Tuesday, June 26, 2012

diagonal stripes

The diagonal striped blanket is washed, blocked, and ready to go! (Now to tackle the weeding in the back garden...)
pattern: diagonal box-stitch stripey crochet blankie
two skeins each of green tea heather, haze heather, golden heather, dogwood heather, wave heather, and marshmallow
hook: G/4.0 mm, Clover Soft Touch


notes:
I love how you work this pattern from corner to corner -- it eliminates the foundation chain, the worst part of any crochet project. The yarn is soft, organic, and cozy, not to mention cheery and colorful. The (admittedly) garish shades may not be to everyone's taste, which I totally get.
While the ball band suggests that you can machine wash and dry this yarn on low, I found that even on the "hand wash" super gentle cycle, there was some fuzzing. I didn't brave the dryer with this one!
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If your retinas have been sufficiently seared by the vivid stripes, how about a classier, more tasteful version of the same pattern?
This one's for me. I did most of the work last winter, but didn't have enough yarn to do the scallop border and had to wait for Knit Picks to restock. The afghan still saw plenty of use even in its border-less state. Same details as the colorful version above, aside from the yarn. It's Knit Picks Bare Swish Worsted, which comes in nice 220-yard put-ups (unlike the dyed version, which comes in skimpy 110-yard balls). This is one of the nicest and snuggliest things I've ever made, with the exception of my very first crochet project, a cozy cashmerino giant granny square.

Also, we've made progress on our rustic back sun room. This pair of handmade rocking chairs from an old farmhouse in Indiana was a Craigslist score.
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Mini German pancakes for Sunday brunch. Yum! A new weekend favorite recipe. Be aware that though they puff very nicely, they fall quite quickly. I whipped up a strawberry rhubarb compote with bounty from the Lincoln Square farmer's market.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

The blanket is so gorgeous. I just can't decide which version that I like better!

Carrie K said...

Those are both gorgeous but the "classier" version is definitely my favorite!

Oooh, mini Dutch babies? YUM.

Tracy Altieri said...

Both just lovely!

Anonymous said...

love the rocking chairs and your blankets! (and compote -- yum!)

Katie M. said...

Those blankets look perfectly snuggly! I have to say that I love the stripes -- brighter is almost always better in my book!

Chris said...

The classic version is my favorite, too. Unsurprisingly! :)

Rue said...

I'm actually really enjoying the candy striped blanket! The colors are have such a lovely pop on a summer day. And that rhubarb compote sounds absolutely delicious.

How goes the progress on your Tardis project? Have you gotten to the fun part yet?

knitseashore said...

I love both of the blankets! The colors in the first one are so cheerful.

Would you be able to answer a question or two about crochet for me? I'm working on the trim on my skirt, and am a little stuck.

bspinner said...

Do I see Polish Pottery on your beautiful table? I love it and have quite a few pieces.