Klimt Style Crochet Granny Square Blanket

Crochet Afghan Blanket Multicoloured Granny Squares Patchwork

On Sale 30% Off in My Etsy Store - Click Here.

Progress Photos Contemporary Bold Granny Square Blanket

Petit’ Peony Granny Blanket

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The blanket is available in my Etsy store click here.

Peonies have long been touted as some of the most beautiful flowers on earth. They were practically revered by the ancient Chinese and were a favorite in Victorian English gardens. They’re still one of the most preferred specimens for floral arrangements because of their color and their delicate petals and scent.
You can read more at Peonypassions.

How to Crochet Granny Squares Together

How to crochet granny squares together.

I have recently been asked how to crochet granny squares together and
so an impromptu tutorial. The concept seems much more difficult than the
actual process is. The important things to remember are.

Lay your squares out exactly as the pattern states or as you wish them to
be crocheted together.

Always keep your squares right side facing.

I always work from right to left.

I always crochet together all horizontal rows first and then vertical rows
second.

I always work from the bottom right hand corner and row progressing up
the way, 1 row at a time.
Abbreviations used:
ch – chain
sp – space
sc – single crochet USA, dc –UK


1. Lay out all your granny squares in the exact order that you
want to crochet them together.

2. Make sure that all squares are right side up.


3. Take the first 2 squares from the right hand side of your
arrangement. Place one on top of the other but with both right
sides on the outside.

4. Fasten the yarn in the corner chain tying both squares
together.


5. Hook your yarn and pull through both squares. Chain 1 and
hold the squares in one hand with the backs together. Insert
your hook into the same stitch again. Hook your yarn again and
pull through making 1 single crochet.



6. Continue crocheting the squares together using sc across the
edges of both granny squares into the corner chain at the left.


7. Now get the next 2 granny squares that need to be crocheted
together, again with right sides facing out the way.

8. Work the exact same process as the first 2 squares to be
crocheted together. Insert hook into corner ch of the squares and
begin to work in sc all across.


9. Be sure to leave tails of yarn long enough for ends to be sewn
in.


10. Once you have completed your vertical rows lay the squares
out and then fold in the opposite horizontal direction and begin
the same process again. Always working from the right side to the
left.

11. Crochet across until you reach the corner of the first square,
here you crochet through both corner ch spaces and again into
the next squares ch space. Then proceed to work in sc across the
square.

Santa Rose Throw Free Crochet Pattern NaturallyCaron

To get the pattern click here.

It’s Picnic Time New Granny Square Blankets

My Vintage Granny Blanket Featured in Let’s Knit June 2011

Learn more or subscribe here.

To get the pattern click here.

A special thank you to Sue - AKA Mrs Twins for letting me know that my work was included in this month’s issue. You can learn more about the Sue the queen of  SIBOL -Sunshine International Blankets of Love by clicking here.

Apple Green Granny Square Picnic Blanket

25 different colours, 100 different granny squares and lashings of apple green yarn combine to make a real picnic blanket. Finished at last yipee :-)

J’adore Floral Granny Blanket

A Blanket For Life

Despite it being a warm and positively balmy evening on Friday one of my little peeps decided  he absolutely must drag a blanket outside to cover himself. Never one to miss an opportunity for getting a photo of a blanket I managed to snap a few.

As I was snapping away it occurred to me that this blanket has been subject to no end of abuse from my little peeps over the years in fact this blanket is now 19 years old. I think it has held up incredibly well and goes to show how blankets, at our house anyway, become part of the family.
 


Over the course of the weekend I finally managed to get the pure wool yellow blanket completed to. It is now available in my Etsy store click here.

Simple Abundance

Hello Everyone,

Last night we had thunder and lightening and lots of showers. Overnight it was difficult to sleep and I woke several times feeling cold. When I finally awoke and had my glass of milk, my thoughts turned to autumn and the coming cold weather and I allowed my mind to wander and began to create blankets in my mind. The fact that I have 3 blankets on the go at the moment doesn’t deter my mind from creating new creations.

I do hate to moan about the weather but it’s such a British preoccupation. I used to tell myself it was the territory of the elderly but now I know better.

‘If the first of July it be rainy weather, ‘twill rain more or less for four weeks together.’

So let’s be optimistic that August will bring summer again.

I wanted to share my thoughts on some delightful books that I’ve recently been reading. This seems a more productive way to us the day than grumbling about the weather. I will of course need to get back to my rag rug later it is almost 5ft in circumference now.

Simple Stylish Crochet – Melody Griffiths.

This is a great book full of inspiration and exquisite colour rich photographs. I love the poncho off the cover, as seen above.

The book has 24 different patterns ranging from beginner through to more the more advanced crochet pattern. It has the practical items like hats, scarves and jackets. It also has some sensational glamorous evening wear like the sequinned vest top. I think this is a good book to invest in or at least take out of your local library.

I love vintage crochet patterns and books too. I have quite a collection of books in my growing library. I recently ordered, Crochet By Design by Wynne Broughton, for borrowing at my local library. Unfortunately my local library service had lost this book and so I received this book on loan from Orkney Islands Council.

The book is as it says on the cover a sound manual for learning about the various stages of the design process. The book, although over 30 years old, is still a solid foundation for anyone wanting to master the process of designing any type of crochet. It goods give details on mastering the various crochet stitches and techniques.

I also figured given the weather is so miserable at the moment it would be uplifting and encouraging to read some pages from Sarah Ban Breathnach. Her books are beautiful and nurturing. Reading just a few pages is to escape from everyday stresses and and like having a relaxing cup of tea at the same time.

Two wonderful books by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

Romancing The Ordinary – A Year of Simple Splendour

Simple Abundance – A Daybook of Comfort & Joy

In Something More – Excavating Your Authentic Self, she provides a plethora of musings and reflections which can be read as inspirational affirmations. Each page provides an enriching and soothing creative resource. Something to focus on, something to consider and some gem to ponder on throughout your day.

All of these books are bursting with apposite quotations from a multitude of characters. For example the chapter ‘Entertainment’ opens with the following quote -

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play of instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.”

C. G. Jung

This I can relate very clearly to the actual creative process. So go forth and enjoy creating.

Happy creativity

The Octagon Blanket Project

A couple of months ago i was inspired to knit an octagon throw, blanket or afghan. I had downloaded a vintage pattern many months before and naively believed this would be a ‘quick’ project.

The original pattern was worked in 4 ply wool and was made up of about 122 octagons. I decided to use DK double knitting acrylic wools – for washability and durability.

This was a quick layout to assess sizing and how many actual octagons would be needed. The colour theme is essentially greens, blues and purples.

As you can see each octagon is bordered by four small squares and then there is a final border. I have decided to to knit all aspects of the throw in garter stitch. I still need to finalise sizing’s and numbers required. I have decided to crochet the final border so that it may actually be completed in 2009. Patience is NOT my virtue. When I began this project I estimated that i would take approximately one month, I was obviously deluded or very optimistic.
I began making at least 8-10 octagons a day but now I have to force myself to complete at least a couple a day. So many other projects and experiments beckon.
In the photographs some of the octagons appear to be black but they are in fact a forest green.
Totals to date are:
Octagons 48
Half Octagons 11
Filler Squares 23
Corner Octagons 0
In hindsight I wish I had crocheted the octagons but I’m promising myself that it will all be worth it once it’s complete.

As ever in between knitting the octagons I went off and crocheted a massive granny square. I am obviously working in the same colour schemes here but more blues I think.

I realise that I am too easily distracted but as long as my hands are busy I’m happy.

The finished square measures approx 6ft square and was very quick to work.