Monday 7 April 2014

Granny Squares Update

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was making myself a granny square tunic.. and promised to let you know how it went.

Well, I have to report a dismal failure.. after sewing it up I tried it on .. only to look like a little girl playing dress-up!  I think my mistake was using too big a hook.. the squares stretched way too much when I put it on.  I would probably of been ok if I’d used a 6mm hook, but I had used a 9mm L


So I took it apart and turned it into a throw / blanket instead.. I decided to have a rectangle of squares in the middle with a 3” crochet border all around, surrounded by more granny squares and another crochet border on the outside.  I needed to make extra squares to make it big enough to be useful.. and because of the inner border I had to crochet some rectangular pieces to fill in gaps.. but I actually love the contrast in between the pretty squares. 


Because it is quite big, about 5’ x 6’, it was quite hard to photograph..
I like the borders.. 
And the plain crochet rectangles that fill the gaps
Though it wasn't what I'd planned to make, I rather like my new blanket and with the weather warming up don't mind not having a big snuggly jumper - this will be nice wrapped round shoulders, sitting outside on summer evenings :)

11 comments:

Ali said...

Wow! What a fabulous blanket Deborah, love the colour combinations and the variety of blocks!
Looks so sumptuous!
Happenstance, a happy hooked heirloom!
Ali x

Midsummer Miniatures said...

I love your beautiful choice of colours - the blanket looks wonderfully snug.

Btw, just thought you'd like to know - I attended a beginners wet felting workshop on Saturday having been inspired by your blog and loved every minute of it, so thank you for introducing me to a new interest!

FeltersJourney said...

Thanks Ali.. 'happenstance, a happy hooked heirloom' try saying that 5 times fast lol :)
x

Ogham Moon it's lovely to think my little blog has lured you into wet felting :) I'm really pleased to hear that you enjoyed your class!
p.s. the blanket is indeed very cosy :)
x

Kerry O'Gorman said...

Sometimes we have to make lemonade from lemons! I love the colours of the squares...definitely makes a gorgeous, cozy throw.

Kelly said...

I do have to say even though it did not turn out how you envisioned, the colors are fabulous. Glad that you could save it and make something useful from your hard work!

FeltersJourney said...

Thank you Kerry & Kelly :)

That's the nice thing with granny squares.. they're easy to re-purpose and quick to make.. well individually they are anyway :)
xx

Lyn said...

It's a beautiful blanket and very snuggly! Lovely colours and it will last for decades (my aunt crocheted granny square throws for her armchairs and she had them for nearly 30 years!) I love granny squares and in the 70's I crocheted a granny square long tunic for my mum. This post brought back some happy memories.

FeltersJourney said...

Thanks Lyn :) I'm sitting back against a granny throw my nan crocheted, with a little help from my auntie and mom before I was born (I'm 40), it's my favourite family heirloom.
Funnily enough a 70s style long waistcoat / tunic is next on my crochet list :)
xx

Ruthie Redden said...

This is stunning Too, i love the colours, a mistake made good, the best kind of mistakes ;) Granny squares like this always remind me of my GRandma, I ahve a huge throw here in the studio that she crocheted many moons ago, it's a fave thing of mine. Sigh, still can't crochet myself, but one day! ;)

FeltersJourney said...

Hey Ruthie :) Grandma's granny blankets are wonderful :) I love my nans blanket.
Youtube is your friend if you decide to have a go at crochet .. loads of how-to vids on there. I learned from a book (before the days of youtube) and found it easier to be able to keep reading back over each step as I did it, there was no pressure and no trying to keep up with what someone else was doing.
xx

Ruthie Redden said...

OOh Thanks Deborah, I never thought of looking there, I can always pick something up easier from a visual demo than from reading about it, there may be some hope even yet ! ;)