Here’s What’s New…
My little 11-month-old granddaughter Annie received a beautiful one-of-a-kind baby blanket from a very talented family friend. She had no pattern, other than her talent and imagination. Wow, wow, wow. It’s made up of a combo of knitting and crochet, using unique yarns. There’s something about this blanket that just speaks to me. I call it the Psalm 23 baby blanket.
Inspired, I decided to re-create it (or at least try). Here’s the thing…I don’t know how to knit. Or crochet. But…what I don’t know, I don’t know.
So I bought knitting needles, yarn (not quite as appealing as the original but as close as I could get), and watched a lot of YouTube videos. A lot. (Wow…YouTube tutorials are a great resource! Here’s what I’ve learned–the shorter ones are usually the better ones.)
It’s been fun to just plow ahead, mistakes and all. (I’ve had lots.)
Last week, I finished the basic blanket. Had to watch another YouTube video to “cast off.” (Remember, this is all new for me.)
Now, the challenging design parts begin. Yesterday, I bought some crochet hooks, yarn, borrowed a book from a friend, and last night I watched new you tube videos on crocheting. It’s harder than knitting, I think. Plus, I’m starting crochet with the oh-so-complicated bobble stitch. Yup. Crazy.
But I’m determined to keep going, and to enjoy the process of learning something new. I’ll add updates now and then! My four-year-old granddaughter, Reagan, came over for lunch today and immediately asked to see the progress on my knitting project. That gave me a smile.
And I am constantly drawn back to the skill and artistic sense of the maker of the original baby blanket. She’s a wonder!
What about you? First, do you knit or crochet? Quilt and sew? Any work-in-progress right now?
Even better, what new skill would you like to learn?
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The baby blanket is a work of art. It's beautiful. I can't knit, but I can crochet a little bit. I once made my son a blanket/bedspread. I used all the blue yarn I could find. It was huge, don't know whatever happened to it. I did crochet a baby blanket and pillow cover for my daughter, that was back in the early '70's. I can do the basic stitch, but can't follow written directions no matter what.
And second...it's amazing how you've just jumped into a difficult project without any prior lessons. You're doing a great job!
I learned to knit from watching my great aunt. But I only learned the basic knit/purl/cast off...northing else. I wouldn't have the first clue of following directions. I learned a bit more about crocheting from my grandmother. She was a school teacher & librarian, so she explained while I watched.
Now...sewing is a different story. I've been sewing since age 6, when I was given my first Barbie. Now I have a little online shop where I sell my dolls, doll clothes and baskets, and infant clothing. So yes...I've always got a project in the works!
But I never learned smocking. I've watched videos of it though, so I just might try my hand at it soon.
Good luck on your blanket! Please share a picture of the finished project.
Have a blessed Sunday tomorrow.