Sunday, February 05, 2017

Winter Project

I'm joining up with Jennifer of Thistlebear for her Winter Project Link Party today. We're getting some snow falling today, and the thermometer reads a mere 2 degrees below 0 Celsius ... not too bad ... but the grey overcast skies are gloomy again. Perfect day to knit!

I've been working diligently on a new lap blanket for my dad. Every so often when I visit him his room is quite cold, and the only blanket he has in the closet is a cotton one. It's a bit big and if I lay it across his knees, he throws it off again. I thought he might like a smaller blanket and finally decided to knit one for him. 


I've been dithering over this idea for a couple of years for one reason or another. The cost of the yarn was a drawback, but then I found some yarn on sale for $2 a ball just after Christmas. I scooped up ten balls ... five of teal and five of grey. I had to buy acrylic yarn since the nursing home has to be able to throw this in the washing machine and dryer (can't really ask them to handwash a blanket, can I).  This is Impeccable yarn by Loops & Threads and 100% acrylic. It's quite soft and having it sit in my lap I can feel that it's also warm. The yarn suggests six 6 mm (US 10) needles, which is what I'm using in circular needles (knitting back and forth though, not in the round). 


At first I wasn't sure about the colours together and thought they might look too dreary. But now that I've worked them in stripes I think it will be just fine. My dad has always liked the colour of teal. The actual colour is much more green than is showing up in the photos. 


I'm knitting this in a basic stockinette pattern with two rows of each colour. This way I can twist the yarn at the end of the second row to catch up the second colour all the way up the side. I also knit a garter stitch border across the bottom and up each side. There are 12 rows of garter stitch across the bottom and eight stitches on either side. This will help the blanket lie flat without curling up at the edges. 


I was doing fine with the stockinette stitch at first. I wanted a mindless pattern so that I could work at this while watching a movie or while the kids had their naps. I've finally gotten to the stage where I can knit without looking at my work if there is no pattern to follow. If I have a detailed pattern to follow, I just cannot do anything else except knit or I make mistakes. But then I got bored at about 36 rows and added eight rows of a basket weave pattern. Not sure if I'm really happy with that break (I don't like the way it rises up above the flat stockinette), but I've added those eight rows three times now, and I guess it looks okay. I am not ripping it back to change it.


The blanket is a generous size at 55 inches across. I'll make it at least that long, or maybe even a little longer ... Dad has very long legs! So far I have used two full balls of yarn and the next two are close to finished ... so almost four balls of yarn. As I say, I have ten balls for the entire blanket.


I also wanted to show you the scarf that I was working on with the Noro yarn. Love all the colour changes! As you can see, the scarf is not very long with just two balls of yarn. I'm either going to purchase more yarn to complete the scarf the way I would like, or else maybe make a hat like Karen of My Little Home and Garden showed on her blog here! Love this hat, and Karen says it only takes one ball of the Noro yarn. I'll share that when I get back to it after finishing Dad's blanket. My dad is 93 and I really want to be able to give this to him in the next couple of weeks.


I got quite a few rows in yesterday while our furnace and water heater were being installed, and again this morning with cups of tea before the sun came up (well, the sun is up there somewhere, I just can't see it!). Now I'm ready for more tea ... "mighty chai" by David's tea is ready for brewing :)


Cody was enjoying the snuggle on the couch with me this morning. He gets too hot quickly though and hops back down to his usual spot at the top of the stairs where he can be the first to alert us to visitors.
Blob of fur that is my dog
Thanks for stopping by!

Wendy

29 comments:

  1. I think the basket weave stitch looks good against the stocking stitch, it's going to be lovely xx

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  2. I like the colours and pattern of both the blanket and the scarf. I did crochet a scarf using Noro yarn too, it is good to wear on very cold days.
    Hi, Cody looking warm and cozy :)
    have a wonderful week, and we are getting some snow ..

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  3. Your blanket is lovely! I really like the rows of basket stitch, I think they add a nice bit of detail without being too fussy. Hope your Dad likes it and it keeps him cosy.

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  4. I really like the basketweave you've added, makes it more interesting.

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  5. Your dads project AND the scarf are both lovely and how cute Cody is! I don't knit or crochet but my grandmother did and I still have an afghan that she'd made. It was used to cover us while watching TV when my kids were little, has probably been washed 100 times and is still invincible. I quilt, but I am well aware that the crochet / knitting projects last far longer :)

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  6. Love the colours of both the blanket and scarf. I hope that Cody is behaving better these days...

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  7. There is nothing dreary about the colours for your dad's blanket! I do love stripes more than any other pattern. The basket weave rows are very effective. I would love to make a blanket like it but the thought of purling endless rows is not appealing. For some reason, I am not fond of purl stitches. Love the scarf, too. Noro is a great yarn. x

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  8. I loved your Dads blanket, such a beautiful gift, filled with love. Loved the scarf the colours in the yarn are a real delight, stunning.

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  9. Hello, I love the blanket and the pretty colors you are using. The scarf is beautiful too. I wish I had this talent. Your Cody is cute all curled up. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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  10. Great combo of colors and stitches on the blanket for your Dad. Your scarf is very colorful and happy looking.

    Happy Februrary ~ FlowerLady

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  11. Good Morning Wendy,
    Your knitting is always top-notch and beautiful. Just look at the detail and your Dad will so enjoy his new blanket that his sweet daughter handmade for him.
    Have a lovely week!
    Jemma

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  12. Wendy, the colors are beautiful. WOW...you make this look so easy but I never learned to crochet or knit. But I love seeing the work of others. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  13. Good morning, loving your blanket-looks warm and cozy too

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  14. Balls of yarn in a basket make such a pretty photo. I love all the colors of blue and teal and this is a nice pattern. I never learned to knit well enough to make anything much. I can crochet a little better...but I taught myself from a book and that's a hard way to do it. Snuggle up and stay warm today! Hugs, Diane

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  15. Your blanket colours look great together. You're going great guns on the project to keep your dad cozy and warm.
    We're having a snow day - school is cancelled (yay), so I'm going to get some sewing done.

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  16. The basket weave stitch looks great in the blanket. It's a dull day here with an icy rain storm moving into the area overnight. I'll be able to get my crochet bag finished :)

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  17. The blanket will look lovely when finished Wendy

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  18. Your Dad will love it!
    Have wonderful week, Wendy...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  19. The basketweave looks great in the blanket, and that is a lovely shade of yarn you are using for the scarf. Cody looks very comfortable there :)

    Happy Knitting,
    -Soma

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  20. Since I have no appealing comment to offer about knitting other than your dad will surely benefit from a lap blanket - I love the mug - it's perfect for a big cup of chai.

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  21. I really like the blanket and the pattern of it that you are making for your father. A very practical idea and I'm sure he will enjoy it over his legs. I know I would! I love chai tea but have never tried David's chai before. Have a cosy week Wendy.

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  22. What a lovely blanket Wendy your Dad will love it and appreciate it's warmth, the scarf is beautiful, lovely colours. :) xx

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  23. The blanket really is beautiful, Wendy! I do love the two colors together and the lovely stitches you have chosen. The basket-weave does look nice, I think. Your scarf is so colorful and cozy-looking, like Cody :) Your mug and wooden tray is nice, too. xx Karen

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  24. The blanket is really beautiful, Wendy. I love those colors together and it looks very warm and soft. The yarn you're using is nice stuff. I think it will be a comfortable and durable blanket for it. I love your scarf too, the jewel colors are gorgeous. Thank you for joining in with my link party. :)

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  25. How lovely of you to knit a blanket for your Dad Wendy, I'm sure he will love it and know how much love you've poured into it :)
    Jillxo

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  26. That is a beautiful blanket, I absolutely love the colours. Hopefully your Dad gets lots of use out of it. The scarf colours are amazing, I love how it changes. Cody is so cute, his colours are quite interesting. Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  27. What a great idea Wendy, I'm sure it will keep your dad nice and cosy ! Love the scarf it's getting nicer and nicer!
    Gail x

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  28. I really like the contrast of texture that the basket weave gives to the blanket. Cody looks so snug and cute all curled up.

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment, it's nice to know when you've stopped by! :)

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