Designer of Blankets

Hello, my name is Lucy and I am a Designer of Blankets. They are my passion and my obsession, my creative spark and my relaxation therapy. And how absurdly wonderful it is that I get to live this colourful life of mine, and that designing blankets has become the thing that I do to thrive. 

Attic24 blog started over fifteen years ago and I was crocheting blankets right from the very start. Then six years later I met the owners of Wool Warehouse and that was when we began to create yarn packs together to sell online. It was (and still is) amazing to me that I could design blankets that other people would want to make for themselves. How amazing to share my ideas and inspire people all over the world to crochet blankets!

The above photo is an old one from my archives, I really should create an updated image with all my blankets included, that would be something to see. To date I have created twenty blanket designs using Stylecraft Yarns, each one having its own beautiful colour palette inspired by things I love. I have used colour to describe my enjoyment of the countryside and the English seasons - walks over hills, along woodland paths, through meadows and along the beach. There is also my love of flowers in those blankets too - sweet peas, hydrangeas, wild flowers, summer annuals, cottage gardens and dahlias. There is sooo much gorgeous colour inspiration to be found out there in every day life!

Over the past few weeks I've been thinking a lot about my crochet and the way things have evolved and grown over the years, evaluating where I'm at with it all, and what I might want to do next. I'm very proud of what I've achieved so far because I am passionate about spreading the joy of colourful crochet and inspiring people to find happiness in being creative.

A few days ago I was reading something online which reminded me of the British Knitting and Crochet Awards. Sadly they no longer happen but they ran every year from 2014-2022. I won my first award in 2016, and do you know, I won the title of "favourite crochet designer" for seven years running. As well as the crochet designer category, I also won the "favourite crochet blogger" category many times, and last year scooped the "best ready-to-make kits" award too. 

It's a funny thing winning awards because there is a part of me which pops champagne and dances with delight, but a bigger part of me which just wants to keep my head down and not be a show off.  Trumpet blowing is not my style. But all in all, I think it's safe to say that crocheting blankets has been a good thing for me. A very good thing.

Today I want to share some crochet which literally fell out of the Cupboard of Doom yesterday and landed at my feet. I was in that precarious cupboard trying to get to my yarn winder, and suddenly there was a colourful crochet avalanche happening.

These colourful bits of crochet represent the preparation I do in the weeks and months before I embark on a new blanket journey. A blanket doesn't just happen for me, no no, there is a lot that goes into the design process before I sit down to crochet the actual blanket itself.

For every blanket I've designed, I've crocheted up one of these colour palette samplers. I spend a really long time choosing the colours for a blanket and often this process happens over the course of many weeks. Once I think I'm pretty much there with my palette, I set about crocheting a little square for each colour. This gives me a chance to get a true "working" feel of how the colours want to play together and make sure everything is balancing properly. Sometimes at this stage I will make a last minute change, but that's quite rare - usually by the time I'm crocheting these squares, I'm living and breathing the colour palette day and night and it's giving me all the shivery excitement.  By the way, I did write up the pattern for these little solid squares if they appeal to you - here it is >> ((Solid Granny Square pattern))

The second stage in my preparation is shown above - these are long, skinny stripe samplers made using rows of double crochet, one row to represent each stripe. I've found this a great way to work out the final colour order for the stripes and although it's all extra work I really think it's worth me taking the time to do it. It means that by the time I come to crochet the actual blanket, I'm one hundred percent confident that the colours are going to look magnificent.

On the right are my two festive colourways - Yuletide and Starbright. It's the first time I've seen them together and I have to say I absolutely love love love them. 

Look!! ^^ don't they both glow with joyful Christmas spirit?! Both very different, and yet they both have my trademark colour signature. It's a hard thing to define, but I do think my colour palettes are very recognisable, aren't they? They simply glow with Attic24-ness!

And finally...this is the third stage of my preparation. These are the samples which showcase the colour palette combined with the stitch pattern. Before I get to this stage, make no mistake, I've already done a tonne of work to design the stitch pattern itself. I don't tend to look in books for stitch ideas, I prefer to work them straight out of my head, a bit like doodling or making notes, but using yarn and hook instead of paper and pen. I've got a massive messy box containing dozens and dozens of trial and error stitch samples made over the years. Loads of them. It takes a while to work through ideas and there is a lot of failure in this process. 

So by the time I'm making the above samples, well, I'm already beyond thrilled with the pattern and raring to get going on the blanket.

I love these samplers, I really do. I pour so much emotion into all my blanket designs that they are like an extension of my heart.

I don't have all my samples here because my earlier ones are packed away in storage from when I cleared out my studio during covid. But these are the ones pictured above, from left to right...

♥Dahlia ♥ Dune ♥ Aria ♥ Meadow ♥ Harbour ♥ Springfrost ♥ Starbright ♥ Sungold ♥

You probably recognise them all from seeing them here on my blog over the years.....except for that last one.

Sungold...........ooooooo, that's something new!

Please say hello to the Sungold blanket, well the beginning of the Sungold journey at least. This blanket is going to be my TENTH annual crochet-along which begins in January 2024. I've designed a very pretty stripe for these colours, a soft and curvy little shell pattern which has a light and slightly open look to it.

Do you like the colours, aren't they joyful?

The colour palette was inspired by my many visits to see the famous flower borders at RHS Harlow Carr. I wanted this colour palette to be a little dose of summer perfection - colours that remind me of a sunny afternoon strolling amongst brightly coloured flowers buzzing with bees. The Sungold colour palette is rich and uplifting - beautiful floral shades glowing with golden warmth.

Just look at it compared to this year's CAL blanket (the Springfrost), what a difference in temperature! From frosty chill to golden warmth, I love that these colours literally make you feel the seasons.

My Sungold blanket hasn't started yet because truthfully I'm still caught up in the Starbright. I'm working on the border design for the v-stitch this week because I know there are those of you waiting for it. But if you look at the above photo, you can spot the Sungold stripe sampler....

......here it is look ^^, just to give you a taste of how amazing the colours look together. I'm going to be making a mixed stripe blanket, but there will also be the option to work the Sungold stripes as a colourwash if you wish. Both versions will be given as part of the CAL in the New Year.

Yarn packs are coming very soon, next week in fact. Mark your calendars - Tuesday 21st November at 8am, my shop at Wool Warehouse will be buzzing with sunny Sungold vibes. Maybe you'd like to join me making this blanket along with our wonderful worldwide hooky community? I'd really like it if you did.

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Comments

[Gail]

Hi Lucy my name is Gail l love your colours l decided yesterday I was going to learn to crochet l can knit really well. I am 74 and thought time to learn.

[Kay]

I love your colours so much 🤩 I’m just embarking on a temperature blanket (one row of DC every day of the year according to the temperature high of that day). I hope my colour choices look as wonderful as yours always do!

[Clair]

Beautiful once again Lucy ☺️ my creativity has been on the back burner this year with family is this stitch straightforward or tricky? Clair (Sydney Australia)

[Linda Pankhurst]

Silly me. Should have read it properly!
This is the January CAL!!!

[Linda Pankhurst]

Will definitely do the Sungold one…..! I love quiet mindless crochet in the winter.
Will there be a January CAL as every year?

[Jo B]

Wow, what beautiful colors! So glad you do all this work and share the results with those of us who are not able to plan these creations out ourselves. I saw a post about the Sungold colors on IG and had to come investigate. Love love love them. I guess it works out well that I’ve been procrastinating on ordering Starbright yarn - I can get both shipped this week! I’m still working on my summer Dune blanket project. I can’t keep up!

[Becky Donaldson]

I love your post! I just a suggestion but it would be fun to see scrap blanket of all your samplers. Which could be your “Journey “ blanket. Keep up the good work!

[Juliana]

What a wonderful introduction to a beautiful post! =)
I love your blanket designs and the fact that you so generously share not only the designs themselves but also your designing journey.
Thanks again for putting more colour into our lives and reminding us to see the beauty of simple things.

[Alison]

That is truly a heck of a lot of work in the design process and I am envious of your tenacity and perseverance. I think it's a true gift to go from an idea, to the vision then the practising and perfection. We are so lucky you are generous with your passion! Im a serial 'starter' of projects and look forward to starting another one with this new blanket:)

[Rachel MJ]

Lucy - I've always been a crochet refusenic but you've broken me. I have to make the Starbright Blanket, it gorgeous!!
But is this too difficult for a complete beginner? I'm a pretty good knitter but no idea what to do with a crochet hook??? Should I start with something easier?
xxx

[Charlotte]

Well, I haven't picked up a crochet hook for over 30 years, but am very tempted to join your crochet community and make a blanket...Aria is my current favourite, that's probably the one I'll go for! Your Flora granny squares are gorgeous, how about a flower garden blanket next, incorporating them? Cx

[Lara]

I am a long time reader and admirer of your cheerful blankets and beautiful pictures. I am a wallflower generally, but this post was so inspiring and well timed. I have a yarn pack I bought for a knit blanket years ago and just never used. I have been scrolling through your blanket patterns and the many projects hoping to find one to crochet instead. Sun gold would be perfect! Thank you so much for sharing your projects and your process and day to day puttering and coffee, especially when life isn’t always rainbows and roses.

[Mary Ann]

Hi Lucy,
Thanks so much for sharing the "behind the scenes" color and pattern design process with us...it is amazing! You are so gifted and we are so lucky that you share it with us!
Sending my best wishes,
Mary Ann
from New Jersey, USA

[Lesley Drayton]

Your enthusiasm for crochet, colour and your adopted home town is infectious and I am grateful to you for introducing me to all three.
Looking at your stripy samples I can’t help thinking what gorgeous sock yarn they would make. Do you think Stylecraft might consider producing it?
Thank you for being such an inspiration.

[Ann]

Love this blanket. Am inspired to make one. I’ve made blankets for my 3 grandsons and will make this for my granddaughter Ruby. The colours just shout her name!

[Sue]

What a wonderful post, I’ve loved reading it. Absolutely love love love your new Sungold blanket and YAY!! the yarn pack is coming out on my birthday 🎉, that must be a sign!! So excited, can’t wait to start it!! 🥰😁 😍

[Jane]

You really deserve all the success you have had, you are so creative, and you have brightened up the lives of so many people. Interesting to see your design process. Won't be joining the CAL as I am working on my own blanket but I am enjoying snuggling under the Springfrost Blanket I made last year.

[Joelle]

Oh my word, the Sungold stripes are so so beautiful. They sing a very rich and happy song to me. Your brilliant colour work is an inspiration to me - I've tried to make my own colour selections with very poor results. What joy you bring to us, thank you

[Joy]

beautiful blankets!

[Peggy]

I’m obsessed w your color blankets and wool warehouse. AND the English countryside ❤️❤️❤️. Love love love your blankets. You definitely helped this gal through some tough mental times. Crocheting is so calming to my soul….bc at the same time I can just settle in w thoughtful mental conversations w Jesus to balance my day.

[Doris]

You know Lucy, whenever I feel I need some soulfood for the eyes or just a cosy feel reading, I head to your blog. Either I am lucky and you've written a new post and in case you haven't I just randomly pick one from your archive. Never fails to put me in a good mood and make me aware of the beauty in little things around me.

Actually on my way to work I pass a sugar maple tree and every morning I pick up a leaf and twist it in my fingers until I get to work, just because.

Anyway, just wanted to say Thank You. Your enthusiasm for your own surroundings brings so much joy to others. Thank you. And looking forward to Sungold, love the pattern (though my husband says I am not "allowed" to buy new yarn packs until I've worked up the ones I already have... we'll see about that haha).

[Becky Brown]

I’m speechless! I couldn’t love this blanket design more if I tried. Ms. Lucy, you’re a bright spot here in Crochet Land. I’ve followed you for years and I send your blog link to everyone who asks me how to learn to crochet. Thank you.

[Mafalda]

Looking forward to do it ! Love from Portugal 🥰

[Veronica Howard]

I loved this blog of how you design and choose your colours for your wonderful projects. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration passion and talent I really appreciate it as I’m not confident with my colour choices. You have designed such beautiful blankets I’m in awe and love with them. Take care and look after yourself it’s been a real year for you

[Tineke]

Colours make your heart pop, eh? Wouldn't know what to do without them. Now the garden is almost without flowers, and the trees have dropped their leaf I need colours to survive the darkness of the winter days. Love how you meticulously work through all the stages, Lucy. Thanks for a peek in the cabinet of Doom.