My sister and I were talking last week about how it’s socially acceptable for kids these days to have a blanket or stuffed animal that they “self-comfort” with even up to early teenage years. The conversation made me think of Sara’s recent IG shawl pic, which she had hashtagged #sociallyacceptableblanket, and about those of us (grown-ups) who never leave home without a scarf or wrap of some kind. Living in the chilly Bay Area all those years, I never ever ever was without a big ol’ scarf. One in particular (the green paisley one pictured here, which somehow manages to go with everything) was always in my bag even if a different one was around my neck — it felt wrong to leave home without it. It accompanied me on countless trips over the course of a few years, including one to a small, very exclusive tech conference where I felt completely out of place and knew only two people, on top of which it was socially UNacceptable to be seen talking too long to anyone you already knew and verboten to sit next to them at a meal! We were there to meet new people — my worst skill. Throw in a really nasty cold, and I can tell you having that scarf around my neck that weekend veered past mere warmth or accessorizing and well into self-comfort territory. All of which got me thinking about how many blanket patterns I’ve saved up over the last few years with no intention of knitting them as blankets. That’s because every blanket that passes before my eyes (especially baby blankets) gets mentally resized into wrap proportions. I apparently only want a blanket if it can go everywhere with me. A few candidates from the top of my list:
TOP LEFT: Bairn by Julie Hoover
TOP RIGHT: Hambleton Throw by Martin Storey (free pattern)
MIDDLE LEFT: Umaro by Jared Flood (See also: Shale Baby Blanket)
MIDDLE RIGHT: Mosaic Blanket by the Purl Bee (free pattern)
BOTTOM LEFT: Chevron Baby Blanket by the Purl Bee (free pattern)
BOTTOM RIGHT: Ambrotype by Jocelyn Tunney (free pattern)
IN UNRELATED SHOP NEWS: The beloved folding rice baskets are back in stock in natural, as are the wooden gauge rulers. And we’ve also got a fresh batch of the loom kits. If you’ve been waiting, here’s your chance!
Blankies! My Sis (who’s coming to visit today) and I would wrap ourselves in our blankies in our young days and curl our hair. My Sis still curls her hair and I would if my hair weren’t so short. And we still have our blankies, I’m sure. She bought me a bright red fleece blanket for Christmas two years ago at my suggestion and until this heat wave its been an evening ritual. But this year I’ve been mulling over the notion of knitting myself a blankie. Wouldn’t that be an incredible project? And then you post these! I’m leaning to the Bairn. Oh, my…
For me, making blankets is the most satisfying project ever. But I lean towards more rustic, stash busting versions. I always have one in progress. Right now it is one I will call Big Blue. It has every strand of whatever blue, gray and slate colored fibers I have on hand. I have even dyed leftover yarns to morph them into a usable blue. Anyway, all the mixes are turning into a nuanced Indigo fabric that really pleases me. Not a cuddly blanket, more of a real bed cover … queen size, at least. And the mix of shades and fibers keeps the work entertaining, which means it eventually gets finished.
I love the small blankets you’ve posted, all of which would make pretty wraps or scarves. I was looking at the mosaic one yesterday with that in mind. Looks like a fun stitch.
Clare, would you please share some photos? I have been working on a stash blanket as well though mine has a code name little squares and is crocheted for extra portability. And I have also been overdying yarn to make it fit in :) I wanted to make something that would be a riot of color which turned out to be a challenge since my stash is mostly gray, green and muted neutrals.
Hi Crazyestonian,
I am Napagal on Ravelry . I don’t have the blue blanket posted yet, but it is made in the same manner as this one (called Daily Fiber):
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/NapaGal/daily-fiber
And this one, the “Kilim-Inspired” version:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/NapaGal/kilim-inspired-blanket
Both are crocheted, and so is Big Blue. Unless it is pieced, I really don’t like knitting a bed size blanket. The weight on the needles is too cumbersome, whereas hooking it is a breeze.
I would love to see yours, too…either here, or better yet, on Ravelry?
I always considered myself a robe person but when I learned how to knit I’ve loved wraps or huge scarves more and more. Last year at my LYS I saw a sample of the Classic Elite Color Block Biased Wrap in their Chalet and Chateau yarn and blew my birthday gift card to get the yarn and the pattern. This is the ultimate blankie. The yarn is a DREAM!! I want to have it with me all the time and it’s just a super simple pattern.
With six new babies arriving in my world this year I foraged ahead with blankets – in spite of their current questionable status. I made them quite large – not just a small square – and chose some more “grown-up” colors: a beige tweed, a grey hombre. They look great and, best of all, tempting to wrap up in. I am confident they will be welcomed and cherished.
This is the one I like on Ravelry; – just keep adding to it as the child grows:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gacoco-baby-blanket
If the link doesn’t work, the name on Ravelry is « Gacoco Baby Blanket ».
Oooh, I love all of these patterns! Especially Bairn. With as much as I wear that Farmhouse shawl even in the middle of summer in Denver, I should probably knit a few more socially acceptable blankets!
that’s my adorable granddaughter Lulu wrapped in the Bairn blanket…a fun knit fyi. :)))
She is darling!
yes we are very lucky- she is funny and fun, and a sweetheart!
love your blog:)))
All beautiful patterns. Everyone needs a good blankie!
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