ripple & ripple
Simon has gone to Florida for a week and I'm left with a ripple blanket for comfort. So I decided to get the other sort of Ripple and have a few rippling nights (so close to, and yet so far from, that wonderfully old-fashioned English word 'ripping').
The ripple blanket is a great antidote to writing all day with hunched shoulders and with irregular hand movements over the key board. As soon as I pick up the crochet my shoulders relax, my hands go into soothing regular movements, and I wallow in the waves of colour washing around my knees. The children like it when I crochet because they can get much closer to me than when I'm knitting (and there's less risk of needle-related injury) and they like it even more when I announce it's ripples and Ripples all round.
The blanket is far from finished, but there is already enough for me to see plenty of lovely patterns and intriguing juxtapositions when it's folded or heaped or spread out. The photo above shows the bottom edge, and the one below shows the current working edge.
It's amazing all the variations you can achieve with such a simple pattern. I'm happy with the way the colours are working - this is Missoni meets Scottish Highlands - and I have even included a Galaxy Ripple chocolate brown ripple to make it all the more comforting.
Who needs to go all the way to Florida when you can ripple away at home?
Ripple in the US is a very cheap brand of wine. So when you said you were relaxing the "the other sort of Ripple," I was a bit surprised.
Chocolate seems MUCH more relaxing to me than cheap wine!
Posted by: Vicki in MIchigan | February 28, 2007 at 02:06 PM
I love the colors. I am inspired to crochet one of these blankets. They are so cheerful. I know how to crochet but have never been much fond of it. I think I can make it without buying a book, it looks like you crochet twice in two of the stitches on the top of the wave and crochet two together twice at the bottom. What I don't know is what do you on the sides to keep them straight. And the size of your hook. Can you share? BTW, Simon is lucky with weather this week. I have been in Florida around the 2/20 and it was below zero two nights and very cold during the days. We don't have Ripples here, in USA.
Posted by: v.j. kohout | February 28, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Aaah yes. The Galaxy Ripple. Now you're talking! ;-)
Posted by: Lesley | February 28, 2007 at 02:13 PM
I wasn't sure about the colours when you showed the yarn before beginning the blanket, but you obviously have a much better eye for colour than I - they work wonderfully together. The blanket is just lovely.
Posted by: Kirstie | February 28, 2007 at 02:30 PM
here in miami it's beautiful. Not too hot not too humid, but I guess your husband is not going to the beach... Anyways, beautiful ripples.
Posted by: rac | February 28, 2007 at 02:36 PM
Dear Jane (I just have to say dear Jane!), well, now I have to tell you that I started a ripple blanket of my own! And I do like it, surfing the waves (as you put it), changing colours... It's a very comforting, soothing and fun thing, just to ripple away!
Posted by: Brigitte | February 28, 2007 at 02:53 PM
I just love your afghans! In fact, I checked the pattern book you've used out of the library in order to make my own afghan! As soon as I find some yarn I like, I'll be making one for myself!
Posted by: Tammy S. | February 28, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Crochet would be less injury causing during snuggles with the children.
Your blanket looks so pretty and the chocolate looks very tasty. We don't get those here. Probably a good thing.
Posted by: Dorothy B | February 28, 2007 at 03:17 PM
thank you so much for the fotos! i have such an awful day, and it's all grey-in-grey in berlin - so i thought, have a short visit at jane's blog, maybe she's showing some lovely or colourful stuff...
i am very grateful for these colours today!!!
Posted by: sabine | February 28, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Have you ever crocheted with wool?
Posted by: kate | February 28, 2007 at 04:07 PM
I am so drawn to the Ripple!
I have even gone so far as to separate the dk and worsted stashes. Which one do you advise will work the best for Rippling?
Posted by: Linda | February 28, 2007 at 04:24 PM
You are an evil woman! I am now learning to crochet. I am reminded of being a child and throwing a Veruca Salt because I WANT ONE OF THOSE AND I WANT IT NOW!
Posted by: Gemma | February 28, 2007 at 04:33 PM
You are an evil woman! I am now learning to crochet. I am reminded of being a child and throwing a Veruca Salt because I WANT ONE OF THOSE AND I WANT IT NOW!
Posted by: Gemma | February 28, 2007 at 04:34 PM
Of course, there is that other classic Ripple from the Grateful Dead. It is my favorite.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00007LTIL001006/103-0759290-0530212
Liza, I went to Woodstock
Posted by: Liza | February 28, 2007 at 05:03 PM
Gorgeous and inspiring pictures,lovely text!
Posted by: Yarnlot | February 28, 2007 at 07:09 PM
In the US, Ripple is a very cheap wine. With you being a wine master, I wondered if Ripple had improved. Then I saw the chocolate and it all made sense.
Posted by: Pamela | February 28, 2007 at 07:25 PM
"Ripping" is a great word. My son and I are reading the books of E. Nesbit; after I made his favorite pasta for dinner the other night he called me a "spiffing brick."
Posted by: Cristina | February 28, 2007 at 08:20 PM
I started to waffle on in an eager kind of way, mentioning crochet, rock buns, beautiful artwork, inspiring handiwork etc.
I have deleted it all simply to say, keep up the excellent blog, and I am really looking forward to your book!!
Carole
From a very windy Normandy, with a supply of Ripples!
Posted by: Carole | February 28, 2007 at 08:29 PM
You could be watching Ripping Yarns while scoffing Ripples and ripping along with your ripple crochet. Just a thought.
Posted by: littlejennywren | February 28, 2007 at 09:46 PM
Oh, I was just going to mention Ripping Yarns with Michael Palin.
Lovelovelove Michael Palin in any form--travel stories, American Friends, K-k-k-Ken, even Monty Python. It would be nice to chat with Michael Palin while crocheting a ripping blanket.
Posted by: kathy merrick | February 28, 2007 at 10:36 PM
ah! the colours and ripples!
I was thinking about your colours yesterday when I saw this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hpnyknits/405364391/
Posted by: hPNY Knits | February 28, 2007 at 10:58 PM
another beautiful rippling blanket! you are amazing
Posted by: catherine | February 28, 2007 at 11:30 PM
Me encanta el COLOR de tu blog y ademas es apetitoso!.
Felicidades.
Posted by: PUNTO Y SEGUIDO | March 01, 2007 at 03:05 AM
It's beautiful! I'm so inspired.
Posted by: Sarah | March 01, 2007 at 04:07 AM
Hi, Jane: You've also inspired me to learn the double crochet and try this interesting blanket. Do you have a secret for putting the colors together or is this something genetic? Do you purchase the yarn all at one time, putting colors together at the store before you buy? I should read the pattern, maybe it tells how much for whatever size we want to make. I have already bought the book, so I hope I can pass the crochet test! Thanks for being such an inspiration. Janet in CA
Posted by: Janet | March 01, 2007 at 04:51 AM