The yarn has been purchased. The only brand that had all the colours I needed was Cascade; their Ultra Pima cotton. The yarn came in this bag. Seven skeins in all.
The colours show up better when the skeins are out of the bag. They have very sensibly named the colours! So, from left to right, we have Van Dyke Brown, Brick, Deep Coral, Butterscotch, Ginger, Blood Orange and Sepia.
I'm really looking forward to crocheting the bag. First I have to wind the skeins which, fortunately, is another job I love. I can wind the skeins myself without any sort of help or tools; a skill I learnt from my mother many years ago. Actually, today would have been her eighty eighth birthday. Unfortunately, due to illness, she didn't quite reach her sixty seventh birthday.
Would you like to see another little lap blanket that I finished recently? I'm sure you would!
This one has already gone to a resident in the local nursing home who will, I hope, get plenty of snuggling with it. It is amazingly warm I found while making it!
The hexagon pattern was taken from one of the recent Simply Crochet magazines. I joined the hexes as I went along and worked out my own pattern for the half hexagons. It was made using acrylic yarn from my stash and took exactly 300g. When I was making it, I didn't like the way the flower petals curled but once it was finished and the ends sewn in I really liked the way it looked.
Thanks for all your comments that you very kindly leave. I'm looking forward to reading what you think about the cotton for the new bag and the wee lap blanket.
I'm really looking forward to seeing your sister in law's bag, the colours are wonderful. How lovely to make a lap blanket for a local resident, I'm sure it will be well used. I love the pattern you've used.
ReplyDeleteSorry if you get this twice the first one vanished mid sentence. I love your blanket someone is going to be so happy to receive it. The yarn is gorgeous I love the colours, the only way I know how to wind it is by putting it across my knees, I usually end up in a tangle though. :)
ReplyDeleteThe bag for your SIL is going to be great and I love Cascade yarn, you can never go wrong with it. That blanket is spectacular, so fun and bright.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
The blanket is so pretty and will I am sure be greatly loved by the recipient! What a kind thing to do. The yarns for your SIL's bag are beautiful aren't they, what fabulous colours!!!! I am sure that she will love the finished bag. xx
ReplyDeleteThe blanket is gorgeous and will no doubt bring the resident a lot of joy. We used to visit a care home with our dogs (a pets as therapy type scheme) and I often admired all the lovely lap blankets. I look forward to seeing how your SIL's bag turns out - your own is lovely and how nice to be 'commissioned' - it can only mean she's admired it greatly in the past! X
ReplyDeleteI love the colors for the bag. I'm sure your SIL will love it too.
ReplyDeleteThat yarn is gorgeous! Will you show us how you wind your yarn? Would love to see and learn.
ReplyDeleteI'll try. Will have to get my husband to take pictures.
DeleteRemember winding wool with my granny - sitting their with the wool over both wrist and hands parallel to each other while she rolled it into a ball. Not sure how you'd do it by yourself - a chair back? Like you I lost my mother before she got old - over ten years ago now I still miss her terribly.
ReplyDeleteI hold the skein on my own wrists - just like you did for your granny - and also do the rolling.
DeleteThat looks verry nice Gillian!!
ReplyDeletewell done!!
Many greetings,
Marco
Oh wow! Looks so great!
ReplyDeleteAnd the skeins look amazing - how do you do it?!?!
Take care
Anne (Crochet Between Worlds)
Love the colours of yarn for the bag! It will be great!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blanket!
Enjoy your week ♥
Ooh, what a wonderful blanket, I'm sure it'll make a smash at the nursing home!
ReplyDeleteI love the skeins you chose for your sister-in-law too, Ginger looks especially nice - can't wait to see the finished bag!
I'm sorry to read your mom is no longer there, but I'm sure she's so proud of you, wherever she is... xx
Just LOVE the colours for the bag, they are so pretty. Can't wait to see the finished product. The lap blanket is so pretty and cheery, will be cherished by someone that's for sure. Crocheting is on the back burner for me at the moment until I get better.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it nice to be asked to make something? It is such a COMPLIMENT. And I adore your choice of yarn.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
oo, that yarn is delicious! Such deep rich colours - can't wait to see the finished article! And your blanket is so cheerful too - I like the unusual pattern, I'm sure the residents will love it.
ReplyDeleteCaz xx
Ooh, nice yarn. I've never worked with Cascade before but those colours are gorgeous. I'm really intrigued about how you unwind the skein yourself. I have to turn a chair upside down then slowly wind the yarn around the legs, before balling it up. I task I loathe!
ReplyDeleteI love the colours you've chosen, so rich and warm, beautiful. The lap blanket is so pretty, someone will be very grateful xx
ReplyDeleteI love that primary cotton it's so lovely to work with. She will love it and great recognition from your brother too
ReplyDelete