Granny Wheel Square

Well hello my lovelies, so good to have your company today. Yes, especially today as I am almost popping my socks off with excitement and need desperately to share it with someone who gets it. Husband is most certainly not one of those people, he does try I think, but he isn't very convincing. He indulges me in the same way that you would indulge an over excited child who is a teensy bit irritating with their over excitement.

So what am I going on about, shall I come to the point? Well last night just after I had finally settled Little B to sleep, I took up my hook and yarn in an attempt to work through a design idea that had popped into my head whilst I was milk tankering. It was a design for a square that I've been pondering over for a few weeks now, even though it was all quite vague up until last night. Yes, last night, the Vague Idea suddenly went POP!! And there it was, all very clear and exciting and inspiring and no longer vague at all. Ahhh, it was a great moment!

Do you remember when I wrote this post a few weeks ago and I showed you the Wagon Wheel square that I'd made from a pattern in the oh-so-dated granny square book? Well...I really wanted to try and design my own version of this kind of square. I felt sure that with a little effort I could do it, could make a granny circle fit neatly within a granny square. I wanted my version to be a bit denser too, without so many holes and gaps as the one in the book. But more than anything, I wanted to design a square that would be simple to make. I wanted to create an easy pattern to work but one which would still have great visual impact and loads of possibility for colour-play.

And do you know what?

I think I've managed it!!!! I've really gone and done it!!!!!!

Yay for me!!!!

I can't tell you how excited I am about this new design. Yes I am, really, really, really, really, really pleased with it. Really I am! Jeez, I was sooooooooooo excited last night I could hardly get to sleep, my mind was buzzing and quite honestly if I didn't have a needy seven week old baby to care for, I think I would've sat up all night and made dozens of these squares just for the absolute pleasure of it.

 

So what do you think?? Do you like them?? Oh I do hope so, please tell me you like them?!

The above photo shows the Wagon Wheel square from the book on the left, and on the right is my own "Granny Wheel" square. See how mine is less spokey and holey? I also got rid of the rather irritating 4th round of chain-loops which I didn't much care for in the wagon wheel.

 

And here is a reminder of the delightfully frightful Hostess Apron which is the inspiration for my next blanket. I'm going to be joining my Granny Wheel squares into rows and linking them with stripes. But in blankety format of course. And in beeeaaauuutiful colours too.

I tell you, I am waaaaaaay beyond excited about all this (hmmm can you tell?) I am fizzing and popping and bursting to get started, but I am still deliberating on which yarn to go for. Can't rush that decision cos it's so important to get it right. Plus I'm also still working slowly but surely on my little zigzaggy StashBuster blankie......but soon it'll be time.

Yes, soon it'll be time for a New Blanket to begin.

Oh Happy DAys!!!!!!!!

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ps Will I be sharing this pattern? Why Yes of course! I do intend to make a full tutorial for my new Granny Wheel square, but not for a little while yet. I'll keep you posted xx

Edited to add :: thank you all so very VERY much for your wonderful and enthusiastic response to my sock-popping hooky excitement! I'm really pleased you like my new creation and I can't wait to get my greedy mitts on a new yarn stash and begin churning these out. It's going to be huge fun, I can just tell :o) xx

((thank you )) again, you lot are the best xx

Comments

[Anna]

Are you SURE you don't want to make me a hostess apron for work? It would be a talking point..may even get you more publicity?!

Just a thought...well done clever girl x

[Jeannette..aka..Bonzogirl]

Clever girl!!!but i must remember to get some american tan tights to complete the ensemble!Those hostess aprons do a bundle in our neck of the woods!!!!!
seriously..very workable..!!

[tammy pell]

Hi,
I just discovered your blog yesterday, a friend told me about it and she thought I would love it and I do. You have inspired me to take up the hook again and try some squares. Your square is goregous! I will be looking forward to the pattern. I have some yarns and hook ready. I like your square better than the other, also because less holey. Have fun!
Tammy

[Ana]

Since discovered your blog three weeks ago or so, I can't help checking everyday to find amazing entries you post...I'm an absolute beginner and I'm learning so much with you. Lovely and great work.
Greetings from Spain

[Margaret]

Love your version of the square. I have been using your tutorial for joining granny squares, thanks so much, that was a lifesaver and stopped me from tearing my hair out!!!!!! I can now happily continue on my way to 300+ squares without having to sew them together, yippee!!!

[Sue]

lovely square Lucy, but am dying to see the squares and stripes blanket. Hope it's progressing nicely! Happy hooking!

[Angie Haggar]

Just to let you know I've only just recently discovered your lovely blog via a post on the Moneysavingexpert forums and I think it's great. I've been out today and bought Country Living magazine and two bunches of tulips!

[AMZi]

Hi Lucy!
Been waiting for a fresh post to get in at the front end of the comments. :) I LOVE your blog, and sleeping/eating/living/breathing your archives pretty much 24/7 has helped me back to my usual self after a really nasty month. You've inspired me to start my own blog: amamzing.blogspot.com if you'd like to take a look. :) I think we have a lot in common (obsession with granny squares... flowers... color... the seaside... rambling posts jk). Just saying I appreciate it and I'm DYING to make a hexagon blanket. At least pop over to see the last pic in today's post. You'll like it. ;)

[kathleen mckirkle]

Love your new square, I think they will be stunning in rows with stripes in between, especially with the amazing colours you use. Can I suggest perhaps one less chain in the corner group to reduce the hole in the corner. Just thinking when joined there would be two holes pretty close together. I'm not being critical, heaven forbid, just a suggestion. You make me smile - your enthusiasm is infectious! I made three brooches, yesterday and am just waiting for the 'backs' to arrive from ebay. You see........ you spread happiness. Thankyou.

[Nichola Hulmston]

Fantastic carnt wait for the pattern love it, love it love it. As I am only a beginner with crochet I look forward to giving it a go.
Keep up the blogging in between all the children.
Nichola

[CraftyCripple]

I can't believe you are being all creative when you must be getting zero amounts of sleep. I really like the new pattern (much more than the original ;-))

Have fun with your glorious colours.

[Louise]

How very clever of you! I love this new design. Well done.

[Jennifer]

Very nice, they look great. Can't wait to see the blanket, I think it will look fantastic with the stripes as well.

[gill]

lucy
i'm so glad you're finding time to create again - the new square is just great - can't wait for the tutorial!!!
gill xx

[Richa]

O Wow Lucy, Squares are amazing. cant wait for the tutorials.
Wishes,
Richa

[Lynne]

Lovely version of the wagon wheel. I'm so pleased that I am nearing completion of my small Ripple blanket. My stash tends to be fabrics not yarns and I decided to only use left over wool that was already in my possesion. I am so pleased with it as I never really thought I would attempt a blanket in one go, Grannys yes, but not one as a whole. But I have to say I've really enjoyed making it, (from your pattern of course). I'm planning a Granny next and for that I will be buying some new yarn.
Happy hooking.

[Shirley Sherratt]

Love the new granny squares. I was even inspired to have a go at one of your granny square tutorials and hey it was really good. Thank you.
Shirley.x

[Sue]

I do love your new design. The one with the red edge has great appeal for me. Each round appears that the little cluster gets bigger and bigger - it really is so lovely. and continues your circle within a square theme. Well done!!
I do love your blog - the colour and clarity has really inspired me. Had a big surgery recently and finding your blog inspired me to crochet - which is perfect for recovery. Small pieces to manage to hold etc and at times can only manage small amounts of concentration - so it really is perfect.

[Jo]

Oh, you are so clever, I look forward to seeing the blanket completed, I just know it will be lovely knowing your eye for colour x

[Barbara Moore]

Lucy you have done it again my friend! I too love the square much better with less holes and of course I dearly love your choice of colors. Can't wait for the tutorial! Thank you for sharing with us all. I know that your life is just beginning to settle into a routine.

[Jacquie]

Your square looks amazing !!! simple yet stunning !!! more great lucy inspiration ,bring it on !!!!

[Joey]

Well done on your new design and successful pattern. I only recently came across your blog as have decided to take up crocheting again. The last time I did any I was 12! That is over 20 years ago. Am truly inspired and delighted by the colours and energy of your blog! I am looking forward to trying some Granny squares!

[Teacup Lane (Sandy)]

I like your version for the same reason you do - less holes. And I am looking forward to your tutorial so I can try one. Love your blog!!!!

Teacup Lane (Sandy)

[Phyllis Modgling]

Love the new square! The colors are so vibrant, they make me wish for spring. Like so many others, I love your blog. This last weekend I used your "Little Birdie" as a jumping off point for a group of 40 women to make a felt "sister". They loved it! Thanks so much for all the great inspiration!

[valerie]

very very cool I have nights like that too where I have the most amasing ideas that keep me up all night but then I never remember them in the morning!!!!!!!!!!!