Sometimes a simple blanket colour scheme can be an effective
way to make something unique. This particular blanket, I made when I was signed
off work sick a few years ago. I was also away on holiday (had the holiday
booked before I was signed off, went on holiday anyway). This blanket was born
from a need to do something constructive but mind numbingly simple, and to keep
my brain and hands occupied to help reduce my anxiety levels.
It is now referred to as my ‘anxiety blanket’ and despite
each and every row having the same number of stitches – I have counted and
recounted numerous times to make sure – there is an 8” difference in width at
the top and the bottom. Why? Because I was so tense and anxious when I started,
that my stitch tension was a lot tighter. Towards the end as I was recovering
and was less ill, my normal tension returned and my stitches are a lot looser
and relaxed.
I chose a simple colour range to fade in and out of white to
orange and back again. The people I was on holiday with didn’t think it’d look
very good, or agree with my colour choices, but I stuck with it and at the end it
actually looks very effective. I decided not to do a border on this as I didn’t
want to neaten it up. It is a product of me being ill and a story charting my
recovery. Mental illness does not have neat and tidy edges, so nor does my
blanket.
I used Stylecraft Special DK in white, shades of yellow, and
spice.
My holiday you ask? I was away on the Isle of Arran in
Scotland for a week, and I remember spending most of my time on a sofa, in the
sun, watching the Firth of Clyde, doing crochet, and having naps whenever I wanted. During the week we
saw an otter, seals, dolphins, and a basking shark. I also saw a fireball in
the sky (no one else did though…)
Read about my other blankets too!
