I have been wanting to share baby Francesca’s blanket with you for the longest time but alas, time, as it does, caught up with me. Subsequently I have crocheted another baby blanket for a great nephew who is due in the next few weeks and knitted and crocheted myself two cowls which were great fun.
I made both baby blankets using trebles – this goes so much faster than double crochet or half treble and will keep baby nice and warm and snug.
I must admit to having, for the first time ever, a problem with this second blanket. I can only think it is the silver strip that is wound into the wool – it was not the easiet to work with and it seems the blanket grew a wee bit on the one end – something else I have never had a problem with before. No matter as it was still made with love.
This knitted cowl is a mini verson of the one I saw over at Sarah’s Place. I say mini as I used a much thinner wool than what was called for and it worked out very well and fits snuggly but lose enough around my neck without me feeling I am being strangled. Pop over to Sarah’s Place for pattern.
For this cowl, I used a 10mm crochet hook and 2 50g balls of tweed wool. I made a chain of 120 which I could have reduced to 110 and then joined the chain with a slip stich to form a complete round. First round, 1 chain, skip first stich and work round in double crochet. Next 7 rounds, 3 chain, skip first stich, work in trebles. Last 2 rounds double crochet.
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Mandy, you had the fine hands. These are so delicate and beautiful
By: Tesney Ap on July 26, 2012
at 07:16
You are very kind Tes, thank you very much. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 26, 2012
at 09:07
Those are some lucky babies my friend, so much love has gone into these
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
By: Choc Chip Uru on July 26, 2012
at 07:32
Thanks CCU! Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 26, 2012
at 09:07
I am so impressed, Mandy. Really love two cowls!
By: Angie@Angie's Recipes on July 26, 2012
at 10:17
Thanks very much Angie! Have a happy day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 26, 2012
at 10:40
Lovely work, Mandy! The blankets look gorgeously soft. And as you say, definitely made with love!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on July 26, 2012
at 10:59
Thanks so much Celia! I love being able to give a homemade gift. have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 26, 2012
at 11:09
I once kitted my son a jersey…..it looked like something out of a Beano comic with one arm longer than the other! The blankies are lovely but I really like the cowls.
By: Sous Chef on July 26, 2012
at 10:59
Hee hee – at least your son could be proud of his unique jersey. Thanks Sue. have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 26, 2012
at 11:10
the softness of the wool is perfectly captured in your photos. and I’m loving the cowl – a touch of elegance me thinks!
By: Promenade Claire on July 26, 2012
at 14:33
You are very kind Claire, thank you! Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 26, 2012
at 14:37
Admiring the handiwork.
By: divaofdelicious on July 26, 2012
at 17:47
Aah, thanks so much Christy! Have a happy day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 26, 2012
at 19:41
Lovely. You are a woman of MANY gifts.
I love all of them <3 Xxx
By: My Inner Chick on July 27, 2012
at 03:26
Kim, you are too kind, thank you! Have a beautiful love filled weekend.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on July 27, 2012
at 09:44
You too, Dear Mandy <3
By: My Inner Chick on July 30, 2012
at 01:53
*BIG HUGS*
By: thecompletecookbook on July 30, 2012
at 09:57
Hey you’re not just a pretty face, you can knit and crochet too! I love that cowl thing Mands, I want one in cream or pink or black please and also I need some leg warmers, my little leggies are cold today. Sorry for all the comments but havent been to visit your blog for ages and you’ve been such a busy bee! I wish I had one of your chocolate cupcakes with the caramel icing today…
By: moi du toi photography on July 27, 2012
at 11:52
Oh I do like they way you started your comment – thanks!
Hmm, leg warmers, my Nana made me zillions of pairs on her knitting machine. Wonder what ever happened to them… Seems you are going through some cupiecake withdrawals – we need to remedy that ASAP! Have a beautiful weekend and stay warm. 
By: thecompletecookbook on July 27, 2012
at 14:06
These are lovely! One day I’ll take up knitting. I’ve always wanted to learn.
By: Savory Simple on July 27, 2012
at 14:31
Thanks so much! Knitting is really very easy. Hope you get to start soon. Have a lovely weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 27, 2012
at 14:46
How creative you are Mandy. I hadn’t known that you knitted. I was taught as a young girl, but never kept it up. Very lovely, always nice to wear or receive a homemade classic!
By: spicegirlfla on July 27, 2012
at 15:41
So nice to have you back.
Have a beautiful weekend. 
By: thecompletecookbook on July 27, 2012
at 15:49
How much do I love ALL of the things you’ve made here?!?! A LOT!!!!!! Oh Mandy, you are SO talented at so many things. These are all so beautiful, I really do love them all. You’ve inspired me again my dear. It’s such a beautiful day here, I think I’ll take the knitting outside to the patio and sip iced tea and make something….anything.
Wonderful post dear! I love!!!!
By: Sarah on July 27, 2012
at 16:07
Sarah you are too kind, thank you! I am so pleased that you are inspired to knit something again -I look forward to seeing what you create. Enjoy the sunshine and warmth for me. Our winter temperatures are quite harsh at the moment. Have a beautiful weekend.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on July 28, 2012
at 11:07
You are a lady of many talents.
By: Karen on July 27, 2012
at 16:15
Thanks very much Karen. Have a lovely weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 28, 2012
at 11:08
Love the cowls Mandy! I’d totally wear one!!!
By: Kristy on July 28, 2012
at 00:50
It seems I have a few friends putting in orders. I could have a little business going in no time at all. have a lovely weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 28, 2012
at 11:08
the blankets are so beautiful! I so wish I had your talent!!
By: Martha on July 28, 2012
at 03:43
Martha, thank you so much and knitting and crochet is really very easy, promise. Have a happy weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 28, 2012
at 11:09
I always wanted to learn. My grandmother left me lots of beautiful handmade blankets. Maybe you really should start a little business. You could sell on etsy! Your work is beautiful!
By: Martha on July 29, 2012
at 01:55
You are too kind Martha, thank you! I would have to sell the blankets but think I would have to charge too much for the amount of time involved in making one. I could possibly look at the cowls and other items maybe… Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 29, 2012
at 10:34
What a lovely blankets someone will receive…:) Nice job!
By: Marina@ Picnic at Marina on July 28, 2012
at 07:05
Marina thank you very much! have a lovely weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 28, 2012
at 11:14
Beautiful work – thanks for sharing:)
By: cravesadventure on July 28, 2012
at 18:32
Renee, thank you so much! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 29, 2012
at 10:29
Your work is beautiful Mandy. What a beautiful gift to receive. I love the look of these blankets and yes, the baby will be snug and warm xx
By: hotlyspiced on July 29, 2012
at 12:18
Charlie, thank you so very much! Have an awesome Sunday.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on July 29, 2012
at 12:34
now those cowls look like just the thing for me in the winter, like my Mother i get a cold neck and so i am always wearing scarves, however when i am in the cow shed scarves invariably unravel threaten to strangle me, or get nibbled on my animals. But these cowls.. well .. I am not much of a knitter, wait are they knitted or crocheted? I shall jump on your link and see how they are made.. What a find! c
By: ceciliag on July 29, 2012
at 16:11
Celi, these cowls are perfect for you! The first one pictured is knitted and the second one is crocheted. I made the crochet pattern up as I went (I used a 10mm crochet hook and 2 50g balls of tweed wool. I made a chain of 120 which I could have reduced to 110 and then joined the chain with a slip stich to form a complete round. First round, 1 chain, skip first stich and work round in double crochet. Next 7 rounds, 3 chain, skip first stich, work in trebles. Last 2 rounds double crochet.) but is super easy and you will have a cowl in afternoon! Please give me a shout if I can help. Have a beautiful week ahead.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on July 30, 2012
at 09:56
Aahhh.. the pictures of these blankets warm my heart! When I had my baby showers; while I was truly grateful of all of the gifts we received, the ones I held dear to my heart were homemade items like these. So much love!
By: Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious on July 30, 2012
at 02:25
Yudith, thank you so very much! It’s true that homemade gifts are always treasured. Have a lovely week ahead.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 30, 2012
at 09:57
Hi Mandy,
These are so beautifully done! Love it.
By: Asmita (@FoodieAsmita) on July 30, 2012
at 18:58
Hi Asmita, thank you so much! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 31, 2012
at 09:32
you made those? What! That is so awesome. They are so pretty and what lucky little baby girl to get that blanket. They look so soft
By: Jessica Maher (@kbelleicious) on July 31, 2012
at 03:33
Thanks Belle, knitting and crochet are really not that difficult to learn. Have a beautiful day.
By: thecompletecookbook on July 31, 2012
at 09:33
I want to snuggle to those blankets!! My children receive baby blankets like this from our friend and it’s one of treasure that they will keep for their life. I wish I can make my own cowls (that’s how you call it – I just learned). I love the 2nd one – really stylish color and I love simple fashion like that… lovely!
By: Nami | Just One Cookbook on August 1, 2012
at 05:57
Thanks so much Nami. The cowl you like is very easy to make, you should give it a try. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2012
at 09:18
Really beautiful work, Mandy. Such nice gifts!
By: ChgoJohn on August 1, 2012
at 06:31
Thanks John! They were great fun to make. Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2012
at 09:18
You are sooo talented, Mandy! I love visiting Sarah’s Place and admire the knitting there and now I am admiring your lovely knitting! The baby blankets are so delicate and lacy.. perfect for gently wrapping a wee little baby:)xx
By: Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen on August 1, 2012
at 20:58
You are so kind dear Smidge, thank you.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on August 1, 2012
at 21:37