When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay
To keep me happy all the day.

And sometimes for an hour or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go,
With different uniforms and drills,
Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;

And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.

I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.

[Robert Louis Stevenson]

A counterpane is a bedspread. Heirloom versions were sometimes knit using white cotton thread and looked quite elegant. I’m in the process of designing a colorful, woolen version. The image above is really one block duplicated three times and arranged to show how the finished counterpane will look. This is for a class being offered at Sarah Jane’s Yarn Shoppe after the first of the year.

Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness.
[Richard Bach]

HOT OFF THE NEEDLES—(many needles) Fifteen friends knit the blocks for this love blanket as a thank you gift for Gloria who invites us to the annual New Harmony knitting retreat. The center block is a mosaic-style design that is a square version of the labyrinth  in New Harmony. I set the blocks together and plan to give the blanket to Gloria on Monday at the Dayton Knitting Guild meeting.

This is similar to knitting a prayer shawl. My mother knit small blankets for people and called them Love Blankets. Thanks to all who helped.