Babette

knitware · Babette

So I'm going to have to learn how to crochet. I've been and found a gorgeous blanket - it's a bit different and utterly brilliant - Babette. Stumbled across it by accident. This is the best set of pics I've found of it and I love her choice of colours.

But I wonder if it's a bit ambitious for a first crochet project - can't work out if it'll be easy or not and I'm worried that if my tension isn't consistent the different sized squares will simply never match up.

Well I've ordered the pattern but it's got to wait til I've finished Lizard Ridge, which won't be for a while. Hopefully that's going to be enough time to find some suitable yarn to use that I can actually get in the UK.

chrissy

that is really lovely, it doesn't look too difficult, all it is is granny squares and lots of colours, regarding the yarn aswell. again it doesn't matter as long as you use the same type of yarn throughout and the same hook size then it will work for any yarn.

Binty

Sarah I could help you learn Very Happy

Give me a shout if you want.

That blanket is lovely I can fully understand why you want to make it.

knitware

Thanks Ali, no doubt I'll take you up on that kind offer (some time in the future).

It is lovely, isn't it?

Seahorse

Oh no! I haven't seen that before and I absolutely LOVE it! Argh! I don't have the time to learn to crochet and start making it... do I???!!!

Claire

knitware

I know the feeling Claire, but I reckon if I give up sleeping and housework I can fit it in!

Anyway, I've seen it now and I can't resist. Sorry for putting temptation in your way, though.

pictish

Oh no!!!! I like it too and can't crochet and I've nowhere to put it Rolling Eyes

But am going to buy the mag and think about it - I just LOVE granny squares at the moment Wink

Seahorse

So, just supposing someone had ordered the mag and looked out a crochet hook or two Wink

has anyone come up with a sub for the Koigu? I dread to think what it would cost in that Shocked

but I would like to do it in the same sort of bold, bright colours Confused

Claire

pictish

I started to calculate then got very scared and stopped Laughing

but is it just the sock wool weight so maybe a thickish 4 ply?

Binty

I would be interested to see anyone's progress on this and what yarns are being used etc.

I am sooooooooo tempted (not that I need another blanket on the go!!)

murdo

I was thinkingof skd muskat

Seahorse

I'm wondering about a thicker yarn. It's not huge, is it? Only about a metre by a metre according to the IK page. I think for all that work I'd want it sort of bedspread size. I can't see any reason why it couldn't be scaled up?

Claire

murdo

TBK Seahorse that's why I though SKD Muskat...crocheting a bedspread in DK would be much preferable to one in 4ply!!!!!

cazzie

Muskat sounds good for it Very Happy

Guess who also ordered the book Embarassed

murdo

Well...I think I have it...but doi I...and since OH catalogued my pattermn/book collection I can't find anything Sad

I feel a hunt coming on!!!!!

Seahorse

Think I might go with Lion Brand Wool Ease:

http://www.ekmpowershop3.com/ekmp...oductid=&nproducts24curpage=1

Loads of colours, not too pricey easy care and it'll give me a bigger blanket.

Now I just need to remember how to crochet! I remember making Granny squares about 30 years ago, so I'm hoping it'll come back to me! Laughing

Claire

pictish

That's a bit cheaper than koigu!! Laughing

Seahorse

Just slightly! Laughing

Claire

knitware

I'm thinking Patons Diploma Gold

Haven't decided yet between DK and 4ply but DK has the added advantage of offering more colourways for this yarn.

Seahorse

Now see, this is when you know your yarn needs catalogueing! It hadn't occurred to me till I saw your post but I bet I have almost enough Diploma Gold in DK to do it already Embarassed

I shall get out my stout boots and compass and sally forth into the stash to find out!

Claire

KnittingLadybird

I keep looking at this and thinking, do I really need another 'long term but one that will become my be all and end all till it's finished' project. And of course the answer will probably be yes and my short term stuff will get shoved in a cupboard and forgotten.
I have loads of DK (same stuff) so I guess i'll just have a go Rolling Eyes

cazzie

I've got some oddments of Rowan Handknit Cotton which I been collecting for a while for a project like Babette or a granny square throw or a ripple one - decisions decisions Wink

Binty

Have you followed some of the links?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1109...048718779/in/pool-purlbeebabette/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sara...452912636/in/pool-purlbeebabette/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carr...483343217/in/pool-purlbeebabette/ this one is lovely - the lady said she used 9 colours

pictish

Laura and Peter in Twistfibre have done this (in Scottsh Tweed 4 Ply) and are going to lend me their pattern Cool

I didn't have time today to see the finished thing but will next time I'm in and will report back. Hope they might show me how to crochet too Laughing

Binty

I've just been looking at where to buy the pattern (I really dont need another blanket Rolling Eyes

)

murdo

That's a definite...but there again, so is this!!!! And Binty did some fab hexagons but I cant find the piccie!!!???
http://millemakes.wordpress.com/

Seahorse

Argh! Brain overloaded!!! Babette... Hexagons... Fish Blanket... ::: swoon :::

Laughing

Claire

craftybernie

If you didn't want to stretch to crochet, perhaps you could knit mitered squares? or knit each square flat in the round. The nice thing about knitting a blanket in mitered squares is that you can simply pick up the stitches for the next square on the previous square so little or no seaming. Yay!

I must admit, I'd be terrified to invest so much cash/yarn/time in one project. I'm still at the instant gratification stage although I do enjoy looking at the blankets people make.

Smile

cazzie

cazzie

Here's my hexagon:

And while I'm at it - I did this sometime ago as well:

pictish

Oooh they're lovely!!!! Cool

knitware

Love the links Binty... and you don't need to buy a pattern if you don't mind sharing!

I reckon I could spend my whole time knitting and crocheting blankets and be perfectly happy. The fish blanket has got me thinking (in red blue and green rather than brown, but I really like it).

chrissy

Ok I give in, I do think that this needs to be made, how do you seam the pieces together?

runs and starts to frog jacks pentagon blanket in hope of doing this one

Cazzie,
I love the those, great colours

Binty

chrissy I know what you mean about this blanket.

I keep looking at it and thinking awww isnt it lovely, its now getting to the stage where Im look at it and thinking I HAVE to make it Rolling Eyes

chrissy

Ireally do after seeing all those on the flickr group, they are amazing, I MUST have one

knitware

So is this turning in to a crochet-along? Not sure when I'll be starting - maybe late September? Any advances on late September? Very Happy

Binty

I'd be up for that - I just need the pattern, the yarn oh and a hook other than that I'm ready ROFL

Seahorse

I am rubbish at anything-alongs! I get all fired up and make a great start then I see another shiny object and wander off! I might try and at least start it next month though Smile

Claire

blueadt

I'd love to make this as well & think I've got the magazine at home. I've got loads of odd balls of Rowan Wool/Cotton so will have to have a dig in the stash to see what's available.

knitware

Ali, you can definitely get the pattern from me. But you're as ready as I am (pattern yet to arrive in post) so we're off to a flying start with this one!

I'll post up once I've gathered together some stuff to get started with.

Very Happy

Binty

Sarah do you think we could get what we need from NEC?

chrissy

do you really think I need the pattern or is it wingable, I have worked out how it is made, how many trebles per round ect, but I really don't know how I would join them, I have only ever done the double crochet join which leaves a really noticable ridge, I want a seamless join, any ideas?

Binty

I was wondering the same Chrissy. I think I could make up the squares in the different sizes but I have no idea how to join them so there isnt a ridge.

KnittingLadybird

I've used this seam before and it is flat....easy too Very Happy

Flat Seam

knitware

Sorry Ali, I haven't been on here all week.

Anyway, in answer to your first question: I think we stand a pretty good chance of getting what we want at NEC and there's the advantage of being able to assemble different colour combinations for real to see what goes. I'm up for looking out for some suitable yarn.

Joining seams I'm not so sure about. Any suggestions of sources of crochet tutorials, anyone? I wonder if there's a crochet equivalent to grafting? There must be a way...

eta thanks Linz! Now I've gone back and followed your link... perhaps we don't need to look any further. Very Happy

sjl1974

Just found this and wondered how everyones Babette's are coming on?

I have just ordered the pattern so any hints, tips or yarn suggestions would be great.

Thinking of making it for my baby due in May!

CJ

I started one in December, but am only doing the odd square here and there. Laughing

I'm using a smaller hook than suggested - 3mm, as it for me made a better fabric. And I'm not using solid colours, but all my leftover sock yarn, so it should be a cheap blanket to make. Very Happy

I've made all the size 12 and 10 rows squares and about 5 of the smallest ones so far.

murdo

They sell the pattern as a pdf download from Interweave now. I am uintending to use Drops Muscat as super colour range and better price

sjl1974

That looks lovely yarn and a good price and colour range! May need to research that!

Oliver

Late - as usual - but this is the blanket that Birgitte made from MUSKAT

very bright and cheerful and gazillions of colours to choose from....

Bruce
www.scandinavianknittingdesign.com

KnittingLadybird

that's fab Bruce (well Birgitte Wink

) the colours are amazing.

murdo

Wow Bruce/Briggitte...that is stunning!!!!!!

CJ

wow, yes what a lovely blanket. I must get some of your yarn Bruce later in the year to do the hexagon blanket from the japanese crochet motif book. It will look great in all those colours. Very Happy

sjl1974

That is really beautiful!

Got my pattern now, just researching colours etc now!