So - I have chosen the yarn for my Ripple blanket - mostly pinky purpley shades with the odd dash of lichen green and faded yellow. I think I have been influenced by the landscape colours of the moment here. But I am just so excited about this - crochet seems to be such a colourful thing. I am sure knitting is too, but - sigh - I have lost my heart to the hook, I am afraid. Talking of hooks -, while I was ordering my wool, this "ergonomically designed" crochet hook just happened to fall into the virtual basket - see it there? It looks like something from an operating theatre tray, but it feels very nice in the hand. I think we are going to be very close friends.
I have a couple of things to cross off my list this week, but very soon, I intend to snuggle down with my new buddy and start this rippling thang. I very much hope that in this spot next week, you will see some colourful wavy crochet lovliness.
And to continue the getting ready theme - some essential reading material in preparation for the arrival some other new friends who will be joining us at the end of the month. Oh my - oh my!
Pop over to see Ginny at Small Things and see what the yarn along is today. x
The blanket will be perfect in those colours! Love the Lumberjack cake too - looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll all enjoy having pigs. They're great fun - a bit like hens, only more so!! What breed have you gone for, I wonder. Way back in Wales, we kept mostly Berkshires with the odd Saddleback (probably a favourite - easy to handle, friendly etc), Oxford Sandy & Black thrown in for variety. Enjoyed them in every way. Well worth the effort, though they don't half chomp a lot!
ReplyDeleteHope things go well with your pigs!
ReplyDeleteYour yarn looks beautiful.
I have a deep affection for the swine! When I first met my husband, at age 16, his family owned a hog farm. We spent many dates together feeding hogs :). The best Valentine's gift I ever received was when he gave me Vivian Leigh, a piglet who grew to over 400 pounds and thought she was a little dog!xx
ReplyDeleteI love having wool and a new project at hand. Very exciting. Love the blanket. Essential reading looks good. Haha, 'pigs in blankets'. Sorry!!
ReplyDeleteMuch love
You're taking on a large project. I love the ripples. I wonder if I could do this in knitting rather than crochet...
ReplyDeleteThose ripples are going to be great. And I look forward to seeing the pigs. Trish, thanks for the laugh: pigs in blankets!
ReplyDeleteI liked Trish's jest too!
ReplyDeleteI love the colors you have chosen, especially that dash of lichen green! Excellent choices! Will be looking forward to seeing your ripples!
I love all the colors of your blanket! Good choices :) Are you really getting some pigs? If so please post some photos!!!!
ReplyDeleteLol - that is a good one Trish - not like me to miss that. Yours too Megg ;)
ReplyDeleteTracey - I love to think you had a piglet called Vivienne leigh - that is just so cute. What a sweet story.
Iain - I am not 100% sure of the breed, but I think they are mostly Gloucester Old spot - the Daddy is anyway.
Never fear - the piglets will feature very heavily on these pages!
xxx
I have been mulling piggies.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching with intent. The previous posts were breathtaking, the colours of your autumn, it's not quite like that here, too much agriculture in my immediate area, all fields heaving with silage and frantically harvesting barely/oats. Loved the beach treasures, I'm slowly catching back through, since the return of school, everything's gone crazy!
Fay x
I love your colors! I have the ripple blanket in my mental queue. I am new to crochet, but I love the look of it.
ReplyDeleteOh, those colors look so yummy. I've going to have to keep checking back to see your progress.
ReplyDeleteI started crocheting this past Spring. I can cast on for knitting.
Be sure to let me know if I can answer any pig-keeping questions for you! Hope all is well across the pond.
ReplyDeleteOh I do hope you show us some photos of your pigs ...I hope they are wee little ones ;-)
ReplyDeleteYour wool colours are just gorgeous and I shall look forward to seeing the rug in progress - the handle on the hook looks like it used to be a toothbrush handle in a past life.
That ripple blanket looks beautiful and your colours also. Can't wait to see the finished project. And aren't you just clever to attempt something like that as a beginner crotcheter.
ReplyDeletemillamia do the most amazing colours don't they - and the combination of millamia yarns is always totally amazing. I wish I knew how to crochet!
ReplyDeletePigs - how exciting. HFW always says that pigkeeping is absolutely the most rewarding part of smallholding. Sounds like you are in for a lot of fun.
Piggies! Oh boy! How many? I am so excited for you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your crocheting -- can't wait to see!
These lovely yarns and "ergonomically designed" crochet hook will make a perfect friendship!
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't wait to read posts about piggies!
Beautiful basket of yarn, lovely colours.............I'm sure your piggies will love their new home.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful, beautiful colours! Can't wait to see the blanket.
ReplyDeleteWe had pigs last yeart, but thus far not this year. I'm sure you'll enjoy keeping them. :)
Oh pigs! How very fantastic indeed! That crochet hook looks great. I like to crochet for the instant gratification...I find I can whip up something much faster...but my heart belongs to the knitting needles for sure.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to keep pigs, it is a true dream of mine! love the wool, I'm planning to knit leg warmers, my wool arrived in the post today, this is somewhat of a challenge forme. I noticed under this post a book by Sarah Garland, a childrens gardening book, isn't her books just great! we love the pic nic one and visiting the garden centre, the pictures are perfect. x x x x
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to keep pigs, it is a true dream of mine! love the wool, I'm planning to knit leg warmers, my wool arrived in the post today, this is somewhat of a challenge forme. I noticed under this post a book by Sarah Garland, a childrens gardening book, isn't her books just great! we love the pic nic one and visiting the garden centre, the pictures are perfect. x x x x
ReplyDeleteHiya Jacqui, I had learning to crochet on my New Years resolution list. Funnily enough I haven't managed it yet. People keep saying its easier than knitting once you get the hang of it, but I feel like I have potato thumbs and sausage fingers trying to wheedle a tiny pin (or something like that lol). Duncan bought me the Debbie Stoller book for Christmas, which was pretty impressive because it means he was actually listening. No doubt by Christmas he will remember I haven't populated the world with fabulous crochet pieces. Ah well, there are still 3 1/2 months to go lol.
ReplyDeleteV
xxx
You'll love the pigs, they are so easy to keep once you make sure they can't get out lol! Looking forward to seeing photos...of pigs and ripples! xx
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Ripple before and I think it'll be lovely in those colors!
ReplyDeleteI just love your color palette of yarns. Can't wait to follow your ripple blanket posts!
ReplyDeletePigs! What fun. I read lots of blogs with cows, chickens, goats, etc. but no one has pigs. I'm looking forward to reading your 'porcine' adventures! :-D
You just jump straight into the BIG project, don't you? You go right ahead and do your thang! I'm still watching... maybe someday... :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
Those colours are like pale jewels, the blanket is going to be beautiful,
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on my blog - now I have discovered yours!
Thank you all for your lovely and encouraging comments. I have certainly set myself a big challenge here, hopefully all this expectation will get me going with this for next week.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the pig plan. Look out for more news in the coming weeks or so!!
Fay - interesting - no one grows crops here at all! We hope to next year though. At one time everyone did, so there is no reason why it can't be done - another plan. xx
Hi Jacqui - your ripple pattern inspired me - I have so muchleft-over yarn to use and this is just the project to use it up. Now, i have been crocheting since childhood but have never quite mastered the art of following a pattern - BUT on my third attempt I have managed the small starting piece - the instructions for the ripple are SO clear!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to do your foundation chain very loose - that will make things much easier - I did that on my third go!
My nephew lectures at the castle college - what is Kristine studying?
She will be really happy to be so close to you - as will all of you west-siders!
Good luck with the pigs! xx
Oh Catherine - you need to get a blog and show off your talents. You are ahead of me in the rippling ) Kristine is doing 4 highers with an view to going on to study English/ Scottish Lit at either Aberdeen or Glasgow. Lews castle has a connection with Aberdeen. She didn't take advantage of her school years, shall we say, but is now ready to move on. xx
ReplyDeletei just love your basket of wooly goodness, and i've never seen a hook like that! i think your blanket will be beautiful and i hope you have nothing but enjoyment in making it!
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