Vintage Stripe Blanket ... choppy waters ahead!

Once the first blanket (baby blanket) was finished I didn't even stop to take a breather before I started on my second project .... and now I come to think of it .... maybe I should.


I launched straight into the Bella Dia Vintage Vertical Stripe Blanket as recommend on the lovely Attic24 blog. I loved Lucy's design and was gagging to start one of my own.


After the calmness and sophistication of my first colour choices I thought I'd make it bright, funky and fun. We have just painted our spare bedroom in magnolia, and even though C doesn't know this, I wanted it magnolia so it could be a perfect clean canvas for some lovely Afghans, cushions and hangings. Plenty to keep me going over the next couple of years!!


So firstly I went to my local wool supplier, which is my favourite place to visit on a day off from work. And I picked eight colours in pinks, greens, purples and navy blues. They supply StyleCraft Special DK yarn which is 100% Acrylic but is affordable, lovely to hook and absolutely brilliantly bright!!!


I just knew eight colours weren't enough so I had a little spree before work one morning and sourced the same yarn at a fab price of £1.76 from www.knitandsew.co.uk.


I must admit event though Internet prices are cheaper there is nothing like visiting your local wool shop. I felt like I was cheating on a boyfriend. I still feel slightly ashamed. I am a firm believer in supporting local businesses and when they offer you a service which includes tips, chats, tea and a good old cheer me up ... then isn't that worth the extra 40p?

True, true, there is the excitement of the wool arriving when the postman knocks, but trust me, its nothing like choosing colours that are there in front of you, existing in their full glory and coming home to empty the bag onto the carpet and watch all the wool bounce about like a bunch of jelly beans. Nothing beats that. Not even 40p!


So below you can see my new yarn stash. A I can't stop peeking it at in a box by the sofa! The boldness of ever ball lifts my soul. Lovely Jubbly! As you can see I have doubled up on my favourites. (I'm afraid my camera hasn't taken the best picture but at least you can see the range of colours. I've done a table below so you can find out the names if you like a colour for yourself).

What they look like together ... gorgeous! J	Midnight 1011	Bright Green 1259	Fiesta 1257
	Turquoise 1068	Spring Green 1316	#2 Fiesta 1257
	#2 Midnight 1011	Bottle 1009	Fondant 1241
Cream	Aster 1003	#2 Bright Green 1259	Candyfloss 1130
Magenta 1084	Cloud Blue 1019	Teal 1062	Bright Pink 1435
Emperor 1425	Sherbet 1034	#2 Spring Green 1316	Fondant 1241
Grape 1067	Bluebell 1082	Meadow 1065	Raspberry 1023
Plum 1061	Lavender 1188	Green 1116	Pomegranate 1083

So I started by using the pattern Bella Dia has blogged. And after doing a row of double crochets in all the above colours it was growing outwards. I was gutted and thought it must be this extra one you add to the end each time ... anyway I sewed in the ends (I do this as I go along at regular intervals because I hate doing it all at the end) and it did pull in the ends and make it sort of straight.

Then my Granny came around and said I needed to do triple crochets instead, otherwise it would take me a life time to finish. Stubbornly I thought "no, i quite like the doubles", however after thinking about it I thought the varied stitch would add charm.

NOW.... I realised last night that it was supposed to be triples all along and Bella must be American (they call tr's dc's!)

OH THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF CROCHETING!

So, I'm now having to live with my mistake and and continuing to zoom up each row in triples hoping that once its slung over a seat no one will notice. And I'm sure they won't. Its just a bit stiff and a bit tighter on one end. Oops.... What doesn't kill you makes you stronger I guess .... and for you ease I will follow this post with a nice easy pattern to get you started on this rewarding and easy blanket.



Can you tell where I swapped from doubles to triples?

Seriously, have a go. It's one you can do while having a chat, it's quick zipping up and down the lines and you can make it as big or as little as you want. You could do it in one, two, three, or a hundred colours. In fact have a look at this Ralvery thread for some great ideas on colour schemes.

And if you only learn one thing ... its check if the pattern is USA or UK first. Here's a conversion table for your reference xxx

US	UK
chain(ch)	chain(ch)
single crochet (sc)	double crochet (dc)
double crochet (dc)	treble (tr)
half double crochet (hdc)	half treble (htr)
triple crochet (trc)	double treble (dtr)
slip stitch (sl st)	slip stitch (sl st)

Rightio, off to do some more rows. I'll be back later with a pattern.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx have a lovely day xxxxxxxxxxxx