Dolly Mixture Blanket


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U P D A T E

There is now a downloadable PDF for this blanket...  Dolly Mixtures Blanket

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I finished the marathon!

Just in case that isn't quite enough information to fill you in on the reason for my current chipper state of mind, let me elucidate a little further....

Many moons ago, I started a simple granny square blanket, one of those candy coloured, bright and cheerful ones that I've seen and admired on Pinterest so often.  And since I began, back in July, I have been plodding slowly onward, like a trusty donkey, making squares here and there between other projects.  It's been a bit of a drawn out process and you can read all about my clever 'marathon' analogy in this post here, should you wish to.  (Or just skip the words and check out the 'granny' eye candy pictures - I quite liked how they came out.)

Anyway, now you're up to speed, you can see why I'm happy to have reached the finish line can't you?  Nothing more satisfying to tick off the wip list than a big beast of a project that's taken it's time to complete.




This was, apart from it's slow development, a joy of a blanket to work on.  I started it by using up quite a few oddments of leftover yarn and that's always satisfying.  Although it did lead, inevitably, to further purchases as colours ran out.  I didn't agonise too much over the subtleties of shade difference though, mostly because there would have been no blanket if I had, as some old colours had long since bitten the dust.  But my new choices were close enough to not affect the overall tone and feel of the thing and that was all that mattered.

I think that's half the reason I enjoyed making this one so much, because these colours are so heart-liftingly, happy making.  Even at the end of the project, when every conceivable combination has been tried and rejected or enjoyed, I didn't tire of these colours together.  A rare tribute indeed.

I'd like to think that it's a sign of my increasing maturity, or possibly my increasing fickleness, that as I was on the home straight with the end in sight I suddenly decided to add a tricky little edging to the border.  Something that meant extra rounds, extra yarn and extra work.  I like those little pom-pom edges that people are adding to their blankets these days you see and I wanted to do something similar.



I don't know if it's just me and my inadequate skills in this area, but pom-poms don't seem to be the sturdiest of creations.  A cat's paw here, a child's fiddling fingers there and you are liable to end up with scattered yarn strands on the floor, a deflated pompom and guilty looks.

So, to get a similar effect but without the risk of ending up with bedraggled ex pom-poms littering the place, I decided to substitute little crochet circles instead.  Thus saving myself a lot of work and potential disappointment later.  It's not quite as gorgeous and wonderful as the full 'pom' experience perhaps but I know this 'safety first' approach is the right one for me.



Well, there you have it.  I hope looking at it will give you some of the pleasure that it has been giving me.  I'm loving having it around so much at the moment that I might poach the thing and squirrel it away into my 'new and improved' craft room.

Selfish of me maybe, but on reflection, I've decided I'm worth it!


  I N T E R E S T I N G   B L A N K E T   T H I N G S  

Blanket Weight: 1516g
Total Yardage: 5000 (approx)
Crochet Hook: 4mm (G)
Size: 195 x 130cm (78 x 51')

Yarn: 
In reality I've used a mish mash of old left over bits of DK colours from stash but as you know, you never 'use up' stash without having to buy some more to finish, so here's the colours I ended up with:

Stylecraft Special DK: 
 Aster - 1003
Cream - 1005
Sherbert - 1034
Fondant - 1241
Lipstick - 1246

King Cole Big Value: Pastel Pink - 325

Jarol Heritage: Lime - 13

Sirdar Country Style: Kensington Gardens (Jade green ) - 617

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran - Gold 034

Pattern:
I'm glad to say I managed to get a pdf pattern written up!  
Just scroll down a little for the link to download...

There's also a couple of helpful photo tutorials from my Crochet Corner site, to help get you started with the basics:






: :

U P D A T E

There is now a downloadable PDF for this blanket...

Dolly Mixtures Blanket

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S x




SUBSCRIBE:

   



Comments

  1. I love the fresh and cheeful colours of your latest blanket. All your hard work was well worth the effort and the end result is just lovely!

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  2. It's gorgeous Sandra. I think Granny Square Blankets are my all time favourite, and the colours and edging just make this really awesome. I hope you get many snuggled underneath it!


    Take care and have a super rest of a week


    Vanessa xxxx

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  3. Wow, just wow, it's gorgeous Sandra, I adore the colours, and the circles are genius, a lovely twist on the current pompom trend!
    Jillxo

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  4. That's the jolliest, happiest, nicest blanket I've seen in a long time. I'm humming a tune here merely due to looking at images of it. I hope it brings you much good cheer!

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  5. This is such a pretty blanket, I love it!

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  6. Hi - I love your blanket and I think the little circles are way nicer than pom poms as they can 'jiggle' about more when the blanket is moved about. xxx

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  7. this is one of the most beautiful blankets I have ever seen! well well well done! definitely worth the wait and you've done such a great job! I need (desperately) to do some stash-busting projects and this is inspiring me to do another blanket, however I will be annoyed that I don't have these colours and may end up buying more.....*oppositeresult* jenny xx

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  8. What a very beautiful blanket. Love the colours and the finishing circles!!!

    xxx Daisy (http://molemiekeshobby.blogspot.be/)

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  9. I'm not a fan of pompoms, but the circles are perfect!

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  10. Its just gorgeous. I love the candy colors. I also like the idea of edging. Like you, pom poms arent my thing. I love how you got around that. You should be proud, months of work was worth it! Congrats! Love ur blog too. :-)

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  11. I'm glad to hear it's not just me that has problems with Pom poms! Blanket looks top notch! xx

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  12. Absolutely amazing and beautiful, Sandra. Perfect for the dark days of winter, to cheer up your home!

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  13. wow that's a blanket to be very proud of, well done on completing it, just in time for some chilly winter weather. Amanda x

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  14. It is truly stunning! I just love these colors.

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  15. I love your blankets. And the edging here is magnificent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Best wishes
    Anja

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  16. Definitely one for the craft room, you're right, you're worth it! It's absolutely lovely and I can see why you're so pleased to have finished it. I really like the edging, I prefer it to pompoms. It must have been very satisfying to use up oddments of yarn. Beautifully done Sandra. CJ xx

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  17. I love this so much!! I think I will have to make myself one that's similar. Beautiful!! Xx

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  18. A very cheerful blanket:) I normally go for blues and greens because they are my favourite colours, but I kinda like your choice as well. It looks pretty nice.
    I just love to finish projects and cross them of my list. Then starting new exciting project are a big bonus:)

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  19. Such a good name for your blanket, it looks so colourul and cosy.

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  20. Oh yes!!!! a really happy blanket!!!!
    xxxxx Ale

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  21. Hi Sandra! What a lovely cheerful blanket! :)
    Well done!
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

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  22. This has made me smile Sandra, it such a happy and cheery blanket with great colours. Brilliant!!

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  23. Wow! Eye candy indeed. You are right the colours are light and bright again no wonder you did not tire if them. Love your circle Pom Pom idea. It works really well.

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  24. OH MY!! IT IS SOOO PRETTY! I love the colors. I have the same issue with pom poms, and I adore your much-sturdier border. Awesome job.

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  25. Happy Colours for a Happy Blanket! Oh wow, it's lovely - and I'm quite smitten with the pink! Just the right blanket to happily help you through a cold, dark winter. :-)
    Thanks for sharing, xhaafner

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  26. Such a pretty blanket... just the thing for snuggling under this winter! Though I can see why you would like it to disappear with you into your craft room...

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  27. Yep, that's proper eye candy, in real candy colours with sweeties round the edge. I think it would be rude to put it anywhere other than your craft room.

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  28. Love these colours - so pretty.
    Whilst I'm here can any of the lovely crochet girls suggest a DK yan in a soft sage green please? I have looked about but not found anything that catches my eye, thanks
    B x

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  29. It is so pretty and your wonderful photos display your blanket in it's true, very gorgeous light!! Loving the crochet circle edging!! Sam xx

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  30. Muchas gracias. Es una manta preciosa.
    Un saludo,
    Carmen

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  31. Beyond delightful! And I just love the faux poms. So, so cute. I'm working on my first granny blanket - a lapghan, really - and have a new appreciation for the amount of time they take. Oh, the ends to weave in!

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  32. You are sooooo talented! I love all your designs. Those colors are so pretty together and I don't blame you one bit for snatching it for yourself. I would do the same! Thank you for sharing the finished product with all your fans!

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  33. I love your blanket, the colours look so pretty and the border with the little circles pulls it together beautifully. I have a problem though, which one of all your lovely blankets shall I make first? Decisions decisions!! Thank you for the inspiration, still hoping to make some of your snowflake decs before Christmas :-) Love Jo xxxx

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  34. Thank you Bernice!

    Humm, you’ve got me there with the soft sage green… maybe this one from Debbie Bliss? Lovely colour but a bit pricey if you are planning a blanket. Also it’s not one I’ve used so I don’t know how the colours looks in RL. Hopefully someone else has some ideas!
    Sandra x

    Cherry Heart
    ・Blog: sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk
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    ・Crochet Corner: cherryheartcrochet.co.uk

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  35. Dear Sandra, I have been looking at this afghan every day since you posted. It is absolutely lovely and the colors are scrumptious! I have to make one as soon as I a have completed all my holiday works in progress. So far, this season, I have completed two of your Christmas tree skirts. The pattern was fantastic and they look just as nice as yours. I matched one to the colors you chose and then did a second one in pastels. I can't tell which one I like most. Tell me, please, is the Stylecraft Special DK truly a soft yarn. I have been wanting to try it and I am now finding suppliers here in the U.S.

    Happy Holidays!

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  36. I love the little circley things you added instead of pompoms. I think they are much more charming and practical than pompoms.

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  37. Thats just beautiful and i love the circle edging-i have just finished a large granny square afghan and have just done a very plain edging but now im thinking i may well add circles to the second row using colours from the blanket.
    Thanks for sharing x
    http://sillychickensintherain.blogspot.co.uk

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