Wednesday 10 February 2016

Dorset Blanket Ta-Dah!

Greetings! I hope everyone has weathered the recent storm okay. It was very wet and windy around here but, fortunately, no damage. I finally finished E's Dorset Blankie this weekend. It has taken me ages - I started it on our post-AS exam trip to Dorset in June, rippling a row on every beach we visited and dragging it along in the car to do a bit on every uni open day (R was driving!). I had a bit of a lull over the summer when it was too hot to work on it, but happily picked it up again in the autumn. The plan is that she will (hopefully!) take it with her to uni next year, just in case her room is a bit nippy. I also think that a bit of homemade loveliness can sometimes add some much needed character. 
Anyway, here are the obligatory photos:
Ta-Dah! The 'me standing on the coffee table shot':
The 'draped on the sofa' shot:
Along the ripples:
Folded on the arm of the sofa:
...... and finally, with its blankety buddies:
The pattern is, as always, thanks to the lovely Lucy at attic24 and the yarn was a pack from Wool Warehouse. I think I'll have a bit of a break from blanket making now and maybe try my hand at a pair of socks. I bought some sock yarn and needles from a shop in Oxford last year and it has been waiting patiently for me to find the time and courage!

Other happies this week:
Seeing Fergus enjoying some left over vegetable biryani:
 Listening to an audio CD whilst darning in ends:
 My new hyacinth bulbs - I really must try and find a prettier pot:
On a visit to the pound shop to buy some more fat balls for the birds, I impulse bought some tubers. I planted a Dahlia last year and it impressed me with its lovely colour and the fact that it flowered for ages, so I thought a few more would be a good plan. Just a little survey: how do you pronounce the word 'Dahlia'? I've always said it like 'Daylia' but I've heard a few people recently saying it 'Darlia' (like the lentil curry). So I'm wondering if I'm embarrassing myself saying it wrong and people are being too polite to correct me!
 Enjoying this months CH&I and my rosy 'chores notebook'.  I don't know about anyone else but I'm always better if I make a list of things to be done that day. It stops me forgetting stuff and it's immensely satisfying to tick things off as I go. 
 Loving my bedside posy:
 February's garden photo - it was windy and pouring down. That also accounts for the poor light levels in the other photos. 
 Hamish sitting on his mat and enjoying the storm. He's also moulting at the moment and there are fur bunnies everywhere!
 Finally, Penny and Brenda coming inside to watch the rugby at the weekend!
Anyway, that's all for this week. Keep warm and cosy and remember, spring is just around the corner.
Toodle Pip for now. x

15 comments:

  1. The blanket is beautiful and I am sure your daughter will love having it with her at Uni; a cuddle from Mum any time she needs one! I'm wiht you on the pronunciation of 'daylia'! Have a good half term! xx

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  2. Such a gorgeous blanket. It reminds me of the seaside. I must pop to poundland; I'm on the hunt for aliums. I pronounce Dahlia like you. Never heard the other one.
    Leanne xx

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  3. Fabulous blanket!! I am sure that it will be a great Uni companion! Love all the obligatory shots too. I list chores etc in a book and tick - well cross actually - them off too, as you say, very satisfying! xx

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  4. Excellent, I love that the chickens came in to watch the rugby. And how nice to see your gorgeous little bunny. The blanket is absolutely brilliant, no doubt it will be very much appreciated. CJ xx

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  5. I love the blanket, I want to do a ripple one when I finish the blanket I'm working on now. I made my son a blanket for uni & his flatmates (all girls) were very jealous of it. I pronounce Dahlia as Day too, if we are wrong perhaps we can start a new trend xx

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  6. I love that blanket! Socks are easy once you get your head round them, start with a simple pattern ;). Love your chores notebook!

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  7. OH my what a lovely post! I love Hamish! And your chooks. Who were they supporting? Fantastic blanket too- I am very impressed. I also say Daylia like you :o) XX

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  8. Your coastal ripple is fabulous, I have crocheted this one and loved every stitch. The colours are so beautiful. I love the photo of Fergus tucking into the vegetable biryani and Hamish is adorable. xx

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  9. What a great idea to make a blanket for your daughter to take it to uni..she will treasure it I'm sure. So beautiful. Beware once you start making socks you won't stop. They should come with a health warning! Hope your hens enjoyed the rugby. Barbara xx

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  10. What a gorgeous blanket - well done! I made blankets for my two oldest when they went to university, and took ages to make the second one. Fergus is a handsome creature, as is Hamish, and I hope the hens enjoyed the rugby. I pronounce 'dahlia' in the same way as you, by the way.
    Cathy x

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  11. gorgeous blanket! and yes. daylia x

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  12. Love the blanket, the flowers, the book, the magazine, even the chicken - my kind of post.
    Amalia
    xo

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  13. Oh wow, your blanket is fab!!! Lovely colours, just perfect :) Ummm rugby watching chicken? Did I read that right?

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  14. Absolutely love your blanket, it's fabulous. I say dahlia like you too.
    Marianne x

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  15. Your blanket is wonderful! Such fabulous colours. Love the idea of the chickens watching rugby. Did they sit under the blanket??

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