Gather and Giggle

The day just flew by!
What a wonderful Monday morning at Jaime’s house. We decided to get-together during mid-winter break just to keep the rhythm going. There was plenty of visiting, and good food to eat, but not a lot of handwork happening.

We took a good look at the farmyard blanket by laying it out on the bed. There are a few squares connected, but lots of road work yet to be done. We discussed color and texture and logical placement of things. We decided there has to be a two track road, a sandy path leading to the river, and shrubbery, as well as the cobblestone path and the big gravel road. I hear the needle gnomes calling...get back to work!

The Knitted Farmyard Blanket Project

The cold days of Winter seem to be lingering for a while, but soon the first signs of Spring will appear in my window. Here in Michigan, we are used to the wait. I feel the warm sunshine streaming in. A robin lands on my tree branch. Farther down, men are filling potholes in the street. That particular road crew is not the only one at work....


A group of volunteers, affectionately nicknamed The Road Crew, are busy knitting the pieces that will connect our farmyard blanket squares. This talented team is working hard to have the job done by Spring.

We got the ball rolling nearly a year ago. In May 2008, an enthusiastic bunch of green and seasoned knitters gathered for the cast-on party of the Knitted Farmyard Blanket. Each participant received a pattern booklet, and later, her yarn. We watched a pair of students demonstrate how to knit on giant-size needles. We saw how the fairies knit on tiny toothpicks. Thus, we learned the importance of guage, how to read a pattern, and eventually, how to communicate these things to each other. Everyone looked forward to the year ahead, and wondered how it would all turn out.


Our Handwork Group has more than twenty dedicated knitters participating in this cooperative project. We have had our share of fun and frustration. We have learned new skills, knitted at our own pace, hosted get-togethers, and helped each other with tangles. We have truly benefitted from the journey. Our gratitude goes out to the staff of Living Crafts magazine, whose first issue (Winter 07) was our inspiration.