Owl Blanket

To start off, I want to say a huge thank you to Mary-Heather from Ravelry, who decided to feature my blanket on the front page of Ravelry today! Check out the blog post (which features some other beautiful blankets) here. I’m literally beaming from ear to ear!

So, incase you hadn’t already worked it out; I finished the owl blanket! I actually finished a few days ago, on the 1st September (meaning I completed it in exactly a month) but didn’t want to take photos and share until I’d pressed it, and had it looking at it’s best. Today was the day and I am ready to share.

Lots of lovely owls

I want to give a big and well deserved credit to The Hat & I for producing this beautiful pattern (click here for Ravelry and here for Etsy), because without their amazing designing skills, I wouldn’t have gotten very far. As you can see, it’s very colourful! I used Knit Picks Chroma yarn, in Lollipop, as the pattern called for, but was unable to get Knit Picks for the edging. Instead, I opted for Sirdar Snuggly, which despite being DK instead of Worsted, worked out absolutely fine. The whole thing feels so soft, I absolutely love it!

Front and back

I love the fact that this blanket looks great from both sides. I’ve made stuff in the past and have cringed when they’ve been turned over, but this one looks fab. I was very meticulous, trying to get all of the ends darned in nicely, so it really paid off.

Edging details

I had lots of new experiences in making this particular blanket. It was my first time using a wool blend yarn, as well as my first baby blanket. It also gave me the opportunity to try out the border in the pattern, which I very nearly didn’t do because it scared me. However, it is extremely well explained, and although I was a little apprehensive before stitching the “half-octagons” on to the blanket, for fear of them tugging and ruining the shape of the rest of it, it is now my favourite part of the whole thing. They give a really delicate and pretty edging to the blanket overall, especially when coupled with the waved border.

Twit-twoo!

Ironically, I can hear a Tawny Owl outside, as I am writing this. The joys of night shifts! Anyway, I have made this for my very dear friend Karen, who has just become a Grandmother. It’s no lie when I tell you that this woman changed my life, so this is the least I could do as part of saying thank you. I am going to be posting it to her and her husband at some point next week, so that’s exciting!

Ribbon by Cath Kidston

I wanted to make it a really special heirloom gift, and I hope I’ve achieved my goal. I still have my baby blanket, from when I was born, and although it isn’t hand made it’s still nice to keep it. So maybe this will remain in her family – who knows. It’s a nice thought!

Anyway, this has been an absolute joy to work on. I couldn’t have asked for a better pattern, yarns, or a more worthy recipient, and it has honestly made my day to see the reaction on Ravelry as well, so thank you to everyone that has commented and favourited. You’ve all put a massive smile on my face! Love to you all x