making winter January

Part of the Making Winter series started by Silverpebble and Thriftyhousehold.

This month the Making Winter theme is cosiness and comfort. For me these are two words which conjure up images of warm woollen blankets, a mug of hot chocolate and a fire crackling in the grate. I've not made any hot chocolate today but the fire is lit and I do have a pile of snuggly blankets to make a little knitting nest from.

 

Over the last couple of years I've been a bit of a blanket collector. Starting off with this one which I bought in 2008 to commemorate my Grandparents following the death of my Gangan. I sewed on an embroidered a linen patch and I often think of them when I'm sitting snuggled in this blanket. It's a nice way of remembering what special people they were and how much they contributed to my happy childhood and my love of making and growing things.

 

 

More recently I've been making my own blankets. I like working on these one square a day (or thereabouts) and while I'm making my squares in the quiet of the evening I like to mull over the pleasurable bits of the day just passed. So far I've made two; a 'flowers in the snow' and I'm just finishing off my 'old china' granny square blanket.

 

 

 

I'll post some more pictures of it when it's completely finished. If you feel the need for a little cosiness & comfort then pop over and visit the January Making Winter Blog Hop at Silverpebble, there are lots of lovely ideas and some delicious recipes.

.......................................................................................

PS: if you are looking to buy a blanket for snuggling, these are my favourite blanket shops:

The Atlantic Blanket Company

Melin Tregwynt

Avoca

Comments

[Emma]

I do love your hand crocheted blankets, Julie, especially their colours, but that beautiful vintage striped one with the embroidered memory label is just wonderful.

You have spurred me on - I'm off downstairs to light a fire - thankyou!

[Юлия]

So beautiful!

[lina]

Very cosy indeed! We are blankie people here too and I have amassed quite a collection but not quite as pretty as these!

[Tina, the quiet homemaker]

Ooh, lovely! :) My roots are in the Palmer family too, I wonder if we're related?? :)

[jill]

The edging is the perfect choicwe of colour, so warm. Happy snuggling.

[Thimbleanna]

Your blankets look so cozy and snuggly! I can't wait to see your finished "old china" - it looks so beautiful!

[greenrabbitdesigns]

I love the fact that you are crocheting the 'pleasurable bits of your day' into your blanket, making happy memories.
Such a lovely reminder of you grandparents too. :)
I think I need to go and light the fire now!
V x

[Rachel]

Our thing is quilts. I've quilts I've made over the years all over the house that The Natives snuggle up in. It does mean I've got quilts all over the floors too :) because of course they drop them where ever when they are done..... I like to embroider a little label on the backs of my quilts.

Your crochet hook is cool! I love that it is wood and I love the spindley look of it.

Blankets, a fire, and hot cocoa are wonderful ingredients for a yummy recipe of coziness.

[Eilidh]

Do you have a pattern for the 'Old China' blanket?

Thanks,
Eilidh

[Frances]

What a wonderful memory of your 'Gangan and Gampy'!

I crocheted a blanket recently for my Dad to keep his knees warm when he goes out in his 'trolly' (wheelchair to you and I). He adores it and won;t leave home without it now.

[Annie]

I have a cherished old grey camp fire blanket covered in my Girl Guide and Brownie badges (not that there are that many!) that I keep in a box ... how crazy am I! I love the idea of blankets as a memento of life's passing momentous bits! And your Old China blanket is just perfect :D

[Anna]

sending warm wooly thoughts across the ocean to you. Beautiful blankets and tribute. My grandmother loved to crochet. She made each one of my children a blanket. I wish I had one for myself. I had never thought of a tribute- thank you for the idea.

[Liz Phillips]

Your blog today has made me think about lots of warm, snuggly things. I like sitting by the fire (unfortunately, only a living flame gas one!) with candles lit and knitting in hand. there's usually a glass of wine within reach too. And knitting mags and books.....

[Gail]

These are just so beautiful Julie! I have so many half finished blankets which I'd love to finish - but none as as lovely as these. Inspiring me to start again!

[K]

Blanket. I even love the word. And I love your collection, and your label and the love it all represents. And the red border? Oh, yes. Oh, YES!! But most of all, I like to think of you sitting by the fire, crocheting a square, and mulling over the bright bits, the loving bits, the peaceful bits. If I were there, and that were the scene, I would sneak up behind you and kiss you right on the top of your head.

[Deco Cat]

How lovely to be snuggled up in a pile of blankets knitting or crocheting the day away!

[caroline]

Your colour choices are exquisite! Beautiful and inspiring as always.

[jaynicknitknacks]

I LOVE that old china blanket. The colours are very Cath Kidston.
I definitely need to choose some nice warm colours for a granny square blanket.

[Anny]

Beautiful blankets and beautiful colours. My passion is making blankets but unfortunately living in Brisbane it is only cool enough to use them for such a short time. :)

[Occasionalcrafter.wordpress.com]

That's such a nice way to remember your grandparents. Warm and loving, rather than something you put on a shelf and stare at.
Also, I really love the colours of your crochet blanket - as K said up there ^ it's the perfect border colour. It's an awful thing to say, but I thought I'd seen all the granny square blankets i could handle, but i do love yours! (I'm assuming you don't want to post it to me when it's done? ;0)

[Thrifty Household]

I really like the idea of sewing a memory patch on to the blanket. Sometimes I've embroidered names, dates, etc... around the binding edges of quilts but I'm quite taken with the patch idea now...

[claire]

i was thrilled to see your comment over on my blog...thanks so much for stopping by! i've said before how much i love the colors of your china blanket, so soothing. ...and those beautiful words on your embroidered label brought a wee tear to my eye.

[emma]

I love the idea of a knitting nest and your crocheted blanket is beautiful I love the colours so much x

[sue]

as usual was inspired once again! just also wanted to say thank you - yours was one of the first blogs i ever read and it's made me finally settle down and do one of my own! even if no one ever reads it i'm enjoying writing it and seeing my thoughts on screen....

[priscilla]

Love the colors you are using !! so pretty !

[Megan]

I love the blanket you are working on. It makes my heart smile! Makes me want to take up crochet in a big way. I have always knitted but have stayed away from crochet-between you and Lucy at the Attic you both make me want to crochet. Thanks so much for the inspiration and the smile you put on my face today!

[Amanda]

Those blankets are beautiful, I love the colours and hope many years of happiness wrapped up in them.

[Zoe]

aahh my little one Esme calls her Grandad Gangan :-) Love your crochet x

[Zoe]

Love, love, love the blanket pile. The label is pretty, too. The one you bought in memory of your Nanny has kept well. The crochet ones are beautiful - there is something so rewarding about crocheted blankets and I have such a long way to go still on the Shetland one for my car. I've had the car seven months now!!! I will post my little patchwork quilt soon. I made a label for that - just got to sew it on.

[Florence]

The colors for your projects are always so beautiful!

[mrspao]

I also love blankets and am working on my own pile. I only have a couple at the moment but they are much in demand!

[em]

Gorgeous blankets and love your pics! Just found your beautiful blog xx

[lucylocket]

I love the sound of a blankety knitting nest! That's where I'd like to be at the moment :o) Your blankets all look delightful. My "inspired by Julie" blanket has been neglected for the last few months - I need to start trying to do one a day again. Lucy xx

[K]

I just noticed, in the first shot, the pile, it just struck me that the Old China looks so much warmer than the lighter, borderless squares of the flower block crochet. This is apropos of nothing - maybe I'm just cold this morning. But Old China is definitely what I'd grab just now.

[Jenni]

How cosy that all looks. I love the patch for your grandparents, such a nice idea. I have serious crochet hook envy too ;-)

[Jenny Vincent]

Everything you make is beautiful. I love to read your blogs.
I noticed the sewing together of your beautiful blanket is perfect. Do you sew or crochet together as you work it. I have spent so much time trying to discover instructions on how to make a blanket in squares, joining as you go.

[Hinterland Mama ~ Aleta ღ]

I had to comment!
This is the absolute first time I have ever seen that anyone else calls their Gran 'GanGan', before now.
I miss that most special lady, who sadly has left us, so very much. As I am sure you do too.
Love and Blessings,
ღAleta