24-09-2015

I’m looking forward to creating this blanket soooo much, I just hope I do it justice. I’ve spent last week doing a practice swatch…..I know that’s what this is meant to be, but I wanted to see something smaller grow to see if I liked the result. I do.

25-09-2015

I turned practice swatch into knitting bag and lined it today. In the the top of the bag is the first pattern done for rainbow blanket. Wahoo.
I’m really glad I did this little bag as the grey I chose is to dark and overpowering, so I’ve gone back to original grey choice.

27-09-2015

Found some time today to do the bobbles. Loving project so far.

30-09-2015

Decided to clean up edges today and sew in yarn colour changes. I fear otherwise if I don’t do as I go along it maybe a blanket with thread tassels!

18-10-2015

Finished off more edge yarn tonight. I’m more than a third through pattern, although I imagine I might like it a wee bit longer.
I had trouble with the shell pattern. Feel that it was a little too bulky and if I understood what I was doing a bit more I may have changed pattern to 2HDC 1ch (instead of 2) 2HDC skip 3.

25-10-2015

Guessing I’m half way through project.
Not happy with the Catherine wheel, I think I was doing something wrong. Its turned out fine but it is not correct.
I wasn’t able to find the link for the bobble stitch from rows 88, so just did as first popcorn row without colour change.
I’m learning lots from doing this project and I’m loving creating it.

07-01-2016

Sooo, it’s been a while since I added any updates. I was going along quite well and then I saw the number 240 on each pattern line! Why did I have only 140, how could I possibly miss 100 stitches? Why didn’t I notice it before?

Pure skill!!

I can’t tell you how many times I counted the row in disbelief.
I thought of my options, un-pulling was quickly dismissed and I came up with the granny square addition idea.
I’m using the same pattern for squares but changing the colours for each one. I couldn’t figure out how to ‘figure out’ the size to fit evenly down length of blanket. I estimated I’d need 8 and thought I’d join and attach 4 one side, which I’ve done. Next I will join and attach the other 4 on bottome of same side and the gap left in the middle, I will crochet rectangle on the blanket and join the two sections together, somehow.

I’m actually quite happy with how it’s turning out and are enjoying the granny squares.
Only seven to go…

27-01-2016

Looks like I no longer need to fill in gap with rectangle but a full sized Granny square. So it’s another two granny squares and it’s done.

I’m actually glad I messed up the pattern, I like how it’s turning out with squares along the sides.

We went on a road trip recently and I had to take this with me. I can now crochet whilst driving…in the passenger seat of course.
It’s getting quite cozy sitting under the blanket whilst crocheting. Shame it’s been a very hot summer here in oz.

11-02-2016

Done!!
Cannot believe it’s done. All I have to try and do now is block it. That’s going to be a challenge to say the least.
I will try and find the granny square pattern I used the flower part so I can put a link to her fabulous design.

OK Found the Granny Square Pattern, its the inside of the granny square. I then added a SC row. Turned it over and crochet a row of bobbles and the turned over again and did a SC row again. then 3 rows of DC the last row always being the charcoal.
Pattern by SimplyDaisy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3mbrXdoJns&list=PLGA...

12-02-2016

I’ve done a little research on how to block an acrylic blanket. It looks like steam is the go, I assumed I just washed and pinned like I’ve done with wool things. If I’ve gotten it right, acrylic Works different, it needs to get hot and then cool down to set it. I did read also though to wash and put in the dryer….no way to scary and I need to do some serious stretching here and there to make up for where I started to drop stitches when doing some of the fancy stitches! Shhh don’t telI anyone but by the end I was 10cm less in width than the beginning. It’s all pinned on the carpet and fingers crossed when I steam it tonight.

Here’s some links to what I found about blocking acrylic
http://beadknitter.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/you-can-block-...

http://crafternoontreats.com/blocking-acrylic-crochet-bla...

https://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/lionbrand/displayCustom...

20-02-2016

It’s all finished, folded and away. The Blocking worked fairly well. It’s still not a prefect rectangle but it’s not bad given that I had to stretch it at the end a fair bit.
I’m also happy with the granny squares that I added through necessity, I think it add as apposed to subtracting to design.
Im tempted to do a border around the edges, but now that it’s finished and folded that may never happen.
Watch this space…