Thoughts from the Father of a Baby Blanket Owner

Pat, my husband, hired a summer student years ago, who was a really great person. This guy later married his girlfriend (who is also very special to us) and they have a son who is now five years of age. I sent them one of my cotton baby blankets when he was born. I recently received this from the dad:

[Our son] every night is wrapped warmly in your beautiful blanket. I enjoy feeling its fine, yet strong, texture. Though used daily, it still seems new. It comforts him with warmth, and comforts me as I tuck him in, thinking of you and Pat and our friendship.

And that is one of the most important reasons I weave. Or why anyone could possibly want to create.

Now I'm weaving more cotton baby blankets for some expectant young friends as well as for a local church drive. Posters around town show a baby wrapped in newspaper, depicting the limited options of some parents for their babies, and requesting donations. I hope some of my blankets will help to wrap up babies and then the newspaper can go.

C237

C238

C239

This is a true waffle weave pattern, but since it doesn't form the classic pocketed cells I call it waffle squares. These blankets are fun for me to weave - for many reasons.

Memories Blankets in Greens and Yellows

Six new Memories Blankets are finished and ready to go. They are 100% cotton and they machine wash and dry well. Each blanket is about 150 cm (60") long and 112 cm (44") wide, which is a good size for a baby to grow into or a nice lap blanket. Price is $115. Here are some of them:

M033

M031

M029 and M030 | Available in Ottawa in September

New Memories Blankets

Some of the latest Memories Blankets have received the hemming, washing and labeling treatment, and are ready for showing. Here are three:

This twill pattern has lots of variation and it's stunning in these colours ...

All Memories Blankets are 100% cotton and can be machine washed and dried. These ones are each about 110 cm by 150 cm in size. They are super for babies, children or anyone older, and I know they last a long time.

Now I'm onto weaving more subdued towels in this twill and they look pretty nice on the loom.

Memories Blankets in a New Twill

With an unexpected time slot and some perfect colours on hand, I decided to slip in another set of cotton Memories Blankets that would suit a baby or anyone older. I decided to try a new twill pattern that is easy to thread because it's a 24-thread pattern and I'm weaving 24 threads per inch. That works out to one pattern repeat every inch - nice and simple, with a built-in check after every section.

I am amazed at how stunning this is!

I've been playing around with the pattern drawdown in my reference book and using my own treadling to make the colour shifts more precise. This is something I want to examine more often in future weaving projects - looking very closely at the information I have and improving on it for my purposes.

These Memories Blankets will look even better when hemmed and washed, and I want to use this twill again for towels and blankets.

New Memories Blankets

Recent posts have presented the new set of bright Memories Blankets on the loom, then washed ... and they're now ready for sale. All blankets are 100% cotton, machine wash and dry, and 110 cm wide by approximately 150 cm long. Each is priced at $115, plus any additional taxes and shipping costs.

Some are going to Ottawa next week for my sister's open house in April, and some are staying with me.

Memories Blankets are well-used and well-loved by owners of any age. They are a really nice gift for a new baby, and from what I hear, kids cherish them for a long time. They are also very suitable for a senior, as a lap blanket, for example. I look forward to making more!

Bright Memories Blankets

I'm almost halfway through weaving eight bright Memories Blankets. They're 127 cm (50") wide on the loom and I'm weaving them about 1.7 m long. They are 100% cotton, and they machine wash and dry well and last for a long time.

The interesting thing about this weave structure, which is a type of waffle weave, is how the cells pull together  during washing. They are barely visible when the cloth is still on the loom, but the washing is rather magic.

The next blanket has wider stripes of dark purple and dark blue separated by narrower stripes of lime green. It's a nice combination.

I posted one of these Memories Blankets photos last night on my Facebook page, and I really appreciate the nice comments I've received. Thank you.

A Memories Blanket with Many Memories

Cariboo Handwoven Memories Blankets began as baby blankets that I wove over many years and gave to family members and friends with a new baby. I usually produce them in classic waffle weave which forms insulating air cells, and always in 100% cotton that can be machine washed and dried - good thing, considering how they are used! I've modified the colour scheme to reduce the pastel baby colours while staying with soft shades that suit many ages. These blankets are enjoyed and admired for many years by the parents and the growing child.

My friend, Diane, recently posted this comment and sent me these photos about her well-loved blanket:

"I can sooo vouch for these blankets. We are fortunate to have one of Jane's that is now 23 years old. It was so cozy to cuddle up in for those late night feedings when you didn't think you'd ever get 8 hours of sleep again. Two children and dozens of washings later, and it has only gotten softer. It'll be used with our children's children next ... "

Thanks, Diane!  

Memories Blankets

Eight new Memories Blankets are finished and ready to go. Memories Blankets originated as baby blankets that I gave to friends' babies beginning many years ago, and then I learned that my blankets were being used until well into the teenage years.  These blankets are also suitable for older people, possibly as a lap blanket.  So the name Memories Blanket reflects their longevity and how much I hear they are cherished over time.  Thanks to Diane at the StationHouse Gallery for the perfect name.

Memories Blankets are 100% cotton and can be machine washed and dried.  They're woven in waffle weave with the true waffles, or in waffle squares.  The new ones are posted here, and here's a sample of three new ones together (waffle squares on two above, waffle structure on lower blanket).