Friday 20 September 2013

Daniel's Ripple Blanket

I started this ripple blanket for Daniel back in April. I thought it would be nice for him to take it to university, so I'm really pleased that I've managed to get it finished just in time, he heads off to York next weekend.


This is the first ripple blanket I've made, and to be honest, it isn't perfect, but it's acceptable. I started with 171 chains ( 12X14+3 ) after I'd measured it on the bed and it looked ok, but what I didn't realise is that the ripple pattern tends to pull it in a little so it could really have done with starting off wider. It does have a small overhang on each side of the bed, so it's ok, but I'll start with a longer chain next time.


I wanted to straighten the wavy edges up at the ends so that I could do a border and had no trouble with the top end which I was working on, but when I went back to straighten the cast on edge, it was a nightmare. It's so hard working out of the foundation row, I really need to tweak my technique there. You can see that you need to make different length stitches on this row in order to make a straight edge.


I used Stylecraft Special DK in Midnight, Denim, Sherbet, Silver and White.


I love the fabric which the ripple pattern creates, it's so much denser than the granny square pattern which I've used for my previous blankets. I can tell that this will be really warm.


You may remember that I put my One A Day blanket to one side after 192 Days. I'd finished all the squares for it but still needed to do the border, and as I was about to go on holiday I decided to leave it until I got back. I knew that I wanted to get Daniel's Ripple blanket finished first, so it's only now that I've picked the One A Day blanket back up. I'm working on the border, so I should have another finished blanket to show you soon.



28 comments:

  1. I just love that blanket and the colours are beautiful. I've put some wool aside as I've been tidying for a ripple rug and I also came across an old pattern leaflet that was probably my late Mums.
    I'll try that when I settle down again. Looking forward to seeing your next rug.

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    1. I'm really pleased with the colours, typical boy colours without it being too drab. I'm nearly there with my One A Day blanket, I should have something to show here soon.

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  2. I hope Daniel enjoys his blanket as he studies this winter! It should be lovely to snuggle in on a cold winter's night. And it is just the right weather here to make a blanket for the winter!

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    1. I'm sure the blanket will keep Daniel nice and warm in his room at uni. I've got more blankets planned so there's plenty to keep me going.

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  3. It certainly looks good. Flighty xx

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    1. Thank you. So long as it keeps him warm, that's what matters I suppose.

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  4. It's so beautiful, Jo. I am sure he will love it. I think the ripple gets easier every time you do a new project. The counting becomes more instinctive and it's easier to stop mistakes before you've gone too far. But it's also hides a lot of sins! I agree about working out of the foundation row; have you tried using a larger hook for the foundation chain? It might make it easier to get into the loops when you go back to do the edge.

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    1. Thank you. I'm sure he'll be thankful for it when the weather's cold. I've found rippling to be quite a soothing rhythm, it didn't take long to get in to my stride with it. I did crochet the foundation chain on a larger hook so the next row wasn't quite so bad, it was just when I went back to make a straight edge that I had the difficulty.

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  5. Jo, It is really beautiful, he will love having it at uni. I re-read your 192 post and realised I had commented then too - what a great memory!! Just to let you know I did make the picnic blanket for daughter and grandaughter; finished in August and christened at a family picnic over the bank holiday weekend, so thank you so much for your inspiration. Now I am inspired to do one like this ripple - but have two afghans on the go now (one for Christmas) and want to knit socks too, oh yes, also need to get some paid employment as well, so no pressure then!

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    1. Thank you. I'm so pleased that you got the picnic blanket finished in time for this summer, I'm sure your daughter and grandaughter love it. I always think that hand made items contain something of the person who made it, so I'm sure they're so happy to have it. There's always so many things I want to have a go at, if only time and money would allow.

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  6. It's lovely. I love the ripple pattern, and the colours are just perfect.
    xx

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    1. Thank you. It was really enjoyable to make, once I'd got in to the rhythm of the ripple, quite relaxing in fact. I've already got some more Stylecraft yarn to make a ripple for Eleanor so I'll be starting that soon.

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  7. Daniel will appreciate that warm blanket made with love. The colours are very attractive. There's a textile event in our locality on tomorrow so I'm guessing there will be samples of different wools and silks etc. I might pop in. There's also an opportunity to join a craft group with someone who gives tuition so I would like to find time to learn some new skills.

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    1. I'm so pleased that I got the blanket finshed before Daniel goes to uni. The textile event sounds just up my street as does the craft group. I wish there was something like that near me.

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  8. I think it looks gorgeous Jo and at least you know he will be able to snuggle under it at night when it gets chilly.

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    1. Thank you. It will keep him warm, at least.

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  9. The blanket is beautiful, Jo. I'm sure Daniel will appreciate it when he heads to uni. :o)

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    1. Thank you. It's lovely and warm so it should keep him snuggly.

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  10. It's gorgeous and I love the colours you chose. Good luck to Daniel :)

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    1. Thank you. I'm pleased with the colours, they go really well with his bedding too.

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  11. I love it, it's perfect as far as I can tell. What mistakes?? I love that ripple pattern, it's so versatile and the colours you've chosen work well. At least you know that Daniel wont be cold when he's away at University! x

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    1. There's no mistakes as such, I just feel that I could have done things better, like the ends which have been straightened up, the foundation chain end could certainly be better. The blanket will definitely do its job and keep Daniel warm.

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  12. Well done on a very nice blanket! I stopped all crochet and knitting over the summer due to illness, lack of concentration and heat, but am now back with a vengeance - hence the little snippet of cowl I put up yesterday! My ripple blanket has languished, but I look forward to continuing it as it is now at the length where it is long enough to keep my legs warm whilst crocheting it! :-D

    Best wishes,

    Tash from vintagepretty.org

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    1. Thank you. I'm pleased that you're feeling up to knitting and crochet again now. Blankets are great to make in colder weather, they keep you warm while you're making them. I've had to put mine down today as it's warmed up again, we've had a lovely autumnal day.

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  13. Your blanket is really great Jo, I like the colour combination a lot, I have not tried a ripple, but hope to someday. Amy

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    1. Thank you. I really enjoyed making this blanket, the ripple pattern is so relaxing. I'll be starting another one for Eleanor soon.

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  14. This blanket is an absolute triumph!
    I love the colours and I think it's such a wonderful gift for Daniel to have woth him at uni.
    Lisa x

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    1. You're too kind. It's not perfect, but it's gone to uni with Daniel and if it keeps him warm that's all that really matters.

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