I went to community college for my first two years and then transferred to UMKC to get the degree. But I often wished I could have gone off and lived in a dorm to have that whole dorm life and freshman on-campus experience. I think it will open up a whole new world to her. So I'm extremely excited for her.
This is a weird time for us - because we're pushing ahead to get a new phase of her life started, and I'm feeling those motherly weepy feelings, combined with the excitement - and on top of it is the uncertainty - with Bob still not having a job etc. It's like we're driving on one of those old Ozark Missouri roads where the road twists and turns, and you can't see ahead over the next hill, but you have to drive anyway, and have faith that the road will still be there to meet you and will take you in the right direction. Ya know? I call that the Road of Uncertainty. It's sometimes scary, but it leads you to new places and usually everything is clear over the horizon.
Now along with this college preparation going on, I'm realizing that the sock blanket I've had languishing for several months, needs to come out and grow FAST because she's going to be taking off with it to her new dorm in a few months, and at the pace I'm knitting and shoving it aside constantly, she may be graduated from college before I ever get it done. This blanket, by the way is Christine Long's Sock yarn blanket, and is much prettier in person than in this photo. For some reason, the blanket is just not photogenic.
Last night, I showed Emily the beginnings of this blanket and I told her I had in mind to make it just like a study lap blanket and not anything real big - just to wrap around her legs while studying. She made it clear that she wants a BIG, warm, fuzzy afghan - a full size one, and she doesn't care if it's knitted or crocheted. So I'm thinking of putting this little sock lapghan on hold until I finish a substantial afghan for her. I'm calling for suggestions, I just need something BIG, SOFT and WARM that would be FAST to get finished. Any ideas?
This sock yarn blanket, done on size 3 needles, is a fantastic way to use up sock yarn, but in the interest of instant grat, I need something really speedy and am open to ideas.
10 comments:
Chelle, the lap robe I just completed would be wonderful. You could knit it with a bigger gauge and a bulkier yarn. Let me know if you want to meet up to see it.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/surrounded-afghan-and-lap-robe
For something super speedy, I'd say crochet. Look on Lion Brand's website for quick ideas. A good old ripple is FAST and if you use a larger hook and double worsted weight yarn, super squooshy and fat.
Your sockyarn blanket will be a nice present for a lap blankie down the road! :) It's looking good.
Or the ten stitch blanket in a worsted on 8s or 9s with a slow colour change yarn? (perhaps hit the webs noro closeout)
Or Ysolda's Hap Blanket?
http://ysolda.com/patterns/accessories/hap-blanket/
the mitered square is quick easy and imo pretty - looks great with a long striping yarn and if it's bulky should knit up quick. but as christine says, crocheting for blankets does seem to go quicker for me at least. how esciting for dd! wtg mom and dad!
I second the suggestion for "Surrounded". Although I haven't made it, I saw it on a friend's blog and it is gorgeous. And, the pattern is free! I sure know about those Ozark roads. My parents live deep in the middle of the Ozarks and we drive on many small,secondary roads to get there. I remember when my son went away to college - truly a bittersweet moment, but so wonderful to see your kids come into their own.
Granny Squares are the building blocks to fashion. For a twin-bed sized blanket, I'd crochet about 8 granny squares (12 rounds each) in various left-over stash colors. Once you've joined them, go around the entire edge a few times in various colors. Yes, I'd make the afghan out of acrylic yarn (Vanna's Choice is preferred). A college dorm blanket needs to be washable! Good luck!
Great ideas everyone! Thanks for the input. Now I just need to juggle what Emily is wanting, with the ideas, as well as figuring out which ones are doable. Hmmm. Haven't totally worked all that out just yet.
Also I have a couple of lingering projects I want to finish before diving into this afghan.
When you're away from home for the first time, you really need a big afghan from Mom to wrap all around you.
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