Verb: pootle
poo-t(u)l To move in a leisurely unhurried way,
with no real purpose


Monday 2 June 2014

A super quick blanket and a Giveaway !

This week I have been on a bit of mission as last weekend I decided to make a blanket
for a friends Birthday present.
I ordered the wool on Sunday evening and it arrived on Wednesday.
 
 

All good so far ... the bit that makes it a bit of a mission ?
My friends Birthday is THIS Wednesday, yes, that will be the day after tomorrow !
 
Fortunately, as you can see in the photo above I had very sneakily put a 6mm hook in my
 bag the day the wool was due to arrive so no sooner had the Postman delivered it,
than it was being merrily hooked into a starting chain.
And since then it has been a 'pick up and do a bit project' whenever there has been a
couple of minutes.
 
The wool I am using is Stylecraft Special Chunky and I cannot tell you how
pleasingly quickly it grows....
 
... from taking five in the office...
 
 
... to a quick sit down and cup of tea in the garden ...
 
 
... to a little bit more before bed ...
 
 
... to a lovely morning of happy HTR'ing  in the sun over the weekend.
 
 
And I can happily report that as at yesterday lunchtime the blanket was looking like this !
 
 
Whoo-hoo , I'm on the home run !
Just two more balls to go for the main bit of the blanket,
two balls to make a DC border around the edge and then I am going to finish it off with a small ruffled edge made with the same coloured wool but in a DK rather than the chunky.
 
 So, from starting with a chain of 141 , 18 balls of Stylecarft Chunky in Parchment and 2 balls of Stylecraft DK in Parchment I reckon I'm pretty much on track for the Wednesday deadline.
It absolutely has to go down as the quickest blanket I have ever made.
( Note to Claire ... if you are reading this please remember to look really, really surprised when you get your pressie on Wednesday, Ok ! )
 
 
There was even time for a family Birthday Celebration this weekend as well.
 

 
 
Talking of Birthdays, I mentioned in my last post that it is very nearly my first Bloggy Birthday 
and having received so much pleasure from recently winning a Giveaway from
Jules at Little Woollie I have been busy planning a Giveaway of my own.
 
Its been so much fun deciding what to include ...
and I can now reveal all !
 
I probably should say at this point that I may have got a little carried away as I started by putting together a little crochet package and then I thought,
Hey, what if you're a knitter not a crocheter,
so I have TWO Giveaways ... YAY !
 
So the Crochet Giveaway is this...
 
 
and the Knitting Giveaway  is this ...
( this is sooo much fun ! )
 
 
The very observant of you will notice that they are basically the same but with one very
small and subtle difference ...
one has a crochet hook, one has stitch markers.
Just because I am really enjoying this I am now going to run you through a little breakdown
 of what will be in each package.
 
There will be a little pile of three  handmade cloths,
made in the beautifully soft King Cole Bamboo.
 
 
There will be a beautiful pink spotty tea cup and saucer
and just to ensure the perfect cup of tea three TeaPig
 T-bags will be popped inside the cup.
 
 
There will be a bookmark to mark your place in those crochet or knitting pattern books,
and a couple of cute badges for all you knitters and crocheters out there.
 

And to finish off there will be 3 balls of Rowan Pure Wool 4 ply in my favourite colour of
grey, with either a pink 4.5 mm Tulip Etimo Crochet hook,
 


 
 or 5 of the sweetest stitch markers.
 

 
 So, there you have it,
what's not to love ?
And all you have to do to enter is leave me a little comment either here on my Blog
 or here on my Facebook page, or both !
 
Absolutely anybody can enter, I will happily post anywhere in the world.
 
  If you haven't left a comment before please DON'T BE SHY ...
one of my reasons for doing this Giveaway is to meet lots more of you and discover
 more lovely blogs to visit.
 
The two winners will be picked on my Bloggy Birthday on 24th June.
 
 
 
 
 

 

59 comments:

  1. Hmmm I thought I left a comment for this lovely give-a-way but it hasn't appeared and no 'moderation' window either. So this is me leaving another comment just in case. Delete as appropriate Kate.

    Good luck with the marathon blanket.

    Hugs

    S xx

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    1. Oh and as if you needed me to say, I'm more of a crochet girl....xx

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  2. Oh my - so you will finish a complete blanket in ONLY ONE WEEK ??
    That is quite an accomplishment, even with a 6mm hook....
    I do a fair amount of crocheting myself, but wouldn't dare to start a project like that !

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  3. Wow! Your blanket project has gone so quickly Kate!! I cannot imagine being able to crochet so quickly, your fingers must move too fast to be seen. I hope that your friend loves it a lot - I am sure that she will! I love the parchment colour too, in fact, I am sitting under my crochet blanket that is partly in parchment - and meadow and some Rowan thrown in too! Congratulations on your blogaversary, I bet that you cannot believe that it has been nearly a year. xx Oh, and I am a crocheter - as you know! xx

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  4. Beautiful blanket! I can't believe you managed to do it in only one week!

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  5. I've only been crocheting (is that the correct term?) for 3 weeks and excuse the pun, I am hooked!!! I am in awe at you finishing a blanket within a week - all hail to the crochet Queen!

    Oh, i would so love to win the crochet pack (though I knit too and don't have markers - so that wouldn't be a hardship) :-)

    Congratulations on the bloggy anniversary.

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  6. Wow that is fast crocheting! The blanket is fab. I knit and crochet, so would love to win either of your gorgeous giveaways . Sadly I have no blog for you to visit though!! Well done on your 1 year anniversary.

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  7. Hi Kate, I would love to enter your give away please! I have recently discovered your lovely blog. I love your choice of colour and your daisy blanket is next on my to do list! Ella x

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  8. Goodness what a fast blanket, I can't get over how quickly you've been making it. It looks very cosy. And what a lovely present for your friend :)

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  9. Oh my goodness Kate you must have been hook in hand at every waking moment. I can't believe you managed to get so far in such a short time. Think your giveaways are a lovely idea and I knit and crochet. What is you little chihuahau called he's lovely.

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  10. Hello, that blanket is looking super, it has certainly grown....a, lovely gift to give and receive, I hope your friends loves it to snuggle in. I'm fairly new to blogland and loving it. Enjoying starting up my own blog and making lots of like minded friends. Thank you for the give away :) xx

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  11. Your blanket is beautiful! That was very fast. HTR (or half-double as we call it here) is my favorite stitch. I love the fabric it makes. I have a big blanket planned to make this winter and I'm going to do it in that stitch. I would love to be entered in your wonderful giveaway. Thank you for the chance to win, and congratulations.

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  12. Good lord, you are FAST! A fantastic blanket, for a very lucky friend. And two really lovely giveaways, thank you. Congratulations on one year of blogging, I love visiting your space and seeing what you've been up to, it's always entertaining. CJ xx

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  13. What an inspiring blanket project. I'm going to dive into my chunky stash and have my 6mm hook at the ready! That's a lovely, generous giveaway. Tea, crochet, reading...what more is there to life? J x

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  14. Wow Kate, I can't believe you've done all that crochet in such a short amount of time! What a lovely present for your friend. Your adorable little doggy is definitely smiling in that first photo - obviously testing the wool to make sure it will be a suitable blanket! I love that your bloggy birthday is 24th June, cos that's my birthday (real one, not bloggy). Lovely giveaways, who could resist. Have a great week.
    Jane x

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    1. Ooh Kate, only just seen, congratulations on your honourable mention in the Deramores Blog Awards! Well deserved. Jxx

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  15. Happy Anniversary! How lovely of you to share the celebration in this generous way. I knit and crochet so it would be a thrill to win either of your offerings. Your blanket is so sweet. Nothing quite so joyful as yarn moving through the fingers.

    Be well.
    :)

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  16. What a very quick blanket !
    I am more a knitting girl

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  17. I knit and crochet, but don't do either one as fast as you apparently do. Impressive work on your blanket! Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

    greyowl60@yahoo.com

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  18. Happy Bloggy Birthday! My daughter crochets and if I won this, I would find something for her to make for me! The rest of the prizes would be for ME!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  19. Hi Kate, thank you so much for popping over to me and for the congratulations! yes I am on cloud nine and I can't quite believe I won the competition :o) Anyway I will stay around a while with you as it feels really nice here - I can't believe how quickly you made the blanket for your friend! I love the yarn you've used too. I will add you to my bloglovin' list, thanks again, Sam from betsymakes xxx

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  20. My stars, you are a fast crocheter! It usually takes me a week to finish a blanket, with interruptions! Congrats on your almost 1 year blogversery :) (Is that a word?) Anyway, if you could enter me in your giveaway, I would be grateful. I crochet the most. My knitting is so slow, but I'm just starting. Have a wonderful spring day!

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  21. I've just discovered your blog through The Deramores post blogs awards winners. Your work is so beautiful! All your blankets are delicious. Love the colours you use. I will be around enjoying your posts. Happy bloggiversary!! Thanks for the opportunity on this giveaway. Love peace and crochet Gabriela

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  22. I can't believe you made the blanket in such a short amount of time! It's lovely, and I'm sure your friend is going to love it. :-)

    Happy blogiversary! Please enter me for the knitting prize. Although a part of me is tempted to try for the crochet prize. I keep telling myself I need to learn how to crochet!

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  23. Good grief Kate, you're a crochet whirlwind! I honestly don't know how you do it!

    I just had to pass on how thrilled I was that you were so highly commended on the Deramores blog awards - it's completely well-deserved. I fell for you and your blog the instant I stepped over your threshold.

    Whilst here, would it not be extremely rude if I didn't enter your giveaway?!! ;-)

    Have a super evening my friend and, again, well done!!!

    Heather x

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  24. Gosh that's a fast project finish! It looks great so far..

    Please could you enter me in your very generous knitting giveaway :)

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  25. Oh my goodness...how quickly you worked up that blanket! It looks fab and it looks as if you enjoyed making it too. What a lovely and very generous giveaway too...thank you for the chance to enter.
    Marianne x

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  26. Wow! I am SO impressed by your speedy work! I'm just starting to crochet and it takes me ages to do a few rows of my blanket! I would love to be entered in either of your very lovely give away-I have a tea pot that matches the tea cup! Xx

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  27. This is such a lovely giveaway. Id love to win.
    Im a knitter...not so great at crochet except for the basics.

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  28. Love the blanket. I have chunky wool in my stash in the same colour and can't for the life of me remember the project I had in mind. You have saved me, I feel a chunky blanket in my near future.

    Congrats on the anniversary, may you continue to happily pootle for many years to come.

    PS I crochet :) xx

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  29. wow, your blanket is amazing! Its so satisfying working on a big project like this, especially when it comes together so quickly! x

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  30. Hooge congrats on your honourable mention on Deramores blog awards :) well desreved.
    Fab quick blanket hope you got it finished in time. The give away looks brill, such a nice thing to do to celebrate your blogiversary.

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  31. Oh thats such a lovely blanket and SUCH a generous giveaway! You have really turned me on to the great side of grey recently! Thank you! x

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  32. Hi Kate, I just have discovered your cute blog! Thanks for the opportunity on this giveaway!:::Silvia

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  33. Wow Kate I am so impressed at your speedy blanket making! I have yet to make my first blanket so your effort is very inspiring indeed. I seem to be the only person in blogland who hasn't used stylecraft yarn yet - it's so popular I need to get me some of that for future blanket making.
    This is an incredibly generous giveaway, choc full of gorgeous goodies. Thank you.
    Amanda x
    p.s. well done you on the Deramores blog award honourable mention! :-)

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  34. Having just discovered your blog following "an honourable mention" I'm loving all your crochet creations as well as your lovely giveaway !

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  35. Your speedy blanket is really gorgeous and I love both the colour and the texture of the chunky yarn! You certainly have made it super quick!!
    And thank you so much for the chance to enter your wonderful giveaway.....such gorgeous treats!
    Helen xox

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  36. You must be VERY fast if you finished the blanket that quickly! It's absolutely lovely.

    Thank you for hosting such a great giveaway!

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  37. Wow, such lovely things in your giveaway and may I say that your blog is most delightful....this is my first time here, so lucky me, that I have the chance to enter. I would be so thrilled to be the winner and I especially love the handmade cloths and that 'dotty' cup and saucer. My fingers are crossed and thank you so much for the opportunity.....I have put your blog in my list of favorites and I look forward to reading more. ♥

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  38. How very sweet of you, and so generous! I knit and crochet both so either gift would be great.

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  39. Hey Kate! I already entered via FB, but I neglected to comment here that your blanket is amazing! You are a crochet machine!!! Lucky friend...and such a generous giveaway! I wish my in-laws still lived close to you so we could meet up to celebrate your bloggy birthday... :-) Cx

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  40. Wow, what a fantanstic giveaway. just found your blog via Deramores, congrats by the way :) Off to pop you into bloglines now, yay a new pretty blog for me to browse. x

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  41. Your hook must be smoking with that speedy blanket, Kate! What a lovely present for your friend, and what a fab giveaway, lots of gorgeous things for a bloggy birthday celebration, very generous!
    Have a great week, Julie xx

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  42. great giveaway! and nice blanket too!

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  43. Wow that blanket is scrumptious and what a lovely Giveaway, please do add my name to the hat, as you know I am a crocheter ( of sorts!) Have a lovely weekend, Sarah xo

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  44. Oh how lovely! Please add my name to the entries. Thank you! x

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  45. Congrats and than you for a fabulous giveaway !

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  46. Hi Kate. I love reading your blog, such an inspiration. I am currently crocheting a mixed stripey blanket. Your lovely work has inspired me to try something in the lovely greys one day. I live in Australia and its nice to see the lovely photos you post of England.

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  47. Wow what an amazing blanket I'm so jealous what a great friend you are - I would love to be entered in your giveaway and congratulations on your commendation x

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  48. Happy Bloggy Birthday!
    I'm trying to build up to starting my own soon, I'll keep you posted :)

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  49. Hello, I am new to your lovely blog! And what a nice thing to find you are having such a generous giveaway! I would love to take part being a keen crocheter! Thank you and have a nice week! And Happy Birthday! Anna

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  50. What brilliant work! I once made a blanket in a week, but it was just a baby blanket so doesn't compare to this! What a lucky friend you have :)

    I found you via Sharon at Perfect Days - I had a go at the blog awards too, so I think I messaged you a congratulations for your special mention. I do lose track though... Lol

    Dxx

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  51. wow! love the yarns! nice blog... keep blogging! but please can u enlarge the font?

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  52. Hi Kate. Found you via Deramores awards. Very well done. Your blankets are lovely. I love the simplicity of the daisy one but so effective. Keep it up. And thank you for such a generous giveaway.
    Claire

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  53. What a lovely giveaway! Could I please enter? :) I'm a crocheting kinda girl :) xx

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  54. I wish I could make projects that big in such little time. It probably would have taken me a year. I would like to enter the contest even though I likely won't win.

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  55. Love the blanket....more of a joining bits together person..but not little tiny bits...would love to win crochet pack

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  56. I just came along your blog and I dare say I love it! The blanket you crocheted in only one week is gorgeous! Such a wonderful piece of uniqueness. I am not a crochet beginner but I haven't had the heart and the patience to start a blanket until now. But if you are able to do this in one week I should take courage and start one, as well. Thanks a lot for such inspiring posts.! Viola (www.colourcrochetlove@blogspot.com)

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