It’s been two weeks since the patterns and video tutorials for the Bullfinch Blanket has been published. I have seen so many lovely projects in my feed, thank you so much for sharing your work! I would like to take a moment to look back on the first few days and share some of the variations on the original design that I have seen in the Scheepjes Facebook groups.
Resources
- Bullfinch Blanket KNIT on Ravelry
- Bullfinch Blanket CROCHET on Ravelry
- Announcement of Bullfinch Blanket on It’s all in a Nutshell
- Bullfinch Blanket information on Scheepjes.com
- Written patterns on Scheepjes.com
- ** YARN KITS **
- Official Scheepjes Facebook Group – DUTCH / NEDERLANDS
- Official Scheepjes Facebook Group – INTERNATIONAL
- Social Media #itsallinanutshell #scheepjesckal #bullfinchblanket #scheepjesmegawhirl
To Gauge or not to Gauge?
We started the Bullfinch Blanket with a lot of emphasis on gauge. The simple reason is that if you use too much yarn for each square, you will run out before you have completed the blanket. I use weight as an estimate for gauge, and for some this was a new way of working. The simple reason why I use weight and not size, is because the squares are so wonky in the beginning. They are almost impossible to measure.
Take time to find the correct gauge, and yes, sometimes it means making several squares. Here a beautiful compilation of gauge squares by Rineke Rottiné. If you find yourself between gauges, go for the option where you are slightly below gauge. It’s better to have extra yarn left at the end than having too little yarn and not being able finish that last square!
I know some of you find the whole gauge thing way too complicated and just want to dig in and start to make the blanket. If you feel comfortable taking the risk and have a plan B if things don’t work out, then go for it!
Alternative Border for Knitted version
A totally fabulous version of the knitted Bullfinch Blanket has been made by Amanda Beaumont. She made two subtle changes that give a totally different look to the blanket. First she started the Mega Whirl from the outside, so with the dark blue color in stead of the coral color. Naturally this means that the border of the blanket now uses the coral color on the inside of the Mega Whirl. And that border is the second thing Amanda did differently. She has picked up stitches all the way around the blanket at once using a 150cm cable, and then worked a garter stitch border with increases in the corners. This variation for the border is closer to the crochet version of the blanket. You can find the instructions on how to make Amanda’s version of the border on her Ravelry project page HERE. Isn’t this blanket just fabulous!
Alternative Square Placement for Crochet version
Most of you are following the color placement given in the pattern, which means that your blanket will look very similar to the original version of the design. However, there is no reason why you can’t play around with the placement of the squares. Ingrid Schut did not go back and forth with the placement of squares like in the pattern, but started each row of squares on the same side of the blanket. That way the diagonals are more pronounced and seem to have a color of their own. Additionally, Ingrid’s version has 13 x 9 squares, and not 9 x 13 squares as in the pattern. This means that the long and short sides are in essence swopped around. There are more repeats of square 2 than in the pattern, and less repeats of square 3. She is working under the given gauge, which means that she has more yarn left and will have a wider border when finished.
Alternative Craft!
Some of you are using the Bullfinch Mega Whirl to make something different than the Bullfinch Blanket. I have seen several lovely crochet projects already, but one really stood out to me, and it’s a totally different craft altogether. Annemieke Dekker did not knit or crochet anything. No, she used the Mega Whirl to weave a blanket. I think this is the most amazing woven blanket I have seen in a long time. The colors seem to jump at you with happiness, I would so love to have a blanket like this one day.
Keep going
At this point it seems that most people have made around 15 to 20 squares. Just keep going, you’re doing great. Even if you have made only 2 squares, don’t worry. The patterns, videos and support will also be available in the future. Next week I will share a few WIPs of “original” Bullfinch Blankets. So please, keep sharing your work in the Scheepjes Dutch (Nederlands) language or English language (International) Facebook groups. We all love to admire each other’s work, and it’s a great place to ask for help and find encouragement.
About the Bullfinch Blanket
The Bullfinch Blanket is made from a single Scheepjes Mega Whirl, which is an extra large version of a “regular” Whirl. You can make the Bullfinch Blanket using the Mega Whirl or 3 identical Whirls of your choice. You can choose to make either the knit or the crochet version of the blanket. For both versions, there are full written patterns and video tutorials available.
You can buy the Dawn Chorus Bullfinch Blanket kit from Jimmy Beans Wools (US), Wool Warehouse (UK / international), Caro’s Atelier (NL/EU) or your local Scheepjes Stockist.
Scheepjes Whirl is available from Wool Warehouse (UK/Int), The Knitting Network (UK), Jimmy Beans Wool (USA), Caro’s Atelier (NL/EU), or your favorite Scheepjes stockist.
The Bullfinch Blanket is made from mitered squares in either a crochet version or a knitted version. Both versions showcase the beautiful color changes of the yarn where the squares are arranged in such a way that the color changes diagonally over the blanket. The squares are joined as you go, so no assembly at the end. Finally, after making 100+ squares, the blanket is finished with a bold border.
Written Patterns
The written patterns for the knit and crochet version of the blanket are available on Scheepjes.com and in the Scheepjes Dutch (Nederlands) language or English language Facebook groups. The written patterns are available in English (US & UK Terms), Dutch (Nederlands), and German.
Extra Support
The Bullfinch Blanket is hosted in the Scheepjes Facebook groups. If you are not part of these groups, feel free to join either the Dutch (Nederlands) language group or English language (International) group. These groups are also the perfect place to show your work or ask any questions you might have. The admin team is there to help.
#itsallinanutshell
If you are making something with one of my patterns or one of my videos, I would love to see your work. Use the hashtag #itsallinanutshell on Instagram to help me find it, share your work in my It’s all in a Nutshell Crochet Nuts group on Facebook or tag me in one of your posts.
With love,
Esther
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