Aran crochet blanket.....

Here's the completed Aran crochet blanket that I started a few weeks ago.  It is destined for Greenfields Africa which is an organisation that supports communities in Kenya and Uganda.  I have just Googled the temperatures in these countries and in winter it can drop to 12 degrees centigrade.  UK blog readers are putting up with freezing temperatures at the moment.  But at least we have blankets and duvets.

As an incentive for women to attend ante-natal classes, they are given blankets and other items for the babies.  This blanket measures 36" by 36" which is their preferred size.  When I chained the first 36" it looked quite short.  But I soon found out that 36" square is quite large. It will still fit a baby when it grows into a toddler or small child.

I used a lot of odd balls of Aran wool and was amazed at the different thicknesses of what should all be 10 ply yarn.  I actually had to use 2 different sizes of crochet hooks to try to even out the appearance of the stripes.  The finished weight is about 500g which I have made a note of in case I ever make another similar blanket.  The stitch is basically half trebles (UK) into one loop only.  It makes a lovely squishy, warm blanket.

I'm pleased with the way the colours have turned out.  I simply used what I already had.  I started and finished with a row of bright red and then crocheted more red along the other 2 edges.  The other colours were teal, turquoise, maroon, cream and a mottled red and white mixed yarn.  The turquoise and mottled yarns are finished.  But there is enough left of the other colours to make 2 or 3 hats and I am already looking through patterns for something interesting.