It's snowing. Again. Don't get us wrong, as knitters and crocheters, we love winter, but there does come a point when it starts to wear on us. All the snow and cold and wind – it makes us want to wrap up and work on something cozy. What could be a better way to satisfy that feeling than to cast on for a blanket?
Blanket designed by CQ and crocheted in two colours of Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk.
A blanket, whether for a baby, a parent, or yourself, if perfect for this time of year. It's immensely satisfying to watch it grow row after row and, once you've been working for a little while, there's enough knitting in your lap to keep you warm while you work. True, they can be a little time consuming, but it isn't as if you or the recipient is going to outgrow a blanket. All that work you put in choosing colours and pattern and working perfect stitches will last and last, because blankets are heirlooms. They're a gift that can be enjoyed by many at once, as well as generations, and they are a wonderful reminder of the person who made them.
- The Big Bad Baby Blanket, knit in Koigu KPPPM.
Deep winter is when we tend to start feeling that nostalgia. Evenings and afternoons spent at home and with family – and chilly outings during which everyone is wearing handknits – are a great reminder of why we knit and crochet, and while a blanket is a bit of a commitment, you don't have to start big. Baby blankets and lap-sized blankets are a fun palette to try out stitch patterns and colour combinations. You can make squares (which are very portable) and then assemble them later, or work the whole thing in one piece, enjoying the growing weight of your project in your lap. Blankets are as much of a commitment as you want them to be, and they are always worth it in the end when you or a loved one is snuggled up and cozy.
Truly, they are the perfect deep winter project.