Wednesday, April 11, 2012

playing hooky

I've been queueing up granny square blankets for a while...collecting ideas and photos of what I might one day like to hook up.  I love this one and this one and isn't this one gorgeous!?  Well, after adding one more link to my pinterest board, I decided to start some field research.  So, I put all of my left over worsted weight yarns into a basket to stew on for a while....you know, just to look at the colors, see if they worked together and if I liked how they all looked mingled up amongst each other.
I knew that I didn't have the funds to support ordering a bunch of yarn, so I decided to use what I had on hand with the possibility of adding some supplemental colors and background yarn as I went along.  The basket sat on the floor of my craft studio for weeks and I'd pull out yarns from time to time to see if taking out one color made me like the pile, or if adding another color made them all harmonize even better.
I've been a bit hesitant to start this project because I have this huge afghan (see above photo) that was given to me years ago...and let's just say that I'm not in love with it.  The colors are a bit garish (the neon orange and green), they don't really match anything in my house or each other for that matter....and yet I appreciate all the hard work and time that went into it.  So you can see that this blanket has been part of my hesitation in starting a granny squared afghan.
But finally this past Sunday, after all the dishes were put away and all the guests were gone from Easter,  I got out my Klutz crochet book and re-taught myself how to crochet a granny square.  I put away thoughts of neon orange and green and I just started.   It's been so much fun!
Mckenzie and I were talking about the colors and I asked her if I should limit my colors to 5 or 7 or should I just work with all of them....she said, "Mom, don't think about it too much....just have fun!"  Don't you love that!?  So, that's what I'm doing.  I'm pulling out color combos that I like and I'm having fun.  I am planning to crochet all of them with a cream/oatmeal edge so that they'll be grounded by a similiar background.  (Kind of like this one)
I'm already learning some things I start on this project....
1. This is a long term project...I'm not in a hurry.  I'll add to my pile of squares as I have time.
2.  I'm enjoying experimenting with color and I'll keep experimenting as I go. I promise not to add any neon green or orange though.
3.  The gifted afghan has taken on new appreciation as I work on each square (and even though I'm not a fan of the colors...I'll bet she had fun while hooking away on it).
I'll keep you posted as I work through the yarn in my basket and grow my pile of granny squares...playing hooky has been so fun!

15 comments:

Sherral said...

I love the idea of a nice granny square blanket. I'd love to have one... Just need to learn to crochet first, ha! Good luck! I bet it turns out so great!

From All Stitched Up said...

Great so far! I love granny squares. I think they are relaxinng to make and fun to choose the color combinations. My daughter comes up with good advice from time to time. I think daughters are great.

Tonya Gunn said...

Can't wait to see your progress. What a great idea.
Blessings,
Tonya

Stephanie said...

I started one for Jackson and then it just sat and sat. I really need to get going on that again. I think what stopped me was the investment in yarn I was going to have to make. I made one of each patterned square to figure out the amount of yarn I would need and then felt overwhelmed by the large purchase. Using your own stash is a great approach, looking forward to watching your project grow!

Kristyn Knits said...

I guess I'll never tire of saying how much I admire you're "just do it" approach! I need a bit more of that in my life. Enjoy the process! Your squares are beautiful. And I loved K's comment...love it!

Debi said...

It's going to be beautiful! Can't wait to see the finished blanket.

Tracy said...

I love the softer colors you're using, Lisa. I like granny square blankest with a more limited color scheme too. And I'd love to crochet one someday--it's on the someday list. My ripple throw is in limbo first... ;o) Can't wait to see your finished blanket. Happy Spring Days ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Oh I'm so impressed! That is going to be beautiful. And I love Mckenzie's advice!

Anonymous said...

Great color choices! Sometimes you need to have that one long term project to go to in between the shorter projects.

Leslie said...

This looks like fun!

Maria said...

Enjoy the journey - it is so much fun and so relaxing. Ever since I "found" what blogging was and "found" lovely Lucy at Attic24 I have been hooked!! I have just finished a huge granny square blanket (double bed size) for my 14yr old 6ft 2in son which he loves. It was a mix of big squares that matched the size of 4 smaller squares. It only took at year - and LOTS of wool and LOTS of relaxing moments. Have fun making your beautiful blanket.

Heather said...

Oh my goodness, those are beautiful! I love the colors that you have chosen, and can't wait to see it all come together.

sara said...

I love your colour combinations, I'm working on a similar blanket and I'm edging it with grey, mine will be a very slow project too.........but you're right, it is fun.

Gloria said...

Beautiful! I have wanted to learn to make one of these for so very long. I did start one a long time ago. I am having to teach myself how to do it. These are the times I wished I lived closer to my mom so she could just show me! :)

The colors you have chosen look like they don't scream out. Pretty much that they would go great in any home. The one I want to make has a lot of white in it, and some pops of color. I saw one in a blogging magazine and fell in love. It has white as the ONE basic color through the whole blanket. I need to start it up again. This is such a classic pattern that spells HOME...:)

I hope you are having a happy Friday!
xoxo...Gloria

Ruth said...

I love the versatility of granny squares. There is so much you can do with them. I can't wait to see how yours turns out.
Ruth