Hello, hello, I hope you're well and happy and finding lots of joy in your days as we step through the first month of the year. Here in Atticland I've been having a slow, restorative week for the most part, attempting to settle my days into some sort of routine which allows me to get things done while still having plenty of time to rest if I need it. I have to say, I'm finding myself daydreaming quite a bit at the moment, my mind wandering to sunnier, warmer times and I'm looking forward to the seasons shifting and changing to give us lighter, brighter days.
These photos were taken in May last year when I spent a few days at the coast with a good friend. We rented a small apartment in Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast and our days were filled with walking the coast path, strolling on the beach and pottering around the harbour. The weather was glorious - bright and breezy and absolutely perfect for taking photographs. As soon as I got home I pulled out my yarn pegs and began working on the Harbour colour palette inspired by all that I had seen.
The bustling holiday town of Whitby and the quiet little village of Staithes are some of my favourite places to visit when I need a sea fix, and never fail to uplift my spirits. It was this happy kind of feeling that I wanted to capture in my Harbour blanket - the carefree, uplifting joy that takes hold when you're on holiday and the days are filled with relaxation and pleasure seeking, and when every view makes you sigh with happiness.
I know from all the photos I've seen on social media since last Friday that there are a good many of you joining me on this blanket journey and I hope that you've enjoyed getting started with your stripes. I would like to thank you all so much for sharing your progress online too (the Facebook groups have been buzzing with excitement!) and for all the heart warming friendship and support you've freely given to our online groups, it's been absolutely wonderful to see.
If you aren't already a part of the Attic24 Facebook community, I can highly recommend it if you're looking for some friendly banter and to join up with hundreds of other hooksters all over the world. You can share photos of your blanket progress, pick up lots of handy hints and tips and chat to your hearts content. There are three groups on Facebook to look out for (there may well be more but these are the ones that I visit) :
These groups are very active and friendly, and you'd be made so welcome if you wanted to join in. I'd like to say a massive heart-felt thank you to the fabulous folks who administrate these groups and take care of the day to day running of them, I am so grateful to them.
I also want to take this opportunity to mention that there are absolutely no time restrictions involved with my crochet-alongs, and it's perfectly acceptable for you to take it slowly if that suits you better. You probably already know this but I think it's worth mentioning again - my patterns stay free and accessible on my blog for always, so that you can jump in and use them whenever you like. I see people picking up the cosy stripe blanket all the time, and that was my first ever CAL in 2014!! This year more than in previous years, the Harbour yarn pack continues to fly out of the warehouse as we jaunt through January, so I know there will be hundreds of new blankets starting out every day. All I ask is that you enjoy your own personal hooky journey, no matter when you start or how fast or slow it is.
I've really enjoyed seeing you all fall in love with the Harbour colour palette as those stripes begin to grow....it really is a mood lifter that's for sure. Many of you have found your way to Veronica's online shop (Simply Shade Cards) and are using her wooden shade cards to keep a record of the Harbour colours. Thanks to Karen for the lovely photo above.
I thought it would be fun to share some more blanket beginnings that have caught my eye online this week. I know that the majority of you are following along with me and giving the Easy Eyelet Ripple pattern a try, and it's been fantastic for me to see how much you're enjoying it. It's an easy pattern to get to grips with once those first few rows are done and dusted and I know that you're already appreciating the top notch relaxation therapy that it's bringing to your days.
↑↑ Maria's cat Minty looks happy enough testing out the snuggle factor don't you think?!
↑↑ Awwww, just look at this little cutie!! Poppie shared this adorable photo on Instagram - her Little Man decided that he would like to wear his very own Harbour stripes, so Poppie decided to start her blanket all over again and let him stay cosy in his brand new Harbour Scarf.
Some of you have decided to use alternative Attic24 patterns for your Harbour stripes, and I always think it's inspirational to see....
↑↑ Allison is hooking up the Neat Ripple for her blanket
↑↑Amy decided that a simple Granny Stripe would be the way to go for some relaxing hooky time
↑↑ Christine has chosen the Hydrangea Stripe which looks super snuggly in these bright shades
↑↑ Gaye is making the Harbour Eyelet ripple, but at the same time is hooking up a smaller lap blanket using the Dahlia Spike stitch
↑↑ And Denise is crocheting her Harbour colours into a fabulous Yuletide square which already looks stunning. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one grow.
Thank you again for sharing your photos - do please keep posting on Facebook and Instagram ( #harbourblanketcal ) as I absolutely love to see them.
Right then, lets take a look at the second part of the CAL, and the stripes that will be flowing off your hook this week.
If you're making the Mixed Stripe version, then this week you'll be adding another fifteen jolly stripes to your blanket. The bigger it grows, the more happiness seems to radiate out from those ripples, don't you think? It's just such a JOYFUL thing!
You will no doubt have noticed that some of the colours are very bright (hello Clementine, I'm looking at you), but the predominance of cool blue tones allows the bright shades to pop out and sing without being too over powering.
It's the pops of bright orange, yellow and green which give this blanket it's unique signature, and I hope they are making you happy. Do they remind you of being on holiday? Do you think of the seaside as you ripple up and down those rows? Oh, I really do hope so! I hope your daydreams are as sunny and happy as can be.
Ok, lets have a look at this week's colours, we'll be working on stripes 15-30.
Here is the colour info for Part 2 of the "MIXED STRIPE" Harbour Blanket.
Remember each stripe is made of two rows of crochet.
Click (( HERE )) for the printable worksheet.
16. Turquoise
INSERT OPTIONAL STRIPE HERE - Clementine (for double bed size blankets)
INSERT OPTIONAL STRIPE HERE - Cornish Blue (for double bed size blankets)
INSERT OPTIONAL STRIPE HERE - Dandelion (for double bed size blankets)
17. Lipstick
18. Lapis
19. Cloud Blue
20. Storm Blue
21. Apple
22. Clementine
23. Aspen
24. Aster
25. Tomato
26. Denim
27. Spice
28. Dandelion
29. Spearmint
30. Cornish Blue
Part two of the Colourwash version brings a subtle progression to last week, with similar mid-blue tones dancing along with the orange shades. You'll be using four colours this week ::
Tomato, Denim, Aster and, Spice.
I'm currently working on this blanket myself so I am really, really enjoying the colour play first hand at the moment. I think to be honest, the Colourwash Harbour Blanket looks better in real life than it does in photos, so trust me when I tell you that it gets better and better the bigger it grows.
Here is the colour info for Part 2 of the "COLOURWASH" Harbour 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)
16. Tomato
17. Denim
18. Tomato
19. Tomato
20. Aster
21. Tomato
22. Aster
23. Tomato
24. Aster
25. Aster
26. Spice
27. Aster
28. Spice
29. Aster
30. Spice (hint - don't fasten off, there will be another stripe of Spice next!)
I hope this week passes by gently and harmoniously for you - January can be a tricky month to navigate but one thing I do know for sure is that bright colours and soothing yarny stripes really, really help. It's the best kind of therapy there is......enjoy every stitch!!
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Here are some links you might need this week ::
♥ HARBOUR BLANKET INTRODUCTION
♥ HARBOUR CAL PART 1 - stripes 1-15
Looking for a pattern and colourway I found this gem! Last year I made the Coast ripple blanket for my greatgrandson, he wanted lots of blue 😊(9)so the Harbour-recipient will be his 2,5 Yr old sister-matches his blanket beautifully!
Thank you!
Posted by: Christiane Diels | September 09, 2022 at 01:03 PM
A three day weekend in the States means I’m finished early this week! Woo hoo!
Posted by: Trish | January 19, 2022 at 01:38 AM
Wow Carol!! Your words are beautiful!! Crochet Poetry!! ♥️
Posted by: Linda from Boston | January 18, 2022 at 08:58 PM
Oh my when clementine meets aspen it is quite a party! I am so enjoying this beautiful blanket already. I hear each color as it joins the conversation and there is simply magical uplifting joy from the cacophony of voices. Incredibly pleasing and fun!
Posted by: Carol | January 18, 2022 at 12:59 AM
Week 2 CAL is looking lovely. I am enjoying seeing what other people are doing with your design as well.
Posted by: Beverley | January 16, 2022 at 07:28 PM
Am enjoying your new CAL, love the bright colours.
This my third one joining in with you. Love your blog and thankyou for your generous sharing of your designs.
Love seeing what others are up to as well.
Posted by: Marina | January 16, 2022 at 04:25 AM
I'm loving the colours for this blanket - really happy ones, joyous even! And I always look forward to seeing what other blankets people are making with them. My favourite so far is Denise's Yuletide one! Wow, pretty or what?!
Posted by: Simon | January 15, 2022 at 11:33 PM
I love this sooo much !! I almost finished part 1 only to discover that the last two colours on your blog are Aspen and Denim. I followed the printed worksheet and there they are Denim and then Aspen. But it's fine with be, the whole pattern is soooo gorgeous and it is so very relaxing to work on. Thank you so very much Lucy, for yet another beautiful piece of art !!!
Posted by: Anneloes | January 15, 2022 at 10:44 AM
Hi Lucy Oooooh, more hooky stripes of beauteous color! This is such a relaxing stitch. Wonderful to see all the different blankets everyone is doing. This is an Inspiration Station for sure! Take Care, Hugs, MO
Posted by: Marylin Ollivier | January 14, 2022 at 10:31 PM
Lucy,
Thank you so much for yet another joyous blanket to lift the mood in these dull January days.
I'm working on the double síze, the first time I will actually keep a blanket for my own use rather than gifting away. I have added the optional stripes in week one, and see there are 3 optional for this week. I'm wondering how the plan will work out for double if these optional rows are all worked up, am I likely to have a super long blanket?
Many thanks for your generosity sharing your designs and colour recipes with us all
Posted by: Emma | January 14, 2022 at 08:40 PM
Can't wait to make a start on this, ripple blankets have always freaked me a bit, but your pattern is so reassuring. Thank you, as always, for your hard work bringing us another incredible project xx
Posted by: Squirrel Mitchell | January 14, 2022 at 06:36 PM
I am feeling tempted...I love the colour wash version and the Yuletidede one....but the spike stitch is so lovely too........
Well done Lucy on another gorgeous colour combination.
Posted by: kathleenalice | January 14, 2022 at 04:53 PM
Thanks for posting the pictures of the other patterns people are using. They’re all beautiful and it’s fun to see the creativity of our crocheters!! Very inspiring. The weather is turning nasty the next few days, so I’m looking forward to working on the next part.
Posted by: Linda from Boston | January 14, 2022 at 12:15 PM
Lovely, I do like to see everyone's different blankets as well. The colourwash is brilliant, so clever to watch it unfold. Those bright pops of colour are definitely reminiscent of a harbour. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | January 14, 2022 at 09:48 AM
Lovely post and enjoyed seeing all the different versions being made. I've still got to do my order for the wool, so will be not crocheting along with you all, but it will be great to do it in autumn/winter here. Thanks Lucy for hosting this, take care & hugs. BTW: I've a photo of the fishing baskets very similar & also taken in Whitby.
Posted by: Susan | January 14, 2022 at 09:03 AM
So beautiful
Nearly finished Yuletide then I can start!
Posted by: Camcas | January 14, 2022 at 08:33 AM