Ripple Baby Blanket - Finished!

I'm a little bit late with this post, I actually finished this blanket over a week ago, but what with all the festival prep I hadn't managed to take any pictures.

You might remember me starting this blanket (click here for the post about it) back in May. I was hoping to have it finished in time for Larmer Tree and the truly awful weather we've had over the last month has probably helped to achieve that aim. Because we had to cancel our camping holiday and instead had a last-minute holiday to Wales, I used the journey times to make good progress.

I still love the Rowan Handknit Cotton I used on this project, although I was a bit annoyed to discover halfway through a row that the white shade had a join in it which necessitated an extra two ends to be woven in, but hopefully you can't notice.

This time around I didn't knot the ends as I changed colours; I tied them loosely until I came to weave them in and then just made sure I wove the ends in under the crochet loops, being sure to change direction at least once and also to go through the strand of yarn a couple of times to really make the tail 'catch'.

Not knotting makes for a much smoother edge.

With this blanket I purposely made the beginning and end purple sections larger than the ripples in the main body of the blanket and finished off by doing a row of single crochet down each side and then two rows of trebles. I think I may have put more stitches down one side as the border doesn't lie perfectly flat, but I haven't pressed or blocked the blanket yet so that may address the problem.

So, here is the finished blanket in all it's glory, just in time for the festival.

Speaking of which, I really am upto my eyeballs in work so you won't be hearing from me for a few weeks now. I promise to take lots of pictures of the festival and do a big Larmer Tree post when I get back. Keep your fingers crossed that summer arrives just in time for me.

Thanks for stopping by,

Beth x

70's Knitting and Crochet Patterns

For those of you who read this post, you will remember that I have a particular fondness for vintage knitting and crochet patterns. Charity shops are my usual source, but a few weeks ago, my Mum decided to sort out her under stairs cupboard and unearthed some real gems in the process.

Mum had told me about her collection of Mon Tricot patterns and had thought them lost. Having looked through them, I am very glad that they weren't. Apparently, these pattern 'books' (they are more like magazines) were considered quite expensive in their time but I can understand why. I wish there was a modern-day equivalent; I am a bit tired of the current magazines on offer which seem to regurgitate the same old patterns and have endless ad pages.

The contents of this book alone could keep me busy for months.

  

Now that I have learned to crochet, I am seeing all sorts of possibilities in these patterns. Those little slippers are just so cute.

  

Not sure I'd be up to creating this monster, apparently it's meant to be a dolphin!

These would be great with leggings underneath, or maybe frilly pants?

And who could be without a pencil case in their scarf?

There are lots of great home furnishing ideas, you just have to imagine different colours.

 

These flowers could be adapted for all sorts of uses. I think they're very Attic24.

I am seeing crochet seat covers in a vintage VW camper, it's a shame modern headrest would complicate the pattern.

I think this wave pattern might just be my next blanket.

And we all know I like a good zigzag.

Speaking of which.....too far?

This is also a zigzag design, but I could really see myself in this. But would I have the patience to finish it?

 More dresses that could be made pretty funky!

I particularly like the middle (light brown) dress, but to make it I'd need 26 balls of 4ply yarn. Hmmm.

 

Can't you just picture the cheese and pineapple and the black forest gateaux?!

Not sure about the socks, but the bag would be really simple to do.

 These tank tops would be fab in modern colours and you only need three balls of yarn to make them.

 

Well, maybe not this one, and definitely not the hat!

  

I actually really love the bikini on the left, but if I made it I would not be going anywhere near water.

It's about time these came back isn't it?

Er, Ron Jeremy?

Well, I leave you with these for now. I am meant to be stitching away but my machine has decided to go on strike so it's back to the brooches I think.

In camping news, we decided against roughing it in the tent last week in view of the weather forecast and had a little holiday to Wales in a caravan instead. Luckily we didn't get washed away and the journeys and the rain mean that my baby ripple blanket is almost done. I will show you pics next time.

I would just like to say a quick 'hello' to my new followers and to my overseas readers who I know are lurking around. Don't be shy, say hello and let me know what you think of these fab patterns, or anything else you'd like to share!

Hope you are all well and thanks for stopping by,

Beth x