Blanket-Along update: halfway!

We are now a little over halfway through the Blanket-Along that I am running in my Ravelry group,* so I thought I would give you an update on how I'm getting on with my projects.

First up we have the rainbow crochet blanket that I was working on. And it is finished! I used the Beatrice pattern by Little Doolally that I have used before and really enjoyed both times. Crochet is great for blankets as it grows so quickly. I actually managed to finish this one ahead of time as my friend's baby isn't due until July. I enjoyed working on this blanket in this colourway so much that I have already planned a second blanket project using the leftovers, but this time I'll be using a clean grey (Stylecraft Special DK in Silver) as the neutral. I can't wait to get started on this project as the grey really makes the rainbow colours pop. I'm thinking about using another of Little Dolally's patterns as I enjoyed the first so much, but I need to check that I'll have enough yarn first, otherwise it'll be another Beatrice.

The second Blanket-Along project is a second Peter Rabbit blanket in a slightly different colourway to the first. I finally got round to casting this on over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. I'm not sure that casting on a chunky-weight blanket on one of the hottest days of the year was necessarily a wise decision, and I only did the first border before declaring it too hot and putting it to one side in favour of a much lighter weight project. But as ever, once something is on the needles it does grow faster, and I have been back to it. I have now completed about half of the first row of bunnies, and really need to get a move on as its recipient will be here pretty soon!

There is still plenty of time to join in the Blanket-Along. The chatter thread has been excellent inspiration, and we're all doing a great job of cheering each other along. I'll be drawing prize winners from both the chatter and FO threads, so there's no pressure to finish your project - feel free to pop across, say hello and share what blanket you're working on.

Happy knitting!

*For full details, read this post. My Ravelry group can be found here; you will have to be a member of Ravelry to access this, membership is free.

All the cast-ons!

It's a bank holiday in the U.K. today, and, somewhat unusually, gloriously sunny! It's also the start of my Marathon Sock KAL*, so I'm going to make an effort to cast on some new socks today. There are three major options: long-anticipated socks for my husband (he has rather large feet, so the project will be a long one), or sparkly socks for me, or stripy socks for me (both in yarns that have been wound for ages, but never quite made it to the needles). Or maybe all three...

Three projects lined up, all ready to go

Socks that might take a while...

Sparkly firework yarn

Pastel stripes with contrast heels, cuffs and toes

I had originally made the KAL a WIP-free zone, but decided to add a warm-up thread for those who wanted to get a few things finished before casting on something new.** I have more than one or two sock WIPs lying about, so in the past week I have finished one pair of socks and started the second sock on my long-abandoned Christmas Sockalong socks that I started last November. I have no idea why the festive socks got abandoned, the yarn is lovely and the micro-stripes make for an enjoyable project. By the end of the week I think I might actually have salvaged some sock needles!

Starlight express socks!

Christmas in May...

I have one other cast-on planned for today: a baby blanket for a friend. It'll be a second Peter Rabbit blanket, knitted in bright pink chunky yarn, so good and quick once I get started. Today might not be the best day to cast on a chunky weight project as it is rather warm, but the sooner I start, the sooner I'll finish. This blanket will be my big project for my Blanket Along.***

The original blanket

New colours!

If you want me today, you'll find me outside, knitting in hand, enjoying the sunshine! Happy knitting!

*For more details on that, read this post. The Ravelry thread is lovely and busy!

**Full details can be found in the Ravelry thread. To be eligible, WIPs much have been cast on before May 1st 2018; the FO thread will close early on June 1st 2018. To access the thread, you need to be a member on Ravelry; membership is free.

***Another KAL I am currently hosting in my Ravelry group. The thread isn't as busy as the Sock Marathon thread, but there are plenty of inspiring projects, and you can enter with WIPs if you want a push to get something finished. Again you must be a member of Ravelry to join in.

The Blanket-along 2018!

Over the past few months, a lot of my friends have announced that they are expecting babies (apparently these things, like weddings, come in clusters!); I think the count is up to 7 already and there are still a good few months left this year! This has rather added to my knitting list, so I thought I'd host a Blanket-along in my Ravelry group to encourage me to get on with some gift knitting (and crocheting).

The rules are simple, all you have to do is be working on a blanket (either knitted or crocheted) and post about your progress in the chatter thread.

My current blanket WIP

The Blanket-along officially started on 31st March 2018, but I am allowing works in progress to be included, so feel free to post in the chatter thread even if your project is ongoing. The end date for the Blanket-along is 30th June 2018, and there will be a finished object thread opening in the next few weeks for you to post your finished blankets to. There is an exception to the works in progress rule: your blanket will only be eligible for prizes in the FO thread if it was started after the start date.

There will be prizes for the Blanket-along: I'll be drawing one winner from the chatter thread (so don't worry if you don't finish your blanket by the end of the Blanket-along) and one from the finished object thread.

What will you make? All these patterns are available in the blanket section of my Ravelry store.

If you use Instagram more than Ravelry, feel free to post some progress photos on there, and either tag me in the caption (@vikkibirddesigns) or use the tag #vbdblanketalong2018 so I get to see your posts.

So what are you waiting for? Head over to Ravelry now, say hello and let me know your blanket knitting plans.

NOTE: You will need to be a member of Ravelry to join in with the Blanket-along; membership is free and Ravelry is an excellent resource for knitters and crocheters.