New Year, new challenges. This year, among other things, I found myself this super challenge to make my own Temperature Blanket. THE in my Facebook group I asked the members if anyone would be willing to join me in such a big challenge, since I had been eyeing him for a long time, but because of the challenge and the length of the blanket, I didn't dare to do it. As it turned out, many of us were like this, so I restrained myself and created a Facebook group for the challenge, a Temperature blanket challenge under the name At first, I thought that it would be good if twenty of us started the projects with myself and if half of them completed the project, we made it a success. It is a great pleasure and honor for me that the group swelled nicely in the first days of the year, they are constantly joining this common challenge and already nearly 1000 people have joined this challenge! Originally, I planned that the group would only operate this year, but due to the increased interest, I reconsidered and will leave it for future years as well.
** The group will be renamed the Temperature Blanket challenge - from 2024 to the Temperature Blanket challenge. **
bunnymoonHU 2024 temperature blanket
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
January 2024
Unfortunately, I had problems with the yarn already at the starting row, unfortunately, as my previous experiences have shown, much from more sensitive chenille yarn there is a word like the one I really like Himalayan Dolphin Baby. Surviving the starting line, I had no problem with the other lines, good little advanced pattern and yarn too, very much for me I like the look and texture of it, as my blanket turns out line by line. With which I had a problem with the yarn ends that appeared in the rows when the colors changed. Unfortunately, what works well for other yarns to hide thread ends, such as you crochet into the row, or knit it back there with a needle, that doesn't work with this yarn. I tried both types in the first half of January, but in my opinion it didn't turn out very nice - although it certainly won't break down - very much raised the ranks, so the the front, end and middle of my blanket are a little wider, as those parts where the yarn ends were not processed. I got the in a group a tip for working on it, I will use this method in the second half of January, but I haven't had the heart to do it yet. Maybe this part is going to be one of the biggest challenges to consistently work the yarn ends for every crochet row, as this is a very abominable task for me.
February 2024
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
March 2024
THE the colors of March have become much more varied, like February, although I feel that the end of March has become too varied. The warming up at the end of the month can also be felt in the colors of my blanket, like this two new colors also got into my blanket.
THE March is the month of completions and closings was for me in many ways. I cleaned out the games I had abandoned for months from my project box and I finally finished the threads for my temperature blanket. Frankly I scolded myself a lot while working on it and I learned my lesson again: it's definitely not worth procrastinating because the unpleasant tasks catch up anyway. So, I got rid of my blanket with the ends of the yarn that are snarling, which I worked on based on the tip I received in the blanket group. First of all I stripped the threads, then worked the remaining white thread between the rows in the usual way, interspersed with a few extra knots (just in case). I immediately stripped the newly formed strands and developed a technique to hide them for sure. I am incredibly satisfied with the end result, since a rows do not rise and almost invisible processing the yarn ends. What was a bit annoying was that when the man's daughter was about to take off the chenille thread - which is easy to take off anyway - God is sure that it wouldn't come off easily. My experience has been confirmed again, who knows why, but light colors really do come off easier than darker colors. I think I spent twice as much time cleaning the latter as I did with the lighter ones. Then I will make a video about my processing technique, in case someone will use it!
THE my progress you can say in the month it was continuous, which I was very happy about! After last month's publication, it turned out that several people in the group are behind, so I made a "crochet marathon", so that the arrears can be fully or partially brought in. Of course, man plans, God finishes, I got really sick in the middle of the marathon. Fortunately, I made up my backlog already on the first day, so I was only delayed by the processing of the threads, which I finally managed to finish by the end of the month despite the illness.
It's a very uplifting feeling that on April 1st my blanket is not only ready for the day, but the threads are also processed and I have a great technique in my arsenal that saves me from the boring thread processing.. In addition to closings this month I became richer with many lessons, which help me to open a new chapter in the coming months.
April 2024
I hope that May will bring me back my momentum and I will have fewer color changes this month!
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
May 2024
May turned out to be a bit monotonous, the pale purple color is very dominant, as the average temperature here in Pécs was typically between 17-20 degrees. This is it monotony 1-1 day cooler, light peach color and 1-1 day it was broken up by a warmer mid purple color. There were a total of 6 days that I did not crochet with the pale purple color, but with something else.
The monotony is not only these few lines, but it was also riddled with complications. Despite the bomb-proof site, from which I read the temperature data for the days, there was still an interruption. Because On May 23, something happened to the weather station, as it was not recording data. After that the data was not available for days, I already thought that the data transfer might have stopped and it won't be available on the net in the future, but I was wrong. It crossed my mind for a moment, as I was quite behind with my blanket, that I change it to the data of the nearest station, i.e. Pécs-Pogány data for the entire month. Luckily I didn't and my laziness won out (i.e. my constant race against time to finally get to the end of my tasks) as the PTE-TTK station returned after a few days, and the data appeared again. I'm not saying that not a single person is bothered by this discrepancy, but there will certainly be cases like this during the year when the measuring station does not provide the data for some reason. I think I learned something new while making the blanket: to accept changes and that we cannot always influence what will happen to us. Anyway, I suspect that the rainy weather and wind were the reason for the shutdown.
As I just wrote a little her crocheting for the blanket this month went horribly, the lesson is actually that it is difficult to ride two horses with one butt. Either I go paten with my blanket, or I prioritize the crochet pattern design. To be honest, I crocheted it in two installments this month, and the last installment spanned 20 days, which I have only reached the end of (07/06). But don't worry, I'm done and I'm glad that I'm almost halfway through my quilt, so there will be less left than it is ready!
June 2024
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
July 2024
In July, darker purple colors dominated. It can be said that there was plenty of heat this month. My blanket was almost glowing this month. The heat wave lasted for 11 days, which covers a 5.5 line in the middle of the month. Before and after the heatwave, thanks to a cold front, the rows became colorful and purple shades alternated one after the other. You can also say the the average temperature in July was quite warm, there was no average colder than 20 degrees in the month, and the typical average was certainly 30 degrees on the days of the heat wave. Which I didn't think I have to buy a new skein of the darkest shades at the end of the snow, since August - I think - still has warm weather in store for us.
I think a lot of mothers with small children struggle during these summer months - even me. During the summer holidays, it is quite difficult to steal time not only for relaxation, but also for crocheting. That's how I was this month, the first 25 days of my blanket approx. I crocheted it together in 2-3 days, as I was able to make time for it between my tasks. Obviously, I usually overcommit myself, but this July August extra seems like that kind of month. At the end of the month, our vacation interrupted the momentum and that I was only able to bring in the last 7 days and the 3 months selection half-row today (September 8). As I crocheted the last row, I only remembered that now I'm a third of a month behind in August, and we're going away again, so another week will be lost.
It feels good to know that there is less of my blanket left than was made and you can wrap yourself up in it quite well. It will have a good weight in the end and it will be really warm! I think I didn't think in January that I would be crocheting my blanket in as few clothes as possible in the summer, even in the evenings. Although in retrospect I could have really taken the matter into account.
So, after the holiday, the desire for autumn weather and cooling down was captured, luckily, I don't have to wait long for the colder colors to return to my blankets. However I have already decided that next year I will make 1-1 bedspreads for the children, so I am collecting inspirations, as I want to choose a pattern and colors that best match the individuality of my children.
August 2024
I didn't crochet a single row for my blanket in August. I crocheted my entire month's backlog at the beginning of September, so now I don't have the beginning of September. But never mind, I expected it to turn out like this. During the summer break, my CAL, organized in cooperation with Hungarian designers with two children, consumed all the time that could have been devoted to crocheting - and to my small business. On top of that, we lost a whole week because of our vacation. So, in August, my blanket rested in our quiet corner, but luckily it didn't have to wait long and was enriched with new rows!
Looking at my blanket like this the summer was quite hot and this August heat wave - or I don't even know what to call it - just topped it off. To be honest, I've suffered a lot like this if I had had time to crochet it, I might not have even touched it, because even existence itself was already painful in this heat. It's not like crocheting under a 2 kilo blanket. THE the brutal average temperature above 28 degrees (more like 30 degrees in many cases) was only interrupted by a few days, and the hot dog returned in all its glory. Honestly I did not think that I would have to buy 2 skeins of this dark purple color, and I certainly did not think that I would buy the third skein at the beginning of September, because it won't be enough. And it honestly makes you sad. I don't know if there has been such persistent heat and lack of precipitation in recent years. The vegetation was already writhing around for some rain, but the weather was not kind and left them withering until the first third of September.
Today (09.13) I finished the last row of August, actually I crocheted my backlog in 3 days, which can be said to be pretty good. I only had to fiddle with plucking and thread processing for a few rows, otherwise it went like clockwork. However, if I can, next time I won't bring in a whole month in one week, because it happened in such a hurry and it certainly reduced the enjoyment value of crocheting. Of course, I set the deadlines for myself, I shouldn't have crocheted them at the same time, but I was afraid that if I missed it now, my blanket would not be ready by the end of the year, which I really want.
So I'm also starting September behind schedule, but I'm finally not going to crochet in a 40-degree heat wave. I'm also confident that the blanket marathon currently running in my temperature blanket challenge group will help me catch up on this little backlog day by day, and I will continue October with renewed strength, already with lighter colors.
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
September 2024
The beginning of September was always hot for us, until almost the middle of the month. However, the temperature slowly dropped from the heat wave, finally a harsh cold front brought the long awaited rain and cooling. However the average temperature then dropped drastically, by more than 10 degrees. After that, the real autumn arrived, with its pleasant weather, which we could enjoy for days. I really liked this month that I was able to use all the purple shades again, and even the pink ones. Altogether 6 rows of different colors it got into my blanket, which made it really exciting! What is extra interesting for me is that on the first day of September he dressed in the color associated with the highest temperature, while on the last day he took on the coldest warm color. A sharp contrast can be felt between the first and the last day.
My progress in September was like a folk tale. At the beginning it looked like I was going to lose, but in the end I just won. Most of my month was taken up by my event for CAL crocheters at Mesemaraton, so my time for crocheting was significantly reduced. However, when I was finally able to catch up on all my backlogs, the first ovis disease came - and of course only us adults got it. So, unfortunately, I couldn't complete the marathon advertised in my group, according to my memories, I only managed half of it. I crocheted most of the month - 18 days in total - in the last 3 days of September in a hurry to be ready for the day on the first of October. The group continues to be a great motivation, that I know others struggle with falling behind, so I hope my motivation will inspire them too!
Yarn was purchased again several times during the month. To my great regret I had to buy another of the darkest purple dumplings, so that I can crochet the last rows with it. It's a real shock to me that I originally designed it with one skein, and ended up buying a third one. This also shows how hot this summer was. In addition, the good weather at the end of the snow brought the mauve pinkre the demand, so it was also necessary to purchase from it. I hope I don't have to crochet more with the last three colors this year, and not only because I got a little sick of purple in the summer, but I trust that really pleasant autumn weather awaits us!
October 2024
Pleasant autumn weather arrived in October and this was also well reflected in the colors of my blanket. In this the average temperature in the month was around 14 degrees, only in some places the dark pink lines were broken by purple or light pink. I was confident that I would have to use the light pink several times this month, but unfortunately I was wrong and the darker pink dominates. What stood out this month was that there was quite a bit of precipitation, even if a front did come, it passed almost dry.
My progress in October did not go as I had planned either. At the beginning, I still had a lot of momentum, I made quite good progress, but by the end of the month I was good I left behind a 15-day backlog. We also had to wait for this to be replaced I needed another skein of the darker pink yarn, so due to the backorder, the completion was delayed until today (11/08/2024). The rest helped somewhat to catch up on my backlog, but unfortunately it wasn't enough now due to the messy everyday life.
However this month I started planning my new blanket(s), I often look at different patterns, get inspiration from other people's blankets and often find miracles! I've already decided that I would rather not make another blanket with this plush yarn. Very processing the threads is fiddly, and for me it reduces the enjoyment value. For those who have time and patience, I wholeheartedly recommend it, as it will be excruciatingly soft and the colors are dazzling! In the month with the arrival of the heating season I was happy that I could curl up under this fluffy, colorful wonder while I crocheted.
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
November 2024
Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, I was only able to write the November report much later than this month's cover was completed. This month we got the long-awaited cooling, which showed up great on the blanket! THE beginning of snowin the lines of pink dominated, and the warm weather, which was already interspersed with cooler days with rows of broken white. After that the real cold autumn has arrived, and the light green color took over the dominance. This means that for days The average temperature was below 4 degrees, so we had some pretty chilly days. This was made more colorful by a few off-white lines, and By the end of the month, the milder days became more frequent., which the light pink lines are also indicated in the blanket.
For me, it was a real joy to have so many cold colors in my blanket, I was afraid that the colder days would never come.
I started the month with great momentum, but then unfortunately it ran out, So, approaching the end of the month again, I crocheted my backlog almost all at once. Finally, during the big Advent rush, I completely fell behind in writing this article excerpt, but also in crocheting my blanket, which I will present in the December chapter.
I had to buy a few more balls for my blanket in November., as mint/light green and off-white have been in high demand during the cool days.
December 2024
In December you can say The real winter has arrived. I don't think there's been a December this cold in years, at least not in my memory. I got what I wanted bitter cold, and even snow at Christmas, which I absolutely cannot remember when there was anything like this in Pécs since I've lived here. Even though it's been about 15 years. The average temperature was consistently below 8 degrees, but more often below 4 degrees., Not a single day has my blanket crept into the warmer colors, which I think is a miracle. I have never seen anything like this in my blanket in a winter month. I felt a special joy and a New Year's Eve miracle when the darkest green was included in my blanket.and all this on the last day! This was the color I used the least., and to be honest, I didn't expect to use it this year. So this December, if nothing else, turned out to be quite idyllic.
My progress in December was the same as the previous period. Unfortunately, in the rush to buy Advent and Christmas gifts, I couldn't spare time not only for my blanket, but also for crocheting itself.. It was obviously a concern that I would get lazy and fall behind in the last part of the challenge, while I was reassured by the thought that this wouldn't be the first month I'd catch up on my backlog. Fortunately, this is how it happened, and During the Christmas holidays, I treated myself to this kind of relaxation and rest.that I crocheted the missing rows of my blanket while listening to an audiobook. It made me happy that on New Year's Eve I only had to crochet that one row., that day, it was a special pleasure, as I wrote, to be able to do this with the darkest green.
Before the holidays, I already bought 2 balls of white yarn, which I will use to crochet the border., and to complete this wonderful adventure and at the same time a mighty challenge. To be honest, while I struggled a lot during the year with progress and maintaining my endurance, I ended up in a rather nostalgic state by the end and didn't want to finish that border. However, this challenge really reflects on my entire year: a lot of things changed in my life, there were both cold and hot moments, I pushed my limits and sometimes I was able to overcome my old fears. It was also a year of closures, and I trust that 2025 will lead me towards a brighter future. To conclude the article, I will show you photos of the finished blanket and my experiences making the border.
Photos: Rebeka Novák-Szabó ev
