Wild Daffodil

The pattern of the stitches came from Lucy’s latest Attic24 Canal Boat Cal

I used yarn that I had and adapted the colour placement accordingly. It often amazes me how different a stitch or a pattern looks when one plays around with the colours. I loved the way this ended up looking like waves, sand, pebbles and sky.

These stitch counts are from Attic24’s pattern pdf

Baby Blanket   70cm/ 28″ width Chain 103 25 shells

Lap Throw       90cm / 36″ width Chain 135 33 shells

Single Bed.      120cm / 48″ width Chain 179 44 shells

Double Bed      180cm / 72″ width Chain 263 65 shells

King Size Bed  210cm / 84″ width Chain 307 76 shells

I finished the blanket on a recent trip to Pembrokeshire (where I feel most at home). Newgale Beach holds so many happy memories and to walk on that beach again restored and recharged me more than I can explain.

Walking in that wide open space when the tide is out – there is no feeling like it.

I was staying with my close childhood friend JJ, at Southwood Cottage

it was the perfect spot to stay, and the blanket looked completely at home

The view from the window was gorgeous

and if you went in to the garden to stand on the bank

it was even better, with the gate to the footpath which led down onto the beach

HEAVEN!

I adapted the border slightly. To make the little blue hearts read as hearts more prominently, I made them with half double crochets (US terms). I was delighted with how the border turned out

We took the blanket to Whitesands Beach for a photobut I connect it more with Newgale where I walked every day of the holiday

It carries with it such wonderful holiday vibes

I often have no idea where a blanket will find it’s home when I start it, and the recipient sometimes appears during the making – in this case JJ loved it so much it went home with her – carrying with it lovely memories of holidays together – past, present and future ❤

The details of the blanket:

Stylecraft Special DK yarn, 4.5mm and 4mm hooks

Colours: Duck Egg, Storm, North Sea, Mallard, Silver, Hint of silver, Parchment, Toy, Cream.

The Foundation Row in Duck Egg 4.5mm hook

The rest with 4mm hook

3 Rows of Duck Egg, 1 row hint of silver, 3 rows North Sea, 1 row Hint of Silver, 3 rows of Silver

Each colour has one row of Hint Of Solver between them.

The order continues: Duck Egg, Storm, Parchment, Duck Egg, North Sea, Toy, Duck Egg, Mallard, Silver, Duck Egg, Storm, Cream, Duck Egg, North Sea, Parchment, Duck Egg, Mallard, Silver, Toy, Duck Egg.

For the Border:

1 row Duck Egg, 2rows Toy, 1 row Mallard (the hearts), 1 row Hint of Silver with 4.5mm hook, 2 rows North Sea, Shells in Duck Egg with 4.5mm hook.

Finished measurements

73cm (28 ¾ in) x 92cm (36¼ in)

I metioned in October that I was going to be volunteering at the local hospital.

I am on the Activity Squad, doing creative things with patients. All volunteers wear a bright yellow top and apparently we are known as ‘little rays of sunshine!’

On the first morning of volunteering, after all the training sessions, as I was walking to the the hospital, a rainbow appeared, with the hospital at the bottom of it. A good omen!

So far, I have mainly worked with dementia patients. My mother had dementia for 10 years before she died in 2020, so I am pretty well trained in communicating with people with dementia. It can be challenging, but there is also lots of humour.

Before Christmas we made paper chains

and cardsThis was posted on Instagram. There is a very lively Arty vibe in the hospital, with some wonderful exhibitions. It is a great place to work. When my Mum was in hospital, I would wander round and look at the art for a much needed break.

I even exhibited there myself in 1994, maybe I will again!?!

White on black is good for those with poor eyesight, and creativity is often outside the box.

R was very agitated when I arrived, the nurses had asked a security guard to be with him. I asked R if he would like to draw with me and his mood immediately calmed – I gave him a chalk pencil and he drew sweeping lines, the sound of the chalk on the paper was obviously very soothing for him and the security guard was no longer needed.

I really enjoy my Tuesday mornings, all the staff are so appreciative – it is a great feeling.

I do feel pretty tired when I get home – but not as bad as Bob!

I met Bob on Wheelchair Training. I can now drive one of these

You might like to check out the Arts in Hospital website.