Another blanket

Yes, I am addicted to making blankets. But, in my defence, they are good stash busters. And they don't take too much time, not really. This time though, I am making a cabled blanket. It is called Cable Factor Sampler Throw, by Annie Maloney. Uses quite a bit of wool, which is good considering how much I have available. It is done in blocks, and has been on my to do list for quite some time. Makes a change from Log Cabin ones in all their variety. Not to say I haven't already got another one of those on the needles as well. If you know anything about me, you would know that I don't usually have just one item on the go. Which is why I have so many needles - I need them to keep up with all my projects. I truly am trying to get some things off the needles, and am suprised when I find something that I actually had forgotten I had on the go. Ahh, the fun of knitting!!!  Probably why I usually have more than one book on the go as well. And that's not counting what I am reading on my Kindle. Although I usually only have one book on the go on my Kindle.

It is finished

 The blanket I have been working on is finished. I am not sure if I will put a border around this one. I'm thinking I might just leave it as it is. The edges do look tidy, and I really don't feel like adding anything more to it. I have thought more about the use of colour on this blanket, and as you will see in the picture, I have stuck to a pattern for the colors. I had fun picking out different cables, and if you look closely, you will see that some of the cables are used more than once. That was deliberate on my part. I didn't really want to do a plain middle, and I like working cables. 

Chlorine

 We now have chlorine in our water. No one wanted it added, we didn't need it added as our water was good. It has been a government mandated policy with no thought for the people affected, or if it was even needed. Since it has been added, I have had an upset stomach. I don't like the taste of my coffee, I also don't like the taste of the water. So, we are buying bottled water, which isn't really good, as it is in plastic bottles. 

At least I can still do my knitting. I am working the last panel of my framed blanket. I think it's the last panel, anyway. I have put more thought into the use of colours in this blanket than I have with the others. I am also making this as a lap blanket, which I know isn't needed at this time of year for us, but will be really nice next winter. Then I will do some more work on my next Iona. Again, I am thinking more about the use of colour. I am trying to keep the background colour the same, either white, or a slight cream colour. I've only done three squares, and I like that as the background as I think it lets the main colour shine more.

Just rambling

 I haven't written anything for a while, because life keeps getting in the way. Husband keeps scaring me with health problems - his heart mostly. He seems to have hit a certain age, and has almost convinced himself that his heart is no longer working properly. Even though he has been to the hospital and had tests, and nothing has shown up, he is still convinced there is something wrong. I have to wonder if this is tied to the growth on his kidney that we still have heard nothing about. I don't sleep very well anymore, partly because I am always expecting him to say something is wrong, and he needs to go to the hospital again. I know he is okay, but how do I convince him?!?!? It is really scaring me, and I truly don't know what to do to reassure him that everything is really okay. 

Iona second time round

So, I have decided that I need to make another Iona. Not like I really need to make another blanket, but hey, that never stopped me before, so why should it now? I am going to try to keep the background the same sort of colour, as much as possible. I will need to see what I have in my stash. Anyway here is a picture of the first three squares of Iona.

 

Ongoing plans

 So, I was going to work on my 10-stitch blanket, but, ideas have been rumbling around for variations on my patchwork blanket instead. I am actually going to call it my 'Framed' blanket, because it is going to be framed around the edges. I wasn't going to frame it, but having done one row, and started the second, this idea came to me. I am only doing it to a lap blanket size, or at least, for now it will be lap size. Here is a picture of the frame that I am talking about. I don't have enough to do all the edges in the one colour, so as I run out, I will just change it.

Yes, the centre square is going to have a cable on it, and that is because I felt like doing something a little different. In fact, the whole blanket is going to have a cable on the centre square. 

A new take on a blanket

So, call me crazy, but I have decided to do something a little different for the next blanket. Yes, I am doing another one. You already know I've started a ten-stitch blanket, and I will continue with that. But, I am also doing another Log Cabin - or my take on the log cabin. What I plan on doing is making squares, as I did on the last blanket, and do different panels of both the ten-stitch, and log cabin. I'm not describing it very well, and will have to put up pictures once I have worked a few squares. I can see it in my head, just describing it is not proving very easy. I had thought of adding the puzzle blanket as well, but the jury is out on that at the moment. Time will tell, you never know, I could actually do elements of all three blankets in the one blanket. Talk about crazy!!!!!  But, I am really looking forward to how it might look.

Next project

 So, this is going to be my next project. Forget finishing any of the others I already have on the needles - and believe me, I have plenty of them- but . . . blankets are just something I am working on these days. No particular reason, just am enjoying doing them. It's not like I really need any more blankets, and no, I am NOT giving any of them away any time soon. I am trying to use up some of my 4-ply wool, and again, I have plenty of that!!!  This is a ten-stitch blanket. Real easy to make, and I can use up some of my part balls of wool. I was going to work on the jigsaw puzzle blanket, but nah, not at this time. Anyway, I have started this blanket so many times, so have decided I really should continue with it this time. I might actually only do it as a lap blanket - that would make a change, as so far, the ones I have  completed have been for beds. So, time for a little change. It won't be all done in purple, but, I do have a fair amount of that colour to use up. 

It is finished!!!!

 I have finally finished the blanket!!!  Even got both sides put together. I did a simple crochet edging, as any other style would take way too long to do. I has taken me all day to do, as I am not very well, I am fighting a horrible cold, and can't concentrate very well. Good thing this was and easy knit, and an easy join. Because ti is a double sided blanket, it is a very good weight, and will keep you very warm on the cold nights of winter. I have really enjoy making this and am actually quite proud with how it has turned out. 

Nearly there

 I am on to the last panel of the blanket. I won't put up a picture until I have the whole thing finished and put together. It has actually not taken as long as I thought it would to make this one. Maybe having knitted a few of these now, helps to speed the process up. Once this is complete, I really need to get the vest finished that I have started for myself. Not to mention the two I have going for husband. Then there is the jigsaw puzzle blanket I am trying out.  Think that might be enough to go on with at this point in time. 

Trucking along

 So, we are waiting for the biopsy to happen. We could be waiting for up to a week, which is not easy; but there is nothing we can do about that. Husband is showing signs of stress, although he may not admit that he is worried. He has the classic signs and symptoms of someone under stress. I am so trying not to show my own worries, and to support him while we play the waiting game. 

Knitting helps. I am continuing to work on the blanket. Only have three more panels, then can crochet it on to the back of the other blanket. It is going to be really warm, and I think it will also add some weight. I am only using 4-ply wool, but having said that, it is really warm wool. Most of it is merino, which is so nice to work with. Some of it has alpaca in it as well. It's mostly what I have acquired in my stash from doing Iona, and other items. Blankets are actually quite addictive to knit. Well, for me they are, as I am already planning on doing a ten-stitch blanket. I have cast on one so many times, maybe it is time to actually cast on, and complete one. But, first, I really need to get a few things off the needles. I know, I've been saying that for months now, and I am trying not to have too many going at once. But then, how many is too many?