I'm slowly returning to 'normality' after my little jaunts....life's taking on a steady pace.
When I returned home from Dorest, I had the need to 'face my fears' and crochet in rows! So popped over to Lucy's....gulp, and started my Granny Stripe!
It's grown at a steady pace, I'm using up my Drops Paris cotton yarns...it's a yarn guzzler...look at the space it's left on my shelves!
I haven't planned the combinations, just picked up the colours instinctively, looking at it today, I've noticed that each 3 stripes compliment each other. I wonder if there's a science to this.....
I've been crocheting, thinking, allowing myself to be still, after the whirl wind of the last few weeks!
I love, LOVE, love the colours....
It's keeping me warm in the evenings as I crochet the rows, cooler, darker evenings....changes coming, but I'm not yet ready to think of those, we've had a long overdue, brilliant summer here in the UK!
Just got these ends to sew in....cotton isn't as forgiving as wool, any tips anyone!!!!
Sorry for the photo overload but I just love how this blanket is shaping up, it's growing fast....it isn't half heavy, my arms will get some muscles making this one!
Just a few more rows to go, then I'll need a boarder....might be needing more yarn for that one!
Yes, I'm very happy here making my new Rainbow Blanket....it's going to be a real snugly one. And that gap in my shelves?
Found a little jug yesterday to fill it, that is until I've saved my pennies to buy more yarn!
I'm feeling very grateful today. Yesterday I bumped into three colleagues I used to work with, spanning over 30 years. It was lovely to see them, every time I said goodbye to one, I bumped into another. One had just taken early retirement and was glowing, she's a Crafty Lady too, so we shall meet up soon!
It was great to see the other two as well, gosh we'd shared so much over the years. They are both in the thick of it, dealing with the needs of some very vulnerable families, dealing with massive budget cuts, doing the work of two. They looked stressed, tired. I'm very grateful I'm not experiencing that stress anymore.
Sometime, life throws changes at you and at the time you wonder why, I'm very grateful that I have a simpler life now. I'm very grateful I've got time to crochet.
I'm slowly getting around to reading your blogs, it's lovely to see what your getting up too! Thank you, as always, for you comments and support. Hello to new readers, let me know you're there and I will pop over to visit your blog too!
My Etsy shop is open again but I've not dusted off the shelves, as I hoped so there's still some sale vintage wallpaper left......I'm not quite yet ready to move out of Holiday Mode!!!
Bye for now,
Ada :) xxx
Posted with Blogsy
It looks fab, Ada, thanks for sharing the pics. Always good to be grateful and reassess things, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHen xxx
I love the colours in your blanket, I'm definitely in need of a bright colour fix after working with pastels for a while. I have never attempted a granny stripe blanket, only ones worked in blocks that are joined later, but I think it would be the perfect thing to work on in the cooler evenings. Let us know what border you use, that is always the bit I struggle with. Love, Mrs RV x
ReplyDeleteI love, love this blanket.The colour combination you have used is amazing.Your wool stash is very big, lots more project's in the pipeline then! With regards to those ends,I crochet them in as I go behind the next colour x
ReplyDeleteOoh you are clever, Ada! Beautiful blanket ... carry on with the hazy, lazy days of Summer ... Winter wil be here soon enough ... hasn't it been great, I could really get used to these sunny, warm days ...
ReplyDeleteLove claire xxx
Ada I love your blanket, I don't think you could take too many photos of that! Its perfect. I am just now learning to do a granny square, I'll have to look up a granny stripe! Its gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteTammy
~ I'm sooo behind with all my 'fav' blogs at the moment and am thinking a few more hours in the day would be nice! ~ Any ways I am here...and it's lovely to catch up with you! LOVE your cosy throw, for the cooler evenings, although I don't want to think of Autumn, just yet! ~ Summer has been so very kind and I want to hang on to her for much longer! Take time to dream, Ada Bea...( There is a time for every thing....and I am sending thoughts to you ! Hugs And twinkles *** Maria X
ReplyDeleteBlanket looking fab my dear and I sometimes think that it's better to just go with the flow rather than plan too much clove how each three colours compliment each other. Can't offer much advice on the weaving in, it's a bit of a pain with the cotton. I read somewhere that you quite liked this bit and was planning on offering you a little sideline job! :-)) happy weekend lovely Ada xoxo
ReplyDeleteThats looking so beautifull !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove those colors
Your granny stripes are simply scrummy, Ada! Aren't they just the best evening therapy? ;-) You are no longer a newbie crocheted, my dear, these stripes help you regulate your tension, give you confidence with your colours and techniques...well done you!!! And I agree - we are very lucky indeed to have the time and support around us to sit and crochet. Sometimes it takes meeting up with folks of the past to renew our contented feelings. Big hugs to you! Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteCan't believe how quickly it's growing Ada, you've far more patience than me. Truly lovely and good colour combo, I spend ages staring at mine thinking which to use next, when actually just jumping in seems to work as well and it's quicker isn't it.
ReplyDeleteI'm about to go back to all that stress of work next Tuesday. With govt cuts I've lost one of my support staff which means less attention for the students or running around like a blue a****d fly. Think we'll be the latter as it's not their fault that people at the bottom of the pile aren't as valued as those at the top is it. I think I might take in some hooky stuff to alleviate the stress in the break as we've moved from our riverside base to being opposite a lovely park with a cafe.
Can't wait to see blanket finished which I bet it will be very very soon.
Lisa X
It's looking absolutely brilliant Ada! So bright and cheery. You make combining colours like that look so effortless but that's the bit I struggle with. Have you looked into weaving the ends in as you go? Or would that just not work so well with colour changes every second row? I've not done it myself but someone recommended doing it next time I embarked on a largish project....can't wait for the big reveal! Mel xxx
ReplyDeleteHi, your granny stripe is looking great and I love the colours! I have been doing one of the fab Lucy's projects myself too. I
ReplyDeletelook forward to seeing more pictures when you have finished it.
Terri X
Ah yes, crocheting in rows. Not quite gotten around to that challenge yet, hence my blanket is a giant granny square! X
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful. You're doing a great job. And I agree with you, simplifying life is a very good thing and it has made a huge difference for me. Crochet-time is a terrific bonus. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ada
ReplyDeleteLove your Rainbow Blanket. The colours are amazing. Wish you
much more fun while finishing your blanket.
Moni xxx
What a lovely, cheerful blanket. You are inspiring me to pull out the one I started and get going again. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the gap on your shelves. It says there's some happy stitching happening somewhere :)
ReplyDeleteLucy's spripey crochet blankets are so addictive.I have finished two for my younger granddaughters and am now making one for my elder grandson,then it will be one for my younger grandson and finally one for my eldest granddaughter.Ella is 14 and when we were down in Cambridge a couple of weeks ago I happened to have mt Stylecraft shade card with me (54 colours)so she has chosen her colours.She went for mauves,purples,turquoises which will be a lovely change.I am going to be very busy this winter!!
ReplyDeleteLove the blanket,I am not to good doing rows get the ends wrong...have not crochet all summer but you might have inspired me to pick up the hook again..need some nice wool.
ReplyDeleteLooks a lovely blanket. I love working with cotton. :)
ReplyDeleteI can definitely feel that Autumn isn't far away now - but loving these Summer days. x
It looks fabulous, Paris comes in beautiful colours. A blanket with htaht seize will be very heavy, crocheted from Paris. For me it's to thick, I used a few times catania cotton to crochet blankets with. But I prefer to crochet my blankets with wool. Loved to see the photo's. It's so good to live a simple life, on the moment I'm struggling with it too. good te hear you're contnet with your choices. groetjes, Gerda
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, you sound so relaxed. Your blanket looks wonderful, someday I hop to make one.
ReplyDeleteYour blanket is looking super! I have a partially made granny stripe blanket in autumnal shades, will be carrying on with it once summer is over!
ReplyDeleteHelenxx
Oh my goodness Ada your blanket is gorgeous! You've really taken to crochet like a duck to water! I'm so impressed with how neat it all is. You are going to love using it :)
ReplyDeleteIt's truly stunning and super duper gorgeous Ada, so clever and beautiful. I have to go back to work for a week tomorrow, then off on a 10 day camping trip to completely feel like I have had a proper break from the stress :o) xox Penny
ReplyDeleteWow your blanket is looking gorgeous. I love those colours. I always end up preferring other people's colour choices to mine! Granny stripes are very therapeutic.
ReplyDeleteErin x
Fab blanket and very timely for the cooler evenings... any type of granny I feel is very calming because you dont have to think about it do you?
ReplyDeleteIn, out, round, so calming ....zzzzzz
Bestest d xxxx
hello,
ReplyDeletei loe the colors very very match!!!!!
greatings send you Conny
Yes so good to be out of the rat race... Really lovely colours Ada.. I hope you are really pleased with yourself! hugs Cxx
ReplyDeleteLove your blanket:) Yes, crocheting such blankets is a lot of fun:)
ReplyDeleteIt's really lovely - you are so talented! :)
ReplyDeleteYour rainbow blanket is so colourful and gorgeous, and is going to keep you so snug in those cold days of winter. I'm glad that you felt better about having given up work after seeing your ex- colleagues.
ReplyDeleteSarah x
Your granny rows are gorgeous! The yarn is so pretty. Ann
ReplyDeleteOh your rainbow blanket is coming along beautifully!
ReplyDeleteM x
Super duper stripes! Yes as one door closes, a window opens.......what felt like a loss may indeed be a gain.
ReplyDeleteBut what I have learnt is that sometimes the sad bad times teach you to appreciate when life is good and simple.
Love the jug too. :-)
That blanket is beautiful, looks very cosey for winter
ReplyDeletex
Your blanket is so beautiful and colorful!! Happy crocheting! xo Heather
ReplyDeletelove the granny blanket, re the ends not sure what is the best way, I know when I made squares into a blanket years ago I was naughty and knotted them together then weaved them in, ends still pop out of it but at least it has lasted, you have me thinking I would like to make another but time is the problem!
ReplyDeleteYour stripey blankie is just gorgeous - love all the pretty bright colours, it will be just perfect to brighten up the winter!
ReplyDeleteI usually try to sew in my ends as I go along, every 5 rows or so - that way it goes quite quickly and isn't so daunting at the finish line.
Have fun with the border too,
And wishing you a happy week. Xx
Beautiful, beautiful blanket. Craft = calm, that's what I think and why I'll always try to make space for it.
ReplyDeleteCrikey Ada you really have got the 'wool between your teeth'! Your blanket looks fabulous - I did my first one following Lucy's tutorial as well - I wonder how many people around the world have got a rainbow blankie stored away courtesy of Attic 24? Glad to hear you are finding it therapeutic - sounds like your work/life balance is just right x Jane
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring...I was going to say something cheeky about taking lots of balls to crochet... but I won't! Can't beat crafty therapy...it keeps me sane. EE xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colours! I'm always inspired by your blog, Ada. x
ReplyDeleteHello dear friend. I have been absent from blog world, but busy with other parts of life. Very fortunate to have my almost three year old granddaughter over for a couple of nights. Waiting for her to wake up, I thought of you and your blog. Reading it always puts me in such a homely mood. You have shown an instinctive ability with colours from the beginning, it doesn't surprise me that your blanket has turned out so coordinated. Very impressed with you natural abilities. I have tried crochet and knitting several times, Failed miserably with both. But we never know until we try. And with a "can do" attitude, anything is possible.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very lovely blanket indeed. You are balancing the colours beautifully. It must be a yarn guzzler because your shelves don't look like a yarn shop anymore, they just look like very pretty shelves! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab blanket.
ReplyDeleteI have never crochet in rows, only a circle. Or an enormous square.
I am going to hunt out the Tutorial.
Hi
ReplyDeleteI just listened to a really interesting programme with an interview from an inspiring lady with autism. I thought you might like it. It was yesterdays edition of Something Understood on Radio 4.
Eleanor xx
Hi Ada, Nicely done!!! It is beautiful!!! Love the color combinations!!! Have a great week!!!
ReplyDeleteLove
AMarie
I'm slowly catching up in stolen moments to read back on blogs I've missed after two-weeks' holiday. Your striped blanket is GORGEOUS!! Wonderful for you to have the time to work away at this during beautiful summer weather :) I know what you mean about leaving a stressful job behind you. Stress takes its toll no matter where it comes from. Still a few weeks of summer left, and I hope you enjoy them to their fullest! Wendy x
ReplyDeleteGOSH YOU CRACK ON WITH THESE PROJECTS DON'T YOU! you inspire me! x
ReplyDelete