mending the Omama blanket




We have a naughty dog that likes to burrow under blankets. This unfortunately does not bode well for the peaceful co-existence of dog and precious blankets. One of my favourite blankets, the Omama blanket is also one of the most delicate blankets I have made. Coincidentally, it is also the first blanket I have ever completed, well before the time I had this blog. The photos above are from 2011, the year during which I worked on the blanket. Sam looks nothing like the teenager he is now! 

We always called my granny Omama. The blanket is made of granny squares, hence I called the blanket Omama blanket.

I used Noro Kureyon for this simple granny square blanket. You know by now that I have a bit of a soft spot for luxurious yarns, yes? Noro yarns are high up on my list of desirable yarns. Kureyon is pure wool and probably one of the least luxurious Noro yarns available. Most contain silk, or mohair or other scrumptious fibres. I have been hoarding this yarn for a long time and have been adding to the stash whenever I found some cheaply. Each square is made up of one ball of Noro Kureyon, 10 rounds. I used a basic granny square pattern you can find in so many places online and in crochet books that I won't explain here how to make one. 

Last winter I made the mistake of leaving the blanket in the living room, with puppy Jack. If you have used Noro Kureyon you'll know it is not a strong yarn, it is loosly spun and breaks easily. Not the best choice for a granny square blanket I shall admit but I was at the time infatuated with this yarn. This is what happened:


There were two ripped squares, unfortunately not next to each other. I shoved the blanket to the back of my wardrobe and ignored it for a long time. Every now and then I would remember it guiltily. Two weeks ago I decided it was time to get it out and fix the damage. I had to unravel the border and a large proportion of the joint squares to get to the two damaged ones. The damage was beyond my fix-it skills and I made replacement squares (because I still have some yarn left in my stash....). 



I then spent some time assembling the blanket to its former glory. I use a simple slip stitch to do that. For the assembly and the border, I used New Lanark Aran yarn from my stash, 'bramble' is the colour I think. I just love this yarn. It is made in New Lanark, which is very close to us. It is a really interesting place to visit if you are ever up here. The mill owner back in the 1900s was a bit of a innovator in that he offered his mill workers and their families unusually good working conditions, and ensured that all children were schooled. I made a two round border with American single crochet stitches.




I am happy to have my blanket back. It is just a shame I am not sitting in this armchair at the moment but at my desk at work. In my time management system, I have a project called 'general faffing', which is exactly what I am doing just now (most of the post was written last night, I only added one photo and this last paragraph today, in case you are wondering if I ever get any work done).

As always, thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. I do appreciate your visits and love to read every comment. There are moments when your comments are the kindest thing that happens to me. This morning for example my six year old called me a stupid pig because I asked him to put his pjs away before breakfast. There is some sort of name calling competition in our house at the moment I think. Alistair may well be in the lead....



Have a good week. Cxx

Comments

  1. Wow, Christina. I am so impressed. This blanket is really beautiful and your repairs are so clever. It's as good as new, I think. The colors are so pretty. I love everything about this blanket. You are so not a "stupid pig," I hope you know that. Kids are just mean sometimes. I'm sorry your day started with that. I hope it has improved and that your week is going well so far. :)

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  2. wonderful blanket I am glad you repaired it, now keep the dog away :-)

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  3. That is a beautiful blanket, I love the wool you used and the colours in it. Its great to cross those big jobs you've been putting off off the list! I get called names at the school where I work quite often by the children, they're from "severely deprived" socio-economic backgrounds! Today I had a six year old girl punch me (not hard!) and tell me I am awful and she's never going to listen to me and she doesn't have to do what I say! It wears you down day after day so I hope the situation improves for your family soon!

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  4. Hey Christina,
    Aren't children little charmers sometimes? Of course they don't really mean it, but it can hurt. Once again I am staggered by your crafting ability. I have started a blanket project for my Mum. It will be a very simple throw that I hope to have finished for Christmas. If not, then it will be for her birthday. The colours are similar to those in your beautiful blanket. And can I just say that I love the colour of your chair. That' the exact same colour I'd like for my childhood chair that needs to be re-covered.
    Leanne xx

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  5. You have done a great job repairing the blanket. I love it, it's so colourful. I feel like time is getting away from me at the moment so there must be something in the air. x

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  6. Such a beautiful blanket, glad you were able to rescue it.

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  7. I know exactly what you mean about comments being the kindest words you receive, that happens to me sometimes too! What a great job you've done on the blanket. I had a sharp intake of breath when I saw the damage, but you've repaired it beautifully. CJ xx

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  8. Oh dear, that wasn't a very nice way to start the day! It can only get better (hopefully). You did a good job fixing the blanket. I wouldn't have fancied having to take off the border and split up the squares before starting to put in new squares. I love the New Lanark wool - we went to the mill last year - I'm using it for my poncho. The colour I'm using is Forest but I'm pretty sure I have a ball of the colour you used for your border - it was used with a variety of the other colours to make squares for a bag. I haven't joined them yet!

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  9. Oh - meant to say - in my time management system in work I book my time to 'Keep the lights on'!

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  10. naughty puppy....... you've done a wonderful repair job xxxx

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  11. Hmm, a stupid pig. Maybe you could have used that as a teaching moment to inform him that pigs are actually rather smart. ;) Kudos to you for taking the plunge and fixing the blanket. As being the owner of multiple dogs, I can imagine the fury you must have felt.

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  12. I have also had trouble with a join as you go granny. It is my most often damaged crochet blanket. Just last week I repaired over 10 holes - all right in the middle of the granny where I had started the square with a magic ring! I used Bamboo-Ewe yarn. My acrylic blankets hold up so much better but I prefer to use natural fibers. I'm not sure if it the dog's nails, my kids being rough with the blanket or just the poor strength of the yarn I used but it's very disappointing. Feeling your blanket pain..

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  13. It's a beautiful blanket and you have done a super job fixing it. It looks so perfect draped over your yellow armchair. Just make sure Jack doesn't get to it, it would be a shame if it's damaged again. I'm sorry you were called a 'stupid pig', I'm sure he didn't mean it, and I hope the rest of your day got better after that. Take care and have a good week! X

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  14. Oh my goodness what a beautiful blanket! Your choice of colours are just perfect, I have some square stashed away somewhere, you have given me the nudge to dig them out get on with them :)

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  15. You made a lovely job of repairing the your blanket - it's beautiful and worth spending the time on. My mother-in-law always says that children bring us certain grief and unexpected joy - I'm sure the same goes for puppies too :o) Enjoy the rest of your week xx

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  16. What a stunningly beautiful blanket. So pleased you managed to repair it. I remember that name calling phase... It does pass!

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  17. What gorgeous Jewel colours in your beautiful blanket, this was so worth your painstaking repair. Here's to more general faffing breaks, an essential part of any working day.

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  18. I love the way you spent the time to repair the damage, if it was me it probably would still be in the cupboard . The colours are gorgeous and you have it ready just in time for the colder weather. I am new to your blog and I am already loving it! Hope you have a better evening. B x

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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