When I received news that I became a grandmother, the first thoughts I had was “Oh, yay, I should knit baby items!” Of course that was well after all the excitement, panic and concern. I have long admired this blanket on Ravelry but never really found the motivation to make it. Until now.

See, even Luca loves getting draped in its super softness? This was a couple of days ago when I felt like I was in a knitting marathon to finish the blanket.


The yarn choice was a no-brainer since I was making this for my grandson, Nash. The yarn was purchased from The Woolly Workshop. It was one of my first online purchases. Sadly, the shop has closed about a year ago and this yarn is also discontinued.

The central flower motif reminds me of childhood days when my grandmother’s neighbour, Cita, would come to my grandmother’s apartment with her cones of white cotton thread, crochet hook and book and would hook away while they chat about everything and everyone. She used to make the most intricate table runners and doilies! It never occurred to me then to ask her to teach me.

Since I was pressed for time, I was only able to knit the standard throw size. I compensated with blocking, as you do. I did try the knitted cast off but it was way too fiddly for me and I cannot understand the turning and adding stitches then binding them off. Ooof!

Crochet cast off it is then! It was much easier and gave me an excuse to use my hook. I thought I would need another skein at the cast off but I had just enough. The blanket was soaked, blocked and dried overnight and, as of writing, it is hovering over the Indian Ocean tucked indie my sister’s carry-on luggage and making its way to my grandson. I hope to show you photos of him wearing all the handknits I made.

Project: From Grandma (Raveled!)
Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket by Jared Flood
Needle: US 6 – 4.0 mm
Yarn: Fiddlesticks Knitting Ecoknit Organic Cotton
How much: 5 skeins = 550.0 yards (502.9m)
Colorway: Sage
Cast on: 1 Apr 1 2011
Cast off: 24 Jun 2011