Friday 31 May 2013

My Dottie Angel inspired crochet blanket is finally done, hooray!!

Its been the perfect day to put my Dottie Angel inspired blanket, a.k.a our new Picnic Blanket to very good use.



It has been several months WIP and it feels so good to finally have finished it. I finished the main blanket a couple of weeks ago and then really enjoyed doing this 'block edging' border, which I got from the Handbook of Crochet Stitches. This is a great book that illustrates over 200 stitches and comes in really handy. Despite my little dilemma of running out of yarn for the border, I am really pleased with the final result and love the grey, but then I have to confess I am quite partial to a bit of grey everywhere (around the house that is, for now anyway!) I felt the expression every cloud has a silver (grey) lining in this case to be quite apt.


 
 

 
In retrospect there are definitely quite a few design flaws here but that's a product of winging it rather than planning it, something I am getting rather good at as life matures. The good news is that it kinda works for a picnic rug as it will only be catering for bums, messy hands and toes, but there is a lesson and note to self to be slightly more strategic about the next blanket project, rather than applying the grab-and-go philosophy.
 
Once I did the border, which actually took little time, it was time for some doilies. This was the absolute selling point of Dottie Angel's ordinarily extraordinary blanket for me, and although I have changed the colours and the size of the blanket, I simply had to copy the idea of the lovely doilies. I ended up doing 35 squares (5 rows of 7) and I used left over scraps of Aran yarn and the odd bit of DK here and there. My aim was to use up some of my left over yarn rather than buying anything new, and as it was only for a picnic rug, I didn't care too much that some of the squares weren't perfect. I quite liked the idea of using up yarn and I have to say it felt rather satisfying in the end. I am such a yarn hoarder that sometimes it calls for a little 'spring clean' and this Picnic Blanket was just the ticket.


 
 

Now that all the doilies are on, I might have to remove the middle one and dye it blue to give it a little more impact as the middle doilie is currently just being swallowed up against the cream backdrop. Definitely a job for a later date, in the meantime it was put to very good use today on our trip to Tittesworth Reservoir. My doh (darling other half) took the day off and with a promise for sunshine, we felt a trip to this beautiful part of Staffordshire couldn't be missed, so we packed a picnic, our new Picnic Blanket and off we went.



Tittesworth is the perfect day out for a family as there is a wonderful park with everything a child could want, including a great big sandpit. Our kids just loved it, they had such a fab day and I could happily join them for once thanks to super easy access.

 

 
Normally my doh does the park trips and outing with the kids, so it was soo lovely to join in some of their fun






 
I also made the very most of soaking up the sun and not only did I improve my vitamin D and happy hormone count, my crochet hormones were ELATED. Yes, I had time to do some much needed hooky and it was fun to be bursting with sun doing these little Sunburst Granny Squares. I am really enjoying working these at the moment and will shortly share the result with you.



Hope you have all enjoyed a lovely Friday and wishing you all a very lovely and creative weekend.
Hannapat xoxo
 

20 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you got to join your precious family for some time in the sunshine. You look beautiful! And well done on the rug. It is gorgeous, but it is made extra special with the addition of those doilies. There's no hurry to reply to my email either. Take care. Xx

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    1. Thanks Leisa, it was pure bliss and you're too kind!! xo

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  2. It turned out so beautifully!!! Great job and love all the colors and pretty doilies!! Looks like a fun day!! Happy weekend and thank you for always leaving such sweet comments!!! xo Heather

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    1. Thanks lovely Heather, its such a pleasure visiting you! xo

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  3. Hello sweet Hannapat! Your Dotty Angel inspired blanket is beautiful! You did a fantastic job and I love the doilies! It is so sweet! I am glad you enjoyed a day with your dear ones and a picnic too. I see your lovely blanket was enjoyed as well! Your are gorgeous and your children are precious! So glad you enjoyed the sunshine! I love sunny days! Your sunburst granny squares are so cheerful and sweet! I am so happy for you!
    Sweetie, thank you so much for your sweet comment and loving words! You blessed me so much and made my day! I am so touched by your love and kindness! Thank you honey! I received your warm hugs across the pond and mine are on there way to you! I am so happy you are going to make a bear! Yay! You are so talented, you wont' have any problems! He is so fun to make and it is very rewarding! I am glad you got the pattern. I hope you saw the link for the supplies on my blog. Here in Louisiana, I can't find anything like that, so I ordered it from the Netherlands. It came quickly, considering the distance, I think about a week. Of course you may be able to find the supplies in your beautiful country, but if not, I highly recommend that lady's shop. She is very helpful and ships out quickly. Everything is high quality too. I have ordered from her 3 times and never had any problems. Let me know if I can help in anyway. I would be happy to! I hope your weekend is beautiful and creative! Enjoy that lovely blanket! Lots of love, Paula xo

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    1. OOOOh I just got the biggest and warmest hug thanks lovely Paula. You are in my thoughts and I so love spending time over at yours. Thanks for the tip on the supplies, I have found in place in the UK, will see how the prices compare. It is always good to know that you get good service. Much love xo

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  4. Gosh that blanket is fantastic! You've done a great job the colours are perfect! :) x

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    1. Oh thank you lovely Ada, its been fun using it in this lovely weather xo

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  5. You cannot get more Granny Chic than that wonderful and beautiful blanket, I am totally amazed I would have given up half way through ha ha.
    Have a lovely week and I hope you have lots of fun with your lovely blanket xxx
    Lynn xxx

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    1. All the credit goes to the very talented Dottie, she is so amazging! I very much doubt you ever giving up on anything!! xo

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  6. Your blanket is really really gorgeous! I love it! The colours are wonderful and a perfect picnic blanket.
    M x

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  7. The blanket looks great, and what a brill way to use left over yarn x

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  8. Hi Hannapat I love your blog, it is gorgeous. I have recently started my own blog and would love to add yours as a favourite, would you mind? I am certainly going to take a trip to Treacle Market, it looks fab
    Thank you
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxx

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    1. Hi Dorothy, wishing you all the best with your new blog, it will be an honour. Let me know your blog name and welcome to Cosmos and Cotton, hopefully I will see loads more of you. xo

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  9. I love this blanket! The colours and size of squares work so well, and the border is lovely. But the doilies make it! Nice photos of you and your family too, glad you are enjoying the sun. I know what you mean about winging it - most of my crochet projects lately seem to involve using what's there and making do. x

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    1. Thanks Gillian pleased to hear there's another 'winger' out there xo

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  10. I love your blanket! It works so well and I think some of the best projects are made winging it :) Lovely photos of a beautiful day too xoxo

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  11. Well what can I say - your blanket is FAB! Love the colours and great to see it being put to good use already. We used to visit Tittesworth a lot when the girls were smaller - it kept them entertained for hours. Off to the Treacle Market today on your recommendation - looking forward to the ukeleles in the churchyard! Jane x

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