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”

Leigh Anne

January 8, 2015

I started reading when you were doing you playing card project (how long ago was that!) and hands down my favorite series of 2014 was your business story!

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Megan

January 8, 2015

I found your blog about two years ago (?)… you were doing lots of yoga on your floor with candles. A short time later, you announced you were pregnant on the blog…RIGHT after I found out I was pregnant. So Ellerie is a few months ahead of my son and I got to learn a lot about The Best Pregnant Tips (The Snoogle!), getting used to The Woods (I’ve sent that post to so many new mamas) and then all the fun that happens after the intensity of a new baby dies down. I don’t need to win the blanket (and this is a laaaate comment anyway) but since you said you were taking time to read all these comments I thought I’d leave you a nice one too. 🙂
… and I really like the Around Here posts and the ones when you’re generally just being real in between lots of impressive crafting.

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Nina

January 8, 2015

I just love the around here posts.

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Carla Lane

January 8, 2015

Love this blanket! I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and I think my fave posts are the “Dear Ellerie” posts.

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Toni From

January 8, 2015

I love all of your posts Elise. Seriously all. Of. Them.

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Kate

January 8, 2015

I started reading after I saw you speak at WDS (btw are you coming back this year??). I love the E and e posts the most. Wish I had done so with the little one in my life because I can’t remember those snapshots in time!

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Vicki

January 8, 2015

Oh my gosh! How can I narrow it down to one favorite post? Yours is the only blog I have consistently read every day since I began reading blogs. For real. I have to say I loved reading your monthly letters to Ellerie–I so wish I had done that when my kiddos were little. You are inspiring is so many ways, Elise. Keep being you!

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Kate in Cleveland

January 8, 2015

Elise, feels like I’ve been reading your blog forever! It is my first blog of the day. Love your energy, enthusiasm and excitement over any topic your blog about. I especially love the home DIY posts. Also love reading about the antics of Ellerie, she’s a blast!

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MIa

January 8, 2015

I’ve been reading since right after Ellerie was born! But it’s been fun to go back through some of the archives and see where life has brought you

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Natalie R.

January 8, 2015

I’ve been reading and loving for what seems like forever—but with the recent birth of my son I’ve gained a new appreciation all your new mama posts–LOVE your honesty. I’ve found myself going back and re-reading over and over 🙂

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Katie Smith

January 8, 2015

A handmade blanket by you will definitely bless the family who receives it. I’ve been reading your blog since you were about 3 months pregnant with Ellerie. My favorite post from last year would have been the one where Paul came home just in time for you two to spend time together before your baby girl arrived. Come to think of it, that may have been two years ago? Either way, love your blog — it’s a daily habit of mine. Thank you for all you share! =)

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Christine K

January 8, 2015

I started reading your blog when you posted about the Seafoam edition of Project Life. I have since gone back and read older posts. My favorite posts was your business story. This blanket is so rad. I love your DYI projects.

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Sadhbh Byrne

January 8, 2015

Hi Elise! I’ve been reading for a few years now. As a recent grad I loved your business story posts this year. I also really enjoyed your post on your strategies for taking iPhone pictures of Ellerie. This blanket would be great for wet and cold Dublin right now! Thanks for your great blog.

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Jaime

January 8, 2015

All of the blankets you made for that MAKE29 project were amazing and I love how different this one is. Kudos to you!

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SamanthaCycles

January 8, 2015

I’ve been reading your blog for at least over 3 years now. I still remember the night I discovered it and sat up until 3am reading previous post after post until the wee hours of the morning! I was captivated by your creativity and the way you mixed in the personal stuff. I think my favorite posts are your Dear Ellerie posts (even though I don’t have children myself) and anything that talks about your business behind the scenes (even though I don’t have my own business.) 🙂

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Anna Aspnes

January 8, 2015

I have found myself reading your blog more and more this year. What brings me back? The way you craft your words. It’s a type of art I admire fully. Thank you for the chance.

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Charline

January 8, 2015

Thanks for this giveaway !
I read you since one year I think, and you were very inspiring and motivating for me to create my own small business !
Charline

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andrea

January 8, 2015

I started reading your blog in 2010 (oh boy, that’s over 4 years!)
Your blog is the one I read every day. Every weekday at 2pm (which is 5am in your time zone and the blog posts go live) I take a break from what I’m doing to read your blog post.
My fave blog post (actually blog posts) was your business story. You have such a great voice and I loved reading it. But everything about blogging and small business are my fave posts.

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Kirsten

January 8, 2015

I love your blog so much Elise. Words can’t say the encouragement I’ve received via your writing. I found you about two years ago when my husband was deployed and found so much comfort in your open heart and your willingness to write about difficult emotional things. Now that the separation is in the past, I am finding even more happiness in your blog and trying all sorts of projects and new ideas with my husband. Cheers to you and your beautiful family in the new year Elise, you deserve it.
P.s. I listen to your podcasts as we are on the road quite a bit lately with several moves! My favorite 🙂

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Wendy

January 8, 2015

My favorite post has been the one where you took us to the conference where you spoke. I loved your speech that you gave and the process that you went through. You are very methodical in your creative endeavors. i like that. I tend to be very multi tasky, scatter brained with 4 or 5 projects going at once so I don’t get bored but then I get overwhelmed by what i have started and then I just fetal position until nothing is done. I am trying to finish what I start more often and I think you have inspired me!

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Angela Wahl

January 8, 2015

Hi Elise,
I have been reading you for over three years but honestly, I read archives like a creeper so it may as well be forever. I truly love everything you have to offer in this space. Your business posts have provided me with the initiative and understanding of how to launch my new handmade shop. Your “just start” attitude is something I strive to emulate. The honesty you share with your audience is so brave and beautiful. You inspire me on the daily. One of my favs from last year was from sometime shortly after Ellerie’s birth. You featured a “perfect” photo of your now family of three. You look exhausted yet beautiful and there was underwear in the background lol. This just lit up my heart. My daughter was born 7 days after your sweet girl. Although our lives are so different, it was beyond helpful to me to read about those hard but spectacular moments post baby. Thanks for everything!

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kate

January 8, 2015

I’ve been reading your blog since probably 2011. It’s one of those blogs I’d popped into once or twice before and didn’t stick with, but then it fit and now you are one of my most favorite/must reads.
I think my favorite posts of the year have been the ones about Ellerie and how she fascinates you and brings you such joy. You’re honest about the struggles too, but those when you discuss loving and learning from her and how great parenting is, love that. Also, goal setting is your jam and always so inspiring. You may not inspire me to have child, ;), but to set goals, heck yam (too good of a typo) heck yeah!

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Sonja

January 8, 2015

I’ve been reading your blog for almost two years now (or maybe three?!).
Thanks to you I knitted my own striped blanket over the holidays!

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Morgan

January 8, 2015

Hi Elise,
I am a regular reader and infrequent commenter 🙂 I love your authenticity, consistency, sense of humor and of course, creativity. I don’t need a blanket, just wanted to say thanks for sharing in this space!
–Morgan

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Erin Keith

January 8, 2015

I think my favorite posts were from after E was born and you started admitting that you had/were having a really hard time. I know I’m not the first person to say it, but it’s hard when you feel like you are the only one struggling with the dance of motherhood/new motherhood and everyone else has instagram accounts full of beautiful pictures of moms with clean hair smiling happily at their peaceful babies. I had that but also lots of days where I felt like I was drowning. I love your tutorials, home, style, and photography, but things got a little deeper for all of us after those posts started popping up. Thank you!

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Sarah r

January 8, 2015

I’ve been reading your blog for …5 (?!) years and it has climbed the ranks to my all-time fave. I can’t pick a favorite post! Love love loved your business story (and your planner announcement!), and the few dear ellerie letters that happened this year… But so much more, too. 🙂

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Mary Sara P.

January 8, 2015

I have been reading your blog since 2012 and loved meeting you last year at the YSR. You are a breath of fresh air. I love that you share what works/what doesn’t and give you links. I get your blog via email and look forward to reading it every day. Your blog is one of the few that I read every day that I get a post. Rock on and can’t wait to see what 2015 brings. Happy New Year.

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Stefanie

January 8, 2015

I think it’s hard for me to identify one favorite post from 2014 but for me it’s when you’ve been honest about parenting, about becoming a parent. Those extremely hard days after a unplanned C-section; my experience was very similar and it was so refreshing, uplifting and comforting knowing someone else had some of the same feelings I did. It helped me…. it helps me! So thank you for being honest and sharing that incredibly personal part of your life. It was nothing less than brave. I can’t remember when I started following you but I think it was before you moved to the great place by the beach. And I just want to take this opportunity to say that you inspire me to do get off my tail and do all of the things I have on my to-do list!

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andi

January 8, 2015

You are so sweet! What a thoughtful giveaway!
I have been reading your blog since 2007-2008ish! I can’t even remember how I first stumbled upon your writing (I think it may have been from a link somewhere to your daily card project?), but I have always been a huge fan (and I’m so sorry, but a horrible commenter). Your blog is one of my few daily reads and it has been so fun to watch you transition from early marriage to being a mama and all of the fun, creative projects in between! I seriously love everything you write, but some of my favorite posts are the Currently ones and anything to do with being a mama, as well as all of your goal setting posts- those are so inspiring to me! Thanks for sharing your heart here, sweet lady! xo

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Samantha

January 8, 2015

I love your written voice.
You are inspirational.
Thankyou

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Pam (UK)

January 8, 2015

Great blanket, great idea. I have been following you for some time and you do inspire me, thank you. If I had to pick one post it would be Thoughts on Monthly Goal Setting and you’re word ‘choose’ because it helped me choose to do more. More planning, more fun times, more crafting, more fun times, more me time, more fun time. I’d never had a pj day until then. Typically British, probably a bit prim and proper I was resistant to taking chances in case I messed it up. Now I love making a mess!

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Mireille

January 8, 2015

Elise! I’m a long time reader – I think I joined in on the fun, oof, somewhere around four years ago maybe? I’ve been binging on your podcast lately and itching to get a body of work done. You’ve been so inspiring to me, and can’t wait to put what I’ve learnt from you into action! This blanket is beautiful and fingers crossed I’ll be able to cozy up in it while knitting a striped cowl!

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stephanie anderson

January 8, 2015

I’ve been reading since at least before the wedding…I don’t even remember when. My favorite post(s) from 2014 are about Ellerie – esp the letters. My little one is just 6 weeks older and those feelings were still raw so your letters helped me feel a little less alone.

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carol chastain

January 8, 2015

Okay first of all, Love this Blanket and all the things you have been making!!!! Secondly, I found your blog by searching “Scrapbooks” in 2010. I think my favorite post(s) by you has been all of your “e & e” ones. I love that Idea. I was considering doing something this year on my blog for my boys (Brandon & Simon) but their initials aren’t the best ones to put together!!! I have to figure that out first. But anywho, I love the concept, simple as it may be, to look back and see the progress, changes and remember what was going on. Also, Happy new year!

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Tvmom

January 8, 2015

I loved your E & e posts! So visual. I’ve been reading your blog since before you were married and you were in dc. And it’s one of just a handful of blogs I still read. I really enjoy it. 🙂

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Ali

January 8, 2015

Love that blanket! My favourite posts of 2014 would be your business story series! I was so hooked and couldn’t wait for the next one! And I love your podcast too! Any chance of you putting together a list of all your favourite podcasts? I found your blog around 2 years ago I think via A Beautiful Mess.

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laurie

January 8, 2015

Just discovered your blog through Instagram – love your ideas and projects, thanks for the inspiration!

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Emoke

January 8, 2015

Hi Elise! I found your blog about a year ago and I’ve been following your posts since then. I can’t really pick a favourite post because I like them all in different ways, they encourage me in all sorts of things. You motivate me in not procrastinating with plans but getting them done. You also inspire me to start thinking about sweet stuff I can one day make for my children. I think you’re a wonderful person, thanks for sharing so much with the world!

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April Cole

January 8, 2015

“YIPPEE!!”
Such a generous idea, thoughtful to say the least… “gifting” someone with your hand-made talents as a way to celebrate & inspire!! :]
I’ve been a wall flower, too shy to ever post a comment here.
Tho, the thought of possibly winning a hand-knitted throw create by YOU…
~the story behind- KNIT BLANKET 30~
This story is about me, honestly!
I can relate and with this in mind, I made a connection with your post, #30 knitted blanket.
FAVORITE POST? This one by far!!!
This is also… “my first”.
My first I have ever commented on your Blog site.
I have been folllowing you since 2010, reading every post.
Thank you for this opportunity, good luck to all!

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Taylor

January 8, 2015

I’ve been following and loving your blog since sometime around when you were planning your wedding, so was that four years ago? This last September I had my first child and while I was pregnant I found out I had gestational diabetes. UGH what a shock that was! Then, through the tears, I remembered you had posted about having it, too. I totally copied your GD menu, but vegetarianized, and it worked great! It made me feel a lot better about my situation knowing you had successfully managed it and had given birth to a healthy baby girl. Thanks for sharing your piece of this world with us blog readers. If you ever question it, your words really do make a positive difference (at least to me!!)! Love everything you do and love following along!

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Anastasiya

January 8, 2015

I have been reading the blog for about 3-4 years and have loved every second of it…. Keep it up Elise!

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Karen

January 8, 2015

Wow what a beautiful blanket ! I have enjoyed reading all of your blog posts but what I love most is your pod-casts, I just finished listening to #40 and all forty have helped me, I just opened an Etsy shop so I thank you so very much in helping me with all that you do ! …ps have fun in Disneyland !!

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Zara

January 8, 2015

My favorite post would probably be your quilting tutorial or the knit checkered blanket. I used both tutorials to make myself a blanket and a quilt. You are a real inspiration Elise xo

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K

January 8, 2015

Firm follower since 2011 ❤

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Lisa

January 8, 2015

I love your around here posts….

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Zsofia Pataky

January 8, 2015

I am about to write you an email anyway,but now that I see this blanket I have to comment also.I have find your blog three years ago through ABM blog,and I am reading your posta every day since then. reading about your ideas,and how you keep your life so organized and your dreams and projects so organized gives me a lit of strenght.Being a mom of an 11month old girl I really needed yor blog.It is so inspiring,and gives menszrenght to never give up on your dreams!Mamahood is great,and you are doing it great!Thank you so mutch,and have a great year!
My favorite post would be the one with the broken laptop 🙂

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Ana

January 8, 2015

I really loved your project life posts…. out of all the project life albums I’ve seen in blogland, I must say you da bomb.

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Bri

January 8, 2015

I just had my first baby in October, so I have gone back and re-read your posts on the newborn haze and return to normalcy. I became a reader before your wedding, when I was planning mine.

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Megan

January 8, 2015

I’ve been reading for… a year? 1.5 years? I can’t recall quite how I found you. I’m inspired by all your process posts. I have ideas, big ideas, and feel overwhelmed sometimes with how exactly to get from here to there. I love to read how you do it. You are a pleasure to read!

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mari

January 8, 2015

hi – love this!! You are truly amazing! I have been following for… a good while … and read all the posts in the archives before! Love all your posts in different ways. The E&e, the business ones, the goal ones… Keep up, keep happy and keep inspiring to us all. Good luck in this everyone!

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