Blanket Weather! (Crocheted ripples and granny stripes)

Crocheted Ripple Blanket

The first blanket I ever crocheted took almost two years, off-and-on, to make. I started it when I moved back to Maryland in 2015, and wove in the final ends in 2017. 

Feeling desperate for cheerful colors at the time, I chose a basic ripple pattern and picked up a rainbow’s worth of Baby Bee Sweet Delight, a DK/sport-weight yarn from a big-box store I usually try to avoid. Honestly? The color choices offered in this line were terrific. And, for an acrylic yarn, it was surprisingly nice to work with. 

The fabric is just right for napping under on a summer afternoon, or for layering over other blankets in spring and fall. And it’s so bright and happy looking, it lifts my mood all year long.

Now, sometimes man-made fibers can turn harsh and crispy when laundered, so I chose not to wash or block the finished project right away. After many, many cat-and-dog naps, though, I just couldn't avoid it (nor did I want to). 

Nervously, I ran my blanket through the delicates cycle with a little detergent and a splash of white vinegar. Then I put it in a cool dryer for half an hour, and let it finish drying over a rack. And...the blanket stayed nice and soft! Charley gave it his seal-of-approval, so you know it feels good.

Granny Stripes Blanket

Fast forward to October 2019. Our weather is feeling really autumnal, now, and the leaves are finally starting to turn. This week, it was chilly enough indoors that I pulled out the Granny Stripes Blanket I started last year, and finished a few (long) rows. 

I just love the rhythm of crocheting swathes of colorful woolly stripes, especially since I started using Clover Amour hooks. The grips are comfortable, and the tips catch the yarn perfectly. In fact, I liked them so much that I eventually got rid of almost every non-Amour hook I owned. (I'm not an affiliate...just a fan!)

Granny Stripes patterns are a great way to use up gobs of the fingering/sock-yarn scraps I accumulated over the years, as well as a few gorgeous colors from my lovely friend Denise and her mom. You can find several variations on the theme, but I used Attic 24's for inspiration. 

Admittedly, making a blanket with lightweight yarn is a labor of love. It won't be done anytime soon, but a lot of wonderful memories have been crocheted in, and it's the perfect project to pick up when you want something simple and mindless to keep your hands busy. 

When warm weather rolls around, though, this is one project that definitely goes on hiatus. After all, who wants to climb under a pound of wool and work on a giant afghan in the infamous Mid-Atlantic heat and humidity? 

Blanket Weather! (Crocheted ripples and granny stripes)

Chuck

I am in Sacramento, Calif. for several weeks, sans camera. When possible, I will try to post a photo or two along with my usual riveting posts.

Charley in the sun with tea cozy (c) Hannah Six 2010

Today, (since I lack access to new photos) I thought I'd (re)share a favorite photo of this furry little critter.

Charley was a holy terror growing up, but has always been good-natured about the chaos he causes. Now, at about one and a half years, he's grown quite large and is still a bit...um...rambunctious. Mostly, though, he is very affectionate and sweet, snuggling close in bed and waking me with little kisses on my nose and eyelids.

Katja, our nine-year-old Persian, loves him (though she doesn't want us to know that); watching them play is great fun. I think he's saved her from becoming a cranky old lady.

While I'm traveling, my needles will stay busy. I am working on several new designs (a couple will have to remain secret for now). I'll have more information for you by the end of (northern-heisphere) summer.

Until then, make a cup of sweet, milky tea, grab a few cookies (or any other carb-laden treat of your choosing), sit back and enjoy the adorable, fuzzy, handsomeness we call "Chuck."

Chuck

Coco, Carinish, and Charley

There are people who have money and people who are rich.
– Coco Chanel


(Watch for Carinish, available from Three Irish Girls this fall!)

Coco, Carinish, and Charley

El Bandito

Having a little "photo shoot" with a seven-month-old, overgrown Kitten (with a capital K) in the room can be...um...challenging.

For instance, what do you think I said when this:

Note the head movement...


Turned into this:

El Bandito strikes again!

Well, I don't want to offend anyone, so I'll just let you imagine my "exclamation of surprise."

Don't get me wrong, though. Watching him stalk my knitting and/or yarn, and then snag it and take off running, is kind of funny...The spoiled little brat definitely has a sense of humor!

***

In other news, guess what I saw when I looked out my studio window? You have to look close, down by the soil...


See them? BUDS!!! Little green leaves! Holy crap, I think spring is coming! (If you can't see them, just click on the photo to enlarge it.)

Looking out in the other direction, you can see some daffodils getting ready to bloom near the fence and, next to "Mr. Volvo," a smattering of sunshine-yellow forsythia...Yay!


Spring is the season of inspiration for me. I keep hoping to feel as enthusiastic about fall and winter, but even after 20-something years on the East Coast, I must admit that I dislike them pretty intensely. I'll take the San Francisco-Bay Area's eternal spring/summer over frozen, dark, and damp any day!

***

And, finally, remember the before photo from my yarn reorganization? Well, here's the after photo I promised:


The result of my work: A nice, clean studio, with every piece of knitting well protected against the yarn-napping prowess of El Bandito.

Have a wonderful weekend's worth of knitting, spinning, crocheting, gardening, or whatever you love to do!

El Bandito

Emerging

Progress on the Groundhog Day Scarf

The daffodils and crocuses (croci?) are poking their little heads up now, which warms my summer-loving heart. I even saw some cute little wild violets along the highway today. A sure sign that this cold winter really won't last forever.

The other day I had to pack up my "loose stash" into some plastic crates, because a certain someone has taken to rooting around in bags, baggies, and even my purse, in search of yarn and/or knitting.

Once he gets his little teeth on it, off he shoots, like a bullet, with yarn or project streaming behind him. Bastardo! I yell, and run after him, so he won't swallow any and mess up his little insides.

Before...

Packing up showed me two things: (1) My stash is bigger than I thought...though with many single skeins, and (2) my studio had become a real disaster over the course of the winter. So it felt good to organize (to the extent that tossing yarn in one bin and fiber in another can be called "organizing").

In the midst of all this, I heard a rustling behind me. Out of habit, I ignored it. But when it continued and began shaking the door, I turned around to see what mayhem He was cooking up. Not behind the door, not under a chair, not in one of the bins, not in the kitchen...Where was he? Then I saw him...Here:

Charley, just hangin' around

To be honest, the little bugger can be really annoying. For example, when he feels he's not getting enough attention, he swipes objects off any and all flat surfaces onto the floor (remote controls, glasses full of water, library books...).

But most of the time he does silly stuff like this, making me laugh out loud (which is good for you, you know). And that's totally worth the occasional -- well, OK, continual -- naughtiness!


PS. Did you notice I studiously avoided any "cat out of the bag" references?

Emerging

Happiness

Eastern Bluebird, Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

I looked up from my knitting this morning, and saw a flash of brilliant blue. It could have been a toy or piece of plastic bag caught in one of our trees (it's been devastatingly windy here). But something made me jump up and join Charley at the window.

That's when I saw them: Eastern Bluebirds, in full color. I was thrilled...I've never actually seen one before, and here was a little group, hanging out in the Back 40 and the corn field beyond. Thank goodness the neighbor-cat, Lucy, wasn't outdoors. She's a real huntress!

The first time I ever saw a Cardinal, I was awestruck. I mean, honestly, a bright red bird? Not where I come from (San Francisco). That feeling remains. Cardinals seem magical to me, and their little metallic chirps always make me smile, just knowing they're there...

So when I saw a brilliant, cobalt-blue bird with a red chest, perched in one of the apple trees out back...Well, let's just say that my excitement rivaled Charley's, though my mouth wasn't watering the way his was...

Charley, peeking. Jan. 2009

On NPR last night, a local gardening expert was talking about all the flowers to expect in early, mid-, and late spring. Our warm spell a week ago really got things started. Flowering plums are beginning to bud, as are the forsythias along the driveway. One of these days I'll have to get out the rake and clean up the sycamore leaves, so the little crocus babies can get some sun.

I love summer, feel melancholy in autumn, and try to find positive things about winter. But this time of year, when the air is softening, the sun is intensifying, and nature is beginning to stir--this is my favorite time of all.

The excitement of being right on the crest, about to tumble into the hot and humid days of summer, watching the days lengthen...

The expectation of spring is, perhaps, sweeter than the season itself.

Happiness

A Bright New Day...

...is dawning for the United States.
President Barack Obama's election sparked hope and optimism across the nation.

Now, as he takes office, a better future seems possible.
It makes me feel so good I could chase my tail in a dutch oven.

But I'll leave the pot-dancing festivities to Charley, and focus on finishing the hats I've been knitting to donate to kids in my area who can't afford warm winter clothes.

Happy knitting/crocheting/spinning or whatever you love to do!

A Bright New Day...

Cat's Eye

This is my brain...

Well, actually, this is more like my brain...

And this is my brain on kitten...

Remember: When in doubt, play with fiber.

***

For anyone wondering how Katja and Charley get along,
here's some feline body language for you...

Don't be fooled. This is probably less innocent than it appears.

A cat's eyes are windows enabling us to see into another world.

- Irish proverb


Wishing you all a peaceful Tuesday!

Cat's Eye