Mandala Madness - Part 9

Part 9 is now complete so that theoretically is halfway as there is 18 parts to this blanket. This has probably been the easiest of all the parts to date so far and was very welcome after doing all those long stitches from the previous part. Although they were not difficult to do, once I had got the hang of them, getting the tension and placement meant extra pressure as it would have been very obvious if either of those things were wrong. There would have been no option but to frog and redo.

The shape of the blanket is changing again. There are now very visible points being formed that lie directly above the centre of the long stitch section. It will be very interesting to see how these are integrated into the plan and shape in the next part. I am still able to keep up with the repeat pattern of colours on both of the double knit versions, although this does take careful thought how it will precede and I have needed to work this out prior to starting as I cant follow the colour change that is suggested in the instructions. I don't think it is going too badly!

As you can see I finally have finished my first "cake" in the colour change wool version. I had to go and have a look and try and match up my work in the wool shop to see which one of the Scheepjes whirl would go in next. I original wanted to use the same one again but the shop had sold out of it and I was too impatient to wait for the next delivery and no where else where I live sells it so plan B had to be put into action. At the moment I have just started and the first colour is lilac and it is just starting to very slowly get lighter. I am quite liking this new colour and want to keep working on this version to see how the change goes in!

No new stitches to learn this time and I can't help but feel that where this round has been so nice and straight forward that it might be the calm before the storm with part 10 coming next and I've heard that it is a challenge. Bring it on!

Onto part 10 ...........................

Mandala Madness - Part 8

Well I have finally finished part 8 on all three of the blankets and have completed a new stitch that I have not done before. This part uses a long stitch, well more than one version of a long stitch if I am to be precise. It just depends on how many times around the hook the long stitch has. I was a bit concerned on how it would work on the colour change version. I knew there would be enough texture difference to work but what about colour difference. I needn't have worried as the change in colour was good and just enough. The lilac that is coming in was enough of a contrast over the treble clusters but not too much.

The double knit versions are really starting to show in size now. Doing the long stitch round (once I had got the hang of it) did seem to take a while but it is to be expected. I can imagine that future rounds are going to take an awful lot longer, especially if they are heavy on technique. Although I did find it a bit tricky to get the hang of, and I did have to have a couple of goes at it to get the tension right, I am pleased with how the colour pink "pops" over the base colour and also the other accent colour. Either grey on the white blanket or blue on the black blanket. I am really pleased with how they are yet again changing and the new stitches I am learning.

Onto part 9 .................

Mandala Madness - Part 7

Well that's part 7 completed on all of the three blankets and they have started to have a subtle shape change again. Rather than staying as a star shape (that part 6 finished on) there is a curve section that is starting to grow in the base of the inverted points. This has been done with treble clusters, to start to fill it in and then on the next round, little shells have been which makes it look like a little fan behind. I like with the double knit versions that this part has been done with green wool and ties in very nicely with the ruffle stitch that was done in part 3.

I really enjoyed doing the bobble stitch last time so was really pleased to see that it is repeated again in this part. With both my double knit versions the bobbles are in different colours, one in pink and one in the base colour of either black or white. I like how this adds to the texture with my choice of repeated colours although I am sure when I get a bit further out I will have to carefully work out which rounds I colour change on. With the colour change wool (the Schjeepes whirl) I was concerned with the bobbles again that the subtle colour change might not be so subtle as you have to turn your work and go in the opposite direction and then change back again. I didn't want a section that looked a bit stronger in colour than the other side especially as it is getting bigger now and I cant get all the way around before the colour change comes in. It didn't show though so I was really pleased with that. The "cake" is getting close to finishing so I am going to have to go and buy another one and decide whether or not to keep going with the same one or try a new one. The colour has now gone into the dusky pink shade and is leaving very little of the old colour. Coming up is lilac and that will be the end shade.

Onto part 8 ....................