Eight-by-Six

                         Around the Corner blanket Amanda Hurrell   Eight-by-Six©     Sizes and Materials List Hook Size: UK 4.5mm  Stitch markers: (4) optional Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75% merino wool 20% silk 5% cashmere) 116m (127 yards) a blend of merino wool, cashmere and silk, this gentle yarn is kind to sensitive skin, making it a great choice for crocheting baby blankets. Easy to work with and available in contemporary and pastel shades. Machine washable at 30 degrees using the wool wash programme. Tension: 22 stitches to 28 rows to 10cm 4mm hook A little goes a long way and this yarn is a dream to work with and is so soft, perfect for a baby blanket. I designed this blanket whilst an ambassador for Woolbox Yarns and chose the colours for a simple yet effective design. The border idea came from the left over colours and wanting to use a few to set off the wide Silvery Moon b...

About six years ago I taught myself to crochet using You Tube and a few library books. My first project was the lovely Attic24 granny stripe blanket. I don't think my foundation chain was the same as Lucy's, it was a bit hit and miss, and the colours in mine were pretty random but six years on and I spent the night at my parents and used this blanket. It was warm and cosy and perfect. Although I didn't sleep much it was such a comfort. Its come full circle since starting this with my dads first round of cancer treatment and now he's back in hospital for his third operation. I say this every time I see this blanket, I must make another one. I got home on Sunday evening and did start another one, starting with mustard. Life has been a bit hectic since then so I plan to try to get back and add another row or two this weekend, love watching a blanket grow don't you? I will try to find some time to jot down the colours my first granny stripe blanket

I hatched an idea yesterday, like you do when you have an extra day off! And it involves yarn and crochet, my two most favourite things.  Normally I bake for Macmillan coffee morning, this year I am holding an alternative coffee morning via my Just Giving Page here  My blanket journey started 5 years ago when my dad was first diagnosed with cancer and I’d learnt to crochet. I started with a granny stripe blanket taking it along to my dads hospital appointments. I was amazed at how many people stopped to look at me crocheting all the bright colours, it wasn’t a gloomy visit, far from it. At the end of my dads treatment I gave him the blanket which he still uses today. I decided that rather than bake this year I’d crochet instead - one of my Orla Kiely 1970s inspired blankets, big and cosy for autumn nights in front of the tv.  Its so easy, I'm doing all the hard work, all you need to do is pledge £2 to be in the draw to win my blanket. And live in U.K. (due to high ...

August, summer, mmm not so sure. After the heatwave we had that last for a month here in the UK, today's weather resembles Autumn! Definetely a blanket cosy on the sofa day if I wasn't working. Oh well just have to snuggle underneath one when I get home, I think it will be my Orla Kiely one, its my top favourite at the moment. Granny blanket stack Saying that I do have one blanket on the go, like it when the weather turns chilly and I can watch TV and snuggle under it keeping me warm whilst i add more rows. my new Orla Kiely inspired granny square blanket I think I will make another one of my rainbow blankets next, tempted to start one tonight. Optical illusion my favourite rainbow granny square blanket

After making a silly mistake I had to frog about 12 rows, but I'm back on track now and loving the new colours combination I've picked up. Its so lovely and very autumnal, I think I'll make this for my brother and sister in law to keep them warm this winter. But must make another for myself! Its all Stylecraft Special DK using a standard granny square, two rows of each colour but I might change this as it grows. Friday night catch up with my blanket Sunday morning quick crochet fix

I'm still here, been a busy July and August so far. Here are some snaps of what I've been up to lately. Blanket making, gardening, birthday celebrations and a much needed garden make-over, Koi pond is currently being updated with new wood and is looking great Oh and welcome to my new readers :-) Megan's uni blanket almost complete courgettes growing on the veg patch Birthday lunch at the Dirty Habit Hollingbourne a much needed garden make over - koi pond work in progress Climbing French beans dwarf French beans have been Moss proofed! the V stitch border going in a scrappy blanket, blanket 3 on my WIP list