Friday, August 29, 2008

Handmade Things are Filled with Love

One of my oldest friends is getting married and I wanted to make something special for her to mark the occasion. I didn't really want to make another love filled quilting disaster so I decided that this was the time to knit something big! Time to knit my first full sized blanket. But what pattern to knit? After much searching I found a free pattern for a Lover's Knot Afghan from the Lion Brand Yarn Company.I thought that 'Lover's Knot' was such a lovely pattern name for a wedding present. I found the most gorgeous cream and super soft (as well as ecologically friendly) wool from the YarnCountry.com. (The hanks were so enormous that I had a whole hank left over - which enabled me to knit all three of my maypole dancing bunnies!) I increased the size of the Afghan by adding an additional two pats to the pattern ... ... so my finished blanket measures approx 53" x 67" and there is a super soft 4" fringe/tassels at both ends.
I also embroidered a little label that I sewed on to the back of the blanket. (I saw this idea on the lovely Julie's blog back in June and knew I had to make something similar for my blanket.)
I wish the bride and groom a life time of happiness together - as well as many winter evenings feeling warm under the love of one very special blanket!

46 comments:

dottycookie said...

Oh my goodness, that's stunning!

What a wonderful, thoughtful gift.

Sarah said...

That is beautiful. The newlyweds will love it. I may have to follow your lead and use that pattern for my friend's upcoming wedding.

Sherry said...

That is gorgeous!! They are going to love it!!

Have a great weekend!
Sherry

Indigo Blue said...

This is fantastic!! You need to explain how you made it, like what type of knitting needles etc.
I really am impressed.
Best wishes

bunzi said...

love it! great gift. :)

Esther said...

What a beautiful wedding gift for your friend. Once they realise the hard work and effort involved it will make it even more special. I always love hand made gifts, they are so much more rewarding to receive. You are truly talented, and patient to finish it! Esther x

Rebekah said...

This is absolutely stunning! The white really shows of the beautiful cable work and the pattern name is great for a wedding gift :)

Ally Jay said...

What a truly meaningful gift to give. It's totally gorgeous and just thinking of the hours you must have spent working on it makes it incredibly special. You are amazing.

Jen said...

I am speechless! What a phenomenal effort. It is just so beautiful. Your freind is lucky to be the recipient of such a gift and twice as lucky to have you as a friend.

Gretel said...

Heavens, my mind is turning just imagining the skill which went into this! It is stunning, they should be delighted with it!

Anonymous said...

wow, that is just gorgeous I am soo impressed. How long did it take to knit? Your friends will be just over whelmed, it's such a lovely present
lisa x

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

What an amazing and special gift!! It is so beautiful - they are going to love it!!!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

What a gorgeous gift. It will be absolutely treasured I'm sure.

Anonymous said...

whaw!!! i mean.... whaw!!!!!
did you knit this blanket in one piece?
i should need 6 month to knit such a beautiful project..... but i imagine myself in the winter, cosy in the blanket.... oh yes!!!!

April said...

That is so beautiful - what a lovely idea

April xx

Anonymous said...

What a very special present

Julz said...

Rachael - the blanket is beautiful - a very heartfelt gift for the newly weds. Have a great week. Hugs Jx

Bumpkin Hill said...

WOW WOW and WOW again Rachael - that is the most beautifully made special gift - you are so incredibly talented at knitting - what a huge project! As for the so called disaster quilt you mentioned, gosh if I could create disasters like that I'd be a happy bunny! Catherine x

domi2.5 said...

I specially love the label!

crazyjane said...

that is amazing and what a wonderful wedding gift!!! you're a very talented lady, and I'm sure the bride and groom will be blown away.

Jenny said...

Oh my goodness bunny girl! That is the most wonderful thing to have done. They are one very very very very very luck couple! But you didn't sign the patch...not that I could see. Your name should be stitched to that wonderfulness for all time! Jen

Kellie said...

Rachael this is the most beautiful gift! It is amazing! What a fantastic friend you truly are!

Anonymous said...

WOW, this is soooooo beautiful!! YOu have done such an amazing job and I know I would have adored to get such a beautiful hand made gift on my special day! You should be really proud!! =)

driftwood said...

it's gorgeous, you have such lucky friends! how long did it take you?
and I love the label!

Anonymous said...

Wow.. what a lovely gift. I am sure they will cherish it for years to come.

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous work of love! It is so perfect, complete with the sweet label!

Twiggy said...

Rachael that is gorgeous, what a fab gift.
Twiggy x

Anonymous said...

The most georgous wedding present and made with such love too. Really stunning!

Sarah said...

Oh Rachael - sigh. Being a knitter myself, I know the skill that went into this! I'm slowly getting myself back into doing complicated patterns again.

What the heck did you knit it on? Surely not needles? I'm confused!

It's just beautiful. If I owned it, it would be well out of reach of my cats!

Louise said...

Rachael, this is just so, so special, and something so lovely to be treasured for ever. What a great idea to use a lover's knot. The knitting is faultless and the label in itself is a work of art. x

Ruth said...

Oh, it is so beautiful! Lucky friends!!

Ruth xx

LizzieJane said...

Amazing Rachael, what a lucky couple, you have outdone yourself!

Anonymous said...

Hi there!
A few minutes ago I happend to stumble upon your nice blog. I saw your name in another blog and just clicked it because of the funny chance my newly opened blog is named likely ("kaninchen" means bunny or little rabbit). ;)

I took a peek and was excited! Your work is so very nice and cute! And all those rabbits! I love it! :)
Keep on! I`ll definitively keep an eye on your wonderful blog.

Dyan said...

All I can say is wow! That is amazing!
Love,
Dy
(I've moved, new blog : http://dyanwhyte.blogspot.com

Charlie P said...

That blanket is BEAUTIFUL! WIsh I could hop on a plane and come and stroke it- it looks so soft :)

the pesky bombolino said...

This is just too wonderful for words. The newly weds must have been over the moon. How fantastic are you?!

Anonymous said...

This is really a lovely gift, your friends are lucky to have you. I agree that there is nothing like a gift with lots of love poured into it. (And, thanks for your comment, which brought me here!)

Sue said...

What an incredibly beautiful blanket. I was referred to your blog by Kellie and I am so glad she told me about your blog. Now I will have to spend an hour or so reading all your entries about all the other wonderful creations of yours.

dragonfly said...

What a gorgeous gift - one that will be treasured forever.

rachelmp said...

So beautiful Rachael. I wish I could have one too! Did you make it on one set of needles?

Mrs Moog said...

What a fantastic gift!! It is so beautiful and must have taken ages!

I'm sure it will be loved and treasured for ever :)

xxx

Mandy @ Belle and Boo said...

AMAZING

Things Hand Made said...

A knitted balnket is just perfect.

Lily Boot said...

oh rachael, how pretty! I am in awe that you are able to KNIT a whole blanket. Very, very beautiful. And the label is very touching - I'm sure your friends will be thrilled!

Anonymous said...

What an INCREDIBLY beautiful wedding gift! I'm sure they will treasure this one forever. How long did it take you to complete this enormous project?! I cannot even imagine doing all those intricate stitches!

Anonymous said...

Oh, this blanket is just lovely. I'm off to look up the pattern... Gorgeous work!