November 11, 2007
The sun came out!
So finally, after a week of rain, the sun came out yesterday. I woke up, spotted the blue sky and immediately dumped the Hemlock Blanket into the bath.
And now it's done.
I'm pretty happy with it, but not totally. Gauge shouldn't really matter on a blanket, but I think I'd have been happier if I'd used a bigger needle. It hasn't blocked out as nicely as I'd hoped it would.
I stretched it out as much as I could, but it needed to be stretched more to prevent the bubbling in the feather and fan sections. But the radial stitches between each feather and fan section are as tight as I could get them. I think a bigger needle would have made the blocking easier.
Apart from that issue, yes, I'm happy with it. The fancy cast off was a pain in the butt, but it's pretty!
And I love the centre flower.
And it's the perfect size for a lap rug.
Well, it will be when the weather cools down again. It only stayed there long enough for the picture to be taken!
Posted by Donna at November 11, 2007 08:45 PMComments
It's gorgeous! How did you find the Ecowool? Do you think it would work well with a local (Australian) sub?
Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: B at November 11, 2007 09:25 PMThe Hemlock looks great Donna. I've almost finished mine. Matching cushions from the middle section would look great. Can't wait to see you're Kim Hargreaves designs.
Posted by: Helen at November 11, 2007 09:31 PMwow!! that blanket is just soooo gorgeous and pretty!!! and i agree with you!! the flower in the center is really really pretty!!
i dont think i will ever knit such a pretty blanket!! i wear a few rings on my fingers. it'll definitely spoil such a pretty blanket!!
Posted by: Michelle at November 11, 2007 11:35 PMIt's beautiful!!
Posted by: sprite at November 11, 2007 11:51 PMIt's just beautiful! Wow, now I'm totaly unhappy with my gray blobby one!
Posted by: chris at November 12, 2007 12:16 AMIt's just beautiful! Wow, now I'm totaly unhappy with my gray blobby one!
Posted by: chris at November 12, 2007 12:16 AMit looks great Donna... this one has been on my to do list for a little while now!
Posted by: Vicki at November 12, 2007 12:26 AMYeah, the fan in the background kinda gives it away. It looks stunning!
Posted by: Chris at November 12, 2007 01:29 AMIt's really beautiful!! I'm impressed with your commitment. I'll bet those end rows were hard to keep working on!
Posted by: Renee at November 12, 2007 02:04 AMIt's really beautiful!! I'm impressed with your commitment. I'll bet those end rows were hard to keep working on!
Posted by: Renee at November 12, 2007 02:04 AMIt's stunning Donna. Now I really can't wait to finish mine and see how it looks!
Posted by: Amanda at November 12, 2007 02:44 AMIt's beautiful! Thanks for the tip on the bigger needle, I may do that myself.
Posted by: Meadow at November 12, 2007 04:01 AMOh it's lovely! Yes, I kind of expected it to be bigger, but as laprugs go, you can't beat it, I'd say.
Posted by: Bells at November 12, 2007 07:38 AMGlad you showed a pic with Em - that first photo could easily be a little doily! It looks fabulous!
Posted by: Rose Red at November 12, 2007 08:36 AMIt looks great - so pretty especially the flower. I can imagine the tedious cast off but it's worth the effort.
Posted by: Ann at November 12, 2007 09:22 AMIt looks exquisite. Well done Donna. You have inspired me to put it on my to do list. How does Twinkie like it. Do you have trouble with the rabbits when blocking?.... Rell
Posted by: Lorelle at November 12, 2007 09:53 AMIt looks great! I will have to remember to use a bigger needle.
Posted by: Suzanne at November 12, 2007 10:25 AMIt's beautiful! That'll be so nice to pull out on chilly days.
Posted by: Sarah at November 12, 2007 11:12 AMI think it looks beautiful Donna. Well done. It can't have been easy completing this in the heat!
Posted by: Terri at November 12, 2007 11:43 AMWow that is really beautiful, you must have put alot of work into that.
Posted by: Leeanne Johnson at November 12, 2007 11:54 AMYour HRB turned out beautifully.
Posted by: Sue at November 12, 2007 12:20 PMIt looks perfect! Absolutely perfect! I love the colour, the size, everything!
Posted by: Andrea at November 12, 2007 12:22 PMIt's very pretty!! You do such awesome knitting. Btw, I tagged you. :)
Posted by: Tammy at November 12, 2007 01:23 PMJust gorgeous! Congratulations.
Posted by: SallyO at November 12, 2007 07:47 PMIt's beautiful! And I love all the photos!
Posted by: Wool Winder at November 13, 2007 01:07 AMPretty! I love it in action.
Posted by: monica at November 13, 2007 03:36 AMLovely Hemlock. You turn out such wonderful FOs.
I love following in Brooklyntweed's knitting footsteps too. He pairs pattern and yarn in such unique but beautiful ways. I'm in the middle of making his Red Light Special Hat.. same colors as his (because he has better color sense than me).
It looks fabulous, Donna.
Posted by: Marina at November 13, 2007 07:48 AMIt's beautiful! And the bubbling adds interesting texture.
Posted by: Marlena at November 13, 2007 09:15 AMGreat job on the blanket - it's gorgeous. I wasn't going to add this to my Rav queue but I think I might just have to :-)
Posted by: sandra at November 13, 2007 09:37 AMHmmm, yes, I think you're right about the bigger needles - BUT it's STILL a stunning lap rug, and will get a lot of use when the weather is chilly again! Beautiful work as ever!
Posted by: Jejune at November 13, 2007 06:38 PMDespite the minor "shortcomings" it's so pretty Donna! It's beautiful and it looks so warm and snuggly!
Posted by: Debi at November 13, 2007 06:40 PMthat center star is so lovely! and it looks perfect for em. when are you arriving in NY?
Posted by: Kathleen at November 14, 2007 01:29 AMGreat gloves, and very cure model, :-)
Love your HRB and I hope mine turns out half as good.
This is a truly gorgeous blanket! Beautiful work.
Posted by: Patrizia at November 16, 2007 12:12 PMI just love the blanket and I will try it for myself. What other type of wool or cotton could I use for this project.
barbara.
Posted by: Barbara Loach at November 17, 2007 10:23 AM
It's gorgeous! How did you find the Ecowool? Do you think it would work well with a local (Australian) sub?
Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: B at November 11, 2007 09:24 PM