Lullaby Lodge

Sunday 10 May 2020

The Dolly Stripe Blanket - Pretty linen stitch blanket inspired by sweets from my childhood...

Hello friends. I have a new pattern to share with you today, this pretty striped baby blanket. The blanket is made from 100% cotton yarn making if perfect for baby in spring and summer or you could make a slightly larger blanket for a throw. This would make a great picnic blanket if made in a larger size.

The colours I chose for this blanket were inspired by the Dolly Mixture sweets my mum used to buy us when we were children. If you are from the UK perhaps you had them too. You could of course use any colours for your blanket, a great opportunity to use up your stash.

Dolly Mixtures...

An ad free pdf version of this pattern is available in my online stores, thank you for supporting my work...

The Dolly Stripe

Materials

Aran / worsted cotton yarn 500g (750m) in white and 20g (15m) each in pink, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, brown

5mm hook

Darning needle

Size

Appros. 100cm (39 inches) x 70cm (27 inches)

Ability

Easy

Abbreviations US Terms (UK conversion)

sc - single crochet (double crochet)

ch – chain

sp - space

st(s) - stitch(es)

sl st - slip stitch
sk - skip

Other notes: Pretty Linen Stitch blanket, the colours in the stripes were inspired by the Dolly Mixture sweets we used to have as a child. I used Drops Paris to make my blanket in colours, White, Light Pink, Light Turquoise, Strong Yellow, Pistachio, Apricot, Light Purple and Dark Beige.

When substituting yarns, make sure to choose a yarn of the same weight. The blanket is worked back and forth in rows. Change colours by pulling the new yarn through the last stitch of previous row. Do not fasten off the white, carry up side of work.

Colour sequence (repeat twice)

8 rows white

2 rows pink

8 rows white

2 rows blue

8 rows white

2 rows yellow

8 rows white

2 rows green

8 rows white

2 rows orange

8 rows white

2 rows purple

8 rows white

2 rows brown

With mc, ch 116 (or desired width in multiples of 2)

Row 1 (commence colour sequence) Sc in 2nd ch from hook, [ch1, sk1, sc in next st] repeat to end, turn.

Row 2 Ch2, [sc in next sp, ch1] repeat to last sp, sc in last sp, turn.

Repeat row 2 keeping colours correct, until you have worked through the colour sequence twice, finishing with a final 8 rows in white, or until blanket reaches desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Linen Stitch Border

The border is a simple round of Linen Stitch. Join mc anywhere along the top or bottom of blanket, [Sc, ch1] in each sp around the blanket. In each corner [sc, ch1, sc], join with sl st to 1^st sc. Fasten off and weave in remaining ends.

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I hope you enjoy this pattern and I will be back again very soon...

Take care

Catherine

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Wednesday 6 May 2020

Best Ever Salad Dressing - Mum's secret recipe, makes everything taste delicious (not just for salads...)

Hello friends, I have a super quick and easy recipe to share with you today. My mum used to make the most amazing salads and the secret was always her salad dressing. I have been using it for many years now and no matter what you put it on, it makes it taste delicious.

We use it on salads (of course), but it's also great on steamed vegetables, new potatoes, pasta salads and I am sure you could think of some more uses for it. It is super simple to make too and you can keep it in the fridge for ages.

Best Ever Salad Dressing

Ingredients

Oil (olive or your favourite)

White wine vinegar

Salt (pinch)

Sugar (pinch)

Black pepper (pinch)

2 garlic cloves

Using an empty jam jar, add 1 part vinegar to 4 parts oil. You can use any oil for this, I like to use a mixture of extra virgin olive oil and sunflower oil (this stops the olive oil from setting when you store it in the fridge). You can also use red wine vinegar or balsamic if you prefer.

Add a pinch of salt, sugar and pepper.

Crush the garlic cloves with the back of a knife (they should be squashed a bit to release their flavour but still whole) and add to the jar and replace lid.

Shake well before use and pour over your salad, mixing well. we use around 2-3 dessert spoons for a large bowl of salad.

Store in the fridge, will keep for a couple of weeks.

This dressing tastes best after a few days, when the flavours have had chance to develop. Little T has always been a great vegetable eater and I put it down to Mum's dressing. If you have a fussy eater that won't eat salad, try this out.

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I hope you will give this a try.

Ta ta for now
Catherine
x

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Sunday 3 May 2020

Crochet Along With Me April...

Hello everyone. It's time again to take a little look at my progress with the various crochet alongs for April. I hope you have been joining in and if you are make sure to share your makes with the Facebook Group.

Useful links...

Hot & Cold Blanket Pattern & CAL

Our Happy CAL Place

2020 Charity Stash Bash CAL & KAL

Facebook Crochet & Crafts Group

Lullaby Lodge Facebook Page

Crochet Along With Me... (April addition)

We have had some lovely weather this month, the sun has been shining almost every day. While the mornings are still pretty chilly, it is giving my temperature blanket a beautiful mix of pinks and greens.

The pale pink and mint green look so pretty together...

We have even had some very warm days with temps reaching as high as 24℃, which is quite hot for spring in the UK.

This month I have been making soap savers for our Charity Stash Bash CAL. I will be making more of these throughout the year for the shoe boxes. They are a fun quick and easy make and also make great gifts. Make sure to check out the link above for the free pattern and more information about the crochet along.

Lovely bright colours will make bath time more fun...

This month at Our Happy CAL Place, I hosted again with the theme "Gift Ideas". I was a little behind with my crochet this month and the pattern I had originally chosen did not get made in time. So instead we went with on of my own designs, the Granny Square Mitts.

I made these again using the cream background. I think I prefer this colourway, the cream makes the colours stand out more.

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I hope you enjoyed this months makes and make sure to stop by again soon for more free patterns, reviews and more...

See you all again soon

Catherine

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Sunday 26 April 2020

Bun Wreaths & Hair Ties - Part of the 2020 Charity Stash Bash CAL

Hello friends. It's time for our fourth instalment of the 2020 Charity Stash Bash and this month I have a super cute project to share with you. This would be a great addition to the shoe boxes if you are making these to donate. They are also a great craft fair item and make a really pretty last minute gifts for someone with long hair.

Helpful Links...

2020 Charity Stash Bash

Operation Christmas Child US

Operation Christmas Child UK

Ravelry pattern page

An ad free pdf version of this pattern is available in my online stores, thank you for supporting my work...

If you would like to take part and prefer knit over crochet, I have linked some other pattern choices along with more crochet hair ties for you to make. Just click the Stash Bash link above for more patterns and information.