Hooking and Blocking

A little bit of blankety, grannified hooky chat today :: I'm continuing to work steadily on my Summer Garden blocks and most evenings you can find me snuggled on the sofa with my yarn bag, quietly working my way through that gorgeous yarn stash.

This is how I work ::

I begin by making little piles of whirly circles, in groups of four.

And when there is a fair pile of circles I begin to turn them into squares, also in groups of four.

And when there is a fair pile of squares, I begin to turn these little Granny Quartets into blocks.

And when a block is made and finished, its time to Block the block.

I would say that blocking is an essential part of making a blanket, especially if your granny squares/blocks are more than five rounds big. After this size, the squares begin to wibble and wobble and pull out of shape, it's the nature of crochet, due to the way the yarn and stitches pull in a certain direction as you work. Alicia describes this process brilliantly in one of her posts about making and blocking granny squares. She talks of how blocking them "absolutely transforms these babies from slightly fraught, tweaked-out, anxious little trapezoids to drapey, blissed-out grown-ups — they're all mature and perfectly square and presentable after spa-treatment."

I just love that idea, of the Grannies going for Spa-treatment.

Blocking is easy, and ridiculously satisfying. I use a square of 1-inch thick foam covered in an old thin towel. Then using a ruler as a guide, I start by pinning the square out in the four corners first, followed by a pin mid way round each side. Then it's a case of working your way round with pins, easing and stretching the sides of the block out to the ruler edge. One pin roughly every 3 or 4cm is enough.

Then you will need a water spray (the type you can find in a garden centre which is used for plants), filled with tepid water. Spray the whole block  with a fine mist until it's evenly wet, then leave to dry completely (over night in a warm place is best).

The results speak for themselves. It's not only the shape which is altered, but the actual feel and drape of the block too :: it becomes softer and altogether more blankety somehow. More relaxed.

As the blocks begin to pile and grow, my joy for this blanket multiplies. I think this is my happiest blanket to date. It thrills me to bits, makes my heart flip.

Right now, as of today, I have thirteen complete blocks made, so I'm just over one third done. I also have a stack of 24 circles and 20 squares waiting to be made up into more blocks.

It was a delicious moment when I spread them out all together for the first time this morning to see how they were beginning to shape up..........

What do you think?

Looking good??

Just need to mention that I've had numerous requests recently for a tutorial on joining granny squares together. I'm hoping to try and get this done as soon as I can for you, but please bare in mind that we are now into half term hols and Little People will be  demanding my attention. So I will do my best.

Right-o, I'm off to go and get my Friday thrills :: fresh flowers, chocolate, magazines and pink fizz are needed ready for the weekend....oh happy days :o)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[French Knots]

I've managed to crochet around the edge of a knitted pram blanket this week so, inspired by you, my next project is going to be granny squares. Might end up as a very small cushion of squares if it doesn't go well!
Love your latest blanket, very snuggly.

[Clara Melvin]

Looking really good. I crochet in the same manner. I start by making a lot of the center, stack them and when I get a lot, I will do the next step. It is so satisfying to see the piles as they are completed. I love the look of your new "blanket."

[frances]

Your squares are looking very, very good!

My own crochet project is beginning to take shape, in a colorway that is very different, all pinks, roses, reds, ivories, cinnamon ... maybe I have been inspired by Valentine's Day. I know that seeing your creativity is always a catalyst.

Thank you!

[Alison]

looking great:-)