Sweet Pea Blanket CAL :: Part 5

One of the downsides of working on a striped blanket is that it does start to take up a lot of room in the bag when you need to bring it out and about. Often this leads me to have a smaller, more portable project on the go at the same time as a blanket (knitted socks, or a small mandala), but right now I just cannot think about anything other than Sweet Pea. I am obsessed with these stripy colours, and couldn't possibly contemplate heading to my twice weekly creative cafe sessions without it. Mind you, it's also been handy in recent weeks as I've been very glad of the extra warmth and cosyness that a blanket brings to the whole cafe experience. Chatting and laughing with my friends, a delicious frothy coffee to hand, my blanket draped over my lap and I've been in hooky heaven!

Here at home, my Sweet Pea blankets don't stay folded up in my bag as I much prefer to see them hanging out on the furniture and socialising with all my other blankets. I thought I'd show you my other sofa for a change - this is the sofa which sits nearest the fire and is where I have all my patchwork and applique cushions collected over the years. I have multiple blankets folded and draped over both arms of this sofa (currently out of view are the Woodland and Moorland on the left and the Hydrangea on the right). As you can see, Sweet Pea Colourwash is already looking very much at home. I dearly love the splash of summer cheer it brings to the room, the colours are very uplifting I think.

So how have you all been getting on this week? Have you enjoyed having your pretty blanket stripes keeping you company through your days? I continue to really enjoy all the comings and goings on social media, we belong to such a vibrant and happy community don't we? Lets take a look at some Sweet Pea-ish things that have caught my eye and tweaked at my heart strings this week..............

Sam shared this photo of her S-P gathering in Wiltshire where I think shes hoping to establish regular weekly sessions. If you are able to connect and meet with other crocheters in your own area, I can highly recommend it - social hooking is such a fantastic experience and really does elevate the joy of creating with yarn.

I know that Sandra's S-P gathering in Dorset is all set to happen this weekend and as it's being held in West Bay, I am a weeny bit jealous that I can't make it down there. I shall be there in spirit! If you are local to the Dorset area, you can find the details on Sandra's blog (here) - please take lots of photos to share with us!

As you know, during the CAL weeks I spend a ridiculous number of hours on social media attempting to keep up, and one of the definite positives of this is that I get to see all sorts of beautiful, inspiring projects taking shape.  These are all projects made using the Sweet Pea yarn pack, but there is so much more than blankets going on out there......

Ann has been making some seriously stunning cushions using patterns by the very talented Helen Shrimpton. This one is called "A Walk in the Garden" and literally made me gasp out loud with pleasure when I first saw it. I couldn't stop gazing at it - all the beautiful, intricate stitch patterns combined with the softness of the Sweet Pea colours is such a great combination I think.

Sharon has also made a cushion to go with her Sweet Pea blanket using my Blooming Flower pattern. I love the way she's arranged the colours, it really is beautiful.

Roz is using the Sweet Pea colours to make African Flower squares - it always amazes me how different the colours look when they are made into blocks or motifs rather than stripes.

Carol has been making some really lovely baby blankets by combing the Sweet Pea colours with a soft silver grey. You might remember I showed you her Granny Stripe baby blanket in part 2 of the CAL? This is her latest creation made up of two-round granny squares and I think it's such a success.

Helen has chosen Sandra Pauls "Spice of Life" pattern for her Sweet Pea blanket - I can see she is following the Posy colour order, but doesn't it look different?!

Judy has opted to use the Sweet Pea colours to crochet a most beautiful undulating wave throw. This is a pattern by Rachele Carmona called "Layered Waves", isn't it stunning?

I was mesmerised to see the making of Judy's tassels on Facebook, oh those colours!!! ALL the heart eyes (😍) for that arrangement!

And here is a close up look at the seriously gorgeous and plump looking tassels that Judy made to edge her throw, they are ever so photogenic and make me want to reach into my computer screen and run my fingers along them.

Amongst all the hooky action I've spotted some beautiful Sweet Pea knitting going on too. The knitters among us are a quiet bunch but my goodness there is some knitty talent and patience out there! I mean, just look at the blanket above, all those thousands of knit stitches to make a WHOLE BLANKET, I am in total awe. This is knitted on a 40 inch circular needle and is a variation on the old Feather and Fan pattern. I love it so much Nancy.

Liz shared this photo of her Mum's blanket in the making and I love the graphic simplicity of the triangles.

Sandra is also knitting with Sweet Pea colours and has made the most beautiful little Sweet Pea Flower Fairy outfit, isn't it delightful? You can buy the pattern for the jacket on Etsy if you are good with the sticks and have a little cutie in your life who would love to be a flower fairy.

Nic shared this beautifully simple butterfly wreath with us in Facebook, as well as this .....................

.......the makings of a summery Sweet Pea wreath!!

Prepare to be wowed.....

........

....WOWSERS!!! Isn't that stunning? I love the sweet knitted blue tit and all the gorgeous floral details in this wreath. A real triumph and a fabulous ta-dah moment - thanks for sharing with us Nic.

Rachel used her S-P colours to cosy up a hot water bottle (how perfect for the weather we're having here).

Teresa made a version of my Weekend Bag.....

Sarah made her tension sample, then kept on going with those short, satisfying rows to create a lovely Sweet Pea scarf.

🌸

There have been some cute critters too, take a look .................

Dawn used a Jacquie (Bunny Mummy) pattern to make an adorable little Owl duo. I've made a few of these to give as gifts in the past and the pattern/tutorial is fabulous (find it for free on Jacquie's blog)

Sharon is a needle felter who makes the cutest little critters - this tiny hedgehog has a passion for crochet, and is making her very own sweet pea blanket!

Alexis shared her Sweet Pea hedgehog pincushion with us on Instagram (@hookedinthehighlands) and I immediately fell in love. She used a pattern by Marinda Jansen van Rensburg which you can find on Ravelry (here). I predict there will soon be an Array of hooky hedgehogs inspired by this cutie, it is rather irresistible.

I love love love all the creativity that springs forth from my yarny colour palettes, it's truly inspiring and wonderful in every way.

Now I think we need to take a look at this weeks CAL progress, to see how the stripes are looking as we approach the end of our blanket journey.....

.....well I do think they are looking mighty fine! 

The Posy blanket is blooming so beautifully, with it's soft but vibrant medley of floral colours.

I've found that as my blanket has grown in size and weight, the Trellis pattern has begun to stretch out and look a little more defined. I really love the look of it, it's just the right amount of lacy for me (I'm not too fond of very holey blankets).

I'm also enjoying the subtle texture of this pattern - when it's resting on my lap and I'm looking at it upside down, there is a delicious vertical texture to the pattern, can you see those lovely little vertical ridges in the above photo? It's not apparent when you look at the blanket the right way up so came as a lovely surprise!

Here is the colour info you need for this week............

SWEET PEA BLANKET CAL PART 5

🌸 POSY 🌸 

#teamposy #sweetpeacal

So your last stripe from Posy Part 4 should be Pistachio - that was stripe number 60.

And here is the colour information for Part 5 : stripes 61-75, working from the bottom upwards.

Remember each stripe is worked in two rows, so 15 stripes = 30 rows of crochet.

SWEET PEA POSY Part 5

61.Clematis

62. Fuchsia Purple

63. Plum

64.Magenta

65. Cypress

66. Lavender

67. Pomegranate

68. Cream

69.Clematis

70. Meadow

71.Violet

72. Blush

73. Soft Peach

74. Candyfloss

75. Pistachio

Now lets take a look at part 5 of the Colourwash version....

This week is probably my most favourite part of the whole colourwash blanket as these rich reddish pink and purple blooms are my most favourite sweet peas of all.

I grew Sarah Raven sweet peas on my allotment last year, a mixture of varieties which included this two-tone beauty, and I do love it so - oh, those colours, just look how vibrant they are!!! From what I can remember, I think this particular variety is called "Prince Edward of York", very regal indeed.

It was a joy to match up the yarn to those beautiful petals!

In week 5 of the Colourwash you'll be celebrating these vibrant floral shades with Pomegranate, Magenta, Fuchsia Purple and a weeny but of Plum.

This week you'll start to see the the darker floral shades at the top of the blanket balancing out the greens and mauves at the bottom end.....

.....I am so happy with the overall balance of hues and tones in this blanket, it really does make my colour-loving heart very happy to see such harmony in play.

Right, on with the all important colour info for this week's stripes...............

SWEET PEA BLANKET CAL PART 5

🌸 COLOURWASH 🌸 

#teamcolourwash #sweetpeacal

So your last stripe from Colourwash Part 4 should be Blush - that was stripe number 60.

And here is the colour information for Part 5 : stripes 61-75, working from the bottom upwards.

Remember each stripe is worked in two rows, so 15 stripes = 30 rows of crochet.

SWEET PEA COLOURWASH Part 5

Note that throughout the colourwash blanket there are some double width stripes (4 crochet rows of the same colour). I've marked these in red so that they stand out for you. Remember you don't need to fasten off between the double rows.

NOTE : please make sure that your Pomegranate and Fuchsia Purple yarns are clearly labeled so that you don't muddle them by mistake - in artificial light it's almost impossible to tell them apart.

61. Pomegranate (double stripe)

62. Pomegranate (double stripe)

63. Magenta

64. Pomegranate

65. Magenta

66. Pomegranate

67. Magenta (double stripe)

68. Magenta (double stripe)

69. Fuchsia Purple

70. Magenta

71. Fuchsia Purple

72. Magenta

73. Fuchsia Purple (double stripe)

74. Fuchsia Purple (double stripe)

75. Plum

Next week, part 6 will be the final set of stripes and will be slightly shorter than previous weeks.

The Posy blanket will have 84 stripes in total (so just 9 stripes to finish with next week).

The Colourwash blanket will have 86 stripes in total (11 stripes next week). 

As I mentioned last week, when you reach the final stripe, there is an alteration to the pattern which will create a straight top edge for your blanket. I thought it would be useful to give you that info now, as those of you who are making smaller blankets or working repeating colour stripes may well reach the top of your blanket sooner.

When you reach your final stripe colour, work the first row following the usual Trellis Stripe pattern, then for the second row of the last stripe, this is what you do ::

FINAL ROW TO CREATE STRAIGHT TOP EDGE

Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr);

1 tr into each of the next 2 stitches;

**1 dc into each of the next 2 stitches;

skip the chain-1 space (ignore it completely!);

1 dc into each of the next 2 stitches; 

1 tr into each of the next 3 stitches;

Repeat from ** to end, ending the row with 3 tr. Fasten off.

It's pretty straightforward, but if you need additional photos, I've added this final row to the Trellis Stripe Tutorial (click on the link below, then scroll on down to the end of the tutorial to find it)

{TRELLIS STRIPE TUTORIAL}

I'll be back with Part 6 (the final stripes) on Friday 8th February.....have a super-creative week and enjoy your sweet pea colours!

Here are all the CAL links you might need  ::

🌸 SWEET PEA YARN PACK

🌸TRELLIS STRIPE PATTERN🌸

🌸 SWEET PEA BLANKET INTRODUCTION

🌸 SWEET PEA BLANKET Q&A

🌸 SWEET PEA BLANKET PREPARATION (includes a sneak peek of the Posy and Colourwash blankets)

🌸 SWEET PEA CAL PART 1 (colour info for stripes 1-15)

🌸 SWEET PEA CAL PART 2 (colour info for stripes 16-30)

🌸 SWEET PEA CAL PART 3 (colour info for stripes 31-45)

🌸 SWEET PEA CAL PART 4 (colour info for stripes 46-60)

 

Comments

[Julie]

It gives me such pleasure to see everyone out there making things! In decades past you had to make it, or you had nothing. I know this desire to "make" & "create" things is alive and well in so many of us.

I have a long time love affair with sweet peas. Partly due to a three day arts & crafts celebration is our area called the Sweet Pea Festival. You can read about it if interested at sweetpeafestival.org. Many forms of art are displayed, performed, for sale - and yes, there is a sweet pea flower show!

Your sweet pea CAL posts have been just beautiful and so fun to read.

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[Sharon Gaskill]

Hi Lucy,
This is my first CAL and am so enjoying the trellis stitch and colourwash combo.

Am inspired to work another in posy.

Thanks

Sharon

[Angela- Southern USA]

Well done to everyone! I love the creativity of this community! The hedgehogs are very cute and I'm tempted to start one myself. xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Ondrea Delahoy]

I assume that last week was the final week for the throw size blanket and I need to unpull the last row and redo it to create the even edge. Looking forward to the instructions for the borders.

[Laura]

Can't believe we're nearing the end. Is there a border after part 6 stripes please?

[Angela]

Evening have you any suggestions how I can shorten the length for the colour wash baby blanket I read that it's easier with the posy but I love the colour wash one just wounded how. Angela

[Kara]

So many of these projects are amazing, but I especially love the Blooming Flower cushion made with the Sweet Pea colors. It's such a perfect design fit for the color palette! Both soothing and cheerful at the same time.

[Jessica]

Wow! This is amazing. I love the wreath and the "A walk in the Garden" cushion! :)
Thanks for the inspiration.
Cheers,
Jessica

[Catherine Upton]

Like your blog very much-very inspiring! I noticed the triangle blamket posted by Liz - would it be possible to tell me the link either to her site or for the pattern? I would appreciate it very much.

[Jacquie Tinch]

The other problem with a stripey blanket is that if you make a mistake, there can be a lot to undo to get back to it. I have just started working again on my Woodland blanket at about row 30 after breaking my wrist last spring; crochet is the last of my crafts that I can do comfortably.
I love the Sweet Pea colours as my Dad grew them competitively and their perfume is the scent of summer to me, but I think I will make a second colour wash blanket with the pack.

[Denise Fordyce]

This is coming together so beautifully and I'm loving seeing all of the different projects. This is my first CAL and I'm really enjoying it...even if it's a bit hot under it in 40+C temperatures! Perfect accompaniment to watching test cricket on the TV.

[Teresa Kasner]

I loved each and every photo you shared of all your and other's projects using your inspired and colorful Sweet Pea colors! I'm a bit behind on my blanket as we got a new puppy a week ago and I missed some time hooking due to doggie things. But I am taking this day to catch up!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Crafty Cath]

Wow amazing clever people! Thanks for sharing :) I'm inspired to complete my UFO's so I can start the sweet pea blanket too. I want to make all of them!! Love those hedgehogs and the cushions and everything!!!

[Carol WRIGHT]

I love the progress photos . All so different.

[charlotte m.]

I am always amazed at people's creativity with these things. Such beautiful works. I am so loving this group of crafty folk.

[Martha]

LOVE the hedgehogs!!

[Nancy MacMillan]

What an amazingly stunning collection of work! Well done everyone, so lovely!!!

[Christm]

Lucy, we are in the middle of a polar vortex here in Michigan. So bitter cold. What a joy it is to see your posts. So full of color. I love color! So fun and inspirational. I've got to get the yarn out and start making things again. Beautiful work, everyone! I like coming here, it's like a safe beautiful place among all the trolling and ugly found elsewhere on the internet.

[Nina Kellock]

There are some incredibly talented, imaginative hookers out there, such colour and variety of projects is truly stunning. As is the inordinate amount of time and effort you put into showing us Lucy, not to mention how long it must take to do all the weekly CAL posts. I am sure it is well-appreciated by all your 'fans', and rightly so. You have inspired this old lady a lot, reinvigorated my love of crochet, so thank you for that.

[Marinda Jansen van Rensburg]

Thank you so much for including my pincushion pattern! I am loving the sweet pea colour story.

And oh my gosh, Sharon's little felt hedgehog is just a cuteness overload crocheting his own blanket!

[Julie Caisey]

Gorgeous crochet

Julie xxxx

[Sharon, (How She Felt)]

Thank you so much for including my little needle felt hedgehog. The colours of the sweetpea blanket have been giving me so much inspiration. I had started the year off feeling very deflated and I was struggling to get motivated with my felting work. It seems I just needed to take a little time with the crochet hook to get the creativity flowing again. Seeing all the different versions and everyone's progress is lighting up my Facebook feed every time I go online with the blankets being shared in the moorland group too.
Thank you so much Lucy for creating a wonderful escape! Xx

[sandra dorey]

This post is so DELICIOUS! Seeing all those amazing projects - what a gorgeous gallery of delights you have curated Lucy. Your colour mix is so very inspiring.
Thanks so much for including my little jacket There is a free pattern for the Pixie hat on my blog.
I will certainly take loads of photos on Sunday.

[Elsie]

It just keeps getting more beautiful with each stripe!! Glad you included the final row instructions. I am going to end at row 72, which will be 6 feet long. I'm only 5'1" so 6 feet plus the border is big enough for me!!
And my blankets are all sofa blankets.