Taylor saw a photo of a blanket online and wondered if I could make one for her. She had a very specific colour, pattern and size in mind so there was a lot of back and forth before we got it all settled. I wasn’t able to get the yarn that was called for in the pattern so I started looking for substitutions. With each suggestion of a different yarn Taylor (and her Mum and/or Dad) would go to Michael’s to see if it would do. Once she was okay with the yarn I had to translate the pattern so I would know how much yarn I needed. I had never ordered from Michael’s online and although the site wasn’t the easiest to navigate I eventually got my yarn.

I also had to wait a couple of weeks for the right sized needles to arrive from Amazon. I didn’t measure but I think the needles were probably the size of my broom handle.

Taylor wanted a blanket that was 60″ x 90″ (she was very precise). I started knitting as soon as I had everything I needed. And I knit and knit and knit. Fortunately the pattern was very simple because I’d never find my way back if I had to start tearing it out. By the time it was finished I’m sure it weighed more than Taylor. The measurements worked out perfectly (more luck than planning) but I thought if it was either too narrow or too wide it could easily be stretched.

It was worth all the effort to see Taylor with the blanket. Christy said she’s been snuggled with it since it arrived in the mail.

I am very happy making these afghans. The pattern works for various weights of yarn and it is easy to get into the rhythm of the pattern. If I make a mistake in counting the stitches it soon becomes apparent and I’m easily able to take it back and fix it. And afghan’s really use up a lot of yarn.

This yellow yarn came from Pat’s Mum’s stash. It will likely be a donation but Taylor likes to go through my “blankets” when she comes in case there is something she’d like. She’s even picked afghans that are still unfinished in my basket.

I also have this same yarn in blue and I’ll make another one but adjust the width a bit so that I’ll have more length.

First finish of 2022. I had a bin of pink yarn and I thought I’d get more than one afghan out of it but if one is all I get when the bin is empty I’m okay with that. Makes me think that some of my other bins might clear out quickly as well.

This was an easy pattern to crochet and I’ve already started another scrappy one with the leftover bits. The pattern has different instructions (mostly in the foundation chain) to cover both worsted and sport-weight yarns.

My next afghan will be another ripple but this time I’m going to knit it using Aunt Gertie’s ripple afghan pattern.

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

I save all the knitting and crocheting that I do throughout the year and donate it on Mum’s birthday. She donated countless knitted mittens over the years to various groups.

Some of this year’s donation went to the Salvation Army. Usually they add some of it to their Christmas hampers and have some of it available for kids to take home as gifts for their care-givers.

I also donated to BOND this year. They are the group I served lunch to for many years. The leader always says they miss my soup; that was probably my favourite menu item as I made it at home the day before. That and a sandwich was always well received. Since Covid the link between BOND and Family Place (a drop-in space for parents and tots that have graduated from BOND) has strengthened so the donation went to both of them and they will figure out who gets what. They also have a day where kids can come in a pick a gift.