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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These two blankets, or afghans are beautiful! My daughter-19, Yrs old, not #19, sent the blog to me at work and said, commanded, etc. "Make this for me!"
I sent back "Make it yourself".
She is grown afterall. She knows how to crochet, too. And she has much 'free time', as no job yet.
Posted by: Marvene Smead | July 27, 2011 at 09:22 PM
Oh my goodness this is PHENOMENAL! I am so inspired to pick up my crochet needles again!
Posted by: Lauren | July 17, 2011 at 05:57 AM
thought Id let you know that you have re enthuised me to start crocheting again and am producing lovely items for the school craft stall. Its a pity we dont have as readily available the lovely crochet cottons you have to choose from in Australia but the internet is always a useful tool.. hate waiting though.Im amazed at how much you manage to produce both craft and visual postings. Many thanks and much inspiration to come your way.
Posted by: monique smith | July 07, 2011 at 12:48 PM
WOW WOW WOW All those ends were worth the cussing and effort! The final project looks wonderful!!!
Posted by: Karen | June 28, 2011 at 07:32 PM
I just found you..this is so beautiful!! Wow!
Do you crochet the squares together? xx
Posted by: Janet | June 24, 2011 at 03:36 PM
Lucy, I've replied to this before I think, but I thought I would do so again to say that I've just finished a blanket inspired by this one. You can see it over at my blog :)
Thank you so much for sharing all of your wonderful work, and for inspiring so many of us. You're absolutely fab!!
Much love,
Kim
Posted by: Kim | May 02, 2011 at 12:51 PM
These all are looking very great which is absolutely gorgeous and also one of the good to know about it.
Posted by: appointment setting | April 18, 2011 at 06:41 AM
Lucy i just love your beautiful creations! I have tried several of your patterns and loved them but would love the pattern for sweet flower granny...please post it..please! Thank you! Dawn South Africa
Posted by: Dawn van Zyl | April 02, 2011 at 05:29 PM
Did I skim through this too quickly or is there no pattern for your sweet little flower squares? I am making a granny square blanket atm and want to include a whole lot of different types of squares :)
The pattern would be appreciated :D :D
Posted by: Mandy | March 28, 2011 at 10:42 AM
I love this craft. You have given me a good idea to start my blanket. I have been really nice. Thanks. Uno becho desde España¡¡
Posted by: lamohino | March 22, 2011 at 05:25 PM
Thank you for all your beautiful work Lucy!
I've been hoping for a tutorial on the sweet flower granny, having a tough time figuring out how to do the flowers and little petals! I'd be so thrilled to learn!
Posted by: Michelle Epstein | March 18, 2011 at 03:53 PM
It´s so beautiful. Sorry, but my english es poor.
I follew you. When you can do it, visit me, please.
Kiss.
Posted by: Karina | March 15, 2011 at 11:43 AM
I feel very honored that you checked out my progress!! :) :) Thank you!!
Posted by: April | March 09, 2011 at 09:09 PM
I am halfway done with my copy of this blanket! (I'm a beginner). I have learned SO MUCH from your blog, thank you SO much!!! http://aprilmayrd.blogspot.com/ (pic of it so far)
Posted by: April | March 08, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Wow! Another one of your amazing creations. I really enjoy reading your blog so much. it's just so full of colour and always makes me feel cheerful. I went to my first crochet class last week, in the little village hall. I was the youngest by at least 30 years, but I had the best nights fun. I'm looking forward to being inspired by your creations!
Posted by: Dee | March 06, 2011 at 09:34 AM
Ooooohhhh! I like it! Looking at it makes you happy.
--Angela
Posted by: Angela Green | February 24, 2011 at 03:08 AM
This is so beautiful. I love your work. I stare at it every day now.
Posted by: April | February 22, 2011 at 09:49 PM
I have just found your Post regarding your wonderful blanket. I'm away in New Zealand for a while and somehow managed to miss this until this morning. Such colours and I love the larger/smaller block mix. Great! Hope you are feeling better - no doubt snuggling under this super blanket helps with the TLC.
Posted by: Linda | February 20, 2011 at 06:37 PM
It is just beautiful. I love the colours.
Posted by: Regula Bartholdi | February 20, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Such a lovely blanket. I really like the different size of the colorful squares.
Posted by: Sue | February 17, 2011 at 04:03 PM
Hi Lucy!
Congratulations for this new lovely blanket : )
I've been looking if there is the tutorial how to do the central little flower, but I didn't found it, it's there any tutorial?
Thanks a lot and regards from Montgat (Barcelona)
Posted by: celi | February 16, 2011 at 10:38 PM
I have looked all over your site (how delightful that is) and can't find the sweet flower granny square pattern. Have you posted it? And, if not, will you. Thank you so very much.
Posted by: Sandy Brantly | February 16, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Lucy, will you pleeeease give us a tutorial?? Pretty Pleeeease? :-)
Posted by: Rona | February 15, 2011 at 12:22 AM
These all are looking really very amazing it can be great and cool to know about it. These all things are really very inspiring it can be great to know about it.
Posted by: Dog beds | February 14, 2011 at 03:50 AM
Lovely!!Could you tell me how to make the flower to begin the square? Please mu e mail is [email protected]
Thanks so much.
Posted by: susana | February 13, 2011 at 10:15 PM