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ILONA ANDREWS

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    • Know the feeling. Sitting at my desk with a lap blanket my mother crocheted me keeping me warm.
      Yup, feeling my Mother’s love. Don’t care that I am in my forties – still feel and like my Mother’s love.

  4. So beautiful! Inspiring too as I’m googling how hard it is to learn to crochet after this comment 🙂

    • Crochet is not hard to do. I taught myself to crochet long before the internet arrived back in the 80s using a crochet book that my mom had at the time.

      One nice thing about crochet is that you don’t lose your stitches like you can in knitting. 😀

      Sometimes the frustration of crochet is the chain row depending on what you are trying to create. 🙂

    • My Grandma taught me to Crochet as a child & I’ve taught quite a few people over the years.

      It’s relatively easy to pick up the basics & inexpensive to start. You only need yarn, a crochet hook, small scissors, & a yarn needle.

      I made a YT playlist for learning to Crochet. It’s not in order, but it’s got a variety of decent beginner instructions & projects: https://is.gd/UHWvfl

      If you want to learn in person, look for local meet up groups at your library, community center, or coffee shops. There may also be classes offered through your community education program or local yarn store.

      — SUPPLIES —
      YARN: Start with an inexpensive Worsted Weight (#4 Medium) Yarn made of 100% acrylic (or an acrylic blend) in a light or mid-tone color.

      Some yarns I’ve used that have a variety of colors & are often on sale:

      – Knit Picks Brava (Worsted, 100% Acrylic)
      – Caron Simply Soft (Worsted, 100% Acrylic)

      Acrylic is inexpensive & forgiving. You can cut off a section & throw it away if it ends up fraying, snarled. or knotted (without being upset that it was pricey)!

      *** Do NOT buy any very dark colors, fancy, &/or decorative yarns to learn with (like black, fuzzy, textured, have metallic threads, etc.)! They will just make you want to cry. ***

      If you are having issues with controlling your tension, you can use 100% Cotton Yarn, as it doesn’t stretch.

      – Knit Picks Dishie (Worsted, 100% Cotton)
      – Lily Sugar ‘n Cream (Worsted, 100% Cotton)
      – Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (Worsted, 100% Mercerized Cotton)

      You can often find a grab bag of yarn at your local Goodwill/Thrift store, just check for the correct yarn weight & fiber.

      CROCHET HOOK: Use a Crochet Hook made of metal or wood & in the size recommended for Worsted Weight Yarn.

      If you need the ergonomic grip, larger or sculptured handle to hold the hook comfortably, then buy that style/accessory. [EX: Clover Amour are popular Boye style hooks with ergonomic handles.]

      Cheap plastic &/or uncomfortable hooks are not your friends when learning. It just ends up being frustrating & uncomfortable.

      There’s a few hook shapes/styles – easiest comparison is between 2 easily found brands: Boye (tapered hook with rounded head) & Susan Bates (inline hook with pointed head)

      I’ve always preferred Susan Bates style hooks & use those exclusively (especially the older style with the super pointy head). My Grandma & Great Grandma both tended to use the Boye style.

      HOOK SIZE: Depending on the yarn used (some are slightly different thicknesses, even if labeled WW), your tension, & expected project gauge, hook sizes used are typically: US G-6 (4 mm), US G (4.25 mm), US 7 (4.5 mm), US H-8 (5 mm), US I-9 (5.5 mm), US J-10 (6 mm), US K-10.5 (6.5 mm).

      I normally use a Susan Bates Silvalume US H-8 (5 mm) -or- US I-9 (5.5 mm) for most Worsted projects.

      NOTIONS: You need a Yarn Needle (metal or plastic with large eye & blunt head), a Small Pair of Scissors, & eventually a small Tape Measure (to check gauge) & some Crochet Friendly Stitch Markers.

      Stitch Markers can be anything from a scrap piece of yarn, open ended plastic loops, or even small bulb/blanket pins (aka safety pins without a loop).

      Happy Yarning!

      • I make berets and doll blankets for dolls and give them away. The little kids at my neighbor’s day care don’t care if they aren’t perfect. They would make great practice projects! A beret is a circle that you make and start reducing the number of stitches to make the edge turn down. Somewhere there will be a doll it will fit!

      • Great suggestions! But I disagree about acrylic, because it is environmentally expensive to make, and it might contribute to cancer. It also breaks down into dangerous substances, eventually.

        But fear not. Polyester is clean and stable. Nylon is clean and stable and can be extruded as fine as the finest fiber.

        There is also a wonderful range of new manmade cellulose fibers that are actually healthy for you.
        Tencel, lyocell, and bamboo are all naturally antimicrobial and temperature regulating as they breathe well.

        There are a batch of just plain fun new fibers made from mint, and roses, and seaweed, to name a few. And pearl. OMG, they added pearl powder to cellulose fiber. It glows and it improves your skin.

        Aside from the seaweed, I’m not sure if anyone is selling finished yarn from the other fibers. I spin a lot and am currently saving cat hair for my Evil Genius project, the Hyperallergenic Sweater.

        • i kew about nettle yarn, & people experimenting & making cordage (not finer yarn) out of blackberry vines & other things, but never heard of mint & roses!

          do you any other info? this is fascinating!

  5. Mom’s love is pretty and cozy. 🙂

    It’s rainy here, and I really want to curl up with a soft blanket and B&W movies. Work is overrated. (Pay is awesome; work not so much sometimes.) Linus was on to something. Just carry a blanket around with you everywhere.

    • Heh. I thought you meant Linus Duncan. When did he carry around a blanket? Then I realized you meant Charlie Brown’s friend Linus.

      • Hah! Should have clarified for this crowd. Yes, Linus from Charlie Brown.

        But then . . . who knows . . . maybe Linus Duncan DOES carry a blanket when no one is looking.

        • Linus D’s blanket would be able to deflect bullets, knives, and magic. It would also provide protection from mental attacks that are made when target is asleep.
          It was made by his late mother when she was pregnant with him or shortly after his birth.

          Not Canon, just speculation about his blanket.

        • When you said, “Linus with a blanket”, I knew which Linus you were talking about. Then I read Tink’s response. I started to laugh.

          Linus Duncan could have used one to protect himself when he barged in on Catalina and Victoria’s talk and said, “Vicky baby”.

    • Yesterday they kept saying it would stop in two hours, even when I checked two hours later. Then “it’ll stop soon”. Yep, sure it will.

      It did stop for a bit. Then it started again. I’ve stopped checking the weather.

      Beautiful blanket!

  10. Lovely pattern, Daisys are very cheerful.

    Crafters learn patience, we often have to rip out. Sigh, a lesson we have to keep on learning, as long as you craft.

  11. in quilting, ripping out is called “frogging”. Why? Because you are going “ripit, ripit”.

    Crafters do it with love.

    • That’s what we call it in knitting too. Frogging is ripping out and Tinking is knitting backwards (Knit -> Tink).

      It is very satisfying to frog a project that you spent much time on, only got 3/4 of the way through, didn’t like and 9 months later finally decide, this yarn can be put to better use.

      Croak, ribbit, frog!

      And beautiful granny square blanket, you have much more patience than I do – the squares would have been a variety of coasters throughout my home!

  14. Mom made me a blanket out of that great big chunky yarn a couple of months before she passed away. I always feel like she’s hugging me whenever I use that blanket. You’ve given Kid 2 something to cherish for a lifetime.

  19. The little things matter most. Good mamas, friends and companions should know you best. Lovely blanket ❤️

  21. Aww that was sweet of her to say! And very accurate! I don’t crochet (never could get the hang of it), but I know how much work goes into projects, and so much love too.

    It looks gorgeous btw! I love it!

    • P.s. the layout reminds me of a Sudoku puzzle—you did a great job of not “pooling” the colors or making them line up in a strict way. Just beautiful.

  25. Beautiful! I’m inspired!
    I’m struggling with my crocheting! My first line of chain, everytime I tried to work on it I took out more stitches than I put in! But I finally got the hang of that, now I’m on to deciphering the next part!

    • Yes, first projects take awhile as your fingers learn the tension and movements needed. I have some yarn, but more fabric from quilting in stashes.

    • I posted a response to Jess with some info & links to my YT playlist for learning (if you’re looking for any more info).

  27. aw lovely! I’m making my first crochet blanket but had to put it on hold for awhile, look forward to getting back it later.

    meanwhile I’ll be making Christmas gifts!

  28. That is a beautiful blanket!

    I hear you on ripping out the yarn when joining the squares together. My mom did a blanket for my sister in chocolate brown and cream when I was little. However, by the time she got all the squares done, she looked at them, and didn’t have the patience to join them together. A friend of ours did that for her. I got it since my mom wanted to get rid of it once our family friend gave it back.

    Then my mom, years later, did a beautiful, variegated blanket in shades of red for my older brother. She had one small skein of acrylic yarn that equaled one square. The stitch she used made the square looked swirled. The entire blanket has swirled patterns that was natural to the yarn. It is very, very pretty. When my brother passed away, I got the blanket.

  29. my mom hand sewed and hand quilted a bottle quilt for me 40 years ago. I have it on my guest bedroom bed. Mom may be gone, but I still have my quilt and my zig zag afghan that is still a warm hug from mom.

  30. That is gorgeous!!! It looks soooo snuggly. I can totally picture your kiddo wrapped in that with a cup of tea, a book, and a cuddled fur baby on a rainy day. I may be projecting MY wants tho 🤔 It is a gray day here

  32. Looks amazing, I think I need to engage in retail therapy of tea and maybe leatherbound books. and then decide of which House Andrews books series to reread as my self care therapy blanket. No work has been able to be done in last 2 days

  33. In response to We Will Endure-My fridge died year before last and my dishwasher last year and I spent an enjoyable two weeks choosing a new one each time. (Luckily we had a small drinks fridge in the garage.) I expect my washing machine to die in the next year and look forward to the guilt free shopping! Its the best!

  36. Beautiful

    I have an afghan my grandmother made for me when I was 12. A long time ago!

    Funny thing is, every cat I’ve ever had loves it too.

  37. Nice colour choices. Very pretty and tasteful. My great aunt made crocheted blankets and afgans a lot, but her colours, … not so great. I still remember the one that had every third diagonal row in hot pink. All the other rows were various colours (so many), yellow, turquoise, lime green, forest green, orange, red, goldenrod, … you name it.

  41. I made an afghan like that for my grand niece because she asked. Granny square afghans look cool, but the ends and the joining! Told my niece it proved how much I loved her.

  42. Oh how beautiful! The hours of work and the love put into it will last forever. Especially since you took pictures!

  44. Beautiful! My grandmother made me a quilt when I was young. I have had it for over 50 years, and not just packed away, because she wanted me to have something I could actually use. It’s worn and tattered now but still on my bed. When I am anxious or hurting, I look at that quilt and think about her love and how long it has endured. It helps me to do the same.

  47. Is that a Puff stitch on the flowers? The colors are amazing!
    I have at least 10 large crocheted afghans from my grandma , couple from my mom and one I granny square I made with mom. After 50 years, there’s a bit unraveling on it. No problems with my grandma’s though. Can’t part with any of them lol

  50. I miss my mom everyday. When the loss is it’s hardest, I remember her hugs. You’ve given your daughter a hug and a cuddle with your love. It’s beautiful emotionally and physically.

  55. So pretty! You are a devoted crafty person! So often, I start but never finish a project. Great going!

  59. Beautiful. In our family it works the other direction. My daughter crochets, knits and quilts. I have several of her projects, including a dragon shawl I will be wearing this weekend at a comic con. I know it was made with love, because she said she will never make that pattern again. 😁

  60. You’re a wonderful Mom! The blanket/afghan is fabulous.

    I love Crocheted Granny Squares & I can make them really quickly, but I don’t like sewing/stitching together & lots of ends… So I tend to avoid any projects that require me to do either (because otherwise I just end up with a pile of squares, plus part of semi assembled blanket).

    I need to find a friend who will come behind me to weave in & clean up all my color changes then assemble everything together, then I will gladly do the border!

  63. Looks smashing, I do join as you go when doing squares find it so much easier and much less sewing in.

  64. Beautiful!! I just finished a hat for my kiddo last night. Not nearly as intensive, but lovingly satisfying.

  66. That is absolutely beautiful!! Confession: I am an expert stitcher – if it can be done on a sewing machine, I’m in. BUT – crochet and knitting are my downfall. I love knitted and crocheted pieces. Can I make them??? Nooooo.Deeply envious!

    • You just have to build up your brain space for them. the sewing is a jealous god, but if you start with a big scarf, that will teach you tension, and dealing with dropped stitches. The rest comes in time, and you have a more portable craft. Unless you do hand sewing as well? I hand sew when the fabric is very expensive, and put in my French seams and all the little heirloom details. It’s very meditative.

  70. Beautiful work. I love that your daughter appreciates her mama. You are blessed.

    I miss my mama every day. I don’t have a snuggly blanket made by her, but I have beautiful memories of her love.

  72. Well done Ilona, incredible beautiful work. I’m sure you’re kid 2 will love and cherish it.

  76. So pretty. It makes me want to do granny squares. All the pretty colours.

    My sister mentioned she liked the concept of a temperature blanket. For some context, I live with her and my niece. Also, my niece turned 12 this year, and my sister turned 40. I turn 50 next year. So, I did the math and realized that if I start on August 1st instead of January 1st, I’ll manage to have all three milestones in one blanket.

    So, the labor of love plan is set. Now I just need to finish my current project and go all happy yarn shopping…

  77. Just lovely! I am mid so many projects right now, but did a blanket for my sister-in-law which my nephew then stole (he is 5) because it is so soft

  83. Love the palette of toned pastels and neutrals, love your resolve, patiently rectifying mistakes, love the recipient’s response,
    When I saw the motif, I thought of Maud calling Helen “my flower.”

  84. it’s very beautiful and those kinds of gifts would be appreciated so much more, for the memories and feelings that are ingrained on every inch.

  86. That’s beautiful! I still have a similar blanket my grandmother made me so many years ago when I was a tot.

  89. Beautiful! That type of love will endure for a long time.

    When I was born, my great-grandmother knitted an adult-sized afghan for me. I was fortunate enough to remember several good times with her in detail before she passed when I was in late elementary school. Four decades later, I use it to this day and still feel her love every time. Worth every stich and minute spent.

  90. so oretty! so soft! yay for kid appreciatating! (not all handmadr gifts get the credit they deserve, I know).

    • Socks and then gloves are the very worst for appreciation. They have as many stitches as a full sweater, and then they get treated like something from the dollar store, lost or damaged by lack of care. And no one has mending skills anymore.

      I still make hats for people, and occasional sweaters. Mostly i have been making wraps lately. Size free is a joy, and when they are done I can set them aside until I need a special gift, and then I look awesome 🙂

  94. Lovely, I especially like the color selections. And it’s interesting how it looks like the corner joins make a little open star effect. It’s lovely. Congratulations on an excellent achievement, and a lasting tribute to the calming sanctuary of handwork and a mother’s love.

  98. gorgeous blanket, gorgeous colors, gorgeous pattern!

    (you are inspiring me to get back to crocheting)

  100. Beautiful work, now a beloved family heirloom!

    I have a blanket one of my grannies knitted 50 years ago. A treasure.

    Thank you for sharing this with us!