Support thread 3 - further blanketeering

[tribpot]

Oh no! The previous thread has become full and suddenly we need a new one, with no way of linking old to new. I hope people will find this one. :)

This is a continuation of our thread supporting MNers creating blanket squares for Woolly Hugs. All are welcome.

Ophelia, you're on - I've put you above the line where 'here be dragons' as otherwise it's only DAISY and me representing the North of England, with Formerly technically on the right latitude but in another country If you live just south of the line, I'm moving the line down!

I'm surprised to hear Chester is short on wool shops, I would have thought it'd have a few naice places.

I'm off today to my 'knitting with colour' workshop so I am insanely excited to learn how I've been doing it wrong all this time.

Glaikit - you can start small and build up over a few months. The bag is not that snazzy, the needles and cords are the thing.

Have emailed a link to my mum, you know, just in case, she maybe would like some herself, probably, maybe

Tra-la-la, yes, perhaps - it's only your filial duty to let her know they exist, after all.

Morning

Jules, you sound like my kinda Hooker

I love my knitpro symphonies, they are a joy to knit with. Although I keep breaking the 3mm ones as unlike Jules I tend to be rather tight! They are a joy to knit with.

Did I mention that they are a joy to knit with?

I still fancy some of the Cubics though, DAISY . Do not pass BRE on way to work, do not pass BRE on way to work ...

I've not seen them Trib, so I won't click on the links :o

I need to do a present for DD's teacher who she has had for the last two years and thought a crochet pen pot, with flowers etc. Too naff? Or some fingers mittens for those winter days supervising foundation outdoors for hours on end?

DAISY - I think the pen pot sounds absolutely lovely, really thoughtful, so do the mittens actually She is very lucky.

She is a great teacher, well TA actually but she has been DD's key worker through nursery and reception, and has more drive and enthusiasm, as well as genuine delight in what the kids are up to than their actual wet blanket of a teacher.

And she's encouraged me to apply for a TA course which I start in September! My whole family (she taught DS1 as well) luffs her.

That sounds lovely LackaDAISYcal, I must admit the best pressies are those that have been made (I am a teacher... when not on maternity leave!!) and they are both something that a lot of thought has gone into- I think she would love either of those! And if she doesn't, I will! :) !!

:o

I had better get busy though as I only have till next Thursday as we are off to a wedding then holiday for the last week of term!

What's this? Did some cubics fall into my bag today in Baa Ram Ewe? How did that happen?!

Don't you just hate it when that happens, Trib

hello ladies.

Thought I'd let you know about a new blanket project for Mumof2Teenboys here

As always, there is no pressure or expectation that you have to sign up. You have all done so much already

trib - I need some advice. I have a pattern for an Afghan Blanket which uses Patons Diana wool on 6mm needles. It doesn't have a tension guide but says it'll be about 158 x 178cm.

If I use Cashmerino Aran, which advises 5mm needles, will it just end up being a bit smaller?

Oh Knotty :( :( Will go sign up in a sec.

Barbara - I know! What a cheek! One minute they were on their hook and the next in my bag and I had paid for them. Too late now, no possibility of taking them back at all. But what I will say is: THEY ARE A-MAY-ZING! I've been persevering with continental knitting because I'm knitting a blanket and it will speed things up (eventually .. if I ever crack it). Anyway, my tension has been bloody awful despite extensively practising before I started and it's looking much, much better since I put the Cubics on. Obv some of that is due to being a bit less rubbish at continental knitting but even so.

bird - it looks like Paton's Diana is a bulky so it could be a bit hard on 5mm depending on your tension. Obv the size isn't massively important for a blanket but if you knit quite tightly anyway, dropping down two sizes could make it a bit difficult to do. I suspect you'll be fine, though - why not do a tension square and see how it looks? The Rav page has the tension on it so you'll then know if you're going to end up with a hanky instead of an afghan The other factor might be if it's got cables or a pattern that needs quite a firm stitch to look good?

2 panels are what they describe as lace cable, two are trellis cable, two are "cabled" and then there are two border panels worked in moss stitch.

I fancied using the Cashmerino Aran as I liked the feel of the Cashmerino Dk we have been using for WoollyHugs. That's why I thought it might be suitable for this pattern as it's only one (ok, 2) size down from the size recommended if I were using the Diana wool.

My mum knitted it but dad can't remember what wool she used, although he thinks it was a Rowan wool.

Pattern says 1 900g Patons Diana, so whatever wool I decide on, I want to be sure about it - and then order on-line to reduce costs

I will of course look at the wool shops that have supported MNWoollyHugs first!

Oh god, I realise I've just missed the point, haven't I? It's can you knit with the Diana on 5mm but can you knit with the Cashmerino Aran on 5mm. I think this will be absolutely fine. The Diana is 15 = 4 inches and the Cashmerino Aran (which I'm sure will be lovely) is 18 = 4 inches. So you'd expect the blanket to be about a sixth smaller - so you could always add an extra strip of pattern if that was appropriate? The two moss border panels sound like you could wang a few extra stitches in if you wanted to? I think I'd just stick to the pattern, though.

Right in my last post when I said I'd missed the point, I had actually got the point but still typed it as if I hadn't.

It's not can you knit with the Diana on 5mm but can you knit with the Cashmerino Aran.

I'll have a look at Mum's blanket tomorrow when we're across at Dad's and work out what it would be like a 6th smaller (and double check what size it turned out). That way I can also make a decision about whether to order a 6th more wool although I'm sure that any leftovers of such nice wool will soon find an alternative project

Now all I need to do is to decide what colour to get. Our bed room has pale pink walls , white bed linen, pink bedspread/throw and pink beaded silk cusions and brown leather sofa with two cable knitted cushions (my first project to benefit myself) in cream and pink, so it could take a contrast colour. We're planning on redecorating the living room, so I could make the colour I choose as inspiration.....

I'm thinking of teal blue but also wondering about an apple green. Need to go into John Lewis and have a look at the colours "in the flesh"

's ok trib - I got what you meant!

I've signed up for the new blanket :(

I ordered some cashmerino from eBay at only £3.80 a ball...bargainacious!

Pretty, why not knit the blanket then crochet on a border? There are some gorgeous lacy vintage ones :)