Friday 11 March 2016

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.

18 comments:

  1. There are never enough blankets in any house I don't think. Your new one looks just lovely, I'd wrap it around my shoulders any time. Now for example, it is freezing and I am working at home (taking a break every few minutes). Have an enjoyable weekend Gina. x

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  2. Go to Norway! Tromso! Like the town in "Trapped" but with cinnamon buns! I wish I could knit properly (your blankets are amazing); we've just got the Barclaycard bill for our Norwegian knitwear purchases...

    Have a great weekend away, and yes, be kind to yourself. Enjoy!

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  3. I'm very much in favour of Hygge! Love your new blanket. It's great the way all the squares are different patterns as well as colours. I feel a project coming on. Have a relaxing weekend. B xx

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  4. Lovely work on all the blankets. We here in southern Ontario are engrossed in British television series (besides Downton) on Public Broadcasting. All of your old television series like Inspector George Gently, Doc Martin, Father Brown, etc.

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  5. Gina, I completely agree with you about "hygge" being a great concept for any time of the year. Your newly completed blanket for Stewart is magnificent! Again I do wonder where you find time for all you accomplish. I can see why that Kahlo-colorful crocheting might tempt you.

    It's good that you will be having a bit of an easier time this weekend. Missenden Abbey will surely be fun!

    xo

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  6. Your blanket looks great Gina, nothing like a cosy blanket to give you a hug!
    Hope fully life will settle for you soon, enjoy your weekend,
    V x

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  7. All of those blankets look so warm and inviting, as I sit here recovering from flu with door fitters fitting s new front door so there's fresh air aplenty! Have a lovely weekend and give yourself a hug.

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  8. Mums the word LOL -- we won't tell! Your new blanket is beautiful -- what a fun sampler of knitting. I'll bet it was really fun to knit too -- no getting bored with the same ol' pattern. Hope things will even out for you soon -- I feel like winter has been a long dark blur and I'm SO looking forward to spring!

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  9. Plenty of Hygge in your house by the look of those beautiful blankets. I love the floral one as well. I have two beautiful granny square blankets - one with the squares joined with cream wool and a matching fringe made by an aunt, and the other with black wool joining the squares and a black border, made by my Mum. It became known as 'the poorly blanket' when our children were small. They would be tucked up on the sofa in it when they were too ill to go to school.
    Don't forget to take your lovely blanket to Missenden, so you can tuck yourself up in it to de-stress.

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  10. So many Crochet a Long projects to tempt us, plus all the other projects shown on social media. We can't be held responsible for our yarn stash. I love your knitted blanket, date I click on the link. Enjoy your weekend x

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  11. You can never have too many blankets, it might be a cold summer! Enjoy Great Missenden, they must call it Great for a reason. :-)

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  12. What gorgeous colours, I love this beautiful cosy blanket it would be a perfect companion for cold nights in our motohome when the temperature drops to 5 degrees! But I already have 3 unfinished knitting projects and 2 to start.

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  13. I love the intricate designs on your knitted blanket - so pretty. We started watching 'Trapped' then missed a couple of episodes. Maybe I should catch up on I player. Hoping things become a little easier for you.

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  14. Your blanket is fab. Love the mix of colours and patterns. Must admit I've been lighting a lot more candles than usual since I've been wearing my 'Hygge' top. How Danish am I??? Watched the first episode of 'Trapped' and then half of the second but just couldn't get into it so gave up after that.

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  15. Blanket looks wonderful and it's fabulous that all three blend together. As a Norwegian descendant we speak a lot about hygge in winter time especially. You have indeed given its essence well but there just is not an equivalent word in the English language. Wishing you a great rat if the weekend, hoping next week is better for you x

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  16. I love all the patterns you've created with a just a single colour yarn. I particularly like the star square.

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  17. that Frida Kahlo looks very tempting!

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  18. Sounds like some hygge is still needed for you. As usual you are running full tilt at life. I always get tired just reading about your daily timetable! Hope things are improved and I suspect you've already got the yarn for the Frida blanket.... am I right? She is after all, one of your inspirations so ignore the ripple blanket etc and do your thing. Imagine next winter sitting with both Stewart and Frida! I'd like to do that ripple thing as I remember seeing it in a Jane Brocket book a few years ago but I never understood the pattern and as Spring is coming I hope I don't need a blanket so I'll find something else to make a mess of!

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