Sunday 8 March 2015

Shall We Dance?

Let me just say, right away, that I can't dance. I'm totally useless. But this isn't really about dancing as you'll see when you read on.

All you knitters and crocheters will know that it's inevitable that, no matter how hard you try, you eventually amass a bit of a yarn stash. In an attempt to use up some of my stash I decided to crochet a blanket. This was also something that I wanted to be able to work on in the car (as a passenger!) even when the journey was done during the hours of darkness. 

It had to be something simple so I settled on doing a Granny stripe. Since I was just using up scraps of yarn, although for some of the colours I had almost a full 100g ball, I didn't make the stripes any particular number of rows. In fact, some of the rows have a colour change at some point along it.

The crocheting was therapeutic. Row after row of three treble groups. I always counted; one-two-three, one-two-three, one-two-three ... My mind wandered and I thought how the counting was like the timing for a waltz. Then it wandered further; to one of my favourite musicals; The King and I. It has to be the one with Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, of course. Then I was singing to myself 'Shall we Dance?' and the blanket was henceforth known as the 'Shall we Dance?' blanket. When I started crocheting it, I had no intention of giving it a name!

Right, I'd better stop talking about it and let you see it. This is it spread over the mattress on a double bed. It gives you an idea of the size.


This is slightly better colour though not quite the full size.


The rest of the photos were taken outside to try and get the colours to show up well. First, draped over the sweet pea frame.


Now spread out a bit over the sweet pea frame. I'm sure by this stage the neighbours were  well and truly convinced of my insanity.


Here's a close up of the border.


Spread over the summer seat.


Same again but from a different angle. Well, you know what it's like! You just keep taking photos.


Folded and sitting on the summer seat.


Then flipped over to show the other colours.


For something that was done just to use up left over yarn, and done mostly in the dark, I think it has turned out very well. In fact, I'm delighted with it. Really, really love it. Every time I catch a glimpse of it, it makes me smile.

The facts:

The blanket weighs 1.45 kg. That means it took fourteen and a half 100g balls. I actually had to buy six of those in order to have enough.

The yarn is mainly Stylecraft Special DK with some Robin DK so it is entirely made from acrylic yarn.

And look! This is all I had left. 



Let me hasten to add that this is not all that is left in my stash. It's all that is left of the yarn that was suitable for this blanket.

The blanket will soon be going to my son. That is who I crocheted it for because he wants to make his house more homely. He doesn't know yet that he's getting it; it will be a surprise. I hope he'll be pleased with it. After all, there's nothing more homely than a Granny striped blanket, is there?

Thanks for all the lovely comments you leave. Please let me know what you think of the blanket. Bye for now.

34 comments:

  1. Hello Gillian, your blanket is stunning, especially the colours. I love how all the colours are blended so well, and your fabulous border just finishes it off perfectly.

    Your son will be so thrilled (and warm) when he receives it.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  2. It's fabulous. A great way to use up some of your stash. I really like the colours you've used, they work really well together. I'm sure your son will be thrilled with it.

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  3. I am sure he will treassure it! Loving gift from mamma.
    Love the colors and for your neighbours, let them wonder.
    I walk around with the white head with my hats on, taking photos everywhere...
    Have a nice Sunday

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  4. This is a beautiful blanket, I love the warm colours, it is just so happy. Definitely a blanket to make a home more homely. x

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  5. Sucha beautiful and gorgeous blanket !!! I think your son will love it !!! Have a lovely sunday evening !

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  6. It's such a beautiful blanket! I'm sure your son will enjoy it. I agree, there is nothing more homely than a Granny Stripe blanket. :-)

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  7. Lovely sunny happy colours Gillian! Most impressive that it was done in the dark in the car (mostly) lol I'm sure your son will love it :)
    Jillxo

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  8. Lovely afghan! Your son will love it!

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  9. What a beautiful gift to your son, Gillian! And I love that you used wool from your stash to make it - nothing goes to waste and you made something not only beautiful but useful! He's going to be thrilled with it!

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  10. I love the name and I love the blanket, what a great way to use up yarn! You have a lucky son :)

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  11. That blanket is such a useful size - for a bed or a sofa. You have reminded me that I need to do a new blanket for one of my sofas. Do you think there is enough leftovers from the blanket to make a matching cushion cover? I am wondering what other accessories the leftovers might be good for!
    Your random colours give your blanket plenty of character - I am sure your son will appreciate it very much. :-)

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    Replies
    1. There isn't enough left over for a cushion cover. My son doesn't like cushions anyway!

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  12. I love this blanket, I think it's beautiful! I should really make one myself to get rid of some stash yarn...

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  13. Oh my goodness it is a beauty. I love that its made up of bits of yarn, brilliant idea.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  14. It is fantastic Gillian!!! I love it. Great use of your stash too. I am sure that my neighbours think that I am odd, crawling around taking close up pictures of flowers and draping blankets around the garden last summer! It is just one of those things that we bloggers have to bear! xx

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  15. It came out really well! I love it. I've been thinking that I need to go through my bins and start finishing off some end bits that I've been collecting. It must feel good to have it used it and made into something pretty and useful. Nice work.

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  16. Such a beautihul blanket!

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  17. Gorgeous blanket Gillian. It looks so bright and snuggly.
    Marianne x

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  18. I love it!!! I have such a thing for granny stripes, they make me happy. Yours is lovely. I love the mid-row changes. I am absolutely sure your son will love it :)
    Shan

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  19. The big reveal! Well done, Gillian! It is so very lovely.
    Amalia
    xo

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  20. That's certainly going to be cosy, and cheery too. I love the name you've given it.

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  21. It's really lovely! I love to use up every last scrap of yarn and find it really satisfying. What a clever idea to knot the ends together so you can just keep on going without worrying about it you have enough to finish a row. You've made a gorgeously colouful and cosy blanket. x

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  22. Lovely blanket - I like it over the summer seat (which is by the way a lovely Northern Ireland expression for what they call a garden bench over here.)

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    1. I suppose it's called a summer seat here because you're unlikely to use it any other time - either too cold or too wet!

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  23. What a great blanket - I love the jazzy colours and what a great way to use up left over yarns!
    Caz xx

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  24. Olá Gillian!
    Pode parecer estranho um blogueiro seguir seu blog, por sinal, muito encantador.
    A começar pelo seu perfil, que faço questão de ler com muita atenção.
    O colorido dos seus trabalhos me fazem lembrar da minha saudosa mãe, que era uma dedicada artesã no crochet e tricô.
    Hoje, sigo blogues como o seu, porque sempre chamo minha esposa para ver!
    Um grande abraço!

    VitorNani & Hang Gliding Paradise

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  25. Hello,
    so much to admire here, not only your fabulous blanket but also those socks in the other post....well done they are beautifully made...I had trouble shaping the heel!
    bestest daisy j x

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  26. Looks very pretty. I am working on a Granny square with all my leftover yarn. It is about half done and will go into my hope chest for one of my grandkids.

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  27. Hello Gillian,
    That must be a lot of work Gillian. But very nice and very wonderful with the bright colors.
    You will never have cold. Great to see!!

    Many greetings,
    Marco

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  28. Hi, Gillian! I got to your blog through Amy, who won your sock giveaway. I'm your newest Follower. Your blanket is wonderful! Love it. I hope you can visit me too when you get time. I'll be back!

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    Replies
    1. You're very welcome to join in. I've been over to your blog and left a comment.

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  29. A beautiful name for a beautiful blanket! I like the border a lot - it looks really special! :-)

    Take care
    Anne (Crochet Between Worlds)

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  30. Hi Gillian! I love your blanket! The way you arranged the colours, it looks really interesting! I'm sure your son will be pleased with it! Also love the name!!! :)

    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be/

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