Finished Object Friday - LEGO Baby Blanket

This post should also be titled, Oh My Goodness, It's Done! part 2.  Seriously, this blanket that you have seen in countless WIP Wednesdays is finally done.  When I found the pattern, the author said it was a bit time consuming but I didn't realize that it would take 4 months.  Granted this blanket was not hard, just a lot of repeating blocks and lots of seaming.

I can't believe how far I have come since that first baby blanket.  I re-read that post and realized I was hinting about the LEGO blanket even then.  In general, that feeling of accomplishment is pretty addicting.and I hope to get the other blankets I have in the works done.

Well for the final review, Here is the LEGO Blanket.

The Whole Blanket

I used the LEGO Baby Blanket Pattern from All Things Bright and Beautiful.  I found this blanket on Pinterest and fell so madly in love with it, I knew I had to make it.

My Pinterest Knitting and Crochet Board

So when I started it I chose similar colors from the pattern but switched the stone color for a green.  I used Lion Brand Cotton ease in, Snow, Maize, Lime, Turquoise and Cherry.

Of which, I used about 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 Skeins of each color to make the 9X9 rectangle blanket.

Close up of the Boarder

81 Rectangles later, I used a half double crochet stitch to join the blocks.  The boarder is another area that I deviated from the pattern.  I did a round of half double crochet and then a round of double crochet in white.  Then  I did a reverse single crochet in Maize to finish the boarder.  I love this finishing touch because it frames the colors and is very appropriate for a little boy.

So what do you think?  Does it look like LEGOs?

The blanket is really heavy but in a good way!

It looks so nice all folded up!

Even the back is lovely!

I am so happy it's done and I can share it with all of you!

Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis!
<3 Heather

Details:

For more detailed about the progress and a ton of pictures visit my project page on ravelry

Patten - LEGO Baby Blanket here is etsy site from the author
Crochet Hook - Size G/4.0mm may need to adjust to get gauge
Yarn -  Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Cherry, Lime, Maise, and Turquiose
Duration - 4 months
Size - 9 rectangles by 9 rectangles or 81 blocks
Gauge - You need to ensure there are no gaps in the rectangle,

Reminicing of my Travels to Germany in 2004

The weather today has gotten cooler but last week we had 80° F days which reminded me of my Germany trip in 2004.  With spring in the air, everything is starting to get green and beautiful and its almost as close as the greens of the fields when I flew into Munich in May of 2004.

Taken from the Bus on the way to Neuschwanstein Castle

I had always wanted to study abroad but the demand of engineering posed a challenge so instead there were a few classes offered that allowed to 2 week abroad experiences.  I went to Germany after my Freshman Year and studied German industries.  I also went to Brazil after my Junior Year to study sustainability.  (More on that in another post)

Anyway, this was my first trip out of the Country.  I was so nervous because the political climate was still unsettled from 9/11 and we were instructed not to draw attention to ourselves while we traveled.  I had flown before but this was a longer flight and I just wanted to see the place where my family originated. (I am of German decent). 

I was no naive now that I look back but really what 18 year old isn't?  It was an interesting experience trying to communicate in a language that was foreign to me.  Luckily we were in a group but we still had some time to explore Augsburg (where we stayed) on own quite a bit.   I loved how timely the transportation systems were and wish ours were better.

We were there to learn and compare USA and German industries from a business and engineering point of view.  We visited Beer manufacturers, Audi manufactures, Computer and Semi-Conductor manufacturers as well as robotics manufacturers.   We got free samples of the Beer but not of the Audi's we got to see being built.  :) 

On a side note, I left home hating beer and came back a beer snob.  ;o)

In addition to the  the industry tours there were cultural to Neuschwanstain Castle and the Alps.  Really this was just a breath taking day.  The castle both inside and outside was gorgeous!  The Mountains take your breath away and there was even snow still at the top of the Mountain top we visited.

I took this picture and I still can't believe how amazing it turned out.

This was on the way to the Castle Overlook Bridge.  Aren't the Alps Stunning!

On the Gondola to the Top of one of the Mountains in the Alps.

I did break my toe earlier in the trip falling down a set of stairs but really nothing was keeping me from visiting this place.  I took my time and finally made it up the steep path but it was worth it!


I wish there were more breathtaking places like this in my hometown but therein is the challenge.  Finding the beautiful in everything we see and capturing it.  Being ready to grab the brilliant orange sunsets, catching the flowers and trees in bloom.  Seeing the everyday with new eyes.

I hope to take more pictures now that the weather is nicer and find old places that take my breath away and are new again.

What's in a Name?

So, now that you've met me you want to know more right?  For instance what is the Amaryllis that you speak of?  Is it a favorite character from a musical? Is it an anagram of my name?  Is it in memory of a beloved pet?

Really it's none of these.  Amaryllis is a type of bulb flower typically sold in the winter months because it can bloom in doors. (thanks wikipedia!) I know this for a fact because my Great Grandmother (AKA Grandma Lily) was an avid gardener and had 4-5 of these flowers in various stages of bloom all year round.  But I know what your thinking, that really doesn't explain the name; just get to the point already.

If you insist :)

While thinking about a name for a blog/journal I was sitting in my living room/dining room staring off into space when I finally focused on the poster I have framed on the wall.

TA DA!  An Amaryllis, and there the name was born.  Not only was it an object of my mindless wandering but it also has a familial connection that made it perfect.  Later on I looked up the meaning of the flower (Did you know flowers have meanings?  Fascinating but that's another blog post) and realized this was the perfect flower for me.

THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF
amaryllis

Legend has it that the amaryllis - the stunning red flower we've come to associate with the holidays - began as a shy, timid nymph. Amaryllis fell deeply in love with Alteo, a shepherd with Hercules' strength and Apollo's beauty, but her affections were unrequited.  Hoping that she could win him over by bestowing upon him the thing he desired most - a flower so unique it had never existed in the world before - Amaryllis sought advice from the oracle of Delphi.

Following his instructions, Amaryllis dressed in maiden's white and appeared at Alteo's door for 30 nights, each time piercing her heart with a golden arrow.  When at last Alteo opened his door, there before him was a striking crimson flower, sprung from the blood of Amaryllis's heart.  With this romantic - albeit tragic - tale as its beginning, it's not surprising that today the amaryllis has come to symbolize pride, determination and radiant beauty. (Courtesy of teleflora.com)

 So a not only did I name this blog after a poster and my Grandma Lily's memory but the flower itself suits my personality.  Proud and determined are two of my traits that I got from all of the lovely women in my family and I can't wait to tell you more about them!

<3 Heather

Welcome to Amaryllis Musings

Welcome to my blog!  I have wanted to start a blog for quite sometime but managed to come up with a mirriad of excuses.  I didn't have a vision, I didn't have a point, so why should I bother with this medium anyway. The kicker of them all was, who would want to read my ramblings?

Then things changed, I lost my mother in November of 2011 and I realized that I wanted to record my life.  I wanted to record my memories from her and my family as well as my journey forward.  This became my point of view.

My mom and I at Phipps Conservatory December 2010

So what are you going to find here?  Well, I guess I better tell you about myself, first let's start with the basics:

Name:  Heather
Occupation:  Engineer and Part Time Masters Student

Hobbies: Nerd, Foodie, Crochet/Knitting, Reading, Hockey Fan (Particularly Pittsburgh Penguins), Volunteering

In general, I plan to use this space to tell you about what I am crafting, tell you about the food I am making or cool sciency things.  But mainly, talk about what's going on and tell you stories about my mom.


<3 Heather