in between croaks
Well, drat. I've been struck with another illness...this time a chest cold. My voice is all froggy to and Mark keeps making fun of me like I'm a pirate or something. So my grand plans for the past week have been shot down but I still managed to clean out a cabinet in my bathroom, line my silverware drawer with contact paper and get started on my wool blanket---all in between naps and croaky coughs :)
I'm pretty happy so far with how the blanket is turning out. My original plan of just butting the squares edge to edge and then zig-zagging them together didn't work so well. I didn't want the back to have seams, but now it does. I guess I could put a backing on it, we'll see. I'm kind of just deciding as I go along. On a few squares I added a patch of some vintage fabric I've been squirreling away. I like the look it adds--somewhat funky, a little hippy-ish and a tad off-beat. I guess that could be a nutshell description of me now that I think about it!
A happy byproduct of all the sweater cutting has left me with about 6 pairs of sleeves. I'm thinking I would really like to try and make some long hand/arm warmers. Note to self: add that to the crafty to-do list that is already a bazillion pages long.
Love the blanket, Toni! I hope you feel better very soon. I just got over a cold, too. yuck!
Posted by: Karin | January 07, 2008 at 02:35 PM
that is such a beautiful blanket! I can't wait to see the whole thing.
Posted by: Rebekah | January 07, 2008 at 02:42 PM
i love that, it is going to be a stunning blanket.
Posted by: lucykatecrafts | January 07, 2008 at 03:36 PM
i like the way it's looking! can't wait to see what becomes of it! ribbit -em
Posted by: emily | January 07, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Hope you feel better soon. Sweater arms also make great baby pants (even better if they are cloth diapered and the sweater is 100% wool, no cover needed) for winter time. In case you know of any baby bums that need covering.
Posted by: Missy | January 07, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Wow, you are off to a good start on your blanket! I've been planning to make a blanket for awhile too, mostly to use up some of the felted sweaters I've squirreled away to make room for new ones ;) I was planning to do lapped seams - laying the edges over each other by about a half inch or so; I didn't want seams on the backside either and I thought it would be quicker than having to butt the edges up together and zigzag. Just my thoughts :) I hope you feel better soon, hugs, Cassi
Posted by: Cassi | January 07, 2008 at 04:06 PM
That blanket is coming along nicely! To solve the seam issue, could you just over lap each piece 1/4 - 1/2'' and use a double needle to stitch it in place? Or maybe even fold the seam to one side and straight stitch (with a long stitch) through all three layers to keep them from standing vertical on the backside? Let me know how this works out, because I want to make a sweater blanket too!
Posted by: LeeAnn | January 07, 2008 at 04:25 PM
OH it looks so pretty! Sorry to hear you are under the weather. I found that when I zig zaged my sweater squares together, if one was thicker than the other, they would part too easily.
Posted by: Dawn | January 07, 2008 at 05:04 PM
~~Well I agree with what everyone has said, The blanket looks great and fantastic. But that is NO surprise because you are making it. Have you figured out yet your my Idol. LOL ;) Have a great week.
~~BTW I hope your feeling better and can't wait to see the blanket when it is done.
Posted by: Oona L | January 07, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Cozy!
Posted by: Tinuviel | January 07, 2008 at 07:27 PM
What a great blanket project, I love that you're adding the fabric pieces to the wool sections as it gives it an extra zing.
It's miserable being ill and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Posted by: June | January 08, 2008 at 02:06 AM
Hi Toni - Hope you feel better soon. The blanket is beautiful. Love the concept.
Posted by: Tami | January 08, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Toni, just had another suggestion for joining the squares of your blanket... did you think about crocheting them together?
Love your blog.
Posted by: Luann | January 08, 2008 at 08:51 AM
I've another idea for your left over sleeve bits. I had a friend who used to make coats for her chihuahua with sleeves of a hacked fleece jacket or sweater. I suppose they could be used for any kind of wee beastie really, depending on the size of the sleeve.
Posted by: tana | January 08, 2008 at 10:10 AM
hope you are feeling better! arm warmers are the best, i bought myself a pair for christmas. i love the blanket by the way.
Posted by: jen b | January 08, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Hi Toni!
So sorry to hear you are not feeling well, hoping you get better real soon. Lovely blanket...I love it!! Arm warmers with the left over sleeves sound wonderful! You know Toni, I really love all your beautiful crafts you alway manage to take simple things and turn them into works of art! Enjoy making your blanket!
Smiles...
Beverly
Posted by: tea time and roses | January 08, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Sending you healing wishes and the blanket looks lovely!
Posted by: tamara | January 08, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Hope you feel better soon, Toni! I've had a cold (or maybe two(?)) since Christmas.
The blanket's looking nice! Very warm colors.
Posted by: ~ Junkyard Jennifer | January 08, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Beautiful and looks so warm! Hope you get over this one quickly! You taking an immune booster to help it out?
Posted by: Lisa | January 08, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Your blanket is turning out beautifully. I am making a blanket too but am not so pleased about the progress. Yours reminds me that I want to finish it despite its many flaws.
Posted by: Ravenhill | January 09, 2008 at 11:31 AM
love love LOVE the blanket, so beautiful... and what a thrifty idea... make a blanket with the body piece and then arm warmers, leg warmers, and baby leg warmers with the sleeves, you are brilliant, can't wait to see it in all it's finished glory!
Posted by: kate | January 10, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Soooo pretty!!!
Posted by: Kelly | January 20, 2008 at 07:50 AM
really good - love it!
Posted by: meg | January 22, 2008 at 05:50 PM
delurking to say that i love the blanket! the seams are part of the charm, no? and i love the fabric patches. if the sweaters are felted, then butting them together and zigzagging works fine - use no tension and the trick is to use a walking foot, which is the greatest invention ever, as far as i'm concerned! a walking foot will help with the ruffling that sweaters do, too ;-)
love love your blog!
Posted by: Marnie | February 20, 2008 at 09:26 AM