enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

the 30th knit blanket

January 6, 2015

Last year, while I was knitting my 29 blankets, I knitted one extra (I think it was number 19). I didn't have enough of two yarns colors at the house and I was wanting to knit so I just started adding scrap yarn together. Of course, then I ran out of scrap yarn and had to go buy more to actually finish this blanket.

Originally, I thought I'd sell it as one of the 29 but then realized that would be so random. 28 striped blankets and then this one! This random one! #odd.

So I kept it aside and powered through the remaining blankets. And then sold them in November.

This one is still special to me though. I love the look. I love the warm color palette. I love the crazy changing yarns.

Like all the blankets, this was knit with simple back-and-forth garter stitch on size 15 needles. (I did 60 stitches per row if you want to make your own.)

Today, I'd love to give this blanket away to a reader. Just leave a comment… tell me your favorite post from 2014 and/or how long you've been reading my blog and I'll pick a random winner from the comments by the end of the week. Open to anyone, in the US or International.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED : According to random.org, the winner is Michelle who posted at 6:12AM on 1/6

Thanks for reading!

Posted in get crafty, yarn projects

1,104 responses to “the 30th knit blanket”

Jody

January 6, 2015

I’ve been reading since before Paul’s deployment and your move to the beach house.

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Marcella K

January 6, 2015

Oooh, Elise! It’s awesome! Would have been one if the first to go if it had been listed in Make29 for sure! 🙂
I found your blog early last year and over the end of the summer I read every post from the very beginning onward. I can’t help feeling so very proud of and amazed by you. Ellerie has one cool mama. You were my biggest inspiration in 2014 – I’ve started PL, learned to knit, used a few great wedding ideas, and am currently working on my first quilt! Thank you so much for sharing your life and adventures with all of us.

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Heather Davis

January 6, 2015

I love any post involving the transformation of your home. My husband and I recently bought our first home and I refer to your blog a lot to get decorating tips or ideas. We recently bought the BESTA cabinet from Ikea to use as a TV stand, and plan on adding a wood top soon. Can’t wait to see your progress this year!

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Toniette Giesbrecht

January 6, 2015

Oh my goodness, I love that you’re giving it away! I don’t think I have a favourite, but I always read your blog first, so… all of them 😀 I’ve loved your podcast this year as well!

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Kelli

January 6, 2015

I just discovered your blog a few weeks ago, but I’m loving it, especially all the goal setting! Right up my alley!

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Beth

January 6, 2015

Hi! I love your blog style and for the creativity it inspires. All your ideas are fantastic! I have been reading since August 2012 around the same time I fell in love with a great guy. I especially enjoyed your DIY wedding posts about your invitation creating process. I’m marrying that great guy next month! If I won the blanket, I’d snuggle under it while writing thank you notes. 🙂

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Stephanie

January 6, 2015

I love the blanket! I think my favorites are the Dear Ellerie posts, they always bring me back to those days!

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Lauddmo

January 6, 2015

Elise, that’s so generous of you! I have been reading your blog for 3 years now and you are such an inspiration, thanks!!

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Shirley K

January 6, 2015

Ooh, hard to remember when I started reading. Somewhere around 2008ish, I think?

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Hannah Reeves

January 6, 2015

Wow, I am in love with this blanket, so charming! How sweet! I’ve been reading for 2 or 3 years now. Hard to choose which post was my favorite, but your capsule wardrobe post changed my life and so did your recommendation for making cold brew coffee! Thanks for always sharing your ideas!

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Melissa

January 6, 2015

I love the different colors in this blanket. Knitting is on my want to learn list. I really like the capsule wardrobe and have been working on my own for winter. Just waiting for 3 more new items coming in the mail and then I’m set!

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Lindsey

January 6, 2015

Such a pretty blanket, Elise! I have always loved your goal-setting & business posts so I especially liked your business series this fall. However, one of my favorites from this year that I’ve saved to re-read once my little one arrives has to be the tale of two timezones. I love hearing your thoughts on how you balance being a mama and a business professional at the same time.

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Jenna

January 6, 2015

I’m a newer reader, so I have enjoyed working my way through the archives. I enjoyed your Ted talk so much. It was inspiring!

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Samantha

January 6, 2015

Hello Elise! What a gorgeous blanket! I’ve been reading your blig since 2011, when my little girl was born and I had lots of times to read while breastfeeding. I remember it was from ABM that I got here. It is hard to choose one post. I liked the behind the scene for Make29. And E & e. Thanks for sharing. Big kiss.

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Jodimckee

January 6, 2015

that is so sweet of you! I’ve been reading your blog since you were working at paper source in georgetown!!

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Fariha

January 6, 2015

I don’t know if I can single out just one blog post to call my favorite- every morning I wait till 8am so I can read what new post Elise has put up, before I continue on with my day. Suffice to say, I’ve enjoyed a great deal many of your posts… my most favorites would have to probably be the big E little e series, the nail polish water marbling, any of your crafts basically, and your home tours.
I’ve probably been reading for the past three odd years, and being in almost the same stage of life as you, (and a husband who was in residency when I started reading) I feel like I’ve had a friend in you all these years.
xox

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Robin

January 6, 2015

Beautiful colors and sweet giveaway! I’ve been reading your blog since you lived in Maryland and found it through some scrapbook searching or mini book searching and have been here ever since. Have a great 2015!

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Becky Kozak

January 6, 2015

Hey Elise! I love the blanket, one of my goals for this year is to learn how to knit! I’ve been reading for the last, jeez, 3 or 4 years (!!) but one of my favorite posts from the past year was the one about your advice to your 22 year old self. Being 22 myself, it was really comforting knowing that someone I admire wasn’t always so confident and composed and that it’s okay to not be perfect all the time (kinda like the blanket, I suppose!)
Anyway, I hope you have an amazing 2015, I look forward to everything you come up with this year!
xx B

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Lara

January 6, 2015

I’ve been reading your blog since 2011 and since then….never stopped!
Such an inspiration and funny person!
Have a great 2015, Elise!
Love from Italy!
Lara

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Abby

January 6, 2015

Hi! I’ve been reading since 2011, just after Paul came home from deployment. I know that because last November my husband left for Navy basic training and I had a three-month-old at home, so to help keep me sane I went all the way back to your first post and started reading everything. Oh wow, that’s embarrassing to admit. I’m actually still in 2011 and working my way back through what I’ve already seen before but everything you do is such an inspiration to me. This probably sounds crazy but there it is! Thank you for being so generous to your readers. You’re awesome.

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Jori Maguire

January 6, 2015

Beautiful blanket, beautiful life. I’ve been reading since before you and Paul were married and love this glimpse of a life so different than my own. I’m an “old married lady” with teenage kids, but I learn from you and find inspiration!

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rachel

January 6, 2015

I’ve been reading your blog for a while now… three to four years now. I started following a lot more consistently after you had Ellerie because I had my first baby around the same time and resonated so much with your struggle. That being said this is the greatest baby age right?? So fun. My favorite posts were the ones where you shower wear both you and Ellerie were loving at the time

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Alison

January 6, 2015

Elise, I’ve been reading your blog for about 4 years. I am a memory keeper and enjoy getting inspiration from you. Not just for scrapbooking. I love your quilts and your knitting projects too. So much, that one of my goals this year is to try knitting something! I loved your weekend links last year and found myself creating a wardrobe capsule after reading Caroline’s Unfancy blog. Thanks for sharing your life here and for being real. And thanks for giving away that beautiful blanket!

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Abby

January 6, 2015

2012* 😝

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Rebecca Epp

January 6, 2015

I have been reading your blog for about a year. I don’t know how I stumbled across it, but I am so glad I did! My favorite posts are the memory keeping ones. They inspire me to me more careful with my memories. I know that as much as people say memories are forever, they aren’t. Things get in the way, memories get jumbled, diseases happen. One day, when I am married and we start a family I can keep these memories written down. So my little girl will have things to look at, and I have things to look back on.
Thanks for this giveaway Elise! The blanket is beautiful

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Lucy

January 6, 2015

Oh man, when did I start reading?? Probably a year after your wedding, I think? It’s been a few years for sure. My favorite post (or rather, series of posts) from 2014 was your business story. Really interesting and fun to read.

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Clare Brasier

January 6, 2015

Hi Elise! I’ve been reading since the year before you got married, so 2009ish! Wow, thats a long time! I love any posts where you talk about running your business and I also love your anecdotes about your girl – she’s a little beauty! Keep blogging!!

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Gaële

January 6, 2015

Elise,
I’ve been reading your blog for what seems like forever. it must have been when you moved to Maryland because I remember the first apartment you shared with Paul. Once in a while when I feel kind of blue I look back into the archives and choose a random year or subject. My favorite posts were the ones when you did WITL when Paul was deployed. Here you were, alone, no husband or kids in tow, no outside-of-the-house job, and still you managed to show the beauty of simple everyday life… I loved it!

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Merissa

January 6, 2015

Hi Elise!
I’m not sure how I ever stumbled onto your blog, but the first post I remember reading was something about eating cereal at your sorority house after going out. Random, but hooked me somehow. It’s been a while, but I still check in every day.
Lately any Ellerie posts are my favourite, she is the sweetest little thing.
🙂

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Diana Forsgren

January 6, 2015

Thanks Elise! I have really enjoyed your backyard post and the succulent posts. I am a native San Diegan. I think I actually lived very close to where you live and just adore Jade plants. There were several in my parents yard. Now live in KY. And also a Navy Wife. Thanks!

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Carol

January 6, 2015

I’ve been reading since 2012. And yes I went back and creeped through all of your posts prior to that. Your paper crafts and scrapbooking gave me lots of motivation to start documenting things other than storing photos on an external hard drive.
My favorite post(s) from 2014 are the Elise vs Ellerie ones. I love seeing how you document what you’re both interested in. Also one day, years from now, your photos could be the same! 🙂

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Alizée

January 6, 2015

Wow, that is such a generous & awesome idea !I’ve been reading your blog daily for nearly three years now, and this year I especially loved the behind the scenes on the make29 products, as well as the palm tree-covered bathroom project (I asked for the “The lone one” palm tree print for Christmas and can’t wait to find a proper frame to display it in my tiny student flat :)). Your blog – and yourself ! – constantly inspire me to just try new things(knitting !) and focus on making things happen rather than agonizing over perfection (who cares if there are holes in this makeshift scarf?). Have a great day 🙂

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Cailyn

January 6, 2015

I’m super new to your blog! Just 6 months or so but I’ve gone back to the archives and feel like I’ve been following for much longer. I love how motivated you are and find it rubbing off on me after each post I read. I’m realizing that I don’t have to be FULL ON creative or motivated or moving all the time; that it is possible to just do a few things each month to satisfy my creative side. Thank you.

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lauren alysse

January 6, 2015

I just started reading just before the new year! I love the E&E posts!

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birdywordy

January 6, 2015

My favorite post from 2014 was the eighth part of your small business story, because I loved how open you were about money and how money is a tool to achieve your goals. (I actually enjoy almost everything you write about goals!)
I’ve been reading for about two years now; when I started reading you were pregnant with Ellerie. It’s been fun to follow along. 🙂
Thanks for having this giveaway!

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Lynda

January 6, 2015

I’ve been reading for a little over a year now. I don’t know how I stumbled onto your blog but once I did I was hooked! My favorite post(s) from 2014 was your business story. I found it so inspiring. I think I’ve gone through and read every small business post you’ve ever written!! You are a small business super hero

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Lauren Stennett

January 6, 2015

Love the blanket colors! My favorite posts of yours in 2014 has been following along with the Make29 series. I wasn’t able to snatch up any of the products I wanted but I found the whole series to be so inspiring. Your blog is the one I most look forward to each morning 🙂

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Rachel

January 6, 2015

I’ve been reading daily for three or so years. In the beginning I was an intern that ran out of work… a lot. I would spend hours on your blog reading through the archives (before they were all fancy :). My favorite posts are your knitting tutorials. I’ve been knitting for almost three years now and your few videos have really helped me understand what I’m knitting and how easy it is to learn something new. I really hope you continue to have knitting posts like the ones you had last year. 🙂

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Emily

January 6, 2015

Hi! I’ve been reading since just before Ellerie was born and I loooooove all the Dear Ellerie posts as well as the ones about goal setting!

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Linda

January 6, 2015

I think I’ve been reading for 2-3 years now, and I have no idea how I ended up here. A link from somewhere…
my favorite posts are the Dear Ellerie posts. Love them. Makes me wish I could do a do-over with my 15 and 14 year old. I also wish I had the accessible and good camera phone with me at that time too! Ah well.
Thanks for the chance!

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alyssa

January 6, 2015

I’ve been reading since your wedding, always in the middle of the night when you posts go live here in Australia. I love the blanket but please choose someone else, that way it a gift that gives twice. Thank you for everything you share. You’re pretty wonderful, do you know that?

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Marci

January 6, 2015

i love the colors! so pretty.
well, i love a lot of your posts. after you made your cowl i was inspired to make my first scarf. which i did! i had never completed any knitting project and it was so fun.
i also have loved all your make29 stuff, and have been inspired to do something similar (but not nearly as ambitious) for my 26th year this year. 🙂
i also have adopted a word for 2015. basically…i think you’re amazing and you’ve inspired me so much!! thanks for being so prolific.
❤ marci

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Christen Krumm

January 6, 2015

Really I love all the posts!! But if I had to pick a favorite, I think I’d have to pick the “Around Here” posts or the “E&E” posts!
xo,
Christen
ChristenKrumm.com

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Sadhbh

January 6, 2015

Hi Elise! I’ve been reading for a few years now from Ireland. As a recent grad I loved your business story posts this year. I also enjoyed your post about your approach to taking iphone photos of Ellerie. The blanket would be so great for rainy cold Dublin right now – I’m very jealous of the clothes that you’re able to feature in your capsule wardrobe at the moment! Thanks for your great blog – I hope 2015 brings the Cripes a lot of happiness.

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Sarah

January 6, 2015

Aw, that’s lovely. I think I started reading back when you lived in Maryland and worked at the Paper Source! I’m from MD and loved the way you wrote (still do!) and continued reading. I am not exaggerating when I say you are my favorite blogger! It is hard to close a favorite post, but I’ve especially loved your E & e series!

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Laura Mullen

January 6, 2015

This is awesome! I’ve been reading for 3 years now I think…I loved your capsule wardrobe posts from last year. They inspired me to clean out my closet and only keep the items I really love!

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Beth

January 6, 2015

That blanket is beautiful! I came across your blog while planning my wedding during summer of 2012… and I’ve clicked back over here every day since! I feel like whatever post of yours I’m reading at the moment is my new favorite, but I especially like the way you adapted the Sister Stuff series from ABM to create your own “E & e” series 🙂

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Stephanie Baxter

January 6, 2015

I loved your capsule wardrobe posts! That’s such a pretty blanket 🙂

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whitney

January 6, 2015

I’m a brand new reader!

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Megan

January 6, 2015

Love this blanket! I have been reading your blog since 2012. I love all your posts but I think my favorite are the Dear Ellerie letters. I have a daughter who is a month younger than Ellerie and it is fun to see all the stuff you make for her. It is so inspiring. Thanks!

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