Have you cast on?

I've heard from a bunch of you that you have cast on for some squares already - Thank you! I can't wait to see the colours and stitch patterns that you have chosen. :) I've also started: I have 2 blue squares for the coastal aran weight afghan. Both are moss/seed stitch. I want to do some cable squares next.

I've also got a few sock yarn squares completed too - these are portable and simple. Good on-the-go projects!

Mum has also been busy cranking out squares and drumming up volunteers in the UK - this will be Bertie's Blanket #4.  If anyone in the UK wants to get involved, her squares are 9"x9" in an aran weight yarn and the predominant colour is cream.  My sister in law has whipped one out already, Mum has 4 completed and my sis has one on the go.  Maybe this will be the first blanket to be completed!


Thanks again for the interest and support.
Hugs,
Sam
xxx

Berties Blanket #1: Coastal Afghan

This Veteran's Day weekend I picked up some Lion Brand Wool-Ease and Vanna's Choice for the Afghan blanket - Bertie's Blanket #1!

• Wool-ease worsted in natural heather
• Wool-ease worsted in grey heather
• Wool-ease worsted in sea spray
• Vanna’s Choice in silver blue

I found some of the softer shades of blues, grey and cream that I had in mind for 'coastal colours'.  I still need to find some stronger bluey greens to help make this pop a little!  But I have started... :)

A little Veteran's/Remembrance Day side note:  Did I mention that Dad was a Royal Marine?  He joined up at a ridiculously young age - 14 years old young!  He was able to join at such a young age because he was a bandsman and they like the extra time to train them to Royal Marine Band standards.  He was an extremely talented musician.  Later on he also volunteered all the time at our local Sea Cadets unit - he was one of the leads for the Marine Cadets.  The boys just thought he was the bee's knees to the point that a couple seemingly adopted him :)  Anyhoo, this weekend brought back fond memories of Remembrance Day services at the local Cenotaph, with the cadets, my Dad and all my family, paying respects to those who have served. 

Here's a picture of Dad when he joined - I still can't get over how young they all are, and in particular my Dad was quite the babyface! :)))

It felt good to start this effort on Veteran's weekend/Remembrance Day.  Thanks again for the positive response - I am overjoyed with your genorosity. 

Hugs,
Sam xxx

PS - we now have a ravelry group:  Bertie's Blankets

Guidelines: Blankets 1, 2 and 3

Hello my dear crafty Friends,

I received the following article from my mum this morning:  Trinity hospice is in need of blankets to bring comfort and warmth to the folks that they are caring for.  This is where my Dad was looked after in his final days, and I can tell you wholeheartedly that these blankets do make a difference and are thoroughly appreciated.  The only requirement is that the blankets need to be machine washable. 

I would like to put together 3 blankets for Trinity Hospice.  Would you be willing to contribute a square, or 2, to this very worthwhile cause?

I've suggested patterns and colours below for folks looking for guidance.  But I'll take any square that you would be willing to donate.  Thank you.

Option 1:  Afghan Sampler Blanket

• Knit using afghan/worsted weight yarn
• US8 needles
• Final square to measure 9" x 9"
• Use a stitch pattern of your choosing, or if you'd like to follow a published pattern, please check out this Lion Brand sampler blanket pattern L0563 (you can login to the site for free)
• A great way to use those 40-60% off vouchers at the big box yarn stores... and looking at the pattern it looks like you can get 2 squares out of one skein of a lion brand ball of yarn
• Since Trinity Hospice is located in a coastal town, lets use the colours of the sea on this one (throw in some white for the 'surf' and this would be a really soothing colour scheme of shades of blue and white):

Image courtesey of design seeds:  http://design-seeds.com/index.php/home/entry/crashing-tones1

Option 2:  Scrappy Sock Yarn Blanket

• Do you have lots of leftover scraps of sock yarn.  A lot of this stuff is machine washable!  Let's put it to good use with this really simple pattern: Kraft-Tanken-Patches (free Ravelry download)
• The squares are 15cm x 15 cm (6" x 6") and are a simple knit on the diagonal
• The pattern recommends a US1-3 needle, depending upon gauge
• As for colour scheme, anything goes - let's send a bright happy rainbow of colours with this one :)

Option 3:  Wonky log cabin Quilt

• There are some wonderful wonky log cabin quilts out in blogland.  Another great way to put your leftover bits and pieces of fabric to good use. 
• I'll be making squares that are 9" by 9" out of my fabric scraps
• My thoughts are to use brights or pastels that are complimented with soothing neutrals like beige and cream
• Here's a great tutorial for the type of wonky log cabin block that I was thinking about:  http://www.quiltdad.com/2009/09/quilt-along-3-wonky-log-cabin-block.html
• The colours are also similar to what I had in mind, with brights + pastels + some cream/neutral
• (I'll be adding a cream border to each of the wonky squares that you send me, so that this will help tie them altogether into one coordinated blanket)

I can't tell you how much this means to me.  I've been thinking about doing something like this since the day Dad was admitted.  Could this be the beginning of Bertie's Blankets?  :)  I'm glad that this article gave me the push, and the wonderful response I got from my fb knitter friends spurred me on.  Thank you.

I'll collect the squares and assemble them, and then ship to Trinity.

Much love and big hugs,
Sam xxx