This kiln is mostly crabs. I think I might be done with crabs for a while. While they are my best seller, I am a bit bored with them. Maybe a different kind of crab, we'll see.

I started making this at my sister's bachelorette. I couldn't make the rose squares without her seeing so I needed a simple project. I ended up making a lot of it as I waited for everyone else to get ready. I now have the answer to the question - how do you get all the things done that you do? While other people are spending time showering, getting dressed, putting on makeup, etc. - that's when I get all the things done. I was the last person to start getting ready and the first one done, every time. Once I finished the blanket, I only had a couple of hours to finish this off.

Anyway, this yarn is another set from Cat Mountain Fiber Arts. I've used it before making the Down by the River Poncho and the Sleek Poncho. It is 10 different yarns in the same color pattern that are each 100 yards for a total of 1000 yards.

Since this started as a ruana I made two panels that were long enough to go over my shoulder and end up on my waste on both sides. However, when I went to put it together -it really just wanted to be a shrug with sleeves so that's what I did. It's going to be perfect for spring.




With a closer view you can start to see all the different textures of the yarn.




I tried to make it still seem balanced on both sides by using similar yarns in similar places on both sides.

So my sister decided to save money by not having a florist for her wedding and instead bought the flowers in bulk. No big deal, that's what I did for my wedding. But she didn't really have a plan for how they were going to go from flowers in a box to flowers for a wedding. So this weekend I learned to make boutonnières, corsages, and bouquets with hidden ribbon ends. Then with the leftover flowers I made a bunch of bud vases. The pictures I took weren't actually for me, they were to show my sister or brother in law to get their approval. I wish I had gotten one of the bridal bouqet (I know the photographer did and I'll share when I see it) because it had some of all of the different flowers.

I did have a partner in crime, Regina, who I would have to go into business with. But by the skin of our teeth we got all of the flowers done, to the venue, and had just enough time to get ready for the ceremony.

It's finally done! I purchased a fleece backing at the JoAnns going out of business sale and a rotary tool that cuts holes equidistant apart. I crocheted a boarder on the fleece then joined the blanket and fleece together with single crochet all around.

I struggled a bunch with the border. I ended up deciding to make more flower petals around the edge and to alternate the colors.

This blanket is for my sister who became a Rose this past weekend with her wedding. She definitely won the new last name lottery. I'm hoping that this Wrapped in Roses blanket keeps her warm for years to come.

I wish that I had learned this earlier. This was so much faster and with basically no ends to weave in. I don't think I'll ever go back to sewing squares together. I got the idea from this blog page which gives you the basics of what it is, but there are lots of pages and videos on how.

Now I need to add the backing and the edging.

I feel like I've been making squares forever, but its only been a couple of months. I designed and redesigned this blanket a few times before settling on 7x9 square pattern. It meant I needed 8 squares of all the variations except 1 where I only needed 7. Technically I needed 9 of one and 7 of another, but I fudged it since I had didn't have the yarn to change :) No one will notice but me.

This square pattern is from the Granny Square Sourcebook by Joke Vermeiren. It is the Rose Square on page 74. I used the 100% cotton yarn recommended in the book Yarn and Colors Must haves and got it from Linde Hobby.

I'm going to try join as you go stitching, fingers crossed. River has decided to supervise.