Well, I carried on....and ended up with this!
I'd like to put a scalloped edge on it but not sure how to do that just yet.
It's not the biggest blanket, but that doesn't matter....
I can still snuggle under it!
So where will it live?
I wondered about Eldest Beas room, but she says it's too scratchy (she has a very sensitive sense of touch, this can be a nightmare when trying to find new clothes!) so not there then.......
Perfect, Little Bea loves it and her Princesses can look after it!
I've found my Hooky Hands! I now know how to handle the yarn, hold the hook, there is some sort of rhythm and flow. I no longer tangle my fingers with the yarn and end up with a spaghetti mess!
Actually when this happened I got soooo excited, made Mr Bea take photo of my hands just in case I forgot! (he already thinks I'm a bit loopy!) of course the next day I had forgot so quickly looked at the photo.....I don't need the photo anymore, 'it' just happens!
Now just need to tie up the loose ends!
And might need to sort out my storage.......
So my Lovelies, what shall I do next? I need some very simple patterns to follow, this one really didn't take much thinking! I need to learn how to crochet in to the chain (yikes!) instead of into the space (much easier!).
My tension is better now, although my back is killing me! 2 hours solid crochet, didn't move, stood up, back hurt......note to self, put the crochet down at regular intervals.....and move!
Any thoughts? Could anyone recommend any simple patterns? What's the best cotton yarn to use, much better for Eldest Beas sensitivity issues!
My first crochet, I'm soooooo happy!
Thank you for your support on the swap think we are almost there, although I'm sorry Renee, at the moment I can't find a swap partner for you. I will update the swap list on my previous post this evening and email those involved!
Bye for now,
Ada :) x x x
p.s. Etsy news, I've been trying to get my fabric on but can't get any photos onto my Etsy site, I upload them from my laptop, does anyone else ever have this problem? Sometimes it has taken ages to upload but at the moment it's impossible! :(
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Ada!!!!! this is beautiful!!!! I'm so proud of you!!! You have been so dedicated and this is the result!!! BRAVISSIMA!!!!! So so happy for you, really I am!!! I think you may try to do some pot holders or some little rugs!!! On Pinterest and Ravelry you will find lots of beautiful and easy patterns!!!!
ReplyDeletea big big hug, xxxx Ale
Thanks Ale! :) x
DeleteHi Ada, What a beautiful snuggly blanket!! Just the perfect size for little folk, and I'm sure your daughter will love it for ages! What a good feeling you must have for completing this first big project :) Definitely sign up to Ravelry for some easy patterns (many of which are free!). Now you just have to keep it up, or you might share my trouble when I feel I have to relearn knitting if I let it sit too long :P Have a great day! Wendy
ReplyDeleteYay for crochet! What a beautiful blanket, lovely colours and the tension is perfect. I would recommend you look on Ravelry for a scarf pattern or maybe have a go at Attic 24's easy ripple blanket. The instructions are so clear and once you get going, it's so easy and relaxing to make. Happy crocheting. xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, Juliab, I've signed up to Ravelry, just need to explore the site and find a few patterns :) x
DeleteFantastic Ada!!
ReplyDeleteI love the colours too smashing! I made a crochet holder first and put shells around the edges which was very easy and pretty... i made my first crochet heart yesterday from the new Simply Crochet magazine if you subscribe now you can try 3 issues for £5 on 0844 848 2852 code SCRP11... there are a couple of pretty edging patterns is there. But ravelry is great too I just don't have a printer so get books out of the library...
Do share any info on cotton yarn and where to get it from too so far I've just been using anything I find at bootsales or charity shops but I'd really like to try something big. Cx
Will do, I'm going to buy that magazine to or row, treat myself! :) x
DeleteExcellent color for crochet you have Ada! Can't believe this is your first project yet.. Congrats on a job well done n looking forward to see more from you..
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes hopefully there will be more blankets, cushions, flowers!...... :) x
DeleteOooh Ada, it's beautiful, you've put me to shame! I've been crocheting a patriotic Granny Square for the last couple of years ... wasn't ready for the Royal Wedding ... or The Jubilee, nor the Olympics and Paralympics, when we were flying the flag so high and it would have looked the part! Maybe the Royal Birth will spur me on and I hope everyone gets their flags and bunting out again.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love it, well done!
Love,Claire xxx
Oh Ada its fab! I did a giant granny as my first project too. I'm trying to make some heart bunting now but it's a lot harder. Think I may have jumped the gun. Must check out that Ravelry comment above... Well done you! Hazel x
ReplyDeleteThey look tricky! :) x
DeleteSee - you learnt it. Told you you would. It's just doing it and doing it and then it all suddenly makes sense and lovely things grow like your blanket. I will email you about books promise, need to look through a few and see which best.
ReplyDeleteWhen I teach crochet I always start of with a foundation chain to get everyone used to the stitches,, turning chains and working back and forth, then we do working in the round. Trying to give you tips here to get going, hope it makes sense.
Instead of the four chain you joined for the middle of your blanket carry on and do about 20 or so chains. Then practice about three rows of each new stitch on a chain until you get the hang of it. The bit that never made sense to me when I was teaching myself was the turning chain. Once I realised that was really the extra chains you need to make to get the height of different stitches it all fell into place. So for dc you only need 1 ch height and on foundation chain you just miss the first ch and work into the next, each following row you need to work 1 ch when you turn back before you put your hook into the first ch. For htr you work 2ch (or miss the first two) and for tr you work 3ch, dtr it's four. Hope this helps Ada.
Lisa X
Thanks Lisa, yes I will try and just practise some different stitches! I want to do increasing and decreasing too, bet triangles are good for that. Won't run before I can walk though! :) x
DeleteOh lovely, lovely blankie. Beautiful colours. Well done you. I learnt about two years ago and godammit, I've forgotten how to do it. Will have to re-learn. xx
ReplyDeleteHello Ada, i see you have a deer from Maartje :-).
ReplyDeleteMaartje did help me to find you (i was lost your blog) because i have seen the most beautiful christmas tree ever..
Maartje said: i think you did see it by Ada :-)
i like your blanket very much !
Love, Ellen xxx
http://ietsiepietsiekitschie.blogspot.nl/
Thank you for visiting, I will pop over and see you soon! :) x
DeleteHi Ada
ReplyDeleteI love your blanket and also the colours you have chosen. So nice to look at these gray winter days.
Wish you a nice week.
Moni :)
It's gorgeous, beautiful colours :) Well done you can certainly crochet beautifully. xx
ReplyDeleteClever you! Its a brilliant first make Ada, well done and I am sure little Bea will get great delight out of it. Nicki Trench's Cute and Easy Crochet book which you can order from most one line book shops is quite a good buy for beginners and you might like some of the sweet projects in it too. I am on Ravelry and it's the bees knees for free patterns for all abilities.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodi-ness Ada, you're a hooky lady now. You'llnever look back i promise :o) Such pleasure and oh the yarn out there is heavenly.
Regarding cottons, all the Debbie Bliss cottons are lovely but a little pricy. The Rico cottons are also lovely and cheaper. Anything with a cotton and bamboo bled is always that much softer and a little less scratchy for big girl Bea. I make all my face cloths out of this soft mix xox Penelope
Hi, I've got that book, found it a bit confusing but will have another go at some of the 'easy' projects! Thanks for the yarn advice! Will check it out, need to watch my pennies! :) x
DeleteNo problem! I love your blanket. I wish I knew how to do that! I have always wanted to learn. Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteYour amazing....love that blanket!
ReplyDeleteHave youe seen where they make rugs out of old quilts.....I think you should try, they are amazing like you.
Heidi
Respect!
ReplyDeleteAda, it is so beautiful!!! Love all the pretty colors, and you did such a great job!! How about doing a granny square blanket? Happy crocheting!! xo Heather
ReplyDeletewow, what a beauty, you did so well for your first big project - i'm sure you can give anything a go! crochet is all pretty much slight variations on the same stitches
ReplyDeletemy favourite cotton for softness is now discontinued {it was debbie bliss pure cotton} it would be a good idea to go and have a feel of some in a shop if you can, i find a lot of cotton yarn to be quite stiff to work with when crocheting, Bamboo yarn can be much softer so it might be better to go with a 50/50 mix? i always check the clearance section of kemps website, they often do discontinued colours at really cheap prices!
kellyx
Your title reminds me of a Bee Gees song ...'more than a cushion, more than a cushion to me...yeah!'
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have that song in my head all night now - not that I mind.
Lovely colours,
Nina x
Oh no! You've passed it on to me now! :) x
DeleteCompletely wow! I knew you could do it. I like to knit and crochet with cotton a lot because it washes so well and foolproofly. Try wendy supreme from patons or have a look at http://www.yvestown.com/shop/. The cotton on there is more like 4ply than dk but comes in oodles of colours.
ReplyDeleteEleanor x
Will check them out! Thanks :) x
DeleteWow! It's sooo beautiful. I just adore the colors! :)
ReplyDeleteWell done you.It is so neat as well.Pop over to Attic24 there are great patterns and inspiration there.A brilliant site.I buy Stylecraft Special Dk from Afan crafts in S.Wales.It is acrylic but very soft,comes in a huge range of colours and is only £1.30 a ball.
ReplyDeleteThanks will do! :) x
ReplyDeleteStunning blanket! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the blanket - what a great first achievement! you don't do things by halves do you? I couldn't get the hang of crochet. Admittedly I didn't persevere too long. I get really cross if I can't do something straight away... ho hum1
ReplyDeleteellie
x
Fantastic, well done.
ReplyDeleteLovely blanket! I am impressed, and I think you are a quick learner:) You have already been told about Lucy at Attic 24, and she has a lot of good patterns with lots of photos.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your next project:)
Lovely blanket, well done. Re the photos on etsy, have you checked they're not too many pixels? I change my camera settings to "low quality" for etsy pics as there's a limit to the size. Just a thought! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, will check! :) x
DeleteAren't you a clever possum! Love the colours and yes crochet in the spaces is a very addictive pastime. I love it because you dint have to count chains and stitches too much, which I find really hard. I am currently and slowly putting together a granny square blanket of many colours, that's fun. But like others have mentioned the ripple blanket from Attic24 also looks like a logical next step. It's on my to do list. I will have to look out and see if we have soft yarns here, acrylic yarns can be soft. Do you like acrylic or are you looking for a natural fibre?
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, I think I prefer natural yarns if possible! :) x
DeleteOh what a lovely blanket Ada ... I told you it would just click ... so pretty ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteWow Ada! You picked up crocheting really fast! Great job! Love the blanket! I wish I had the patients to do that!
ReplyDeleteHey Ada your sweet little blanket is gorgeous, well done....crochet is such a fun portable project.
ReplyDeleteA scalloped edge is very easy to do now that you have the granny square down pat and there are so many wonderful tutorials on Youtube.
There will be no stopping you now...
Claire :}
what a lovely blanket, I would be putting that over my poor old knees when it is chilly. Looked up Ravely yesterday and think it will be great for patterns
ReplyDeleteWow, go you! That is some first crochet piece, it's lovely!!
ReplyDeleteYour new blanket is gorgeous, Ada!!! I love the colours, it looks so fresh and cheerful! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteHelen x
You are a total legend. Do you realize you have done in one week what took me over a year to do? Complete a crochet something that is. The blanket looks fab, maybe try acrylic for your big girl. Roboboy has his own in acrylic and despite our climate never finds it itchy. mel x
ReplyDeleteI felt some bamboo and cotton yarn today, so soft, so expensive! :) x
Deletewell done Ada, it's quite addictive isn't it! nice colours, Heather x
ReplyDeleteVery impressed and love your colour choices, too.
ReplyDeleteYou're so clever. I'm starting my crochet adventure by learning how to do rows and am struggling so far, but persevering! Beautiful cheerful colours. x
ReplyDeleteThanks Joules, shall get Mr B onto that one! :) x
ReplyDeleteI am so impressive with your blanket, it has grown so big so quickly! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteSarah x
That is a very fine 'first attempt'! You were clearly a master (or mistress?)crochet-er in a past life. I hope that when I take the plunge, I can do half as well!
ReplyDeletex
I LoVe the colours Ada - beautiful
ReplyDeleteXx
Ada, It is wonderful clever girl such beautiful colours ,they have really lifted me on this dull damp day here in the Moorlands
ReplyDeleteThea x
It's fab, Ada, well done! I love Yvestown cotton yarn as it's very soft and non-scratchy but has a nice weight to it. Its about £1.50 a ball so quite cheap I think. The only trouble I've found with cotton yarn though is that it's thinner and need a small hook so crocheting anything like a blanket or cushion takes AGES (I've learnt this to my cost...) as you have to do twice as much hooking!
ReplyDeleteGillian x
For a first attempt at crochet, this is absolutely beautiful. Bet you're really proud. When I was teaching myself crochet I found that the best book to describe the process in simple terms is The Happy Hooker from Debbie Stroller. Best of luck on the new project.
ReplyDeleteRosie xx
Ada Bea, Your 'more than a cushion' blanket looks gorgeous on little Bea's bed! You've done so well with your tension for your first project; it looks perfectly flat.
ReplyDeleteTidying up the ends is my least fave job, I learned the importance of doing a good job at this though after I bought a granny blanket from the op shop and when I washed it quite a few of the squares came undone! I did my best to stitch it up but I sure learned a valuable lesson.
Sorry I didn't get round to being part of the swap, I didn't have anything that anyone wanted.
Happy hooking
Jo x
There's no turning back now!!!
ReplyDeleteFabulous first crochet blanket : -) You must be so happy with your result, it's lovely.
Just beautiful! I wish you could come down here and teach me how to crochet - I've always wanted to learn. I love those zen activities :)
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for your encouragement! :) x
ReplyDeleteLove the blanket! I used to have one growing up that was made by my mom, wish it was still around
ReplyDeleteWow, your more than a cushion is fabulous! I love the bright happy colours. Well done on your first big crocheted article - you beat me, my blanket is still just a pile of squares hidden away in a bag somewhere. Hopefully it will be resurrected some time soon :)
ReplyDeleteLove your bright blankie! ♥
ReplyDelete