I had a sort out the other day and decided that the time had come to get rid of some clothes that were really beyond repair. Initially, I was going to send all of them for recycling, but then I realised that there was some good fabric left in some of them, so I set-to with my pinking shears and chopped up some old pairs of pyjamas to make cleaning cloths/dusters. They are 100% cotton and so there are no plastic microfibres to shed. I put the off-cuts (the bulky seams mainly) in the recycling and ended up with a nice big pile of eco-friendly cloths and a little pile of waste.
Actually, this wasn’t my main scrappy activity this month, but I wanted to share it anyway. My scrappy focus has, in fact, been on crocheting a blanket. A couple of years ago I bought a kit from Colinette (the company is, alas, no more) and made a knitted blanket. The blanket turned out beautifully and I use it regularly:
but there was rather a lot of scrap yarn left over. I originally planned to use this yarn in a blanket for charity, but the more I considered it, the less suitable it seemed – lots of different textures and rather too fluffy for easy washing. Nevertheless, I made a start on it sometime last year, beginning with a central square made from some purple yarn that had been given to me – some one else’s scraps! And then I got distracted… other charity blankets were made, other projects embarked upon and completed and this one languished as a UFO*.
In the past month, however, I have been revisiting abandoned on-going projects and I decided the time had come to get this one finished. A secondary incentive is that I know who I want to give it to: a friend who is having a hard time, but who is too far away to go and see in person. The idea is that I’m sending a hug in the form of a blanket. So, my hook has been flying and the scraps have been gobbled up – including additional oddments from my collection of left-over yarns. There’s quite a lot of mohair in the mix, so the blanket will be especially snuggly, plus they are cheerful colours and I’m hoping they will brighten my friend’s day. What do you think?
It isn’t finished yet, but I am nearly there. I’m hoping to be able to send it on it’s way within the next week.
I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate, who provides links to other (mostly sewing) ScrapHappy bloggers at Tall Tales from Chiconia on the fifteenth of every month… do check them out.
-oOo-
* UnFinished Object
The Snail of Happiness 
katechiconi
/ February 15, 2018Well, it would certainly cheer me up, and it and your cleaning cloths are in the very best tradition of Scrappiness and making something out of nothing very much. The blankie is truly a warm Snail hug personified, so congratulations and I hope your friend feels much better as a result.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2018It should be finished by the weekend and then it will be pack off and on it’s way… I am hoping that this will actually be better than a hug, because it doesn’t come with the need for any other interaction.
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nanacathy2
/ February 15, 2018A blanket hug, just lovely and I really like the blanket. I cut up tatty old clothes for cleaning clothes. Husbands pants make smashing car cleaning rags.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2018Yay for old pants!
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Suzi Atkinson
/ February 15, 2018Blanket is beautiful. It will be such a cheerful surprise for your friend.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2018I do hope it gives some comfort and raises a smile.
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nothingbutknit2
/ February 15, 2018Gorgeous!! What a lovely gift. Your friend will be thrilled:)
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Nice Piece of Work
/ February 15, 2018It’s a beautiful blanket and a beautiful thought. I hope it helps your friend realise she isn’t alone. ❤
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coppicelearner
/ February 15, 2018It is gorgeous! I hope it cheers your friend up. And happy housework 😇
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Shirley
/ February 15, 2018What a lovely thought. Gorgeous colours for your friend to enjoy 🙂
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Laurie Graves
/ February 15, 2018That lovely blanket would brighten anyone’s day.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 15, 2018I do hope so. I’m quite worried about the friend that it’s going to.
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Laurie Graves
/ February 15, 2018So sorry! Hope things work out for her.
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thecontentedcrafter
/ February 15, 2018That blanket is gorgeous – my goodness it will bring much comfort to your friend I’m sure! I love especially the edging you have made. I really must haul out my leftovers this coming winter and see what I can make – this is inspirational!!
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tialys
/ February 15, 2018I definitely think this will brighten your friend’s day – how could it not? Apart from the lovely purple fluffiness of it, she will know you are thinking about her and that can’t fail to lift somebody’s spirits.
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magpiesue
/ February 15, 2018It certainly doesn’t look like it was made of scrap yarn! This is delicious! Your friend is going to love it. I know I would!
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Donnalee
/ February 15, 2018I love the colours in all of these, even the dusters, and think they work great together. I thought maybe you would cut them up into strips and crochet them into rugs or something with a fat crochet hook–
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Lyn Thomas
/ February 15, 2018Your friend is blessed to have such a thoughtful friend in you. I hope your hug lifts her spirits and cuddly warm.
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yarnandpencil
/ February 15, 2018It’s a beautiful blanket. Your friend will be delighted 🙂
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Ann Pole
/ February 18, 2018I think I can guess where it is going, and think it will be well loved and well used. I’m worried too.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 18, 2018I send a letter about 10 days ago but I haven’t had a response, but I’m hoping this gift will give an even stronger message.
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sewchet
/ February 20, 2018Both great ways to use up/recycle scraps. I do the same with worn out clothes and also made a scrappy blanket last year! Hope your friend loves the blanket – the fuzzy mohair makes it the perfect ‘hug’.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ February 20, 2018I’ve got a box of old t-shirts that I want to make use of in a scrappy blanket, but I may be being over-ambitious!
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sewchet
/ February 20, 2018Sounds like a great idea! Will you make it patchwork-style or make yarn out of them first?
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quietwatercraft
/ March 4, 2018Its beautiful, and what a lovely idea of sending a hug in the post 🙂
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