Hygge

There is a great trend for all things Scandinavian at present from food to TV shows (I'm looking forward to the last two episodes of Trapped this weekend) and I confess to being as entranced as the next person. So it probably hasn't escaped your notice that "Hygge" is something being brandished about a lot this winter. Hygge is a Danish concept, pronounced "hooga", that means cosiness. Thought to be an antidote to the long cold dark Danish winters it can be experienced any time of the year not just winter and is all about creating a warm, cosy atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with people we care about. It is all about being kind to ourselves.

It has a similarity to the English word "hug", the traditional meaning of which is "to cherish oneself". And there is nothing quite like a woollen blanket in which to hug ourselves! Last summer I thought I would join in with a knit along blanket designed by Martin Storey for Rowan yarns. I was late getting started and despite a good start where I managed loads of knitted squares in the first couple of weeks, I soon fell behind and it got put aside.

But in my attempt to get things finished this year I took up my needles again and this week I finally finished my blanket. Which is indeed very cosy and warm... very hygge.

The colours are not ones I would have chosen myself and are quite dark despite looking very bright and jolly here.  But I'm quite pleased with the way it looks now it is sewn up.

And I was surprised to find it actually blends quite well with my ripple blanket which often is wrapped around my shoulders of an evening. The new blanket is destined to be Stewart's but as he is always warm I can see it covering my knees instead!

The colours even sit well with Jacob's bright blanket too... there was no thought or planning went into that one, it was just one bright colour after another and he often wears it around the house wrapped around himself like a cloak.

 

So now we all have blankets which is a good thing as we are all in need of a lot of hygge right now. It has been a stressful couple of weeks again when things seem to have got worse rather than better but I'm ever optimistic we will get through all this one way or another. I am hoping this weekend will offer us all a bit of time to be kind to ourselves - Mum has finally exchanged contracts on her new flat which must be a huge relief for her, Jacob has got a few days away at his Dads and I am off teaching at Missenden Abbey for the weekend which is always a restful place to be.

Meanwhile I am contemplating my next blanket. A friend forwarded me details of this beautiful Frida Kahlo inspired blanket by Jane Crowfoot and I am so tempted. Just don't mention the two granny sqaure blankets that are half finished and the bag of yarn (as yet unopened) for another ripple blanket... don't say a word, okay. Remember we are being kind!

Enjoy your weekend wherever you may be or whatever you may be doing.