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!
I've been trying to get some yard/gardening work done which really makes me smile. I love being outside digging in the dirt, so I've not been too busy with knitting. As a matter of fact, I have nothing on the needles right now. I'm ready to start my Rusted Root sweater, I just haven't had time to swatch and actually cast on.
Here are some other things that have been making me smile lately: A couple of weeks ago, I found this pattern for the Practically Hyperbolic Dishcloth. It sounds quite impressive. It's actually quite easy. I'm just a beginner crocheter and I found the pattern easy to read. They were fun to make and I know there will be more in my future. They are a great way to use up leftovers. 
The girls got invited to a birthday party last week and I tried out one of Leslie's package pillows. (I forgot to take a picture and remembered as we pulled up the party...:)) It was quick and easy to make. I think it took me less than 45 minutes from start to finish. That's something to smile about. Thanks Leslie! And from what I heard, the recipient really liked it. We tucked some money in the pocket as her main birthday gift. 
We've got a chock full weekend ahead of us: a baseball game, a piano concert, a mother/daughter tea, errands and church. Maybe I can squeeze in some knitting. I hope your weekend brings you some smiles and allows you some time to do something fun.
I've been working on some baby gifts. We have some friends that are expecting and I love any excuse to make sweet baby stuff. I've been wanting to try my hand at crocheting some trim on a receiving blanket, so my friend Mary, crocheter extraordinaire, came over and between my sewing skills and her crocheting skills we each got started. Each blanket is just a yard of flannel, pre-washed and then hemmed. I love these tiny Swiss dots. 
After you put the hem in, you simply go around the edge of the blanket poking and crocheting. This trim is just a simple single crochet done three times in each poke. (I'm sure there is a more official term...but I'm just a beginner crocheter). Mary called it a shell stitch...I think. 
I used cotton crochet thread (the label read size 10) and a size 8 steel crochet hook. I've finished the pink blanket and I'm working on the green. 
The flannel is so soft and the trim adds just enough extra to make the blanket special. I'll be doing more of these. I'll take the green one with me today to finish in the van.
So, baby - We're outta here! We're heading south for a basketball trip. We'll be going to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. The varsity basketball team that Maggie plays on and that John helps to coach, the Warriors, is playing in the HSPN tournament. 12 girls...4 nights....lots of memories I'm sure. I've got my knitting packed. I'll be back sometime next week. Have a great one! 
I bought this book for my girls one year for Christmas. It's from Klutz and it is a great book for learning how to crochet. It came with yarn and a hook and a cute little bag. All the lures. I had high hopes that one of them would acquire a desire for fiber. So far I have no takers. Although Kenzie does sew, neither of them is very interested in knitting or crocheting. Lately, I have been seeing patterns with some crocheting required and my desire to crochet has peaked. I had a friend over at the beginning of summer and she showed me how to chain and single crochet. I was supposed to be helping her and she ended up blessing me. Thanks Mary! After she left, I pulled this book out and started to work some on my own. Then I found out that my mom knows how to crochet and she was thrilled to teach me some stitches. We worked the other night on how to create the inner circle of the granny square. My mom is very creative and at one point did a lot of knitting and crocheting. Who knows, maybe my interest in it will get her HOOKED again...(get it?) Well, after some tutoring and lots of reading and fiddling. This is what I've got:
