I'm here for a quick "Hello!" and just to say I'm fine and that last week we moved in the temporary flat…
I had to put away most of my yarns, but in the meantime I crocheted a little bit …. 2 mini blankets are right now off my hooks and a new little project is on the way…
I found some variegated yarns in my boxes and drawers and I decided to use them in a granny project…
… and this is what I came up with …
The yarns used were all bought in Jakarta, little by little, just after I learnt how to crochet…
I'm not a huge fan of variegated yarns, but sometimes is really good to try something different…
What I liked about working with this yarns was that I didn't have to change colours after each round of a granny : the yarn itself did this job for me !!!! Less ends to cut and trim : so relaxing!!! ;oD
The project was really quick to complete, as I was working with a 6mm hook and I decided to crochet just a lap blanket, to keep on the sofas …. we are in "winter" in this part of the world, right now!
WHAT YOU NEED :
- a hook (6mm)
- some variegated yarns to achieve a nice patchwork effect : I was using a selection of Robin Chunky variegated (100% good acrylic ….. so soft!), some Katia Azteca and Inca multicolours and a ball of Click Chunky from Sirdar (for the fringes)
- a pair of scissors
- a yarn needle
- a ruler (or a tape measure) for the fringes
…. Margot was very useful as a tester of the blanket to be !!!!
THE BASIC GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN (4 rounds)
I worked 64 grannies (8x8) for this lap blanket (but I don't remember the dimensions of it, as all the notes are away in one of the boxes put in storage … sorry !) and I joined them with the join as you go method : you can find the one you prefer via Pinterest ( join as you go method or how to join granny squares ) or YouTube ( how to join granny squares or the join as you go method ).
Please note that I follow the US crochet terminology in my works.
Collect the hook and the chosen colour for the granny square : make a slip knot on your hook and chain 4 stitches, slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring.
round 1 : chain 1
repeat [ 3 double crochets + chain 3 ] 4 times
make a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (=double crochet) to complete the first round
(**)make 2 more slip stitches in the tops of the following DCs of the same shell and another slip stitch in the first corner you meet : now you are ready to start
round 2 : chain 1
repeat [ 3 DCs + chain 3 + 3 DCs and chain 1 ] 4 times
slip stitch in the top of the first DC to end the round
repeat (**) as in the first round : you can start, then
round 3 : chain 1
repeat [ 3 DCs + chain 3 + 3 DCs and chain 1, 3 DCs in chain-1 space, chain 1 ] 4 times
slip stitch in the top of the first DC to complete this round
repeat (**) as in the previous round, so you can crochet the last round
round 4 : chain 1
repeat [ 3 DCs + chain 3 + 3 DCs and chain 1, 3 DCs in chain-1 space + chain 1, 3 DCs in 2nd chain-1 space and chain 1] 4 times
slip stitch in the top of the first DC to close the round
make 2 slip stitches in the following DCs
cut yarn and fasten off; trim in the ends
THE BORDER and THE FRINGES
After all the ends were trimmed and cut, I decided to keep my blanket very simple.
In fact, I just made a simple border all around : 1 round of single crochets !!! Easy peasy !!
To give some personality to the blanket I decided to add some fringes …
In the picture above you can have a glimpse of the thin border ( in dark grey ) and of the first fringes …
Each fringe is made of 6 strands of yarn, each measuring 15 cm, and they are positioned only in the chain-1 spaces ( none in the corners ) along the whole blanket, as you can see …
… and here it is , in all its beauty …
…. and some extras …
xxxx Alessandra
… btw, I really missed you all a lot and this little place of mine, too !!! ;oD
Today links : Link your Stuff !, Busy Fingers Showing Off and Craft Schooling Sunday !!!
Today links : Link your Stuff !, Busy Fingers Showing Off and Craft Schooling Sunday !!!
