Eccup, Filey and Bramley Baths, still not used…
Many moons ago I fell in love with Bavarian crochet and I hankered after making a blanket using my new skill. I bought some glorious yarn – Titus from Baa Ram Ewe in the wonderfully named colours Eccup, Bramley Baths and Filey* – and I set about it. It looks beautiful, and once the pattern is set it’s quite easy… and therein lies the problem. After a while I started to get bored. That combined with the fact that it doesn’t grow very quickly, so progress is slow, led to me setting it aside in favour of more exciting projects. As a result, it has been in a bag, untouched, for nearly three years (hangs head in shame).
new pattern and old pattern
However, towards the end of last year Wild Daffodil posted about a blanket that she had just completed for her grandson and I noticed that it included some squares with a Bavarian crochet centre and a plainer border using a pattern called Bavarian Beauty. I didn’t rush into anything, but the seeds had been sown and I knew I could finish my blanket without it driving me to distraction. Anyway, tomorrow I’ve got another day at Red Apple Yarn, and since the weather has returned to being cold, I thought it might be nice to work on (and under) a blanket in the shop. So, yesterday I printed off the pattern for the square and this afternoon I have familiarised myself with Bavarian crochet once more and done a bit of work on the old project. I left it part way through a round, so that needs to be finished off before I can progress with the change of pattern.
By the end of the year I am hoping that all projects that were in progress in January, however old, will be completed or frogged. So far it’s going well… think of it as a very slow declutter!
my creation so far
-oOo-
* Well, wonderfully named for me since I grew up very near Eccup Reservoir, had day trips out to Filey and went to, well, Meanwood Baths rather than Bramley Baths, but still the names and places were all part of my childhood.
The Snail of Happiness 
Wild Daffodil
/ April 25, 2018Thanks for the mention Mrs Snail! Your blanket looks impressive. I’m looking forward to see what you do next. Just the right size for snuggling under as you work on it.
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craftycreeky
/ April 25, 2018Love the blanket so far, the Bavarian crochet looks quite different. Great names for the yarn, I live in Otley, so not far from Eccup, my mum taught at Bramley and as you say, day trips to Filey 🙂
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Ann Pole
/ April 25, 2018Lovely blanket, lovely colours. We’ve a similar amount of unfinished projects – though I can proudly say Steve’s doublet (also started 3 years ago) is now complete. 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 25, 2018I have made good progress on several things this year and I am getting into the mindset required…
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Patricia Collins
/ April 25, 2018I wonder how many others are searching the web to find out about Bavarian Crochet? It looks so light and soft and as if will keep you warm in the shop.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 25, 2018The tutorial that I learned from is no longer available, but there are lots of instructions… including as part of the Bavarian Beauty square. I warn you, though, it gobbles yarn.
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Tracy @ It's a T-Sweets Day!
/ April 25, 2018Fantastic! I have an old book in Bavarian crochet that I have completely forgotten about until this post. I better head over to the bookshelf and pull it out!!❤️❤️
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gaiainaction
/ April 25, 2018Love the colours you are using!
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thecontentedcrafter
/ April 25, 2018I love Bavarian crochet. I made my blanket way back then too and it sits over the bench under the window where the cat and dog keep an eye on the world – and the treat cupboard! Mine, of course, is in three shades of blue, plus one green and white. It does eat yarn, but because of that is weighty and warm when needed – which makes for a most pleasing throw I think. I love the texture of it too. I do like your colour choices for this throw, not your usual palette? can’t quite make out the new pattern, but shall look forward to seeing how your lovely blanket grows and changes. Currently of course, I am deep into making Persian Tiles, the pile of completed tiles is growing xo
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 25, 2018Yes, I rather surprised myself with the choice of colours at the time… especially ‘Filey’ the yellow one.
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thecontentedcrafter
/ April 25, 2018It’s nice to surprise ourselves in our creativity from time to time – I must try it one day!
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nanacathy2
/ April 25, 2018Isn’t that just lovely, so worth finishing. Bit of lateral thinkng is so good.
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insearchofitall
/ April 25, 2018I know nothing of those names though they sound quite fun. I can only say that Bavarian crochet in the colors you have chosen, is absolutely stunning. I’ve never seen anything like it and I’m in love with the look. You are a magician with a crochet hook.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 25, 2018It is a lovely pattern, isn’t it?
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insearchofitall
/ April 25, 2018Yes, it is a lovely pattern and you have executed it well. Love those colors.
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Dee
/ April 25, 2018😍 love it 😍
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 25, 2018Thank you!
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coppicelearner
/ April 25, 2018I have never heard of Bavarian crochet. So many things to learn and try!
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katechiconi
/ April 25, 2018I remember when you started this, and thinking that this was yet another craft I loved the look of but definitely wasn’t going to try (basic crochet being already in the Too Hard Basket). I’m glad you’ve pulled it out and are determined to finish it. How lovely that it’s made in the colours of your childhood – yet another reason to finish this cuddly beauty 🙂
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thegrangerange.wordpress.com
/ April 26, 2018I too have fallen into the trap of bordom once a pattern becomes familiar, I try to ring the changes by using lots of colours to keep me going. It is rather gorgeous though so stick at it. Really impressed with your plans for finishing WIP’s that have been there too long.
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@atbeingme
/ April 26, 2018Reblogged this on AT being me and commented:
Scribbles down on the to make list 😀
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redappleyarn
/ April 27, 2018Do look up Bramley Baths it is the most fantastic late Victorian/Edwardian creation in tile and stain glass (It had a rather racey conatation in my youth, as it had a turkish steam room!!! – obviously we hadn’t come across Scandinavian style back then)
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AJ
/ April 27, 2018That is such a beautiful blanket! I have never heard of Bavarian Crochet. I am hoping to finish a rug this year that has been in progress for about fifteen years, so I think you’re fine with three:)
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 27, 2018It’s not too difficult to do, but it does get a little boring! Your rug has made me feel much better about my UFOs – none is 15 years!
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AJ
/ April 27, 2018Glad I could help in some way:)
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Born To Organize
/ April 30, 2018I used to follow a blogger named Dani who sadly blogs no more. I actually won (squeeeee) a gorgeous Bavarian quilt, looking very much like your lovely pattern above. This makes me smile. Good luck on all those projects.
Here’s a link to Dani’s throw:https://gardeningnirvana.com/2014/05/06/bavarian-nirvana/
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 30, 2018Yes, the pattern originally came from Dani and I still have a print-out of the tutorial she wrote. Maybe I’ll drop her a line and say hello.
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Born To Organize
/ April 30, 2018Oh! I didn’t know.
I’ve send her a note from time to time and I know Kelly reached out too this year before her visit to Australia, but neither of us have heard back. She closed her Etsy shop too. I really miss her warmth and charm. Should you hear back, please let her know I said hello.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 1, 2018I’ve sent her an email… not sure whether it will reach her as the address is from three years ago, but it didn’t bounce back immediately.
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Born To Organize
/ May 19, 2018Any chance you’ve heard back?
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 22, 2018Sadly not.
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Born To Organize
/ May 23, 2018Thanks for letting me know.
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quietwatercraft
/ May 1, 2018Ooh thanks for the reminder, I’d forgotten I want to learn Bavarian crochet. It’s just so pretty! But maybe I’ll start with something small so it doesn’t gobble up my whole stash
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Kim
/ May 1, 2018This is completely new to me – and very, very beautiful! I may give this a try if I can finish some of my outstanding UFO’s 😉
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 1, 2018It is probably the most stunning stitch that I know and yet relatively easy – it was certainly much admired when I was working on it in the wool shop last week.
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