My gran and I started making a patchwork blanket long, long ago – I was enamoured by the idea of having loads of squares to sew together, and she enjoyed having easy garter stitch things to knit in front of the TV. All was going swimmingly.
Until I received a delivery of a bag full of squares. Fifty-five squares, to be exact.
Patchwork Blanket
This delivery made its appearance on the first of March in 2008. I only know this because of my Ravelry page, where I recorded the information. I had eight squares of my own, and decided that a 9 x 7 square blanket would do, and that I did not have to make any more.
I had never sewn garter stitch squares together before, and I started using a method I used when I was about 8 and hand-sewing things. This went: needle up and through, space of about 5 mm, needle down and through, space of about 5 mm – repeat. I now use the same stitch for basting things together when I’m sewing…
This was, to be polite, incredibly frustrating, and the project got put away for a while. I then made a pillow for my gran, and learned about the wonders of mattress stitch. Determined to apply the same principles to the patchwork blanket, I unpicked everything and started again.
Success followed! It wasn’t a hard project – it just took a lot of time when I worked on it, and spent even longer amounts of time in a basket sitting in plain sight and waiting for me to pick it up again. The last time I worked on this blanket, in fact, was April 2013…
I am currently watching Breaking Bad, and determined to do something useful while I do so – I am so pleased to say that I have finally, after six years and one day, finished sewing it together.
I think I may still sew a backing fabric on to it, but I have other WIPs that have been languishing for years, and I am going to finish them before I go back to what is essentially, finally, a completed blanket.
Do you have any projects like this? My mum has now asked me to make her a throw for a sofa in this style…argh! Think the knitting machine may make another appearance…
Much love,
Corrie xx
I’m knitting a pram blanket for when Evelyn is born. It is chocolate brown with cream spots. Evelyn is nearly four.
Yesterday I bought a floor standing emroidery frame so I can get on with the cross stitch that will be my thankyou gift that I will present to my mum at our wedding reception. We’ve been married over a year and a half.
I stopped sewing the wedding embroidery when I discovered crochet. The bedspread I am making out of crochet squares may shortly become a less ambitious cushion cover.
Thanks for this post! You’ve helped me look at my WIP in a new light. I may no longer consider these as ‘discarded’ projects and start thinking towards how loved they will be when they are finally finished. Even if it is a few more years. :)
I mean, at the end of the day, it’s not about the destination, but the journey, right?! (I’m allowed to say that, I work in tourism now.)
Yours all sound amazing, I have plenty that I’ve never finished but one day I will and I’ll know how much pleasure I got out of them! Can’t wait to see your FOs!
I think it is wonderful that you have a blanket that you and your Gran made together! I might just borrow that idea, as I’m hoping to move closer to my Gran next month. I’ve certainly had a few things languish for long periods of time, you aren’t along there!
Woohoo! Well done for getting it finished – it must be lovely to have a project you and your nan made together.
I made a blanket for Refuge (a Simply Knitting campaign) and while I enjoyed the knitting, sewing up the squares was awful! I got so bored…