Maybe Matilda: Finished Sofa Blanket (Grandma’s Lacy Ripple Pattern)

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Finished Sofa Blanket (Grandma’s Lacy Ripple Pattern)

This post has been a long, long, long time coming. You will almost definitely not remember a post I wrote back in February in which I pondered various patterns that might be a good fit to crochet for my living room. I wanted a throw blanket to toss on my sofa for a few reasons: 1) a black leather couch in a room I have tried to make very light and airy could use a little lightening/cozyifying [totally real words] in the form of a snuggly blanket, 2) I spend a LOT of time on that couch crocheting, reading, pondering life’s great mysteries [I kid, of course; I mostly ponder things like how handsome my current celebrity crush Mr. Ackles looks in a 1940s suit], and a blanket would make these enjoyable tasks even enjoyabler, and 3) well, I sure love crocheting blankets, so why not?

And now, 7 months (!!!!) after settling on a pattern, selecting yarn, and eagerly starting my blanket, I’ve finally finished it.

7 months. SEVEN! That’s a bit outrageous, especially considering that I loved everything about this project—the yarn was perfect, the pattern was lovely, I felt confident about my choices and ability to tackle it . . . I guess my excuse is pregnancy brain. I’ve been pregnant for all 7 of those months, and while I picked up this project every now and then to add a few rows, it spent a lot of time being set aside while I worked on baby projects instead. But I’m so glad it’s finished, and I absolutely love my finished blanket. Behold!

Crochet Throw Blanket (Pattern: Grandma's Lacy Ripple)

Isn’t it nice? I ended up using the same pattern I used for the queen-sized blanket in my bedroom—it is called Grandma’s Lacy Ripple. Never have I heard a less appealing, more granny-sounding title for a crochet pattern, but boy, it does make a nice finished piece! The pattern works up quickly and simply (well, it’s quick if you spend more than 15 minutes per month on it, that is), and I love the detail in it. It’s simple and pretty and has a bit of an old-fashioned feel, but still looks fresh and cozy.

Grandma's Lacy Ripple blanket

And though the pattern is part of an older book, I got lucky and found a PDF copy of it online HERE. Win! UPDATE: Bad news folks—we broke the internet! That link, which has faithfully worked for oh-so-long, is dead, deceased, and gone. I don’t know what happened. But I uploaded my copy of the pattern—visit THIS POST to find it. Thank you!

I used one of my absolute favorite yarns for this project—Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand Yarn. I love experimenting with different brands of yarn, but this is consistently one of my favorites. It’s the perfect mix of soft + structure (it’s cozy and soft and comfortable, but holds its shape beautifully so intricacies of the pattern really stand out).

Vanna's Choice yarn in Silver Blue

I chose Silver Blue and hoped it would be a good fit for my green and blue living room, and I think it fits in beautifully. I struggled to decide between using a blue or a gray yarn for this blanket, and this color was the perfect in-between . . . a cool, icy blue that doesn’t come across too strong. I ended up using 11 skeins for my throw blanket (I made it very generously-sized . . . definitely big enough for two to cuddle up under), and I can’t wait for cooler weather so I can snuggle up with it while reading or working on new projects.

Grandma's Lacy Ripple Crochet Throw Blanket by Maybe Matilda

Hopefully my next project won’t take anywhere close to 7 months to complete. What’s your longest project to date?

33 comments :

  1. This is lovely!!!!! I really like the pattern. I currently have a throw blanket hibernating.... I lost interest in the pattern and haven't been interested in picking it up again. But I am going to try soon I want to get it finished in time to use as a Christmas gift! ~Stephanie

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  2. So lovely!! Love your color and pattern! It looks wonderfully cozy!! :) hmm I'm not sure, but it seems like I have many projects that haven't gotten finished! LOL. Maybe one day!! Happy Thursday! xo Holly

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  3. It is beautiful! And thank you for sharing the pattern definitely saved it ;)

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  4. Oh boy, when I read it took you 7 months I thought "that's fast!" Only because the one blanket I made took me ......*drumroll please* ..... 3 YEARS to finish! No joke, my husband and I weren't even dating when I started and I was 3 months from having our first child when I finished! Needless to say, I haven't crocheted any other blankets since ;)

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  5. It has taken me 1 1/2 yrs to finish this ripple blanket! I started it last summer, picked it up once this summer. Problem is...its too dang hot to have a huge blanket laying on me! (I use vanna too and LOVE it) but makes for a heavy blankie. My 13 yr old has wanted it since day 1 and I told her it was for me. So, a year later...mind you..that's now..her bday came and went, I stuffed tissue paper in the huge bag it is in, unfinished, and gave it to her! It was like she just got front row tickets to see the Beibs..well, maybe not that much, but it felt like that to me! So, I promised her I will finish it, (I only have less than 1/2 to go..) and it will be hers. I seriously looked at it tonight, and was craving to get a piece of it and add some more rows, but just couldn't. My grandma, who just turned 90, has been crocheting blankets non stop since april. I think she has 10 made. I printed out this pattern to give to her. If she sees another granny square, I think this granny will faint! Thanks for the pics and the cute stories! xo your friend in Oregon P.S. we should do a CAL this fall/winter! Maybe if you have time?? =)

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  6. P.S. Check out this website/blog..she has the most adorable style, I thought of you when I stumbled upon this gem. I wish I could live in her whimsical house! My ripple blanket is from her. www.lemondedesucrette.com ENJOY! xo aimee

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  7. Your next project will take longer than 7 month. I mean growing a baby is a project right?

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  8. I've been "working on" a blanket that I started in January 2012. And by "working on" I mean occasionally moving the basket it's hibernating in. I keep getting distracted with gifts for others... come to think of it, I have another blanket (same pattern as the star blanket you made for Forrest) I've been working on since July-ish of last year too. :-)

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  9. I've been "working on" a blanket that I started in January 2012. And by "working on" I mean occasionally moving the basket it's hibernating in. I keep getting distracted with gifts for others... come to think of it, I have another blanket (same pattern as the star blanket you made for Forrest) I've been working on since July-ish of last year too. :-)

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  10. Looks stunning! And perfect for baby blankets for my soon-to-arrive nieces/nephews! PS It's also on Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grandmas-lacy-ripple) and I've added the link to the PDF there :)

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  11. How lovely! I really like the color scheme you have going on in that room! I was going to say that my longest project to date is the dress I'm currently working on (I'm using it to learn new techniques, so I've had to do, undo, and redo things A LOT), but then I remembered that I once made a quilt for a friend's wedding. I had no idea what I was doing, almost no sewing experience and certainly no quilting experience. It involved sewing 448 small (why small? I could have cut them large!) squares together by hand. I think it took me close to two years to complete.

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  12. I too have a throw in hibernation... I'm just not feeling it any more. It's too heavy. I really like the size of this one. What was your beginning chain on it?

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    1. I'm sorry...I don't remember! It was so long ago, and I didn't write it down anywhere. But if it helps at all, I believe I just chained and held it out against the couch/over my lap until it was roughly the size I was picturing for my finished width and worked from there.

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    2. Thanks. I'll have to do the same. Hope to start it this week.

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  13. Very pretty but I don't see the pattern

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  14. It's gorgeous, as always! Hope you are having fun nesting away over there! :)

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  15. You can buy the booklet through amazon - Rippling Effects (Leisure Arts #2761) for $6.75. That link above is only for members of drivehq. I'm about to buy it myself as I think this is a beautiful and soft way to do ripples. If you are a ravelry member, there are several projects shown there using this pattern. Look for it there by name.

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  16. So beautiful! I found your site because Lion Brand showcased your project on their Facebook page. I'm very happy they did!

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  17. It would be nice to know how so many found this pattern "free" on the PDF, yet so many others are having to buy the book from Amazon. Otherwise, great blog, beautiful afghan, and happy baby!

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    1. I'm guessing that the page hosting the PDF couldn't handle all the views it was getting! I'd try again in a few days/weeks . . . it may have just gotten too much traffic in a short period of time and will return shortly. (Hopefully, at least!) Otherwise, the comment below yours has a link to a pattern that looks very similar!

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  18. PDF link is no good...is this the pattern? http://blogs.thetucker.com/knit/2011/12/07/lacy-v-stitch-ripple-afghan/

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    1. It appears to be just slightly different, but incredibly close! Definitely a very similar overall look. Thanks for sharing!

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  19. The PDF link for the pattern is not working. Is there somewhere else to find this pattern?

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    1. Check my comment above yours...I think that's the pattern.

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  20. You did a beautiful job on the afghan! I love the colors in the room. The rug is one I had looked at on line but the website didn't allow returns. So I'm wondering if you like the rug? I believe it was and indoor/outdoor one.

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    1. I really like that rug! I was worried it would be scratchy or uncomfortable since it's meant to be outdoor, but it's plenty soft. My only complaint is the same as it would be for any light-colored rug/carpet . . . it's a little tough to keep fresh and bright-looking since it has that light cream background, but overall, I've been really happy with it (have owned it for about a year).

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  21. Beautiful job. I'm going to check out the site Catherine found as the link you posted did not work for me. I'm excited to start it for my couch!!

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  22. It's such a lovely blanket and I love how your blanket and cushion covers pick up the colours on your carpet and ties the look of the room together.

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  23. Beautiful! It sure does sound like an old lady / in grammy's home pattern. But it truly is gorgeous!

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  24. This looks so pretty! I love the blue color and it's going to be so cozy to cuddle up with.

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  25. Not gonna lie, when I first read the name of the pattern I thought it read "Grandma's Lacy Nipple". Love the blanket! The pattern looks very similar to the pattern on the blanket my great aunt knit for Brad and me. The color is perfect too!

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  26. I'm so glad I found this post. My boyfriend talked me into getting a huge black leather couch and I think it looks SO man-cavey!! I've been looking for ways to dress it up to add a feminine and homey touch. I love what you've done with yours!

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  27. That blanket is really pretty. I also love the overall look of the room. I am going for greens and pale blues, and maybe a touch of yellow in our family room. We got all new furniture and tore down the nasty old tracked drapes and sheers, and put up blinds. I can't wait to freshen this place up. So Pinning this for inspiration. I also like how you framed the patterned paper/fabric all alone, such a fun touch!

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