Saturday 8 October 2011

Finishing Touches

Photos Copyright: Maggie May

I copied this idea from another blogger. Although I had made crochet blankets before, I liked the way mrsrunofthemillsblogspot another Maggie, used different sizes of squares in her pattern. I also liked the scalloped edge and was not sure about how to achieve this. My crochet skills are very basic.
It took me from May to the present time to use all the wool from my wool bag and to have pieced together a large shape for a blanket. The other Maggie told me through a comment how to make a scolloped edge and she gave me very easy to follow instructions.
I am very pleased with the finished result.
Sometimes I didn't feel like doing any work on it at all and had regular breaks from it while I read a book or did some other activity. However, it gradually started to take shape and as it grew, I became more enthused with finishing it.

I have heard that we are in for a very hard winter so I shall, no doubt, be very glad to have the blanket to cuddle into during an evenings session watching TV.




33 comments:

Mickle in NZ said...

dear Maggie - your crocheted blanket is both beautiful and glorious!!!

I am wishing that I paid more attention to my (paternal) Grandma's knitting and crochet and detailed pretty stitching. And I am also very grateful that my maternal grandmother, my Nana, taught me basic knitting when I asked her to teach me to knit when I was 10.

I learnt basic crochet from my Mother, and now have really good books to help me with both knitting and crochet - I so love working with yarns .....

Michelle xxxxx

Mya said...

What pretty colours! As always Maggie, you are 'on trend.'

Mya x

debsdigest.com said...

That is absolutely beautiful. I love to knit and bought myself a teach-yourself crochet booklet - I managed row one and then it defeated me so I'm full of admiration.
I hope you'll pass your skills on to your grandchildren
xx

Jackie said...

I love the varied sizes of your crochet blocks, Maggie. Those make for a very Lovely patterned blanket.
I crochet (taught myself when I was a girl by reading a book and following the directions.) I enjoy picking up the crochet hook now and then...very relaxing to me.
This is a lovely blanket...the bordering ties the quilt together very nicely. Beautiful job. Wishing you warm and snuggly days and nights, my dear friend.
Love,
Jackie

cheshire wife said...

Your blanket looks lovely. Crochet is a skill that I have never managed to master.

I am hoping that we do not have a hard winter.

Dimple said...

Hi Maggie,
That is a beautiful blanket, I like the different sized squares very much!

I enjoy your blog, and have awarded you The Versatile Blogger Award.
http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/vba-rules/

Blessings!

Wendy said...

What an amazing quilt! Love those different sized squares and the scalloped edge softens it. You've been busy and I admire your talent.

I hope they're wrong about the winter.
Sending hugs

Glenda said...

What bright colors to warm up with on a dreary winter day. I love it! It should make you feel warm on the inside as well.

Wisewebwoman said...

Oh Maggie it is beautiful, I love how you have put the colours together and the different sized squares and here's to scallopping!
XO
WWW

Irene said...

Your crocheted blanket looks great. It reminds me of the ones my grandmother used to make. I wish I had one of mine here now. I would come in very handy. I'm sure you will enjoy yours very much this coming winter. XOX

Art for Africa said...

Oooh, that's lovely. I can do the scalloped edges but have never done the squares. I can do every crochet stitch so they must be within my reach you'd think? Must have a try.

RNSANE said...

The colors are just spectacular and I should think you will feel very special snuggled down under it on the coldest of days. Great work - somehow, I think the grandkids will join you underneath!!

CiCi said...

Wow, you did a great job. I used to crochet and just recently bought hooks and yarn and will re-teach myself to make hats for winter and blankets. But I don't think I could make something this beautiful.

Rose said...

Lovely, Maggie! I'm impressed how quickly you finished this as well. I'm still a beginning knitter, and I've been working on the same scarf since April:)

Rosaria Williams said...

Wow! I'm most amazed at the workmanship, the patience, the commitment.
This is a lost art.

Hilary said...

That's so lovely and colourful. I have little patience for projects like that. I'm sure it will offer much warmth through the winter.

Brian Miller said...

nice...this looks really cool...and love the colors....

mrsnesbitt said...

Crochet and knit escape my abilities! But I can gaze with sdmiration at yours! Great stuff Maggie - what will £10 buy me for hubby's christmas pressie? lol!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Sweetie, it's just magnificently beautiful!!!

I just wanted to let you know how very much I appreciated your visit and sweet comment!

God bless ya and have an incredible week!!! :o)

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love crocheted blankets. Anything like this including patchwork quilts are my absolute favourites.

CJ xx

Jeni said...

Knitting and crochet are not really all that difficult to learn but like any skill set, it does take a good deal of time to master some of the techniques. I know how to do the basics of both of those crafts but that does not mean it all comes to me easily. I'm still at pretty much the beginner phase even though I've been trying to improve my skills over the years -and there have been many of those years too, like close to 50! People so often tend to think -for whatever reason -perhaps some experienced crafter said "Oh crochet is Easy as Pie!" and the learner got frustrated and gave up on it after a short and very meager attempt. For some, it does come about very quickly, very easily, for others, no so much but my advice is simply to keep at it. Practice does make for better and yes, eventually too, it makes for perfect. (You wouldn't expect to sit down at a piano and play a concerto after 1 or 2 lessons would you? Same difference here!)
And as to your beautiful afghan, Maggie, that baby will surely keep you nice and comfy, snuggly warm in the coldest of weather! Nothing quite like an afghan to hold the heat in!

Ayak said...

Maggie that's beautiful. I only recently learned how to crochet but I'm useless. I try to make squares but they turn out to be circles...time for more instruction!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I love it Maggie. My mother used to crochet and she did me a patchwork blanket which I've had for years. I love it.

Clare Dunn said...

I knew you were multi-talented! I really like this blanket...it's the COLORS!

Nice work!
xoxoxo, cd

Leilani Schuck Weatherington said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leilani Schuck Weatherington said...

I sounded like an idiot in my first comment (which I deleted) so I am going to try this again. Your afghan is just gorgeous. You did such a clever job of matching the different sizes of squares. I have done a lot of granny square afghans over the years but nothing as lovely as yours. Beautiful! I just may blatantly copy your idea for a project this winter.

Suburbia said...

That is beautiful Maggie, and really fashionable too.

My Granny taught me how to crochet but it was so long ago, I can't remember how to do it any more. I must re-learn again sometime.

x

Gail Is This Mutton? said...

I love those blankets, so much love and effort goes into them. I wish I could knit and crochet! You are very talented Maggie.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful and cheery blanket!

Eddie Bluelights said...

Very fine result Maggie. Your meice likes doing this as well - must run in the family.

Shivers!! Hope the winter is not too cold. I'd much rather have it warm - I think I was born in the wrong country. Luv Eddie x

secret agent woman said...

That is one cheerful blanket!

Jinksy said...

You're right Maggie, the different sized squares are extremely effective! I may have to indulge again...

Akelamalu said...

Well done Maggie, it's beautiful.