Sweet Pea Blanket CAL :: Part 7

Well here we are, ready for the final installment of the Sweet Pea CAL and what a bitter-sweet feeling it is to be nearing the end of our floral journey. I've been sat quietly working on the final border rows this week in preparation for sharing it with you today, and I've felt such a deep down sense of gratitude and joy. These twin blankets have been an absolute pleasure to design and make from start to finish, and I know I shall miss these easy, pretty rows of relaxing hooky. 

As I've crocheted my way through these long border rows, I've been remembering the very start of my own journey which was way back in May last year. This was when I received my twelve little sweet pea seedlings from Sarah Raven, all wrapped up in tissue paper (I really wish I'd photographed them to show you!), a bundle of hopeful colour inspiration waiting-to-happen. I knew way back then that I would be using the flowers to inspire a yarn palette, and they did not disappoint.....

.....oh, the colours!!! Such a delight and just as I expected, they evoke the very essence of summertime.

Creating the Sweet Pea colour palette was a true joy. I do ponder on my colours for a very long time (many, many weeks in fact), faffing and tweaking, playing with my pegs until I end up with something that makes my heart leap. It's a very emotional process and I put my whole heart and soul into getting this part of the design right. I know from the hundreds of comments I receive here on my blog and via social media that you often feel the same depth of connection as I do when you look at my colour choices - I always want my yarn palettes to make you feel deep-down happy - this is what sparks the creative joy and makes our blankets such a special journey right from the get-go.

But I'm sure you know all this by now, especially if you've made any of my blankets before. You get to know the stories behind my ideas, and isn't that just the loveliest thing? I think so.

As in previous weeks, I would like to share some images that have caught my eye on social media....there isn't really a theme to them, but I hope you enjoy......

@the_pink_rose_fairy on Instagram made the most delightful little posy of flowers from her sweet pea colours.

Lisa also chose to add some additional floral goodness to the corner of her blanket (I love her border too, which uses my Linen Stitch edging)

Nic shared a proud Ta-dah moment with us when she shared her finished sweet pea Leftie Shawl (I showed this in progress last week)

Ruth also wowed us with her Ta-dah moment - isn't this granny cardie beautiful? I shared the start of this in week two and it's so lovely to see it finished. Beautiful work, the sweet pea colours do look spectacular mixed with that soft silver grey.

Anne is onto her third sweet pea project, using the sweet pea yarn pack with one of Helen Shrimptons gorgeous designs - this is the start of The Lost Garden, and is absolutely stunning.

Sian shared this gorgeous blanket that she made to her own design, isn't it lovely? She created a patchwork of stripes and floral squares which show off the sweet pea colours beautifully.

Anja showed us this blanket that her Mum Anny made using the Sweet Pea yarn pack, and it received a lot of love on Facebook. I think the happy mix of colours describes a bunch of summery sweet pea flowers perfectly.

 It's also made me ridiculously happy to hear about more sweet pea gatherings happening around the world, it's hard to put into words what this means to me. Our online crochet community is absolutely thriving and really rather fabulous (there are over 9,200 members in the Attic24 Moorland More group on Facebook now), but I think real-life hooky get-togethers are beyond precious. These lovely ladies are known as the "YaYaYarners" (love that!) and they are all the way in Alabama! 

Sisters Jana and Jitka have been making the Sweet Pea blanket together (#teammirror and #teamrepeat!). Jana shared this stunning photo of them both at their parent's home in the highlands of the Czech Republic.

We are a truly international group of happy sweet pea hookers - did you know that Wool Warehouse ships my yarn packs out to more than a hundred countries around the globe, isn't that something? Love love love, times infinity (as Little B would say). 

Back in the Attic, and it's been a rather frantic dash around the edges of both my blankets during the past week. It always takes me a long, long time to deliberate what to do around the edges of my blankets, and I spend quite a lot of time sampling and trying out ideas. The edging on the Sweet Pea didn't come easily, but after a lot of effort I am so very happy with my final design.

As I explained to you last week, I chose seven colours for my border, and they are worked in the following order ::

🌸 1. Meadow 🌸 2. Pistachio 🌸 3. Soft peach 🌸 4. Wisteria 🌸

🌸 5. Magenta 🌸 6. Fuchsia Purple 🌸 7. Violet 🌸

The Trellis Edging is a simple pattern worked in UK double crochet and chains (that's single crochet in the US). It's like a mini condensed version of the Trellis Stripe (which stupidly really pleases me), and I think adds the perfect finish to the blanket.

As you have no doubt discovered, the Trellis Stripe produces quite a stretchy fabric. This means that the edging needs to have a certain amount of give in it to allow the blanket to look and feel relaxed and not all trussed up around the outer edge, if that makes sense.

YARN QUANTITIES

For the standard single-size bed blanket, I used around 18g for the first few colours, and 22g for the final few colours, with the middle rounds using something in between. I had plenty of yarn left after making my blanket stripes to make this edging comfortably, with the exception of Fuchsia Purple. For some reason there seemed to be less of this left than any of the other colours - you may find some of your balls look/feel smaller than the rest so before you begin your border, please do try and weigh your yarn to make sure you have enough. 

The other thing to mention is that you don't have to make all seven rounds if you don't want to. In the photo above there are five rounds, and I think this looks lovely. You can also change colours around to suit yourself if you wish, I am all for encouraging a bit of colour play and individuality! I've gone for the richer floral shades on my outer rows as these are the sweet peas that I love the most, but you might prefer the mid pink shades, or the soft pastels instead. 

There is (of course) a full photo tutorial for this new edging - I've named it "Trellis Edging" so that you can easily find it in the list of patterns in my sidebar. Click on the photo above, or click on the link below to go find it >>

🌸TRELLIS EDGING PATTERN🌸

Shall we take a look at how the edging finishes off the blankets?

Oh, it's rather delightful, don't you think? I wanted something soft and pretty and ever so slightly fluttery around the edges, just like the petals of sweet pea flowers. I'm honestly thrilled with the results.

This morning I had my two blankets stacked in a neat pile after taking lots of photographs, and I thought how very pretty they looked. This pile represents such a huge amount of work mind you - hours and hours of hooky time in those many thousands of stitches. I'm rather proud of them!

I didn't manage to take a huge number of photographs, but thought you might like to see how the blankets look with their borders.

First up is the Sweet Pea Posy....

....looking very jolly indeed with it's sweet jumble of floral stripes.

I'm so, so happy with this blanket, it makes me feel all fuzzy-good inside when I take in those beautiful colours.

I love the way the Trellis Edging adds a very defined finish to the blanket. Borders need to be very carefully considered (colours and width mainly, but the overall design is important too) and it's not an easy balance to achieve. 

But a good border design really makes a blanket come alive....

....and it's so much fun when the blanket finally gets it's Ta-dah moment.

The Sweet Pea Colourwash was given the exact same edging treatment as the Posy. 

The edging meanders around the changing washes of colour and does a good job of gently holding it all together.

You might be thinking that the Trellis Edging looks a bit frilly on the Colourwash blanket - that's because I used a slightly bigger hook (I went from a 4.5mm up to a 5mm to work the edging). It became pretty obvious when I'd finished that this particular edging design doesn't need the extra bit of give that edges usually require, so I would advise you to stick with the same hook that you used to work your stripes. No need to change. Aren't you happy I made that mistake in advance for you???!! You're welcome!

But frillyness aside, I'm still really happy with how this blanket turned out.

These are both beautiful blankets to have at home and I'm enjoying seeing them absorbed into family life here at number twenty four.

They are being used every day by myself and the Little People so can generally be found casually slung over the back of the sofa, or bundled up in an unglorious heap in the chair. But I LOVE that my blankets are all used and enjoyed, and I know that we've got that pleasure for many years to come.

Before I go, I wanted to to give you my heartfelt thanks for keeping me company on this sweet blanket journey. It's hard to put into words, but I am deeply grateful for you all, for your continued visits here to the Attic, for your generous comments and kindness, for simply keeping me company week after week. I would be very lonely without you. Thank you, very much.

So Part 7 might be the end of the Sweet Pea CAL, but the big question is.....................

...............what are you going to do with your leftover yarn???????

A cushion? A baby blanket? A wreath perhaps, or some bunting? A floral garland? A scarf or a shawl? Mandalas maybe? Granny squares?

Do tell!!! I hope your onward Sweet Pea journey is a happy one!!!

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Here are all the CAL links you might need  ::

🌸 SWEET PEA YARN PACK

🌸TRELLIS STRIPE PATTERN🌸

🌸 TRELLIS EDGING 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)

🌸 SWEET PEA CAL PART 5 (colour info for stripes 61-75)

🌸 SWEET PEA CAL PART 6 (c0lour info for stripes 76-83/86)

🌸 SWEET PEA CAL PART 6.5 (general chat, plus charts for Colourwash baby blankets)

 

Comments

[Aisling]

Hi Lucy

I am reaching the end of my sweet pea blanket but I am confused that it finished with three rows of the sweet pea colour not 4 when the start is 4 rows of colour before a green. This maybe just my need for patterns to repeat. Can you help?

[Bonnie]

Wow! What a beautiful blanket! Thank you for all the effort you go to Lucy, I can’t wait to try this one when I’ve tackled some of my To Do pile 😊

[Denise Fordyce]

I've FINISHED and all the ends are woven in...woohoo!! It looks so lovely, thank you...

[نور محمد محمود]

يتم تقدير مؤسسات نقل أثاث، بناءا علي الخبرة والمصداقية ، فان كنت تبحث عن افضل مؤسسات نقل اثاث وعانيت من قبل كيف تعثر علي مؤسسات نقل أثاث المتميزة ، في وسط ذلك مكان البيع والشراء الممتلئ بمؤسسات ومكاتب وشركات تحمل نفس اللقب ، شركات لنقل وتغليف الأثاث بجده . ولكنها لا تتشابه في المهارات والخبرة ، لهذا نحب ان نقوم ان مؤسسات نقل اثاث وعفش المتميزة ، هي مؤسسات نقل داخل جدة مجربة ومشهورة توفر المتخصصين في التداول مع الاثاث بالفك والتركيب من نجاريين ، كما توفر اسعار نقل اثاث رخيصة ، إضافة إلى سرعة تطبيق المهمات بكل امان مع الضمان .
شركه نقل عفش من الرياض الى ابها
شركه نقل اثاث من الرياض الى ابها
شركه نقل عفش

[Linne]

Hi, Lucy! I've come back to say that I'm making a lap blanket as a gift and I'm using the idea I had while I was at your Crochet group in early November last year. I'll post a photo or two once I'm further along. I want to tell you that, while the Hydrangea stitch is easy and stunning, the Trellis stitch is even more so! I'm using several of your stitches, so the blanket will be a sort of Attic24 sampler. I really, really love the Trellis stitch and I plan to use the Trellis border once I'm done.

I lived near the sea on Canada's western coast for about 30 years and I loved the fog and the sound of foghorns. Now that I live inland, I miss that in the winters . . . so it's nice to think of it in your part of the country, even if you are not so fond of it yourself.

Thanks again for a lovely and easy, yet visually appealing pattern. I've been talking you up in the crochet group I joined here recently and even in the knitting group, because we have so many people who do more than one type of handwork.

Warm hugs from BC ~ Linne

[Elise]

I just love how you share your creative process with all of us! The yarn community is so incredible all around the world!

[Angela- Southern USA]

The border is like icing on a cake, well done! A idea for those scraps, use a floral doily pattern and make another hoop to spin in the wind at Yarndale, or at your allotment.... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Linne]

Hi, Lucy! I love all your blankets, but I think you have outdone yourself with this one! It's stunning! And now I'm wondering how the Hydrangea would look in those colours . . . no, I think I'd stick with the original. I can imagine a stack of flowery blankets one day.

I love how you take us along on your life's journey and your outings and all your everyday doings. You brighten so many lives, from what I read here.

BTW, what Sue says about scarifying the sweet pea seeds is absolutely correct.

I have three books by Helen and Scott Nearing (Living the Good Life, Continuing the Good Life, Loving and Leaving the Good Life). What Helen did for a hobby was to grow three long rows (I think it was 3) of sweet peas. Every Saturday morning she would get up extra early and cut the blooms, making bunches with elastic bands. Those would go into five gallon buckets of water in the back of her pickup truck. Then when she went to town to do the weekly shopping, she would hand out bunches to people on the street. I've never forgotten that. And now you've given me another great association with one of my favourite flowers . . . Thanks so much! ~ Linne

[Tuula Maaria]

I love the little crocheted flowers in two of the photos, so sweet!

[Joya Roy]

i'd love to see a bohemian modern baby blanket made from the scraps!

[Kathy Downham]

Not sure where I have gone wrong but can only get 39 points along the top edge. looking back I can't see where I can have lost so many stitches. any tips on how I can do this edge

[Lara]

I'm thinking I might make some of Janie Crow's mystical lantern motifs with my leftovers :) The Sweetpea CAL has been a ball - thank you xx

[Josephine]

I spent half the day trying to decide whether to do the border you posted here or your Linen Stitch border. I generally don’t like bumpy borders, but I decided to trust your design and go with the Trellis Edging. Took me 3 hours to do the first round! And I still don’t like the bumps :). But I will persevere. I know the first round of any border is the most fiddly, and it’s really not a good indication of how the finished border will look. I do love the trellis stripe pattern and the Sweet Pea colors. My Posy blanket will go on the back of the couch, and I already have the pillow form for the Blooming Flower cushion that I’m going to make with the leftover yarn.

[Lenore]

Lucy I think you have achieved a wonderful harvest of sweet pea blankets across the world. You took your little packet of seeds and sprinkled it across the globe. With gentle watering every week the blankets began to grow. They are all now almost in full bloom (edging to go) and about to add colour in everyone’s home.

Thank you for a wonderful CAL. Love from down under.

[Denise Fordyce]

So, so lovely. I finished my Colourwash 2 days ago, ends all darned in (yay) so I'm ready to start on the border. I've only ever made granny squares before so THANK YOU for making this such a fun journey.

[Sue]

HEDY--to get your sweet peas seeds off to a fast start, first "scarify" your seeds. This means gently abrading the hard outer seed coating. I use two 8x10 sheets of coarse-grit painter's sand paper. With one sheet laying rough side up on a flat surface, place a packet or two of seed on it roughly in the middle. Then top with the second sheet rough face down. Place your flattened hand over the top sheet, and gently but firmly move your hand in circles, using the seeds like tiny ball bearings, to move the top sheet while the bottom one remains stationary. This movement of the seeds over the sandpaper will make the tiniest nicks in the seed coats to let water in quickly. After swirling for about 30 seconds on the paper, pop the seeds into a glass of water and soak overnight, then plant the next day, 1/2 " deep in good loamy soil. Keep moist and seeds will be up and sprouting in a week or two depending on soil temperature. No fertilizer needed till the second set of leaves appears. Use an organic fertilizer every 3 weeks until plants bloom. Keep flowers cut--the longer you keep them from setting seed, the longer they will bloom. This scarification method works wonders with any hard-coated seed like beans and such.

[Susan B]

Thank you for this CAL, this is the first Lucy blanket I've made and more importantly, the first time I've kept up with a CAL! I love my blanket so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Mary W]

Both blankets are wonderful and the edging is perfect for the 'feel' of sweet peas - all frilly edged. I'm in love! Can't wait to finish my colorwash.

[Joy]

I'm way behind, probably just less than half way but since we are coming to the last lazy days of summer here in South Africa still have a month of two before I will need to get it onto the bed. Just wanted to pop in to say this is my first crotchet all in one blanket (I'ms usually doing the more labour intensive squares) and have loved it. Happy colours, happy life ;-) Thank you so much Lucy, I appreciate you openly sharing your life and love for all things hooky. Your blog makes me smile every time - it is like sunshine to my soul. Will post a pic when all is done in a month or two.

[Miss Daisy]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the blankets and the wondrous border is JUST the icing on the cakes. WELL DONE !!

[Hedy]

Today I bought a packet of sweet pea seeds and I’m thinking of where to plant them in my garden. This is new for me so I’m hoping they grow. I’m mainly a quilter so your colors are calling to me in quilt form. However I believe I will try a crochet blanket soon too. Maybe next year I can do the CAL with you, I’m not a great crochet person as Ii used to be, but I’ll try. I love reading your post though.

[One-oh-four]

A perfectly fluttery border! I love the way it looks so good on both versions of the blanket too - you are a genius😁

[Dawn Mann]

I commented that the border looked a little frilly for my taste, but hearing your reasoning and seeing it finally in situ I think it’s absolutely perfect. This was my first CAL ever and it’s been a total joy from start to ‘nearly’ finish. Thank you for fostering that wonderful sense of community that our everyday lives sometimes lacks.

[Lisa Cullen]

thank you so much for this blanket Lucy I have loved every min of it its my first CAL and have enjoyed it very much I just have the last two rows of violet to do on my colourwash and will then move onto the border thanks you cant wait for the next one xxx

[Jo Tomlinson]

Just perfect, thank you Lucy 💐❣️