Tuesday 9 April 2013

A Little Bit of Ripple and a Few Small Things

Have I told you that I'm loving this blanket? I love the rhythm of the stitches and the soft wave they produce. I love the softness of the yarn, so good for an acrylic! I know some people prefer all natural yarns but to be honest, I can't afford them and this Stylecraft Special DK works up beautifully. I've been told it washes well too.
I did have a few doubts with some of my colour choices but as the blanket progressed they seem to work. Now I am not so sure! What do you think?
So a little peek for you, to be going on with.








When it's spread out it's bigger than I thought, whoop, whoop not so far to go now! For the second time of using all the colours I went in three's and reversed the order I had them in to start with, if that makes sense. So Wisteria, Cloud Blue, Magenta the first time of using them was ordered Cloud Blue, Wisteria, Magenta the second time and will rotate again for the third time.

In my last post I showed a picture of the new blanket I'm starting in the Crofter DK. The first colour I used was May, see below. The ball made 12 squares.





Here is the ball band with shade details and this is all the yarn left from the first ball. As I complete the balls I will post the squares.




You can't see the range of colours from just looking at the ball and in the next colour I am doing I have been very surprised by the contrasts.

Next up is a little piece of Tunisian Crochet. I saw that Sue of Sweet Pea family had tried it here and wanted to have a go. So hooks were ordered, waited for (not very patiently) and arrived. I got busy with a practice piece and here it is.


Tunisian crochet goes VERY curly so I will have to give it a good press as I dont think I can block acrylic yarn. It also has a definite right and wrong side, you may be able to see that on the curled up bit!



This is just my first trial piece using Tunisian Simple Stitch. I started off with a 4.0 hook with the DK yarn but it seemed to be very tight, but that could be my tension! The 5.0 gave a more supple feel to the piece, but I am still experimenting. This type of crochet would be great for bags as it has less stretch than ordinary crochet. I'm thinking of making a cushion cover, so another reason to watch this space!

My goodness I have half finished items all over the place! Just the way I like to work, so exciting, and I can pick which one I work on according to my mood. Also it's good to have a small project on the go as it is much more portable. I don't think I would haul my ripple blanket round to my friends for coffee, but a little bag with a ball of yarn, a hook and a square on the go is easily managed :-)

See you all next time, have a good day wherever you are.













18 comments:

  1. I love your ripple blanket and I agree the Stylecraft yarn is lovely and soft to work with and really good value. I love the squares in the crofters yarn such a good idea to add colour without lots of yarn changes. Last but not least your Tunisian crochet is fab it would make a great hard wearing bag or cushion.
    Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments and stopping by my blog.
    Have a good day Sue x

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    1. Thanks Sue for your lovely comments. I love to visit your blog, you have wonderful pictures and projects. Rowen x

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  2. Hi Rowen, I have only read your blog two times and I can't believe how many projects you
    are working on. Your ripple is beautiful. When I am unsure about color choices I usually
    pick my two or three favorite colors and highlight them in the border. It's amazing how
    that brings it all together. You are going to love admiring all those ripples! I have started
    my wave blanket and I'm excited.

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    1. Hi Caroline, it's just the way I work I guess, it wouldn't suit everyone. Thanks for your thoughts on the ripple I'm glad you like it. Can't wait to see your wave :-) Rowen x

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  3. Hi Rowen. I'm really loving the ripple blanket. A ripple is on my to do list. I think the colors are so cheerful and I like the randomness of them. I haven't used Stylecraft but I've heard such good things about it. They don't carry it in the main arts supply store I go to so I might just order some online. Thanks for sharing with us.

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    1. Hi Jeanette, I think this is the first time I have used so many colours, it is not my usual palette at all so I think that's why I am a bit doubtful sometimes. Hope you find some Stylecraft, I've used the Special Aran for my Wave and the Special DK on the ripple. Rowen x

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  4. That ripple blanket is just gorgeous! I love the idea of rotating the colours in the way you outline - kind of repeating them but with a twist. Glad you are enjoying a dabble with Tunisian crochet too - it's fun isn't it? You are right it goes very curly so best in projects where it will be stitched down I guess! I agree a bag in it would be good - very sturdy and un-holey. I saw a lovely cushion cover on According To Matt too. I am so with you on the need to have a number of different-sized projects on the go at once. How else will there be one for every occasion?! Happy hooking, Rowen! E x

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    1. Morning E, thanks so much for visiting and for your lovely comments. I'm glad it's not just me that has numerous projects on the go! I must go look at Matt's cushion cover, I was thinking of a long rectangle folded with an overlap and fastened with buttons. So pleased you like the ripple. Rowen x

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  5. Love the ripples and your other creations. The squares are stunningly pretty, such beautiful yarn. I am like you, I have half finished items all over the place too. Love to work that way.
    Hope you have a lovely day!

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    1. Hi Elisabeth, thanks so much for visiting and for your comments. I'm so glad that there are other people that work the same way I do, I don't feel so disorganised now, just creative :-) Rowen x

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  6. Yes I am just the same, Rowen. I didn't mention my ripple in my last post - halfway through this. I love the rhythm of it and I tend to pick it up when I need a bit of time out. Love all your bits and pieces too xxx

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    1. Hi and thanks for visiting I'm doing the same with my ripple now, it's like a comfort blanket :-) Rowen x

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  7. Wonderful progress in all. I like working on multiple projects at once too ;-) Your Ripple is lookin amazing. I agree about the Tunisian. I enjoy working it, but think the outcome is too thick for my taste--but great for cushions, rugs, dishcloths. You can make a crochet border, and it will help. You can also block acrylic, with a different technique: with the steam of an iron, without touching the garment.

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    1. Hi Ana, Thanks for your lovely comment about my ripple blanket I appreciate it. I was wondering about the Tunisian for dishcloths, I may give that a go! Thanks for the advice on blocking acrylic, I love that people help each other out on here. I am learning so much by visiting other blogs. Rowen x

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  8. A lovely ripple blanket, rowen! I looove it!
    Many thanks for your sweet comment on my blog!

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    1. Thank you so much Cristina and you are very welcome, Rowen x

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  9. Hi love the crafter Dk yarn gorgeous colours and no ends must get some to try
    Hugs Sue x

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    1. Hi Sue and thanks for visiting. It's the first time I've used the Crofter and I'm finding it lovely to work with, so soft and the colours are gorgeous with some surprise tones within the ball. I'll be posting more squares soon in different colours, Rowen x

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Thank you for visiting my blog, I would love to hear your thoughts and I read every comment. I appreciate your time and hope you visit again soon, Rowen x