Collage

Collage
Hello and thanks for visiting my blog. I have been knitting on and off for 50 years and I recently learned to crochet. I love looking for wool bargains and making them into something useful. I mainly knit for charity. I occasionally knit for myself and family members if I find a really good pattern or if they ask nicely!!

Thursday 24 April 2014

The Pretty Polly blanket....




I've been taking part in the "Knit a block a week" challenge which is being hosted by Linda on her Linda's Crafty Corner blog.  The people taking part in the challenge are knitting squares from Jan Eaton's "200 knitted blocks for blankets, throws and afghans".  Some of us make our squares into blankets and some send the squares off to charities listed on Linda's blog.

My sister gave me some very bright wool for Christmas and I have been knitting a couple of squares per week since then.  The photo shows the colours fairly well except for the green in the outside rows.  This is actually a bright emerald green, not a soft teal.  This green together with the other bright colours remind me of a parrot, so I have called this the "Pretty Polly" blanket.

The square in the centre is sewn on as a pocket.  This square was an afterthought, but turned out to be my favourite.  At a big stretch of the imagination, it could be the parrot's wing.  That all sounds a bit mad.  But I find sewing squares together a bit more interesting if I give the blanket a personality.  I made it easier by knitting the squares in strips of six which meant the amount of sewing was halved.

The blanket has gone off to SIBOL for eventual delivery to a care home.  The residents use these as lap blankets and a little pocket is always useful for life's little essentials. This is one of my favourite blanket destinations as Sue at SIBOL always lets crafters know when their blankets have arrived.  Her blog is very colourful and full of photos of the blankets when they arrive and when they are dropped off at the care homes.

I had good fun planning and making this blanket.  I have enough wool left from my sister to knit another batch of squares.  But I am going to make hats and other things for a while.  Then a hectic few months await me.  So it will probably be late summer before I start on another one of these patchwork blankets.  


8 comments:

  1. I recognize some of those stitches from sweaters I knit. I have, or perhaps gave away, a little Dover book with swatches of repeating patterns. Well, back to the socks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your polly blanket. It certainly will cheer up it’s recipient.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's lovely Una I love those colours so bright and cheerful and the centre pocket is a great idea, it's going to make someone very happy. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. OOOh love your pretty polly blanket Una - fab bright colours and great idea for the parrots wing pocket - I can see it clearly!!
    Ali x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely Una I don't think I have ever met anyone as productive and kind as you are. Your work is just amazing and the amount you produce is inspiring to us all. I love the colours of the quilt and all the wonderful stitches and I think the centre panel is lots of fun. Fabulous just like you Una. Have a wonderful weekend and well done. Sending you big hugs and loves
    Dorothyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a lovely blanket, it will certainly be a joy for someone, Vee x

    ReplyDelete
  7. The pocket reminds me of a Log Cabin quilt block. Such a cheerful blanket, and the squares are each so pretty. Perhaps this blanket will be given to a knitter who will appreciate the stitch patterns! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's such a happy, bright blanket. I know it will lift the spirits of the elderly person who receives it. Bless you for helping them.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. You are a star.