The Granny Stripe :: ta-dah!

 

Hello my friends, thank you so much for being here with me. I 'm really happy that finally, finally, I've found a (relatively) quiet little spot in my busy-busy days to sit and whizz up a multi-coloured ta-dah post to share with you all. Pheww....for a while I thought it would never happen, I can't tell you how incredibly difficult it is at the moment for me to find time to sit and write.

When I first made the decision to go with the acrylic for this blanket, there was quite a bit of uncertainty and I really wasn't at all sure whether it would work out or not. I purchased the yarn on a bit of a whim really, chose the colours quite quickly in a dimly lit shop one lunch time. Brought them home in a big squishy bag, tumbled them out onto the floor, arranged them in rows, stood back and took a long hard look at my blanket-to-be. A few dubious colours, but mostly yes I was happy with them and felt they would work up nicely into stripes.

And oh-me-oh-my, I was not disappointed. This yarn, this cheap acrylic yarn, was an absolute dream to work with. You may remember me beginning this blanket at the very end of May (yarn info can found in that post too), it was such an exciting time for me. Well truthfully the beginning of any blanket is always hugely exciting, but somehow this one seemed more so than ever before.

I have loved every moment of working up these granny stripes (excepting perhaps the first couple of rows), and everything about it has been a surprising pleasure. And now it's finished, and the acrylic yarn has become an acrylic blanket, I am hugely happy with it. It's one warm, colourful, happy, snuggly, delicious bit of hooky.

 

I know that a great many of you Hooked-A-Long with me and embarked on your own Granny Stripe blankets. I can't tell you how wonderful this has been for me, and how glad I am that this simple pattern has delivered such a lot of world-wide hooky happiness!

One of the most exciting and rewarding bits of blanket making is working The Edge. It's that point in the blanket when there is still quite a bit of hooky left to do, yet the End is firmly in sight.

I think every blanket deserves an Edge, it totally transforms the whole thing, turns it from a rectangle of crochet into a proper blanket.

 

I love how my Granny Stripe edging turned out. I made a round of granny-clusters first, working into the spaces at the end of alternate rows. 

After the granny clusters, I worked two rows of treble crochet, followed by a thin row of pink double crochet. Then with the light blue I worked the final edge-of-the-edge :: this was one row of double crochet (US single crochet) then a dinky little sort of picot/shell pattern that I made up myself.

This is an easy pattern, and makes a very neat edging. Work with the right side facing, and work out of BACK LOOPS only (other wise it curls if you work through both loops).
**work 3 slip stitches, then in the next stitch work the following :: (dc, ch 2, dc)**. Repeat between **.
Remember when I say dc, this is UK terms (hook into stitch, yarn over, hook back through stitch (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through 2 loops)

Do you like it?

Ahhhhhh I do. I'm very happy with it. I did try out a normal bog standard picot stitch at first but it didn't seem to be right somehow. Plus, I really get a kick out of designing something myself, creating something new.

So.

I think it might be time.

Time for me to unfold my blankie, spread it out on the floor and start dancing my excited jiggety-jig around it.

Time to climb onto the coffee table and wibble-wobble on the edge while I try and take a halfway decent photograph.

Time to show you...................................

 

............The Granny Stripe Blanket :: ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In all it's stripy, gorgeously-gorgeous glory, there it is.

Sixty stripes in total, sixty stripes of happy colourful loveliness. 

Oh yes, I do reeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally adore this blanket.

 

Are you enjoying this Stripe fest????!!!! I think I went a bit bonkers taking pictures, sorry if it's all a bit much.

 

As you all know, I made this blanket for Connievan, and I think thats perhaps why it's turned out so happy and colourful and sort of holiday-ish, you know?

Actually I'm really looking forward to taking it and installing it in Connievan. Ok, so "looking forward" doesn't quite describe my true feelings here, I am actually ridiculously, stupidly almost peeing-my-pants-with-excitement happy at the prospect (which will occur on Saturday yippppeeeeee!!)

But, I shall miss having it around at number 24, even though there are oooooo let me see now, five blankets here in this room already. 

So shall we move right along and talk Riveting Facts?? Shall we?? Ok, here we go.....

Yarn :: 17 colours of Stylecraft Special DK, worked on a 4mm hook.

Measures :: 110 x 150 cm

Starting chain :: 240

Stripes :: 60

Balls :: approx 10 x 100g

Weight :: just less than 1kg

Cost :: not a lot. Cheapo. A bargain.

Photo :: me snuggled on the sofa trying not to look too weary

Blanket :: gorgeously gorgeous

Me :: happy

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Edited to add :: a little note about my colour sequences...totally random, although I did keep an eye on the more dominant colours and tried to space them out quite evenly (the red, dark purple, the very bright in-your-face green and the yellow). Choosing which colours went next to each other was a huuuuuge part of the excitement for me with this blanket, I just love doing random ♥

Also, I've put the pattern into my sidebar, usual place down at the bottom, listed as a page. No step-by-step photos yet I'm afraid, but I've tried to write it in Plain English so hoping you can follow it.

Comments

[Gill]

It's gorgeous Lucy - I hope connievan appreciates it!!
Now what's next?????
Gill

[Jennifer]

Lucy, it's stunning. Absolutely perfect for your Connievan, it will be so wonderful to snuggle up with on your adventures. You are right, the edging just completes it perfectly. Well done!

[rachie]

Brilliant, Lucy. Now please have an extra long snuggle under it...enjoy your holiday and rest as much as you can. xxxxx

[Trysordy]

looks really good. nice work!!

[Julia]

Ahhhhhhhhh (big contented dreamy sigh that)it is beyond words, those colours just zing and dance and make me feel very jolly and holidayish all at once. Its perfect for your caravan, Im picturing it in my mind, yes I can see it being very at home in Connievan!
I like your new stitch too, reminds me of the crests of little waves...
As for your lovely self, you look radiant rather than worn out - perhaps that is the delight of finishing another gorgeous blanket methinks...

Much love to you
Julia x x x

[Jane]

Stunningly beautiful, Lucy! (and I mean YOU, first of all, then the granny stripe!)

I hooked a scarf from your inspiration! So, thank you!

Jane

[Mari from Finland]

What a lovely blanket! I think I'll have to try the pattern myself.

By the way, have you heard of a Swedish designer called Gudrun Sjöden? She designs women's clothing and home collections. Very colourful! Check out her website at www.gudrunsjoden.com.

[Claudia]

Really gorgeous, Lucy!! I love your blanket and the edge you´ve created!! I´m using this pattern for a rug and I´m anxious to show you the result!! (but it´s not finished yet... humpf!)

[Linda Earnest from USA]

Absolutely lovely! The librarian at the library where I volunteer on Tuesday evenings got me started on your blog. My favorite pictures is the loooonnnggg one of your blanket.

[Louise]

A beautiful blanket, Lucy - well done, well done, well done! I love the photos, especially the 'vertical stripes' one - it actually seems to move as I scroll down! It's been good to have you back but enjoy your break - I look forward to reading your next lot of news.

[susan hall]

Aah, its lovely !
Very well done, to get that colourful blanket made and beautifully finished when you are so busy is a real achievement!
You may feel weary but you look very pretty, all that colour suits you.

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy an absolutely outstandingly stunningly beautiful colourful blanket!!!!
You are as ever an amazing inspiration to us all. I have just about finished making my first ever blanket in strips of treble just need a border around the edge. Then I am determined to tackle a ripple and then there is the bag to tackle and finally the granny stripe. No doubt by then you will have come up with lots of other wonderful projects.
You are one in a million a STAR!!!
Have a great holiday and a well earned rest. Love and Hugsxxxxxxxxxxx

[Sarah A]

Awesome as always Lucy!! A beautiful shot of wonderful color in the midst of a work day!! Thanks for making me smile!
Did you only use one skein of each color??

[Heather]

OOoooOOOHHhhh LUCY what a fabulous stripy overload to come home from work to! Just G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S.
I hope you are superduper proud of it, Connie is going to love her new blanket.
Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx HEather xxxxxxxxxx

[greenrabbitdesigns]

Well done Lucy, another stunningly beautiful colourful blanket!!!
Edging is great.
Love it !! :)
Vivienne x

[Christine Warren]

Lucy, your blanket is lovely. It will look right at home in your van. Have a wonderful time this weekend!

[Melanie]

Thank you for sharing with us! You're right that it's gorgeous. I'm sure it will be right at home in connievan!
I've been lurking for awhile, enjoying reading your blog from the beginning, and wanted to say hi and how much I enjoy reading.

[darkpurplemoon]

Lucy - your posts always make me feel so happy and excited. Thank you (again) for sharing

Jen

[Christina]

Lucy, What a beautiful work of art you made! Ok, so maybe acrylic has it's place afterall... lol. You may feel worn at times, but you look so at peace in your photo. Life is good, especially with yarn. Thanks for sharing.

[Teresa Kasner]

OH, Lucy!! What a perfect melding of colors - it's just completely fabulous! I especially love the photo of you wrapped in the blankie, you're an absolute doll. I'm working on my "Lucy Blanket" here in Oregon, USA, in the Columbia River Gorge. I'm using the Creative Cotton and it really feels NICE! I am always happy when I see a new post from you. Now... I can't wait to see photos of it in Connievan! Woo hoo!

[Emma Stewart]

It is lovely, I love colourful blankets and can't wait to find some time to make a snuggly all of my very own xxx

[Margaret]

Lucy, your first Connievan blanket is absolutely lovely! I'm going to try a Granny Stripe shawl soon. Would you please consider doing a tutorial with pictures??
That would be awesome!!
Lots of love from Holland,
Margaret

[Sally]

What a truly fab blanket! Connievan will literally glow with pride!

And I've found a shop selling that yarn near where I work too...

[Wendy]

the blanket is lovely and the photos too.

Oh I wish I could crochet

[melissa]

glad to see you back!!

IMHO, acrylic is the way to go with afghans, mittens, hats, or other items that are going to get knocked about or used often. It is so very durable. and there are now some very nice selections in the acrylic field that are uber doober soft such as Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn", or Micheals "Impeccable". and of course there's the tried and true Red Heart, which gets softer with each wash.

Your blankie is so nice!!