08-29-2017

It’s such a pleasure to start a new project using my favorite yarn, my favorite hook, and some of my favorite colors!

I’m going to do the two squares of each pattern using the same color sequence -- I think this will result in a more harmonious blanket.

08-30-2017

I’ve finished the first square x 2. The original CAL had 12 squares released over 12 weeks, then two weeks for the join/border (June 10 - September 23, 2016). If I followed the same schedule, I’d be done sometime in December, which is reasonable since Sue’s birthday is the middle of January. But I’m also working on two other complicated blankets at the same time, so I don’t expect to keep to that pace.

08-31-2017

I am having second thoughts about the Mocha for the background color. It will be the dominant color of the blanket and I really am not that fond of it. I am going to try a few alternatives on the next squares before deciding, including plum (which I’ll have to order). Last time I was at Sue’s house I noticed she has some plum-colored throws that I didn’t see last time and it’s a pretty addition to the palette.

09-18-2017

Mocha it is for the background and the Visible Join was fun to learn. The plum is too purpley in person -- if it was a deeper shade it might work but I’ll use it for something else.

09-26-2017

I did both of square #3, the Scottburgh Square, adding an extra dc per side to get them all to 33 stitches. These seem so easy and relaxing after doing hexagons for the Delft Blanket. I don’t know how anyone works on just one WIP at a time.

10-07-2017

The #4, Umtentweni Squares, are done, also with an extra dc per side.

10-12-2017

I’ve joined the 3rd & 4th squares. Next will be another small square. In the original CAL, the one after that is a large square, but I think I’ll do the next small one so I can join them up. I’m very happy with how this is coming out!

01-20-2018

I’m back to this after a break for some holiday gift making. I’ve finished the two Margate squares today.

01-23-2018

All done with the Shelly Beach square. This was a fun one!

01-25-2018

Squares 5 & 7 are joined, so now I have three (of nine) of the large squares done. I’ll do the Port Shepstone next (one of the 17” squares). Actually, I’ll do two of those at once like I do with the small ones. My plan is to do four of the large squares in the month of February, which will just leave two large squares, the final join, and the border for the month of March.

I am going to run out of Mocha yarn.

02-19-2018

The two Port Shepstone’s are done, as well as two of the remaining small squares. I’ve ordered more Mocha from Wool Warehouse.

02-23-2018

I decided to swap the first bonus square with square #9 which had large spaces. I added an extra sc round before the border rounds to get the stitch count up to 33 stitches.

02-28-2018

I have finished the #10 & #11 squares and have met my goal to complete four more (so seven total) of the nine large squares in February. (The Mocha yarn came just in time.)

Just the two 17” Port Edward squares to go before I can block the large squares, complete the join, and do the border!

03-04-2018

Finishing the last two Port Edward squares:

12: Sage
13: Stone
14: Sage
15: Stone
16: Teal
17: Sage
18: Duck Egg
19: Mocha
20: Mocha

I can’t believe what a nut I am! I’m running out of Stone. I’m not going to place another WW order so I’m going to have to modify the border. I’ll do the sc round in Walnut, then the two rounds of Mocha, then I’ll do 2 dc block stitch in Duck Egg/Sage/Teal separated by Walnut, then Edging A in Walnut.

03-05-2018

The last two large squares are done! I laid it all out on the floor and I really like the way it looks.

03-06-2018

All blocked and joined now. I also did the first sc/ch round of the border.

03-07-2018

After the third row of the border it is already rippling a little bit. (I didn’t actually consult the pattern for this so not the pattern’s fault, entirely mine.) On the next row, which is a sc/2ch row, I’ll do some decreases over the block joins to compensate as I would really like it to lay flat. Blocking isn’t really an option (and probably wouldn’t help) given how big the blanket is now.

03-12-2018

I played yarn chicken at the end but ended up with about a yard of Walnut left. I’m very pleased with the border in spite of some slight rippling and I think the whole blanket is wonderful! I hope my sister likes it.