This is the time of year when I look forward to crisp autumn days; sunny, but not too cold. Days when a denim jacket, paired with my favorite chunky crocheted cowl, is just right. But lately I’ve had no such luck.  It’s rainy, cold, and dark. Not the best weather to go apple picking or for going on day trips along the coast. It’s been so chilly around here that I was seriously thinking about buying one of these:

The cold weather is, on the other hand, perfect for staying inside and working on the Cozy Stripe blanket I started back in March.

This is a free pattern from Attic 24 . I love Lucy’s bright and cheerful blankets. I’ve admired her blog and her patterns for years.  Being able to make granny square blankets was the main reason I wanted to learn to crochet. When I was ready to start a blanket, I went to Attic 24 to pick a pattern. There were so many gorgeous patterns, and in the end I chose the Cosy Stripe. I figure it’s a great place to start. It’s sort of half-way to doing granny squares; double crochet plus crocheting into the spaces between stitches, but with no circles. It’s perfect for a beginner—simple and soothingly repetitive but not boring. I love the color changes and seeing the stripes grow!

I started my Cosy Stripe in March, and worked on it on and off for a couple of months. I picked it up again in July and worked on for the rest of the summer in air-conditioned bliss. Sometimes it seemed like forever to make one stripe. I timed it, and it takes me 45 minutes to an hour to do one stripe. I crochet in front of the TV though, so occasionally I look up at the screen. Yet I also miss a lot of what’s happening on TV…

I’m using Stylecraft Special DK, the British-made yarn suggested for the pattern. It’s 100% acrylic, reasonably priced, and comes in a ton of beautiful colors. One ball sells for approximately $2.44 US. It’s very soft to the touch.  I shopped the U.K.’s Wool Warehouse . They have a special Attic 24 shop online, where they sell project kits for Lucy’s patterns. This kit includes 15 balls of yarn (one of each color needed) and the pattern printed on double-sided cardstock.  The kits come in a wonderful mesh project bag. It sells for £26.50, which is approximately $35.00 US. The pattern makes a twin-size blanket. I want to make a full-size blanket so I ordered two kits to double the width.

Ordering from Wool Warehouse was a pleasure. My Cosy Stripe kits arrived in a little over a week.  I’ve placed more orders with Wool Warehouse since, and have been very happy with the products, customer service and delivery time.  I’ve ordered another Attic 24 blanket kit, an Attic 24 bag kit, and some yarn for a few other projects on my to-do list. I enjoy British magazines like Inside Crochet, Knitting and The Knitter, so Wool Warehouse is a great place to buy yarns not made in the U.S. that can be hard to find here.

These colors are amazing! Ending one stripe and starting the next is so much fun.

I’ll be working on this blanket for weeks/months to come. But that’s OK. I’m perfectly happy to sit and crochet in front of the TV.  I’ve been enjoying a wide variety of programming such as Shetland, Expedition Unknown, The Shining, and Trolls, to name a few shows.

The blanket is now big enough to keep my knees warm while I work.

Oh yeah, speaking of warm, I broke down and bought that Harry Potter pajama onesie. I kind of feel like a giant toddler in it but I regret nothing! It’s soft and snuggy and warm! Just don’t expect to see any photos of me wearing it on here.