Support thread from Arts & Crafts for the blankets

[tribpot]

We've been talking quite a lot on the main thread about getting the stitches right for a particular square with a lovely heart design in it. You need to be registered on Ravelry to see it here or with the designer's website (also free) to see it here.

The race is on to see whether any of us can complete it without going completely insane at the difficulty of some of the patterns, so we are having a (supportive) 'heart-off' this weekend to try and get it done without flooding the main thread with messages about it.

On the cast list so far are: GleamingHeels, MinnieBar and me, but all are welcome - beware though, you have to supply your own valium.

I've just recharted it to get it down to a size that will knit out to (about) 6", so have chopped out 4 rows of border from the bottom, 2 stitches of border from the sides and 2 stitches of the plain bit between the outer and inner border. So I'm starting with 29 stitches. I'd prob prefer to have 3 rows of border and 3 side stitches of border too, but as the square is going to be put into a larger blanket (unless rejected by our Blanket Mistresses Pistey and Knotty) I thought a slightly scrappy border would probably be okay.

Mine looks like a tree! It looks like a tree!

I'm looking forward to rows 24 onwards for this evening...

You are now safe to row 29, Minnie

aargh - on row 32 of original pattern - think I might wait, you two are enough to work through... see you later!

Oh dear Gleaming - does it not look like the most appalling bag of spanners?

The new pattern is pretty much ready to go, I think - I'm on row 41 now, so final tree stitch about to be done.

So sorry - if I had test knit even a few stitches whilst doing the pattern I would have realised my mistake, although probably needed to do the whole tree to get it right, as I'm not sure the pattern was exactly a whole lotta help.

And so ... it is done! God, I am knackered! Really sorry for wasted effort today but this should all now be correct. If in doubt, esp on the wrong side rows, look at what shape you're making with the cable and be guided by your instincts, and let me know if you do find any mistakes.

Pattern.

Well done trib you have Not Been Beaten!

Ooh exciting! I've got 20 mins before picking up the DCs so I'm back on the case!

Quick update - row 27 and it still looks like a tree! Woop!

.. and Minnie is Not Being Beaten either!

It's just so exciting, seeing it, er, growing.
Row 34 and all's well. Probably best spend some time with the DCs now...

So pleased Minnie - we shall - and indeed we have - overcome.

Tis done!!

But? I foolishly used two different balls of wool (same shade) and the difference between them is actually visible, grrr. And I don't think I've got time to re-do it, plus another one, by Saturday posting day.

Other than that, it's awesome, if I do say so myself. here

Right, what's next?

Minnie - is that the before shot? I wouldn't worry about the slight variation in colour, the blankets are going to be plenty colourful!

Well done on making it through the trials and tree-bulations - boom boom!

At the top, above the branches, it's a slightly darker shade. It actually looks darker in the photo than in RL but I'll have another look in daylight and think again?

Ah, I was looking at the wrong pic from the photoset - this is the finished one. Looks good!

The top border looks maybe a bit darker, but I'd just claim that was the night sky if I were you :)

I'm not sure the tree roots thing works. I think I would revise it just to be a hillock of moss stitch next time around.

That tree looks fab Minnie

I've just cast off Original Heart. I'm pretty pleased with it though I have to admit there is a small mistake in the (allegedly not doom laden) inner border. I think I may have to quash my perfectionist tendencies and send it anyway. It's nice and soft and was made with love. That's what really matters right

Will try to add photos to my newly minted profile tomorrow.

Think I'm going to do a small test owl next.

The tree is lovely Minnie I definitely wouldn't worry about the slight colour variation, it won't be noticeable at all when part of the whole blanket.

Congratulations on the heart Barbara, nice and soft and made with loveis what it's all about - looking forward to the photo

Hello! Sorry I've been AWOL, bloody work gets inthe way!! I have been having all sorts of knitting dramas! I can't keep a track of where I am with my rows and I can't recognise the rows I've alreay knitted. So I have amended the wave pattern to having a even number of stitches and only knitting one then slip one. Which chould give a similar result I think. I'll stick with simple squares!

Hi Glaikit - good to see you again, I am sure that your amended pattern will work beautifully. I draw little five bar gates (when I can't find the counter thingy that goes on a needle) to remind myself how many rows I've done or mark the copy of a pattern, I could probably work it out by looking at the knitting but I forget which row I am on so often that it's easier to keep a record!

How are we all doing this weekend? I'm busily knitting up a Baby Surprise Jacket in my new favourite yarn, the Rowan Cashsoft, in between heaving furniture down the stairs. Just got to sew my ends in for my squares before I post them off - running the gamut in my post office, where they will try and flog me travel insurance and a credit card in return for giving me a stamp.

Baby Surprise with be lovely in that soft wool. I haven't been knitting anything much this weekend, but have been working my way through Ravelry etc thinking what I might do next... I am supposed to be finishing my own blanket, though it might become a cusshion cover

I dislike our main post office, which has moved from its own premeises into a corner of WH Smiths, but have discovered a lone survivor of the PO counter in the corner of a convenience store so they get my custom now - it's not really near where I live, but is on the way to supermarket.

cushion, premises - reminder to self to remove mittens before typing

Gleaming - how about a clapotis? It was my knitting shop's pattern of the month last month and they're suggesting it would look rather fab in the Patons Cotton DK - good price for a 100g ball.

Our nearest post office is already off limits because it's inside a Co-op where they appear to find it necessary to block the aisles with palettes almost all the time - my DH is a wheelchair user and literally the shop is inaccessible to him, unless he heaves large piles of wood or plastic crates out of his way as he goes around. I've complained and they try to shape up for a bit but are soon back in their usual ways. When ds was smaller I also couldn't get round with a pushchair, it's ridiculous.

Right, now I've taken a door off and carried that down the stairs, I'm off to Argos for some new units for ds' room! I think the electric screwdriver may be a girl's best friend :)

Oooh the clapotis looks vair nice.

Shall I try this one next??

Minnie, that looks lovely oh do give it a go - you're tempting me...

trib clapotis looks lovely, think I am going to knit this for OH first, but made much thinner and less 'tweedy' in some slightly tricky, and ancient, Jaeger wool with a lot of lycra content... it's so stretchy that any mishap with a dropped stitch instantly disappears and it 'splits' constantly so harder to do anything else whilst knitting - but will make him a lovely close fitting stretchy cap. I need to use stuff I've already got, can't be buying new yarn just now...

You sound v. busy with your DIY! Electric screwdriver is def a girl's best friend! I will add a grrr to your's and your DH's about the state of your local PO!