Meadow Blanket CAL :: Part 5

Hello my lovelies, thank you as always for calling by to visit with me, I hope you know how much I appreciate it. It's been another long, slow, plodding sort of a week here and I've continued to stay home and safe in the current lockdown. I venture out most days for a daily walk with J, and sometimes an additional "exercise walk" with the Little People once their home school learning has finished for the day. It's been quiet and mundane, but that's no bad thing for this time of year I don't think. If I tell myself that it's hibernating season then I find I am more content to spend such long extended hours within the home. 

The Meadow blanket continues to bring me so much happiness and I honestly think I would feel very differently about this time of year if I didn't have this blanket in my hands. It really is the best kind of therapy, and I am so, so thankful for it.

As you would expect, as I sit quietly and crochet my stripes my mind is often filled with summery meadow memories. The solace that I found in this special place last year is something that I crave during these lockdown days that we are living through. I am very much looking forward to being there again this year, I mean, I can go there now if I wished to, but the winter meadow is pretty subdued (and helluva muddy) and very different to it's summertime show.

I did walk through the meadow on Tuesday though, in six inches of snow!! It was magical actually, so still and peaceful, and bitingly cold, perfect February weather I'd say.

I continue my fight against the chill of the winter, and have been making full use of the many, many blankets that are always within arms reach. Even though the Meadow blanket is now big enough to be very cosy as I sit and crochet, I have felt cold enough to need multiple yarny layers. Pile 'em on I say!

The other night I was snuggled on the sofa adding my final stripe for the day when the kitty decided that I had provided her with the perfect snoozing place. She is pretty good in that she doesn't often claw my blankets, she kind of turns round in circles a few times, then flops down into an immediate sleeping position. It's all very comforting for us both and I absolutely love to feel her warmth and weight as I lose myself in my stitches.

Over the past weeks as I've tiptoed through social media (in the Facebook groups, and the #meadowcal hashtag on Instagram), I've come across lots of delightful photos of your pets sharing your meadow journey. It really makes me happy to see how much your crochet blankets are being loved and appreciated.

Shall we take a look at some of your furry (and feathered) friends?

↑↑ Sharon shared this wonderful photo of her kitty, Evil Edna, which made me laugh as I'm old enough to remember Willo the Wisp! 

↑↑ This is Nicole working on her meadow stripes with a very cosy little lap warmer tucked away under her blanket.

↑↑ Hollie shared this photo of her beautiful white kitty looking very contented indeed.

↑↑ This gorgeous cat belongs to Cailin and I love the look of ownership - we know who the meadow blanket belongs to!

↑↑ Angela's kitty has found a super-comfy bed to cosy up in, perfectly placed for a light catnap.

Of course it wasn't just cats who were taking advantage of the cosy meadow vibes, there were plenty of dogs too......

↑↑ Awwwww, just look at that face!! Lynda's super-cute dog is irresistible!

↑↑ Oh, would you look at that attitude! Lorraine's little cutie is most obviously in charge of the Meadow.

↑↑ Emma is hooking away with a very contended and sleepy companion.

↑↑ Gabriella's gorgeous little dog has most definitely decided who the meadow blanket really belongs to.

↑↑ Oh, this melted my heart, the cuteness is too much! Carolanne, thank you for such a heart-warming photo.

So many of us share our homes (and our crochet blankets) with cats and dogs, but I was delighted to see some other pets enjoying the crochet life too.......

↑↑ Say hello to Dexter! Jakki shared this photo of her pet degu and I love how chilled out he looks.

↑↑ This little cutie is Hermione the Russian dwarf hamster, enjoying Karen's meadow blanket. Such a sweet little face!

↑↑ Oh my goodness, I couldn't believe my eyes when this photo appeared, I don't think we've ever had a chicken join the CAL before?! This feathered beauty is called Poppet and she belongs to Carrie who has taken her meadow blanket al fresco.

↑↑ Lorraine made me smile when she shared some photos of her beautiful knitted rabbits enjoying her meadow blanket. 

↑↑ This handsome chappy is Sid the Squirrel, isn't he wonderful? He was made by Emma as a gift for a friend, but he looks like he's loving the Meadow life.

↑↑ And finally, please say hello to Unicorn Kitty with her colourful Meadow tufts!!! Louise made me laugh out loud with this photo, definitely an inspired moment.

I've really loved all the photos from this week, such a lot of comfort and humour.

Right then, would you like to see how week five of the Meadow CAL is looking?

In week five, we'll be looking out across the tops of the tall dried summer grasses to the distant hills and sky beyond. The meadow where I walk is a hilly place and the far reaching rural views are wonderful. 

I wanted the top part of the colour story to capture the serenity of these views - these colours are soft and calming and remind me so much of summertime. 

We'll be introducing the final two colours this week - hellllloooooooooo blue sky!!!! Oh, it's a glorious moment when the first glimpses of summer sky appear in the blanket I can tell you, I was sooooooooo excited to break out the Duck Egg!!

Part five is mostly about the dried grasses and distant hills, but the little peeks of Cloud Blue and Duck Egg give a hint of the summer sky above.

As you work your stripes this week you will really get a feel of the colour story working its magic. It's not always easy to transition gently from strong brights to soft pastels, but I think I've managed to do it. I know that my heart is happy when I look at these beautiful stripes and that's usually a good indicator that all is well.

Shall we take a proper look?

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I am so happy with it! I can't tell you how much I love the colours and the way they are playing out my summer memories. It really does feel like magic.

Lets look at the colour lists for part five now, to see how these paler colours are working together this week...

Here is the colour info for Part 5 of the "COLOUR STORY" Meadow Blanket.

Remember each stripe is made of two rows of crochet.

Click (( HERE )) for the printable worksheet.

61. Wisteria

62. Parchment

63. Lincoln

INSERT OPTIONAL STRIPE HERE - Mushroom (for double bed size blankets)

64. Sage

65. Parchment

66. Lincoln

67. Mushroom

68. Duck Egg

69. Parchment

70. Lincoln

71. Wisteria

INSERT OPTIONAL STRIPE HERE - Lincoln (for double bed size blankets)

72. Mushroom

73. Cloud Blue

INSERT OPTIONAL STRIPE HERE - Parchment (for double bed size blankets)

74. Lincoln

75. Parchment

So here is the colour info for Part 5 of the "MIXED STRIPE" Meadow Blanket.

Remember each stripe is made of two rows of crochet.

Click (( HERE )) for the printable worksheet (the mixed stripe is on page 2 of the PDF)

61. Meadow

62. Buttermilk

63. Pale Rose

64. Lavender

65. Grape

66. Cloud Blue

67. Lincoln

68. Parchment

69. Dandelion

70. Mushroom

71. Raspberry

72. Wisteria

73. Sage

74. Duck Egg

75. Pistachio

I hope you find peace and calm in your Meadow journey this week....

....enjoy your hooky time!

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Here are some links for you, should you need them....

🌸 PART 5 PRINTABLE WORKSHEET

🌸 MEADOW YARN PACK

🌸MEADOW STRIPE TUTORIAL

🌸MEADOW PRINTABLE PATTERN

🌸 MEADOW BLANKET INTRODUCTION

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 1 - stripes 1-15

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 2 - stripes 16-30

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 3 - stripes 31-45

🌸 MEADOW CAL PART 4 - stripes 46-60

 

 

Comments

[Franziska]

Thank you, Lucy! It's beautiful and I love seeing the pictures of all the furry little cuties.

[CJ]

Gorgeous sky colours, especially that pale greeny one, beautiful. I loved seeing everyone's furry friends under/on their blankets. The sleeping pup was especially adorable. You are making me long for summer though! CJ xx

[Wendy]

So fabulous Lucy and so loved seeing all the much loved critters ❤❤

[Tara Bindoff]

Thankyou, Lucy ! Printed out and ready to go ❤️