Snood

Hello gorgeous people!!! How's your week going?
I'm having a good one! Lots of fun and frolics, not to mention I'm feeling extremely energetic and motivated at the moment. My sudden spur of motivation means I'm getting lots done and enjoying the feeling once I've accomplished something.
I'm just talking small things, like learning a new German word (and actually using it), getting myself to the gym, finish of the book that's been sat on my shelf for months!! I like it when things get done. It's a rather nice feeling!

So one of the things that finally got ticked off on my 'things to do list', was a gift for my friend Andrew.
Andrew is my (just in case he reads this:-)) amazingly talented, extremely good looking, kind, considerate, humorous best buddy and he wanted a "snood" for his birthday.

I bought some truly scrumptious 'Alpaca Chunky" in a deep shade of grey which I thought would be perfect for this project.

I've worked with this yarn once before, on a similar project I made for myself last winter. The yarn is so nice to work with. It's extremely luxurious and keeps you very warm when wrapped around your neck on a cold day in Hamburg. 
Last year I simply made mine using single crochet, here's how it looked:

With Andrew's snood I decided to use double crochet. I alternated between working through the back loops and front loops of each round, giving it a ribbed effect.

This project was extremely quick to make.  Not only is the yarn very thick, but I also required a BEAST of a hook! 

I was extremely pleased with how it turned out. Thick layers of extravagant yarn ready to defend against the coming winter.

Andrew was also delighted with his gift!! He ever so kindly became my model and let me take a couple of pictures of him wearing it.

It's such a nice feeling when you give a handmade present to someone. To see them actually wearing your creation and enjoying the effort it took to make. It really makes me feel extremely proud.

Sooo untill next time my lovelies!!! Happy Friday and enjoy your weekends!!!
Matt xxx

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Solid Granny Square Blanket

As far as the lifespan of a ball of yarn goes, this Stylecraft has gotten off to a busy start!
When I bought this back in May, I was super excited to be embarking on another bright and glorious yarn fuelled journey. This Stylecraft was going to be the ingredients for a sunny and beautiful "Granny Stripe" that planned on making for a friend at work.

Dani (my friend and work colleague) had seen pictures of the other blankets I had made and (ever so nicely) asked if I would make her one. She wanted something bright and fun (like her personality), but didn't mind what it was. I decided upon a "Granny Stripe" as they are nice and simple to make and the end results are simply stunning.

Dani had said that there was no rush for her blanket to be completed, so I decided to make it a side line project. A project that I would work on gradually, whilst also working on other projects.
I decided upon a stripe a day.

I was pretty busy with rehearsals at work and also going to German school, so one stripe a day was easily do-able.
I got cracking with the project and was doing my best at being random with my colour selections. I was loving the results!! It was so happy looking and I was extremely pleased with how it was progressing. 

Things got a little hectic at work and I fell behind on my "stripe a day" and for a short while the blanket ceased to grow.
When I finally got around to continuing with the blanket I found that my motivation had dwindled. I just wasn't feeling the "Granny Stripe", not to mention, I had been totally inspired by some "Granny Square" blankets I had seen whilst browsing the internet. (Sandra's blanket, Little Tin Bird's Elmer Squares)

I decided to pull the "Granny Stripe" apart and give making a solid "Granny Square" blanket a whirl.
It was so nice to make these little squares, so simple and quick, not to mention easy to join together.

My "Granny Square" blanket was a constant presence at work and at home. Always in the background waiting to grow.

I was using 16 different colours and making it totally random. It's probably the first time I've been totally random with a project. Usually I end up with a little planning, no matter how random I intend on being. But this time I succeeded with being totally spontaneous.

The blanket seemed to grow at an extremely fast rate. I would keep a small stash of colours and a hook in my rucksack. It was so easy to quickly pull out my mini stash and make another square.

I was always surprised at how different the colours worked next to one another. Sometimes the blanket looked very blue and other times very pink.
The only thing that I did plan, was to ensure that every colour was used in equal quantities. I didn't want one colour to overwhelm the blanket.

Two months after beginning, my blanket was finished!!!!

TAAAAA DAAAAAAH!!!!!!

 

I am so completely chuffed with how it turned out!

It has so many different colours and seems to complement many things very well.

You've probably noticed I added a border. Just a simple one but it definitely does the trick.

A multicoloured blanket of happiness!

It looks very at home lying on my bed and making friends with my nice big "Blooming Flower Pillow". As you can see, its pretty large. 560 squares in total, 20 X 28. It should be big enough :-)

It's been such a pleasure to make. Really it has!
I'll let you in on a secret........I've seriously considered keeping this for myself! EEEEEK! I know that's terrible, but I'm truly in love with it. I also know that Dani will love it, and she is lovely!
I guess I'll just have to get cracking on another one for myself!!!
I just have a few more ends to sew in and then I'll have to say goodbye :-) It's really going to be tuff parting with it, but I'll enjoy it for the final few days that I have it!

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