Attic24 CAL Number Eight

Ever since I learnt to crochet my first wobbly granny square in the summer of 2007, I knew that I would be a blanket maker. I had my heart set on making a granny square blanket for my two Little People to snuggle under (they were aged 3 and 4 at the time) and I've been crocheting blankets ever since. I absolutely loved making blankets right from the start, and whenever a blanket was finished I would always feel a deep sense of loss followed by an immediate itch to start a new one. I quickly learnt that it was futile to ignore the lure of yet another blanket project and allowed myself to just do what my heart wanted, and my heart always wanted another blanket on my hook. I became addicted, and now here we are fourteen years later and that craving has never left me.

My first blanket Crochet-A-Long (CAL) came seven years later in the autumn of 2014. I had fallen in love with the wonderful colours of Stylecraft Special DK and decided to create a striped blanket that I would share on my blog in weekly instalments. It wasn't a new concept by any means, but I'd never actually followed a CAL myself and didn't really have much idea about running one either. I just thought that I could design and publish a free pattern, tell folks which colours they needed, then give out fifteen stripes per week until the blanket was complete. I'd already begun working with the wonderful people at Wool Warehouse, so it was a natural decision for us to create yarn packs which contained the fifteen colours I'd selected for my first CAL blanket.

What I hadn't bargained for at the time was the huge amount of excitement that would come my way from the world wide crocheting community, WOW, I remember being so, so thrilled when people actually started buying the yarn packs and following along to make their weekly stripes! It was an amazing feeling, knowing that I was inspiring people to find joy in making blankets in beautiful colours, and the wonderful sense of belonging that wraps around you like a warm hug when you create alongside so many other like minded souls. 

This year I'll be leading the way with my eighth blanket CAL, and it's safe to say I'm more than a little bit excited about it! Before I tell you all about the latest stripes on my hook, I thought it would be fun to look back at the previous seven blankets and the colour inspiration behind each one - I wonder if you will recognise them all?

♥ BLANKET CAL #1 {2014} COSY STRIPE ♥

This blanket was inspired by the colours of Autumn - leaves, seeds, berries and flowers. It was the first time that I'd created a colour palette with a definite "theme" and all my subsequent CAL projects have been inspired by the seasonal landscape or by nature.

You can read more about the inspiration behind the Cosy colour palette in this post ((here))

♥ BLANKET CAL #2 {2015} SUNNY LOG CABIN ♥

This colour palette was inspired by my love of the summer season and the colourful flowers I always have growing in my back yard pots. I designed a large square blanket for this CAL, made up of 16 colourful log cabin blocks - it's one of my all time favourite designs, and you can see more of it in this post ((here)).

As well as the large log cabin blanket, I also crocheted the same Sunny colours into a vibrant granny stripe blanket. You can read more about it ((here)).

♥ BLANKET CAL #3 {2017} MOORLAND ♥

For this CAL I changed the timing and moved it from the pre-Christmas period into the start of the New Year. I love the idea of having something to look forward to in the darkest of our winter months, and ever since then my annual CAL's have always run through January and February.

The Moorland blanket was inspired by the colours of the moors close to where I live in August when the heather is in full bloom. It was the first time I'd designed a blanket as a "colour story" where the stripes are ordered to mimic the colours seen when viewing the landscape. You can read more about the colour inspiration in this post ((here)).

♥ BLANKET CAL #4 {2018} WOODLAND ♥

Another autumn inspired colour palette, this time it was my woodland walks which provided a rich source of inspiration. I designed this blanket as a companion to the Moorland, so another colour story sequence which takes you on a walk through the trees.

Lots more photos about my inspiration ((here)).

♥ BLANKET CAL #5 {2019} SWEET PEA ♥

My fifth CAL blanket proved extremely popular, and I have to say this floral inspired colour palette really is incredibly pretty. You can see lots more photos in this post ((here))

As well as the mixed stripe Sweet Pea blanket, for the first time I created an alternative colour order. This is where the same fifteen shades were arranged to create a colourwash effect, and it's something that really sparked a lot of interest at the time. I've since created colourwash stripe orders for many of my blanket kits - there is something very pleasing about seeing a colour palette ordered in this way.

♥ BLANKET CAL #6 {2020} DAHLIA ♥

Similar to the Sweet Pea, I created two versions of the vibrant floral inspired Dahlia blanket - a mixed stripe and a colourwash.

You can see lots more inspiration photos ((here)) - dahlias are soooo photogenic!

♥ BLANKET CAL #7 {2021} MEADOW ♥

A very pretty summery colour palette inspired by the wild flower meadow very close to my home. The meadow became a very special place for me during the lockdown months in 2020, and I adore this colour palette. You can see more of the inspiration photos ((here)).

Actually this crochet along only finished eight months ago because it ran throughout January and February of this year, but I was working on the colour palette and design ideas way back in the summer of 2020. Generally speaking, by the time I'm chatting to you about a new CAL, I've already been obsessing over it for many, many months. And when I say obsessing I really do mean it - I put a tremendous amount of heart and soul into all my blankets as they are inspired by places or things that I have a deep emotional connection to. I take hundreds of photos which feed my initial ideas through a lengthy design process, and this means that my colour palettes are always the end result of a huge amount of pondering and creative faffery. Can you tell?!! I wouldn't have it any other way, I'm passionate about creating colour palettes that tell a story and bring joy into the finished blanket.

Anyhow - back to the present day, and being that we are now in November you may have guessed that it's almost time for my next CAL yarn pack to be released into the world.....oh, I may be just a teensy bit excited to share this with you.....!

Are you ready to see what has been floating my boat since May this year?

Some of you may have already guessed from the little peeks of the ripply blanket on my hook just lately, but let me tell you more.

My next blanket is inspired by the coast, specifically the gorgeous colours of fishing boats against the calming blues of sea and sky.....

........this is the HARBOUR blanket, and I'll be releasing the pattern and colour instalments at the start of 2022. All these photos were taken earlier this year in May when I took a short jolly to the North Yorkshire coast to photograph some of my favourite places. I've had the idea to make a harbour inspired blanket for a few years now, as I have so many happy memories of holidays spent in Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay and Staithes on the Yorkshire coast. And of course my childhood home in Dorset and the harbours at West Bay and Lyme Regis have often featured in my blog over the years so you know how much I love these places.

Boaty colours are bright aren't they?! I love the jaunty, jolly holiday feel of these colours, and when they are set against a palette of cool blues, they really do harmonise beautifully. As well as a mixed stripe I've also created a colourwash version and I'll be chatting more about this when the yarn packs launch in twelve days time.

As you can see I've designed a new ripple pattern to gently blend this colour palette into a really beautiful and joyful blanket. This is an incredibly soothing and easy ripple to work and is perfect for beginners, or for those of you who like to immerse yourself in some easy therapeutic hooky rows. I can't wait to share more with you in January.

As in previous years, yarn packs will be on sale in my shop at Wool Warehouse very soon so that there will be plenty of time for you to get your yarn sorted if you wish to join in with the CAL in the New Year. I'll also publish a list of the colours so that you can check your stash or shop local if you want to. The launch date for the Harbour yarn packs is Tuesday 16th November, and we usually aim to have everything go live at 8am - put the date in your diaries! The packs will contain 15 balls of Stylecraft Special DK (my usual thing) and Wool Warehouse will ship worldwide. Did you know that my yarn packs get sent out to more than a hundred countries around the world, isn't that amazing? We truly are a world wide community, and I'm so, so thankful for it.

Right, I think that's about all for now - on the 16th November I'll have a lot more photos to share when I introduce the Harbour blanket to you in all it's colourful glory. I can't wait!

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Comments

[Maria Di Murro Di Murro]

Seguendo le tue istruzioni tempo fa ho lavorato la mia coperta più bella, quella con quadrati piccoli e grandi ed ogni volta che vedo un tuo post su fb rimango incantata!
Sono curiosa di vedere questo nuovo capolavoro, grazie!

[Katherine NZ]

You are so clever with your colours! ❤️♥️💜💙💚💛🧡

[Tierney Davis-Hogan]

The colors are so beautiful as is your work!

[Carol Moran]

So excited! Can't wait! Love your work and color choices. Thank you so much!

[Janina]

I've been following your blog since the moorland blanket (after moving to Yorkshire a year before) but I think I never commented on how I enjoy the colorfulness.
When I saw the new blanket on the post before, I immediately thought "seaside town" :)

[Fiona]

All your blankets look so fresh and new, how?
In your blog you have shown how your kids build nests/dens with your blankets so they must get dirty.
I have never used acrylic yarn and I wonder if that is the secret?

[Elizabeth]

Love the new wave pattern, which seems gently reminiscent of scallops to me. Very pretty! I began reading your blog, from your very first post, at the beginning of the Time of Covid. I loved the photos and your "voice." It was you who taught me to appreciate more color (instead of my usual go-to neutrals). It was you who taught me how to randomize. It was you who got me to actually like ripples and grannies. And it was you who introduced me to the Wool Warehouse. Thank you! I'm looking forward to making the Christmas blanket (right after I finish the three projects already lined up and promised!). I'm really looking forward to it, because this one will be for us. I like to start my day off gently, and I do that with my morning latte and a visit with my friend Lucy at Attic24. Have a good day!

[Autumn]

I am hoping to be able to participate this year! I love the colors so much, they are so bright and cheerful, perfect to battle my winter blues!

[Claire Hayden]

Hello Dear Lucy, yay! I love this post. Really looking forward to the CAL. The colours look wonderful. Have a lovely day. 😍

[Ann H]

Lucy …. I love your new CAL. I love the colours and I LOVE to crochet ripples. Can’t wait to order my pack from the wonderful WoolWarehouse to have ready for the start of a new blanket in the New Year.
Thanks for all you do ….. you’re a star ⭐️

[Tineke]

A ripple blanket, fun! Hope all will enjoy making your blanket, Lucy. Thanks for the timeline, I realized I follow you from the beginning. And only crocheting from 2007. Amazing <3

[Ute]

I just found your sparkling and wonderful inspiring site a few days ago as i am addicted in crochet just since the beginning of this year and looking for ideas for a striped, multi-coloured blanket.

I could resist for 2 days, but now ordered the yarn pack for granny stripe blanket in sunny colours as my starter-blanket (after masses of produced scarfs, wristlets, rugs, baskets, dishcloths, cup-warmers....) and i am sure to go further with your brillant ideas.

Next ones will surely be Moorland and Meadow, but Harbour look also exciting!

So happy to found you, i think i will follow you and your ideas for a looong, happy crochet-while!
THANK YOU SO MUCH, just love to have found you!!!

Best wishes from the black forest!

[Abigail @ Rosy_Hill]

It is wonderful to see, and remember, your CALs all together and the inspiration behind them. I look forward to following the Harbour CAL. :)

[CJ]

Oops, think I lost my comment. The new blanket is gorgeous, and I love the pattern as well, just right for a harbour, with waves and boats and everything going up and down. I just spent ages trying to pick my favourite so far. Narrowed it down to four :) You always make such a lovely job of them, you have such a good eye for colours. The Moorland blanket in particular is brilliant, also dahlia and sweet pea. Love them all! CJ xx

[CJ]

Absolutely lovely, and I adore the pattern as well, which seems very apt for a harbour, all of the up and down of the boats and the water. Waves, but not too big. Love it. I just spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to choose my favourite from your eight blankets so far and I have given up. I narrowed it down to four :) CJ xx

[Alison]

Loved doing my first CAL of Meadow. The timing is perfect, cosy time indoors at the coldest part of the year. Looking forward to Harbour, love the colours 💕

[Karen Wagge]

Oooh love the colours. I might try & conquer my fear of waves/ripples (they never seem to work out for me). Christmas gift list it is

[Remaliah]

I was so excited to read this post!! I just finished my Meadow Blanket a couple of weeks ago, and I’m currently waiting for my package of wool for the Original Granny Stripe colours to start a new blanket. Now I’m thinking I will need to put that aside in January and February to join the CAL because I love the new colours and design! It reminds me of our holidays on the coast of the south of France…the same colours of sea and boats. These are such fun projects to work on during free little moments during my days, and I’m proud of myself having just finished my first full size blanket…as well as loving seeing our children sleeping under it and using it in their cosy ‘cabins.’ Thanks so much for sharing your colourful crochet world with us all xxx

[Judy]

Well I wasn’t going to do another blanket, but this is just gorgeous, and I adore the Yorkshire coast too! You are a bad, but wonderful influence Lucy, thank you!😝

[Jacqui]

Noooooo I love it gorgeous colours !!! But I have too many blankets !!! He he only kidding !
Wow look how far you have come in such a short time !!
Beautiful!

[Moochiemum]

Your neat wave pattern blanket with the colours of the sea (I’ve forgotten it’s official title) is my favourite,I made it when I was sofa bound recovering from an operation. Doing a little bit of crochet each day helped me feel like I was making progress in my recovery. I couldn’t have done this without your fantastic instructions. Thank you

[Susan]

Great work as usual Lucy..keep on hooking!

[Marylin Ollivier]

Hi Lucy I have done at least 5 of your blankets, some CAL. And I have the packets for all of them...so I have quite a stash of blanket packets, including the Yuletide one I just got. I love blankets too...they are my favorite. So I have many hours of blankety goodness at my fingertips...which one will I do next tho' after finishing off the dahlia blanket edging??? I am so in love with the colors of the Harbour Blanket and always enjoy the ripple pattern so methinks I will do that CAL...so am so excited about it! To just look back at your body of artwork is truly amazing! Hugs, MO

[Louise]

Oh wow! These delicious colours also remind me of those beach boxes! So gorgeous!I know what you mean about itching to make the next blanket. Whenever I've got a bit of the lost crojo, or I simply want to 'do something' with yarn and hook, my default is to always start one of your granny stripe blankets or a cosy cupcake blanket. They're fast and the colourways are endless!

[Ann]

I don't crochet, but I love following both your blog and your crochet alongs. It feeds my quilter's eye