful in your caravan too.
Posted by: Holly | March 23, 2015 at 07:49 PM
HI Lucy, I really find joy in your blog when the weight of the world is keeping me down. I am currently hooking up a ripple blanket for my first grandchild using the interlocking color stripe. I am now reading your guide for your granny stripe and I am very surprised you don't use the foundation double stitch. I am no expert and have only done it in my practice but it does eliminate the initial chain stitches and then the eye popping that goes with dealing with the first row of dc. you can find directions on line, that's how I found it.
Posted by: Kate | March 20, 2015 at 10:37 PM
I just wanted you to know that I spent a lot of time peering at your project photos to figure out the color order years ago! :D I'm so glad you've listed them out!
Posted by: Jen | March 20, 2015 at 06:01 PM
Sweet, colourful memories. Thanks for sharing them with us :) xxx
Posted by: Marie | March 20, 2015 at 06:00 PM
Hi Lucy Girl! I have the package of colors for the stripy blanket, I just have to get to the project. I so love your blog and I check it each day. Even if I'd read an article/blog before I love just browsing through the pictures...I am a lover of color and sometimes the colors just take make to a far-away land...called Yorkshire! LOL Hugs, MO
Posted by: MO | March 20, 2015 at 01:43 AM
Hi Lucy,
I've just ordered the wool but can't find what size hook you have used?? Can you pretty please let me know :)
Warm regards
Jan x
Posted by: Jan (A gluttonous wife) | March 20, 2015 at 12:50 AM
Hey Lucy!
I'm trying to reach you to discuss opportunities with US publisher Interweave Press. My email is attached to my comment. I really hope to hear from you!
Thanks,
Kerry
Posted by: Kerry Bogert | March 19, 2015 at 08:58 PM
Oh my oh yum! Such beautiful colours ... Dull day instantly brightened - thanks Lucy! X
Posted by: emma from toadstool tales | March 19, 2015 at 07:10 PM
hi lucy-
was away for a few days and now i see what i can do with more-of my- stash
another blanket to donate to appalachia
thanks
xooxoxox crafty mema
Posted by: crafty mena | March 19, 2015 at 12:40 PM
I am working my way through the stripes, this is my go to project when I am having a break in between complicated lace knitting or larger garment projects. I call it my sanctuary project (much to my friends amusement). Thank you
Posted by: Melanie Wager | March 19, 2015 at 11:13 AM
The granny stripe is what I have planned as my Spring project. I have the Attic24 stylecraft bundle already. (So glad you have the shop now, so I have access to the yarn, which I could not get where I live.)
I made the blanket for my daughter before in other colors, and we love it. I want one of my own!
Thank you for your inspiration and generosity.
Posted by: Alex H | March 19, 2015 at 01:46 AM
Thank you for revisiting this blankie . I'm going to use this pattern as a stash buster..😊 Although I really want to buy some more yarn..bad, bad...xoxo susie
Posted by: susie | March 18, 2015 at 09:32 PM
I am currently working on my granny stripe blanket. I must say that I have done pretty darn good just by using your pics in the original post. :) Thank you for adding the numbered colors. They will help a lot!
Posted by: Robin Summers | March 18, 2015 at 03:51 PM