Blocking, while not a panacea for every knitting problem, can solve a lot of them.
Once soaked (actually washed on gentle cycle in my washing machine), the fabric relaxed a good deal and I was able to pin it out and tame some of the unruly curvaceousness of this blanket. As you can see towards the top of the picture, some parts of the feather and fan still have a ruched look, but I am imaging that the baby will not notice these things.
The center of the blanket is lovely after blocking. The flower motif really shines and almost looks delicate even in this aran weight yarn. I definitely learned something when I had to make those openings under each of the petals.
Believe it or not, this is the first time that I have worked a feather and fan pattern into anything. Easy easy and certainly nice results. This would also probably be lovely with striping yarns.
I had helped for a more festive photo shoot for the blanket, but it was cold, almost snowy and damp on Saturday so my upstairs balcony was my best option and it was cold enough to keep me from getting too creative with the pictures. It looks nice draped over the back of a chair, does it not?
This edge was incredibly time consuming, incredibly yarn consuming and absolutely worth it. So pretty! And definitely something that will provide textural interest for an infant.
The specifics:
Hemlock Ring Blanket
worked in Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton, "Periwinkle", ~4.5 skeins
needle sizes as specified in Jared Flood's modification of the original doily design
Comments on the Yarn:
This yarn is suggested as hand wash or dry clean... well, hand washing and dry cleaning are not something any new mom wants to bother with so I washed it in the gentle cycle of my top-loading washer. It came out looking a little more careworn but not raggedy or shaggy. I suspect that if I washed it on it's own in a front loader there would be very little wear on it. I also washed (and dried) Z's Circles Stroller Jacket in the same load with similar acceptable results. This yarn is a loosely spun cotton, so I do suspect that over time it might end up moving past careworn to more abused looking, but I think it's worth the trade off to be able to put something so soft next to a baby's skin. This cotton is probably the nicest cotton I've ever worked with (in fact, it almost has a hand like silk). It's cost definitely makes it a luxury yarn purchase, but for a special baby, it might be a worthwhile splurge, and I whole heartedly recommend it as long as you can accept that it needs to be treated just a little bit more gently than standard cotton yarns and understand that it may have poorer wear parameters than standard cotton yarns as well.
Blocking has definitely made me happy with this project again, and it will be on it's way to its intended recipient soon... well, just as soon as I stop knitting little toys for Z and make a few to accompany the blanket!
Once soaked (actually washed on gentle cycle in my washing machine), the fabric relaxed a good deal and I was able to pin it out and tame some of the unruly curvaceousness of this blanket. As you can see towards the top of the picture, some parts of the feather and fan still have a ruched look, but I am imaging that the baby will not notice these things.The center of the blanket is lovely after blocking. The flower motif really shines and almost looks delicate even in this aran weight yarn. I definitely learned something when I had to make those openings under each of the petals.Believe it or not, this is the first time that I have worked a feather and fan pattern into anything. Easy easy and certainly nice results. This would also probably be lovely with striping yarns.I had helped for a more festive photo shoot for the blanket, but it was cold, almost snowy and damp on Saturday so my upstairs balcony was my best option and it was cold enough to keep me from getting too creative with the pictures. It looks nice draped over the back of a chair, does it not?This edge was incredibly time consuming, incredibly yarn consuming and absolutely worth it. So pretty! And definitely something that will provide textural interest for an infant. The specifics:Hemlock Ring Blanket
worked in Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton, "Periwinkle", ~4.5 skeins
needle sizes as specified in Jared Flood's modification of the original doily design
Comments on the Yarn:
This yarn is suggested as hand wash or dry clean... well, hand washing and dry cleaning are not something any new mom wants to bother with so I washed it in the gentle cycle of my top-loading washer. It came out looking a little more careworn but not raggedy or shaggy. I suspect that if I washed it on it's own in a front loader there would be very little wear on it. I also washed (and dried) Z's Circles Stroller Jacket in the same load with similar acceptable results. This yarn is a loosely spun cotton, so I do suspect that over time it might end up moving past careworn to more abused looking, but I think it's worth the trade off to be able to put something so soft next to a baby's skin. This cotton is probably the nicest cotton I've ever worked with (in fact, it almost has a hand like silk). It's cost definitely makes it a luxury yarn purchase, but for a special baby, it might be a worthwhile splurge, and I whole heartedly recommend it as long as you can accept that it needs to be treated just a little bit more gently than standard cotton yarns and understand that it may have poorer wear parameters than standard cotton yarns as well.
Blocking has definitely made me happy with this project again, and it will be on it's way to its intended recipient soon... well, just as soon as I stop knitting little toys for Z and make a few to accompany the blanket!
Yay great job with the blanket! I love this pattern :D
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
That is really a beautiful blanket. I know the mom will treasure all the love and tender wishes that you knit into it.
This is really gorgeous! Blankets like this are so much more interesting than the normal square or rectangular blankets (the only ones I've actually made to date).
Just gorgeous! I have been sorely tempted by this pattern. I'm off to yarn shop now!
It looks great! I probably shouldn't confess this, but I wash my Blue Sky Cotton stuff with the regular wash on warm and machine dry it too. It's pilled up a little bit, but is soft and still holding up well after years of this rough treatment, so I'm sure your blanket will be fine.
Oh wonderful. I love this pattern, and what yummy yarn. Gotta make another one.
That is a very special blanket!!
Absolutely gorgeous! You have inspired me to try one for the next baby in my life.
Wow, that is beautiful.
it's so beautiful! looks like an heirloom.
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It's a beautiful blanket!! I love the ball too. I have used many free and published patterns to make knitted balls for infants. Most use short rows and are lots of fun. There's one on Ravelry which is done as entrelac that I want to try. You can go to a pet supply store (a big one) and get squeakers or bells to put in, or use a large piece of mylar (from a potato chip bag) in with the stuffing for crinkly noise. Babies love them! I like that yours is bigger!
Wonderful blanket - I'm sure it's new owner will get plenty of use out of it.