Sweet Flower Granny Blanket :: Ta-dah!

Hello my lovelies, thanks as always for taking time to call in and see me, so happy to have you here. As you can see, we're ta-dah-ing today and I am so happy, it feels to me like this moment has been such a long time coming it really does. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it's spanned across the turn of the year, you know? It makes it seem so long ago when I think about it starting way back Last Year. July to be precise, so six months ago. Half a year to make a modest size blanket, talk about slow progress.

The thing with this sweet little blanket is that it did in fact turn out to be very fiddlesome and time consuming. The centres of each square are made up of small picot flowers with little loopy leaves worked into the back of them. Darning in the ends was a 'mare. So many ends! Fiddle faff fiddle!

This was where I was up to at the end of August. When I first started out with this blanket I  intended doing all the squares the same size. But in the early stages when I was kind of making up the middles first before adding the extra rounds, I got a glimpse of small-next-to-big and immediately liked the look of it. So this is how it ended up, it was all very organic/unplanned really.

Slowly, slowly, the blanket began to grow. Through September......

 
....and on into October. I fiddle-faffed with the sweet little flowers. I cussed the ends. I fretted over my random colour choices which often seemed very iffy. Yet despite these irritations, I began to love this little blanket more and more as it grew.

November saw me put a real spurt into it and I think this is when I really fell in love with it. I found myself doing less cussing and fiddle-faffing and more ooohing and ahhhhing. I began to enjoy the quirky colour combos that were happening. And I had this feeling that the bigger it grew, the better it would be.

The sweet flowers pretty much hibernated throughout December as I pushed them aside to make way for snowflakes and stars and the such like. But once Christmas was over, I couldn't wait to get stuck in again. Truthfully, I was already mentally stacking up my future projects and I wanted this little blanket done and dusted to make way for new things.

Coming to the end of a blanket in the depths of winter has distinct advantages. I really loved sitting by the fireside with this pretty heap draped over me, hooking myself into a state of warm, cosy bliss. When the above photo was taken a few weeks ago, I remember I only had ten more squares left to make.  I was visualising The Edge in my immediate future, and oh my, I was soooooo looking forward to being on The Edge of this blanket! No more itty bitty flowers! no more fiddly-faffy ends to darn!! just row upon row of stripy, hooky happiness!!

The above photo was taken in very early January, when all the squares were finally complete. Little Lady and I counted them :: 82 small squares, 12 big squares, 94 altogether.

I was pleased with the way the squares had worked out, although I found it quite "busy" to look at. But I also knew that I would be adding quite a deep border around the squares, and that the border would probably help to balance it out. Well that was my hope anyhow.

The Edge is worked in granny rows, working two rows of each colour to match with the Granny Stripe. For the first time I tried out a method for a "crinkle free Granny Square border" and it worked amazingly well, I can definitely recommend it. Gosh i really did enjoy working round The Edge of this blanket, it was like the granny stripe all over again. So soothing and easy and rhythmic compared to those pesky sweet flower squares!

The Edge-of-the-edge ( AKA the pink pointy bits) is the same as the Granny Stripe. It's an easy little picot/scallop thingy, as follows..

First work a row of UK double crochet. Then with the right side facing, and in the BACK LOOPS only **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). Tis very easy and very effective I think.

So this is how the border ended up :: seven double rows of granny clusters. One row of UK trebles, one row of UK double crochet, one row of UK trebles, then finally a row of UK double crochet followed by the Pink Pointy Bits.

Gosh I've had  a job photographing this blanket, I took oodles of pics over a number of days trying very hard to capture the true colours. Not easy given the appauling weather and low light levels in my patch of late, but I think I got pretty close in the end.

Ahhh this is my favourite photo of all I think. The blanket looks so, so, so......well, so beautifully blankety in this picture! So drapey and sure of it's blankety goodness!

Oh how I love making blankets (can you tell?!) I love every single part of the process.

I love the planning, the yarn-buying, the beginning, the middle, the end-of-the-middle, the edge, the edge-of-the-edge and finally the completion.

The Completion could possibly be my favourite part, although oooo I do like the beginning of the middle, yes. And the edge-of-the-edge of course.

But when the last stitch comes off the hook and the last thread is darned in and Completion is declared, well that moment is hard to beat.

It is bright this blanket, yes it is. 22 different colours of Stylecraft Special DK in total, all chosen at random as I went along.

It's quite a full-on kind of a blanket.

Remember that I made it to go in our caravan, so I wanted it to be fun and frivolous and happy and holidayish.

Which I do think it is.

Anyhoooooooooooooo, I am rambling. So I shall stop myself right there and proceed forthwith with the Ta-dah.........................................................................................................................

Ta-ta-ta-Ta-ta-ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In all it's glory, there it is.

My sweet flower granny blanket.

It was a fun journey, but truthfully I was more than happy to reach The Completion stage with this one. For a smallish blanket, it was a lot of work.

But oh-oh-oh, just look how pretty it is!! And look how well it sits next to the Stripe!

Awwwww these two blankets were made for each other and they really do look beautiful together, don't they? I can't wait for the Spring to come so that Connievan can be swung out of her winter sleep and prettified with these two hooky lovelies.

So :: you know the score by now....it's time to talk Riveting Facts!

Yarn :: 22 colours of Stylecraft Special DK, worked on a 4mm hook.

Measures :: 110 x 150 cm (actually I've lost my tape measure, but it's roughly the same dimensions as the G-stripe)

Squares :: 94 (12 big and 82 small)

Balls :: approx 10 x 100g

Weight :: 960g

Cost :: bargainous

Photo :: my usual sofa/blanket self portrait

Blanket :: scrumdiddlyumptious

Me :: happy, yaaaayyyy ☺

You :: wonderful, thank you ♥

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Comments

[Joanne Garratt]

Hi Lucy
Love the blanket is their a pattern for this blanket

Thanks Joanne

[Susan Randle]

Hello Lucy
Is there a pattern / yarn colours for this blanket?
Beautiful work.

[Linda geiger]

Love you blog and this blanket thank you for sharing this I love this flower have several in my yard your colors are perfect.

[Beverly Lemoine]

Do you have the pattern posted for the big and little squares for this oh so cute blankie? Can you tell me the approximate size in inches?

[Lucy @ Attic24]

Hello Karen
Many thanks for the yummy cappuccino, much appreciated!!
Im so sorry but I never wrote a tutorial for the sweet flower granny pattern. Truthfully the flower squares were a real pain to make, fiddly and a tonne of ends to darn, so I kind of fell a bit out of love for them in the end.
You could adapt the pattern and leave out the flowers, making 8 round grannies surrounded by smaller 4 round ones, join as you go? I made a blanket like this once and it turned out beautiful.
Happy hooking 😊
Love Lucyxxx

Sent from Windows Mail

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Sent:‎Thursday‎, ‎14‎ ‎January‎ ‎2016 ‎21‎:‎25
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A new comment from “karen Frost” was received on the post “Sweet Flower Granny Blanket :: Ta-dah!” of the blog “Attic24”.

Comment:
Hi Lucy
Sorry to hear you are under the weather. Please could you say whether you have a tutorial on the sweet flower blanket - I have a lot of wool left over from all your other blankets I have followed. Thanks Lucy I have left you a cup of coffee
Karen Frost x
Happy New Year

Commenter name: karen Frost
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[karen Frost]

Hi Lucy
Sorry to hear you are under the weather. Please could you say whether you have a tutorial on the sweet flower blanket - I have a lot of wool left over from all your other blankets I have followed. Thanks Lucy I have left you a cup of coffee
Karen Frost x
Happy New Year

[Marilyn]

I'm trying to make the big granny square 12inch and the small six inch will they fit

[Julie watts]

Hi Lucy I've just found you on Facebook and I think your blankets are fabulous ! They re soooo lovely, it's inspired me to have ago after many years of not crocheting !! Just received my wool and new hooks so am going to have a go . Your colours are just beautiful , very inspired . Thank you for your pages , Julie 😊😊

[Mia]

I really like the mismatched square sizes, and the striped edge really brings it together. I think I'll have a go at that laid back arrangement instead of the usual neat rows - but without the fiddly, albeit pretty, little flowers!

[Ali]

Hi Lucy - I'm a huge fan of your blog and love your designs! I would really like to make the sweet flower blanket and wondered if there was a tutorial for the squares?

Thank you

x

[Sherryl van Wyk]

Hi Lucy

I discovered your site early 2015 and am so thrilled with it. Your work is absolutely stunning and very inspiring. I've done 2 wavey blanky's and one edging so far. Love your colour and am now looking at the triangles.
Many Many thanks
and have a Sunshine Day
Regards, Sherryl from South Africa

[NANCY]

Hi Lucy, I just love your blanket. You are so creative and I love the way you put colors together. I hope you will be posting a pattern for the squares sometime soon. I look forward to more of your creativity. Thank you,
Nancy
Boston USA

[Ellen Tristram]

I was wondering if you could do a tutorial showing how to turn the picot flowers into granny squares? I'm a seasoned knitter, but a beginner hooker, and it isn't obvious to me I'm afraid! I know this is a really old post, but this is my favourite of all your blankets, and you are my complete idol (slightly embarrassing) and I want to make one like this! It would mean a lot to me :)

Thanks,

Ellen

[Hayley.]

This blanket is just stunning! Did you ever share the pattern for the square? Would love to try it.
Your work is so inspiring to so many. You truly have a gift.
Hayley.

[Mandy]

I love this!!!! The colors are gorgeous!

[Eve]

Wow, that's awesome! :) Sooo colorful.
Just waiting for yarnto arrive to make a blanket myselfe :)

[Cucki]

It's so beautiful xx

[Gerta]

Hi Lucy, Same question as above. I ordered the yarn through the link and that was super easy. Thank you for that.
My sister turned me on to your site and I just can't turn away. I love the colors on all of your items.
I believe I can slowly figure out the pesty flowers, but I too was hoping to see a tutorial. It is just the beginning portion that is needed.
But I could do the Mandala Wheels instead, but I just love the blanket.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Gerta

[Hayley.]

Hi Lucy. Did you ever write a pattern up for this? I would love to give this a go.

[Elizabeth Curtin]

This is AMAZING! I'm working on a whole bunch of granny squares and probably have enough to make a coat, but can't find a pattern with a tapered shaping and have almost 0 crochet experience so I hesitate to make up a pattern even though I seem to be designing one in my head! I will definitely use granny stripes somewhere in there. Lots of great inspiration on your blog, as usual.

Beth

[Nancy Robinson]

I just love the way you put your colors together.

Will you be posting a pattern for the sweet flower square?

Nancy Robinson
Waltham, MA
USA

[Helena]

Hello Lucy,
I'm Helena, and my daughter recently found "your Attic", when I said I would like to make a little blanket for a new baby in the family. I've been visiting and discovering "you" everyday. I'm now starting a blanket. a mixture between Sweet-flower-granny-blanket and Summer Garden Granny Square. Can you please tell me which method you used to join the squares, as-you-go or joining granny squares?
Thank you for your lovely, colorful Attic. Keep up the good work.

[lisbeth johnsen berg-estenson]

Fabolous,fabolous.You are such a great inspiration Lucy. I am stunned by your works,and it is a great treat everytime to visit your blogg.You are great.

[NANCY ROBINSON]

I just love it. I love your choice of colors and the way you put them together. Will you make the pattern available?

Nancy
USA

[Jacob]

Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I'm trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.