a Christmas gift for the kids - crocheted blankets

Yes, Christmas. gifts. yes. In October. And I actually decided to do this about two months ago, but it took me a while to pick the yarn and the yarn colors and find a new crochet hook that would help me work for longer.

Yes, a hook that helps me work longer. I've been using the standard aluminum Boyle crochet hooks and I really thought that's the "best" there was. But during a trip to Jo-Anns recently a cashier told me she switched to a wooden hook and she can work for a lot longer without pain. Nice. sounds fabulous. I'll check that out soon.

On their website, Jo-Anns have a few wooden options. I chose two (both on sale) to see what I liked the best. I actually thought I would like THIS one the best. It's solid bamboo. And I have to tell you, it really did speed up my work -- EXCEPT for the fact that I am so used to having that little thumb rest, I realized I needed it. My thumb kept sliding all over the hook so I could never really get a rhythm going. I tried a couple of different grips and grippers but nothing really worked well for me.

So I settled on this beauty. I really shouldn't say "settled" because it really is the better hook (for me). It's fast and the thumb rest is exactly what I'm used to so getting a rhythm going is easy. and the bamboo handle helps out too.

I'm using a J for this project.

the full sized view.

I really wish I could find a solid wood hook WITH a thumb rest. Until then. This is my hook.

Next, to decide on yarn brand and colors. I love Jo-Ann. The store and the website. The have a great selection of yarn and something I like is ALWAYS on sale (or clearance). Plus, I'm on their email mailing list so I get coupon codes for extra off (including free shipping).

I started with my favorite brand: Lion Brand. and then began narrowing down from there. I picked Vanna's Choice. (yes, Vanna White has a yarn of choice) It is regular $3.29 but on sale for $2.47. NICE.

The two colors I chose for Daughter, charcoal grey and eggplant.

The grey is going to be a "border color" at the top and the bottom and two little stripes in the middle of the purple.

Son's colors are mustard and olive. Really pretty colors and they make me want to redecorate this room to match the new blanket!

His main color is olive and the border color is mustard.

There really are so many pretty colors in this line, it was hard to pick. I consulted Brooke and Husband. We must have all come up with 12 color combinations we liked. In the end, these were my final choices.

Next I had to decide how many skeins I needed. Sheesh, I had no idea. But I knew I wanted to make BIG blankets. Something they could cuddle and snuggle with for years and years and years. The kind of blanket you reach for when you're sitting on the couch and cold. I ended up with 4 grey and mustard and 8 purple and green. For a grand total of 12 skeins per blanket. Let me tell you, that was a big box my mail carrier brought me!

I think I really chose the numbers well. The blankets are going to measure 46inches X 54inches (ish)[Yes, I did say big] when finished and it looks like I'm going to have less than a whole skein of each color left over. maybe enough for a scarf for each kid that matches their blanket.

At the risk of sounding like a cheese ball, I really hope these blankets are something they love and cherish for years and years. Alas, every time Daughter catches me working on Son's blanket, she tells me how much she loves it and how beautiful it is and how green and yellow are her favorite colors!

seriously.

I guess the one person I should have consulted about blanket colors was the three year old!

{I'm almost half way finished with the two blankets so I'll post an update in the next day or two with pictures and stitch talk}