I usually have a modicum of modest pride when I finish any crafty venture with a certain degree of success.
But I am not going to lie, I am really proud of this. I think this might be one of the most beautiful things I have ever made.
And I say that knowing there is as much pink as there is in it. I purposefully used all that pink in the blanket to make it easier for me to give away. Y'all know how I feel about pink (the pictures are not there--I don't know why, I need to work on that, but the text is still there).
However, in the process of making this, I may have come around on the whole "pink makes me want to vomit" perspective I originally had. Because sometimes, pink just works.
I had a lot of fun making this blanket, I had more fun taking the pictures after it was done. Why yes, I did move a white couch into my yard to take these pictures. And yes, my neighbors do, indeed, think I am cracked.
Babette is not a difficult pattern to crochet, it's just a tad time consuming ( I finished it in a little over a month--it was the only thing I worked on in the evenings). I would say that it is actually a good pattern for a beginner because the block that you are crocheting is pretty basic and you are just adding rounds for larger squares (seaming all the squares may make you want to cry; but, the crocheting, that part is easy). The pattern is well written and easy to understand, and there are gobs of people who have made this, and crafters are pretty generous about sharing information and helping out if you have questions--at least, that has been my experience.
I could see making this again, which is for the best since Little Sir decided that he needs one for himself at some point..."when [I] have time." Sigh.
I will put my notes and modifications in the gallery and on ravelry, in case you are interested.
Oh WOW! You have completely outdone yourself! I love it!
Posted by: Kristin | November 11, 2009 at 11:54 AM
OMG, it's so beautiful! What a work of art. I saw your pics on Ravelry and had to come over to the blog to see if you did indeed move your couch onto your lawn to take pics. You rock! LOL!
Btw, I don't like pink either. Maybe that's why everyone thinks my daughter is a boy because she is not dressed all in pink and frilly. I even purposely buy her shoes from the boys dept at Target because I can't stand all the glitter and rhinestones they put on the girl's sneaker.
Posted by: Oiyi | November 11, 2009 at 12:17 PM
You've come a long way since our college crochet evenings! :) Really quite beautiful. Don't suppose you could teach Little Sir to crochet... after all, his artist's eye... he could be the next Jared Flood and keep you in your knitting dotage.
Posted by: Kathy | November 11, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Crazy beautiful Nova. Might have to try the pattern as an intro to crochet.
Posted by: Dina | November 11, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Beautiful! I must admit the first thing I thought was did she REALLY move that couch outside for the pics?? AWESOME!!
Posted by: Kelly | November 11, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Magnificent!
I am in the not-a-lover-of-the-pink category myself, but I do agree that it works very well in your Babette.
I hope you plan to frame that last picture of Little Sir all wrapped in the blanket. It's adorable!!!
Posted by: Kirsten | November 11, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Absolutely STUNNING!!! I love the colors you chose! I think I might have to try my hand at crochet. What an inspirational piece of art you have created!!
The photos are fantastic too!!
Posted by: Brenna | November 11, 2009 at 03:10 PM
You are awesome. The blanket is gorgeous.
Posted by: Mandy | November 11, 2009 at 03:42 PM
It's amazingly beautiful! Incredible! Awesome!
Posted by: grumperina | November 11, 2009 at 04:56 PM
I love the blanket (but I love pink)..It was a genius idea to move the couch onto the lawn - the photos are amazing!
My only question is, how do you keep a white couch white with kids?
Posted by: Ingrid | November 11, 2009 at 06:55 PM
This is so beautiful! Great job! I love these types of very colorful designs but have thus far made only a needlepoint pillow cover in this vein. When needlepointing, the tails get pulled under as you work. Whereas with knitting and crocheting, I know I'd be stymied by the 3,281,109 ends to weave in at the end. I admire your fortitude.
Posted by: Kirsten | November 11, 2009 at 07:42 PM
It's gorgeous! It makes me want to crochet something myself. That's funny, I was going to ask about the couch, but you beat me to it. What yarn did you use?
Posted by: Yarndude | November 11, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Wow!! It's absolutely incredible!!! So so beautiful!!! great blanket!!! it's really lively! Congratulations!
Posted by: Silvia | November 12, 2009 at 05:50 AM
That is fabulous. I LOVE that you dragged the couch outside (a white couch with 2 small kids, woman?) -- I can't imagine it photographed any other way!! It's stunning. Brava!!
Posted by: Vicki | November 12, 2009 at 04:18 PM
So beautiful Nova!! Love the photos, too!
Posted by: Stacey | November 16, 2009 at 11:55 AM
That is gret, and love the outdoor photos on the white couch. That would be put in my book as the perfect blanket to get healthy under. When I'm sick, a cheery blanket always perks me up.
Posted by: Rebekah | November 16, 2009 at 05:07 PM
I'm in love. The white couch totally did the trick (photographically). This is truly fantastic.
Posted by: MissFixKnit | November 20, 2009 at 06:45 PM
i love your babette! it's like a cozy rainbow of joy. :)
Posted by: opal | November 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
It's beautiful! And congratulations on finishing - I see a lot of unfinished projects on Ravelry - mine included! You've inspired me to bump it up my queue :)
Posted by: ~buzzybee~ | December 03, 2009 at 03:07 PM
That is beautiful - and how awesome that you actually took your white sofa into the garden. I salute your dedication to blogging.
Posted by: jane | December 05, 2009 at 03:30 PM