Saturday 26 September 2015

St. Petersburg Blanket - Finito

The St. Petersburg blanket was started last May when we were on our Baltic cruise, which included a two day visit to St. Petersburg. There have been many breaks from crocheting this blanket but I've always loved to get back to it and do a bit more. Now, finally, it is finished. Ready to put on our king sized bed just in time for the cooler weather.

The first mention of my cotton blanket was in my very first post. The yarn I chose was Sirdar Cotton DK and used two balls of each of the colours Vanilla, Seersucker, Light Taupe, Toasted, Sundance, Honeysuckle, Tranquil, Bluebird, Sailor Blue, French Navy, Darling Bud, Hot Pink, Black Violet, Larkin and Cottonfield. The plan was to make 144 different 6" squares from the 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws and Afghans book by Jan Eaton. I worked it all out in advance and drew up a chart with the number of each block and where it was to be placed. However, once I started crocheting, I quickly realised that I didn't like the mix of blocks worked round and round with blocks worked back and forth. So I changed to make all the blocks of the round and round type. Now there were also some of the blocks in the book that I just didn't like the look of so, in the end, I had to repeat some of the blocks but using different colours. I suppose it's a sort of sampler blanket.



Another thing that I changed in my plan was that I made the blanket with eleven rows of twelve squares rather than twelve by twelve.


The square below is called St. Petersburg. Well, I had to include it, didn't I? In fact, I crocheted it while we were docked in St. Petersburg! You can just spot a little bit of the border below the St. Petersburg square. I did eight rows of griddle stitch in different colours. Look at this post for an explanation of how to work griddle stitch.


Not all the colours were what I would call 'my colour' but, by using with other colours that I do like, each square really pleased me when it was finished.



The squares were all joined as-you-go which meant that, once the blanket got to about a third of it's final size, it was very heavy and hard to work with. By the time I was working on the last row I could hardly manage the joining! I'm not likely to do this again, but if I did, I would leave the joining to the end and crochet the squares together.

Please let me know what you think of my blanket; I hope you like it!

Here's a picture of our pet dog called Nonem. I tried to find one for my last post but couldn't. Then today, when I was looking for something else, I found this picture.


She looks like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but she's crazy.

Thanks, as always, for your lovely comments.
(For new readers, if you want to see why I say finito, have a look at this post).

23 comments:

  1. Your blanket is magnificent! And your dog looks sweet, but I do believe you when you say he's crazy :-)
    My cats look almost holy on all pictures, but in real life they're not, haha.
    Have a nice weekend, sigrid

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  2. Hello Gillian,
    Very nice this blanket. Wonderful with the happy colors.
    I think you've got a lot of work to make it.
    Nice shot of your funny dog Nonem. He looks quiet..hihi...!!

    Many greetings,
    Marco

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  3. Your blanket is just beautiful! I can imagine it was heavy to work with joining as you go. I did an afghan like that, and it got a little heavy, but wasn't near as big as your king size blanket. You do beautiful work. :-)

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  4. Hi Gillian, amazing blanket it reminds me of a Kaffe Fassett look, well done completing it - so snuggly. I would love to go St Petersburg. I would like to go and see Rembrandts Return of the Prodigal Son painting. I understand it's in the Hermitage museum. Think I will have to sell a lot of my snowmen cards to get there!! Have a nice weekend.

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  5. Hello Gillian - what a gorgeous blanket, and I love that the squares have different patterns!

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  6. Your blanket is lovely and I think you have done great to finish a blanket that size in such a short time it would have taken me years, Nonem looks so cute. :) xx

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  7. That blanket is absolutely beautiful and I love the idea of it having a name ! Love the dog too, of course ! xxx

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  8. Oh WOW, Gillian - your blanket is so gorgeous, it's a work of art! I seriously love it, well done you.. that is a labour of love and something you will treasure for many years to come. xx

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  9. She is adorable and oh my Gillian your blanket is a wonderful piece, so much work! I love it.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  10. Gillian, I love your blanket so colorful , you must be so proud

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  11. Wow! That is one fantastic blanket and I can see how much work you have put into it! Well done xxx

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  12. What a beautiful blanket, I love all the different patterns of the squares.. and yes it would be heavy I made a blanket last year and it is extremely heavy but super warm too.

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  13. Your blanket is beautiful. I like the idea of making squares of so many different patterns. I can imagine how heavy it was at the end but at least it was all joined and there was no sewing up or crocheting together to do. Love the photo of Nonem.

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  14. Wow, Gillian, this is an amazing achievement.
    Amalia
    xo

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  15. Beautiful blanket Gillian,and when you show us the close up of some of the squares it makes you realise just how much work has gone into it. Well done!
    Caz xx

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  16. Your blanket is amazing! Well done it's a true work of art.
    Marianne X
    Ps your wee dog is very cute

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  17. Wow, what a blanket! I love how varied and different the patterns are but it's all pulled together by the colours you chose. I like it when a holiday or trip inspires us to make something creative. x

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  18. Your blanket is quite an achievement and an heirloom piece. Wonderful stuff! Sweet little dog! :-)

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  19. What a beautiful blanket! You did well making it so quickly. Years ago I made a granny square blanket, and it took forever to make, but I love it, and it's on our bed right now. I'm sure you will enjoy your blanket for years to come and love looking at all the different patterns in it. I love the colours you chose too! Your dog looks a proper little pal!
    Barbara xx

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  20. You blanket looks gorgeous! So many colors and so fun of life! I am sure it will remind you of your travel forever! :)

    Take care
    Anne
    Crochet Between Worlds

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  21. Gorgeous blanket. Beautiful work.

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