Once again I find myself turning to this wonderful, forgiving and soothing craft. When the Corona virus started to overwhelm me (sometime a couple of weeks ago...), unbalance me and put fear in me, I picked up a box of thrifted embroidery wool and a basket of wool and acrylic scraps and started making circles. With no idea in mind I wanted to just make something really simple, repetitive, colorful and soothing. It could have been granny squares (it is still my number one!!!), but I chose circles. Maybe because the shape is round. Round is embracing. Like holding-hands-being-together-in-all-this-in-ring-of-roses... I like to think of it that way.
When I can't focus, lack energy, feel overwhelmed, stressed or just need some peace of quiet, I retreat to my bench in the garden and make one circle after another. Picking the colors randomly. No rush, No design in mind, no restricted color theme, just circles. We got enough restrictions to follow already. I juts mix and match colors as a go and that in itself is pure therapy. I think I will call this blanket The Blanket Of Hope. Yeah, that feels just about right.
Some of you have asked for the pattern and of course the pattern is out there in Cyber world already. The pattern goes under names such as Circle In Square, Sunburst Granny Square, Starburst Granny Square and they all have slight differences.
I have already made a Circle In Square Blanket before myself (see it here with all WiP details) which now belongs to my mother. As I have had some requests, I thought I'll share my way of doing my circles with you in the next couple of days. Maybe you too want to make your own mindless, soothing and healing Blanket Of Hope to help you stay sane in all this Corona virus madness. The next upcoming days I will share what you need, measurements of blanket and squares and how to make the circle. Stay safe. Peace in - peace out!
Kärlek
Annette
Annette
FOLLOW My Rose Valley HERE:
It's good to hear from you, and I look forward to further circular posts. It's mostly too warm here now for shawls, but seeing your Nordic shawl on the sidebar again reminds me of the grey/white/red one I have put away in the closet, and makes me smile. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara-Kay
DeleteNice to see you around.:) Where about are you if it is too warm for shawls? I'm tempted to start a new shawl, I just made one for myself as I've given away all my other ones. It is a pattern I never get tired of. But for now I make my circles. Take care and thanks for popping in.
Xxx
I'm in south/central Louisiana. It is supposed to be in the upper 80's F all week - crazy warm for March, even here.
DeleteBetween Granny Squares (which are comfort food for my heart, hands and soul) and your "embracing" circles...we can get through this "time that tries our souls!"
ReplyDeleteDear Jan
DeleteTrue that. Amen to your words. Thank you.
Xxx
Hi Annette, first let me say how happy I am that you are back in the blogging world! I know I have really missed you along with many others. I really like your blanket of hope as well as the other one you made for your mother and the striped beauty! Stay safe, enjoy the time with your family, the world will get through this eventually! Love how you're making the best of it. Warmest regards from sunny Florida.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda
DeleteTHANK YOU for your sweet message. I'm so pleased to be welcomed back with these warming words. It is true that we eventually will get through these hard times. Hopefully earlier than later bit for right now I'm not so sure it will we be any time soon... However, I think that something good will come out of this crisis too in the end. Changed views of what's important in life to mention one big thing. Take care down there in the heat (many of my husband's family members live down there) and see you around.
Xxx
Hi Annette,
ReplyDeleteI get so excited by your colourful squares. They're so pretty and happy. This a nice project to work on in these times I think. I'm so excited that you're going to show us how you're doing the circles. I hope you and your family are doing fine, despite the crisis we're facing.
Have a good weekend.
Sweet greetings,
Emily
Hi Emily
DeleteSo nice to see you here. Thank you for popping in and saying hi. Take care of you and your near and dear. See you around.
Xxx
Annette, your blog brings me peace as I have a day off from my work as a nurse. Things here in western Washington have been concerning and scary for those of us in health care. Reading your blog messages free my mind from stress and worry. So glad to "see" you again. Sending virtual hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteLinda
HI Linda
DeleteHow wonderful to hear! It makes me very happy that I can help to bring some peace of mind to a super-soldier like you working in health care. Sending courage, strength and hope to you that it all will be better soon.
Xxx
Thank you, Annette, for brightening my day with her blog posts. They are a stress-reliever for me, as I am working as a nurse in an area of the USA that has many Covid-19 cases. There is plenty of worry and concern here, and thank you for sharing some happy thoughts in the midst of the struggle.
ReplyDeleteCrochet is a great help to us in these difficult times. Working with colour is therapeutic in itself and of course the act of crocheting is calming! I have several things on the go, including a project of circles in squares which I am loving. I will follow the progress of yours as well!
ReplyDeleteWhen we cannot get out to see friends and family, our online friends are a huge comfort! For those of us living on our own, it's a life-saver!
I'll be putting up some of my crochet projects on my blog today!
Hi Sandra
DeleteI find crochet being a great healer and overall I'm so happy I have a hobby. Would be really difficult otherwise to be isolated like this. I'll pop over to see your latest projects. Take care "down town". \
Xxx
Yes Annette, it would be great to have something "normal" to look forward to and your wee blanket would be the perfect antidote to everything that's happening right now.
ReplyDeleteStay safe!
Hi
DeleteThank you. That is how I feel too. Happy to hear my intention to spread some normality in this abnormal situation is working.
Warm wishes
Xxx
Nice one. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteYour blogging and instagraming really makes a difference to me. For many years I have been grateful and received so much from those 'friends' online who I feel I know in a small way but definitely care about. I like reading comments as well.
ReplyDelete'Normal' is very important and being part of communities and connecting is part of keeping that going. Never feel that you are not important as the online world and the words you put out into it can be so life enhancing both to people like me who do comment but also to the many more readers who don't. We can all feel your warmth coming from a good kind heart and feel better for knowing you - which in your case comes from sharing with integrity and truth. My online friends make a vital difference to me. Please know that you are admired for your honesty and thoughtfulness and all round loveliness and caring for others.
We will all adjust to our new normal, it just takes a little time of course and this too will pass I am sure and more stable and secure times will be ours once more.
I hope you have a good calm, worry-free, happy and peaceful day.
Hi
DeleteI totally agree with you that a new normal will be necessary to live through these challenging times. I'm happy if my blog can contribute to that new normal. Thank you for popping in and taking your time to comment. Much appreciated.
Xxx