There is something both comforting and joyful about knitting, crocheting or weaving a blanket. There's something freeing about making a project where "gauge is not important". And there's definitely satisfaction in seeing a stash of "lonely balls" and/or leftover yarns find a place to shine.
Barb adds, "for me, there is something wonderful about hand knitting a blanket in 3 x 3 rib. I love the rhythm of it. I seem to get to the end of a 126 st row very quickly. And then seeing these soft and light weight blankets evolve makes me happy. As soon as I finish one, I'm starting another."
Barb's Finished Object for June 2025: 3 x 3 Ribbed Blanket
This one has a base yarn of soft DK weight baby alpaca running almost all the way through it. I also held other yarns with it like a strand of Rowan Kid Silk Haze (or equivalent) and two or three strands of creme or grey or even patterned sock yarn or lace weight yarns. If my fabric was a bit thick, I dropped a yarn. If it needed more substance I added another or used some mohair - that seems to fill in so nicely and give the blanket a halo.
The one I did last month turned out more marled - this one is more of a controlled gradient, going from a light cream, to a soft grey and blue grey, to a darker section, and then back to softer, lighter shades. For more details on this project, visit my Ravelry page here.
Most evenings, I knit downstairs, comfy in my favourite chair and wrapped up in a blanket too, while watching murder mysteries or detective shows with my husband, Mario. Time to pick out colours and yarns for Ribbed Blanket #3. I'm thinking soft shades of camel and chocolate browns this time..."
Cynthia's Finished Object for June 2025: "Lullaby" - Crocheted Blanket
This is not the first time I've crocheted Erika Knight's design, "Lullaby". I love the rhythm of the pattern, which is so similar to a granny square, just filled in a bit more! It's one of those patterns that is easily memorized and I found it very portable! I took it with me to the park, I had it in the car with me when I was waiting for the kids to get out of school, and I took it to the coffee shop, too.
I find that crochet is a great way to use up stash yarn: the hook uses more yarn than a knitting needle and the resulting "fabric" is more squishy, too. It's easier to "weave in the ends" if you're using small balls of leftovers.
I also love the ease of the hook, sliding in and out of top of the row below or working into a space at the corners. I can't crochet without looking at my work so it helps me to be more mindful and focus my thoughts on the action of the hook, rather than being distracted. I have to listen (and not watch) when I crochet and that helps me to concentrate on one thing at a time.
This version of Lullaby was made in Rowan Pure Wool Superwash. It's a more substantial version of the blanket than the one I made in Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino. For the next baby that comes along... I now have gift options! For more details about this project, visit my Ravelry page here.
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