Jellycat
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The Potting Shed baby blanket for AquiOK folks, I thought I'd start a new thread here for planning and co-ordinating the great Potting Shed knit-in!
We need 42 six inch squares, either knitted or crocheted, in double knitting wool. I think the weight is probably more important that the fibre mix, but I guess we'll need soft fibres rather than hairy Herdwick wool or something  Aqui has requested nice bright colours, but not pink.
Please could everyone who wants to make a square (or two... ) add their names to this thread, and give us an idea of how many squares you can do, and we'll take from there. I'll PM everyone with my address so they can be sent to me for sewing up.
Is that OK with everyone?
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Haize
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A hesitant two, assuming that I can get the hang of knitting!
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Kathy
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I'm going to rope my offspring into this so provisionally I'll put myself down for 12 squares, could manage more if we're short. 
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Jellycat
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Ooh well done Kathy - if only my stepchildren could knit!
I'm happy to do several....
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Leonie2
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I'll put my name down for 4 but might manage more than that. I'll probably do it in plain knit, is that okay or should be be sticking to one kind of knitting?
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Jellycat
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Any kind of stitch will be fine - it's really just the yarn weight and size of square that matters
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mrsnesbitt
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For the sake of the reputation of the potting shed I will give the square a miss!
Dx 
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Jellycat
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Completely off-topic here Mrs. N - how went it with the photographer?
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mrsnesbitt
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| Quote: | | how went it with the photographer? |
Great!
Wow his photographs were amazing.
I will post them on my blog as soon as they arrive.
He did one of me for my website too............ LOL!
Dxx
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Svea
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if someone would be kind enough to tranlate 6 inches into something real, like a metric measurement, then i will be able to partake.
which 'wool', do you mean 'wool' or do you mean 'yarn'?
i.e. what material is everybody using?
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TheGirlsMum
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Oh dear, inches are the real measurements its centipedes that are the interlopers (sp).
Can you give a rough idea of needle size and a rough idea of stich numbers, I know it will really depend on our own tensions, but would like some idea of a starting point.
Put me down for 4 squares.
when does it need to be finished for  
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Kathy
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Double knitting yarn Svea, bright colours and no pink and obviously soft enough for a baby! 150 mm = 6 inch
There is a way to do a square from corner to corner, Jellycat has the instructions I think. Make it a doddle to do a 6"/150mm square!
Not sure when we're aiming to post the squares to Jellycat, I'm sure she'll be on later to let us know.
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Leonie2
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 a doddle! I looked at those instructions and....well....it was way over my head! 
I'll be knitting the "traditional" slow way
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TheGirlsMum
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Me too Leonie, that's exactly what I thought 
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Kathy
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Och aye, a doddle all the way!
I'll do a quick experiment with double knitting to get an approximate amount for kick off point unless anyone else already has info.
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Libby
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I've just been a bought some DK wool and I will have a go at Jellycats corner to corner square, so count me in, I will do four but maybe able to do more depending on how good I get at it!!
By the way what size needles do you want me to use???
Libby
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Jellycat
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Um - I think 4mm needles is what's usually used for DK wool but again, so long as the square's the right size, I guess it doesn't matter (of course bigger needles means less stitches/rows )
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Kathy
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I've just gone and bought a ball of pure wool double knitting. On the label the recommended needles are 4mm (8 in old money!). Cast on 22 sts and knit 28 rows makes a 10cm square, so, by my reckoning (correct me if I'm wrong) casting on 33 sts and knitting 42 rows should give 15cm (6") square done in stocking stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) approx. This should give everyone a starting point unless using the corner to corner method!
Can I make this a sticky Leonie, if so how do I do it?
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Kathy
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I just figured out how to do it, hope thats ok with everyone.
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Haize
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Um... When you say pearl one row, is that referring to what it looks like from the right side of the work? E.g. what you actually do is turn the thing around and just do another row of knit? (I know the difference is to do with which side of the stitch you take.)
Or is it a case of knitting one row, turning the work around, purling on the next row, so that the right side looks like all knit?
Sorry if I'm overcomplicating things
Hohum.
Can I cheat and use a machine please?
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Kathy
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You can use any pattern you like for the square. Every row knit (garter stitch) will look different from knit 1 row, purl 1 row (stocking stitch). I also intend to try a couple on the machine, and put a pattern through some of the squares.
This is garter stitch and looks the same both sides (courtesy of knitty.com)
And this is stocking stitch, (the reverse side will look like garter stitch)
Does that make sense Haize? Shout if you're still confused!
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Aqui
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Oooh - I just found this. Very exciting! I think baby's doing cartwheels at the thought! (or it's got hiccups. Or I've got indigestion!)
I'm getting all emotional now!
By the way - due date is 23rd March.
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Kathy
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2 squares done using Jellycat's corner to corner method. It's soooo simple, really, if you take it slowly and don't let the terminology put you off. If I had a better camera I'd post step by step pics.
I'll copy Jellycat's method here so it doesn't get lost in the other thread!
Cast on one stitch.
Knit into the front, the back and then the front again, giving you three stitches.
Knit into the front and back of the first stitch in each row, so that each row is one stitch more than the last. Keep doing this until the side of the resulting triangle is as long as you need.
Then, knit the first two stitches of each row together, so each row is one stitch less than the last, until you have three stitches left.
Knit the last three stitches together then fasten off.
Has anyone else started yet?
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Haize
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Well, I'm still lacking in both wool and needles... Plus I still have the swap present... Aaaagh!
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Jellycat
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OK - I've been sooo busy but now it's time for me to get organised!
So far, in the Great Potting Shed Knitting Endeavour, we have:
Kathy - 12 squares
Haize - 2 squares
Libby - 4 squares
Leonie - 4 squares
Svea -
TheGirlsMum - 4 squares
Me - 10 squares
So for definite so far we have 36 squares. Svea - can we put you down for a couple? If so, that only leaves us 4 squares which I'm happy to do if no-one else fancies it.
Looking ahead, I'll be taking a weeks holiday for whichever week the 22nd February falls in (it's a rule of mine NEVER to work on my birthday!) so can we aim to get all the squares to me by the middle of February? That should give me time to stitch them all together and take photos! I'll PM everyone my address when we get closer to the time.
Blimey I'm sounding ever so bossy I'll shut up now and get on with me knitting
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Kathy
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Well sometimes things do need organising, boss away Jellycat!
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Libby
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I've done one, so far, a corner to corner. I will try a couple more this week!
Libby
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Kathy
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Great Libby, isn't that corner to corner method great!
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Libby
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Yes I must admit I really found the corner to corner method a doddle! I now have 2 done and am working on a third so count me in for the four squares you where missing!!!!
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Kathy
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Libby
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Okay, done them now! Can someone pm me the address they need to go too please!!!!!
Libby
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Kathy
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Crikey Libby, you could have done the whole blanket!! It's Jellycat who's coordinating the "sewup" so she'll pm the address when shes on again.
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Libby
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ok Kathy, thanks for that!
I'm just bored out of my brain, so try to keep the hands busy to stop them grabbing food and shoving it in my mouth
Libby
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Jellycat
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Blimey Libby - you're putting us all to shame I've only got two and a half done so far.
Have PM'd you my address.....
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Haize
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I'll be getting some needles this weekend, and hopefully there will be suitable wool as well.
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Jellycat
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Yay! Libby wins the first-past-the-post prize (or should that be first-IN-the post? ) with her lovely squares, which arrived with me this morning.
I'm up to no. 8 now, but I'm running out of bright wool - might have to do some bi-coloured ones I think.....
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Kathy
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Well done Libby! I've done 5 but had to stop for the craft bus and the Autumn swap.
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Leonie2
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I haven't even thought about doing them yet!
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TheGirlsMum
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Iv'e bought some wool!!!
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Haize
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Would two cream squares be ok? I just thought that, if most of the other ones are darker, a couple of pale ones would make the blanket overall brighter.
Let me know if I need to go buy some wool though, it is no problem.
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Jellycat
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I think cream would be fine Haize
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Haize
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Oh good, that solves a dilemma, the knitting is going with me to the hospital now
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Kathy
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7 squares done, hows everyone else doing?
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Leonie2
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I haven't started yet, eek! What size needles are you all knitting on?
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Jellycat
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I've done 10 - the needles are 4mm.
I had to do mine quick on account of the lengthy list of other things I have to knit before Christmas!
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Haize
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I've still only done a bit of one. But I haven't forgotten how, so I'm sure I can do them reasonably quickly (all 2 of them!)
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TheGirlsMum
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Ive done 2 of my 4 !!!!!!
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TheGirlsMum
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I've finished my four squares now, can I be PM'd an address to send them too, please. 
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Jellycat
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On it's way
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Leonie2
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I have some DK cotton yarn, now I need to get knitting!
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Leonie2
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yay, my knitting needles arrived this morning so I can get knitting. What was the deadline for this?
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Kathy
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I think it was some time late Jan/Feb, he is due in March.
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Leonie2
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thanks Kathy, that gives me enough time then, phew! half way through the first square now
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Jellycat
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There's loads of time yet - I could do with all the square by the week beginning 19th February (I *think* that's a Monday...) as I'm on holiday that week and will have time to sew it all up.
I got TGM's squares this morning
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TheGirlsMum
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Thanks for letting me know they arrived Jellycat
Hope they will be ok
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Kathy
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Do you want the ends sewn in Jellycat, or are you using them to sew pieces together?
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Jellycat
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Well I was thinking about blanket-stitching around each square before sewing them up, just to give it some definition between each square, so I can sew in the ends while I'm doing that
It's not long now.....
How's everyone getting on?
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Leonie2
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I've knitted two squares, the third is made up of four little squares stitched together because I ran out of yarn - not sure if that one will be okay. I need to get some more yarn to knit another square or two, if anyone has some suitable DK yarn that they'd like to swap please let me know.
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Jellycat
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Leonie I've probably got something suitable - I'll have a rootle about in the stash when I get home and PM you if there's anything there that would do.
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Leonie2
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thanks Jellycat, let me know if htere's anything you need as a swap, I have loads of stuff here that I plan to clear out.
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Kathy
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On the last square now, can you PM me your address please Jellycat, I've lost it.
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Leonie2
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I'll try to finish up knitting this week and get them posted to you early next week.
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Jellycat
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Righty-ho, I've finally got around to having a count up!
So far, I have:
4 squares from Libby
4 squares from The GirlsMum
4 squares from Alison
10 squares from me
and I think
12 squares from Kathy and
4 squares from Leonie
are imminent
which leaves
2 to come from Haize
2 to do, which I'll sort out (I've just got some nice (bargain!) wool.... )
I'm going to blanket stitch around each square before sewing them up, so I'd best make a start on that, and then I'm hoping I can find some lovely wide satin ribbon to go along the top and bottom.
This isn't a nag - I just needed to get it clear in my mind where we're up to
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Leonie2
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Jellycat I've only got your work address, should I post them there or would you prefer home address? you'll need to pm me with home address if the latter. I should finish by the end of this week with posting on monday.
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Jellycat
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PM on it's way Leonie - they already think I'm bonkers here for being sent squash seeds!
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alison
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I've done another one now, and can do the last tonight if you want, it is me watching swimming club again!
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Jellycat
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Oooh yes please Alison - then I can get on with the stitching around each square (I've a feeling I'm going to wish I'd never thought of that.... )
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alison
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ok
if you are deciding on position, I have done another in the rust colour already, which one else do you want of the yellow, turquoise or purple, or could I do a multi coloured one, with another picture in it
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Kathy
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Put them in my pile of "things to do" but they got "buried"
Parceled up now and ready to post......................
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Jellycat
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If there's still a choice then another turquoise one please Ali
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Haize
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Ok, I don't want to hold you up, I'd better get mine done!
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Jellycat
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Oh Haize I'm sorry - I really didn't want to pressure anyone. I was really just trying to get my head organised
So long as I've got all the squares by the third week of February, there's no hassle. I'm on holiday that week, so I'll have plenty of time for sewing
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Kathy
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Mine are posted.
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Jellycat
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...and have indeed arrived
Thanks Kathy.
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Jellycat
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Well people, I'm on holiday now and raring to go with the sewing ...
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Leonie2
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oh yes, I've finished the squares, will get them posted out this weekend. Thanks for the reminder.
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Leonie2
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Jellycat I posted the squares yesterday, sorry for the delay
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Jellycat
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Thanks Leonie
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Kathy
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How's it going Jellycat?
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Jellycat
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Not so jolly bad - I'm busy blanket stitching now and will then lay out the squares to see which colours look best where.
Watch this space....
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Jellycat
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Well - it's finally finished, packed up and ready to send off to Aqui tomorrow.
The blanket stitching is a bit ... um ... rustic in places I'm afraid. I hope no-one thinks I've ruined their carefully crafted squares...
I'll post a couple of pictures once it's got to Aqui's and she's had a chance to see it in the flesh so to speak.
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Kathy
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Well done Jellycat, I'm sure she'll love it.
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alison
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Well done JC. I am sure it looks lovely.
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TheGirlsMum
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Well done and thnk you
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Libby
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Brilliant, can't wait to see it!!! Well done and thanks
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Leonie2
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I'm sure it will look beautiful! Can't wait to see the photos. Thanks for stitching it all together for us Jellycat, you're a star
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Jellycat
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Well the blanket should have reached Aqui by now and judging by her silence for the last couple of day, I'm guessing she's got better things to do than lurk around the Potting Shed , so here are a couple of pictures of the finished article.
It's certainly fulfilled the 'bright and cheerful' criteria I think!
Well done to everyone who contributed 
and
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Leonie2
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Cool, I think that looks fab! It certainly is bright!
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alison
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That looks excellant.
She will be the envy of the baby clubs!
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agapanthus
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Wow that is bright!! I love it!! Well done you lot
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Cabbagepatch
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I can picture baby Aqui lying on that in the garden kicking his chubby little legs in the air
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Kathy
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Oooo, it's really lovely, and bright too, just what Aqui wanted.
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Libby
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How fantastic, so lovely bright and cheerful. Well done everyone, pats on the back all round!!!
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Becki
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That is lovely, well done all of you
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agapanthus
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| Cabbagepatch wrote: | | I can picture baby Aqui lying on that in the garden kicking his chubby little legs in the air |
Not getting broody are we Cabbage???
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Cabbagepatch
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| agapanthus wrote: | | Cabbagepatch wrote: | | I can picture baby Aqui lying on that in the garden kicking his chubby little legs in the air |
Not getting broody are we Cabbage??? |
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Kathy
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Leonie2
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don't tell me I have to knit more squares!
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lloyd
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Absolutely definitely no reason, L.
Too many kids all ready!
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Aqui
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and finally here's jack enjoying the blanket!
thanks again all!
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