This has been the sweetest project, so much so that I am almost sad to see it finished. Everything about it was a complete pleasure. Actually, that should read Pleasure with a capital P. The scale of it (dinky), the colours (delicious), the yarn (delightful) and the end result (darling) have all combined to make it a most wonderful hooky experience. Plus, there was the extra dimension of knowing that all my time and effort was being put into something very worthwhile indeed. A creative endeavour for a really Good Cause :: to raise money and help those in need.
So...these sweet little crochet granny squares are really pretty little you know. They measure one inch square, about the size of a postage stamp. Filling a bowl with them was fast, easy, pleasurable work, and they seemed to fly off my hook. First just a handful, then dozens and dozens.
Stitching them all together was a little more laborious, and yet I did find much pleasure in the task. Sometimes I would sit very quietly with only my own thoughts as I stitched. Other times I would be surrounded by friends with a huge amount of chatter and laughter accompanying my work.
I crocheted and stitched, square by square, row by row until finally.....
...there was just a bowl of yarn ends left. And a rectangle of the most colourful little patchwork crochet you ever laid eyes on.
I worked a simple border, just five neat rows of double crochet.
And when the border was finished, I stretched and eased it all into a blankety rectangle with straight edges and neat corners, pinned it carefully around it's edges, sprayed it with a fine mist of water and left it for a whole day to dry.
I couldn't wait to un-pin it, to test out it's newly relaxed and blankety feel (blocking does wonders for the drape, not just the shape).
I was very, very, very excited.
Probably far more excited than one should be over the making of a dolls blanket.
Just a dolls blanket, a small 26 x 36 cm creation. Nothing major. Nothing innovative.
Just granny squares.
And yet, this little blanket became such a success!
Want to see?
ok...........................................................
Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isn't it a wee beauty?
I am quite in love with it actually. This little blanket has been made with such love and joy and commitment. Because I really wanted my small part of the Red Nose Day Doll project to be a success. I want the whole project to be a rip roaring, heart-skippy, huge-great-big-fat success.
I get to play with this little rectangle of colourful hooky for a little while longer before it gets packaged up and sent to meet it's lucky owner. I wonder which one of the four dolls will be snuggled up under it? Maisie, Mac, Blossom or Poppy?
But I've not finished just yet. I've already begun making blanket number two, which is a Mini Ripple. Couldn't make just one blanket, now could I?
It goes without saying that I would truly appreciate your support on this project. We have the fantabulous interconnecting worlds of Facebook and Twitter at our disposal, so I hope that you'll all join me in helping to Spread the Word. Like. Share. Tweet. All that stuff. And then when the time comes, there will be Bidding. It's going to be good.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.facebook.com/RedNoseDayDollies
https://twitter.com/@rednosedaydolls
ps. I wrote about the beginning of this project HERE, which also includes the pattern for these small squares if you fancy trying it yourself. It's a great way to use up small odds and ends of yarn, quite a lot of work, but worth it.
that blanket is beautiful!
Posted by: Sharon A Maxwell | July 27, 2024 at 12:17 AM
You have a great imagination! The colors look awesome
Posted by: Kim | June 19, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Buenas tardes, pero como se hacen los cuadritos, creo k esta personas es para las personas que ya saben, saludos
Posted by: Eloisa | October 28, 2021 at 02:26 PM
Hi there my son wants a double bed blanket using 5 colours in granny squares each sqare a separate colour. The size of each is12" by12"
How many squares and how much wool +- would I need.
Posted by: Jennifer Sheldon | December 17, 2015 at 09:10 PM
What an inspiring blog you have! Lovely!
About blocking, i read some where one onely can block 100 pct wool work, is this true? Will it work with acryllic fibers also, like your lovely blanket, what is it made of?
Posted by: Helen | October 12, 2015 at 01:49 AM
How do you attach the squares together?
Posted by: Cindy | August 29, 2015 at 12:51 AM
Buen día. No puedo suscribirme ¿como lo hago?. Un saludo y gracias por todo lo que me enseñas.
Carmen
Posted by: Carmen | July 18, 2014 at 02:06 PM
Hi i was just wondering if you blocked the squares or blanket after you finished it?
I am making a rainbow one with slightly bigger squares for are baby due in august :)
I've nearly finished my 360 squares
Posted by: Becky-Cookie | February 18, 2014 at 07:31 PM
This is so beautiful, Lucy!!
Posted by: samruddhi | August 09, 2013 at 04:28 PM
Can I ask how you stitch them together? I mean, do you used one colour yarn to stitch them together, or do you have to keep changing colours to match the squares?
Thanks
p.s. It's beautiful
Posted by: Josie Calvert Briggs | August 03, 2013 at 03:28 PM
Hello Lucy! The blanket is great! Would you be so kind to explain how to sew the squares together. I think I'm doing something wrong. Thank you kindly.
Posted by: Teri Newsome | May 29, 2013 at 03:38 PM
Thank you for the inspiration!
Look in here:
http://alise-jautrieburti.blogspot.com/2013/04/tamboreta-lellu-sedzina.html
Posted by: Alise | April 07, 2013 at 03:34 PM
Well I've finally made it around all the ladies that were involved in this project to congratulate you all for thinking this up, designing, creating and making it happen - so I saved my favourite blog til last!! Lucy, you always inspire me, but collaborative projects like this make me so proud. It's doubtless that the dolls will raise a good amount of money and its fabulous that people across cyberspace can achieve this together - warm fuzzies, thank you, J9 x
Posted by: J9 | March 04, 2013 at 05:49 PM
I love it and now have my own bowl of these charming squares. Please tell me how to stitch them together. I left the yarn tails as you suggested. Peace.
Posted by: Karen L | March 03, 2013 at 05:15 AM
How cute is this?! I love the fact that you put a neat little border on it as well, lucky dolls!
Posted by: aLittleBlonde | February 19, 2013 at 06:20 PM
Hi Lucy, featuring your work here: http://chatmoms.ning.com/photo/this-week-s-best-crochet-link-love?xg_source=activity
Feel free to join us.
Posted by: Jackie | February 16, 2013 at 07:32 PM
Beautiful colours, fantastic work! Charming! Greetings from germany :)
Posted by: Wusels | February 16, 2013 at 03:06 PM
Lucy, it's just fabulous and dinky and perfect. Good job! Gillian xx
Posted by: Gillian | February 14, 2013 at 03:21 PM
really adorable. I wonder if i would be able to ask you some advice about blocking? if yes my email address is [email protected] if you wouldnt mind dropping me a mail. Ive been a long time reader of your blog and have made many of your recipes and many of your patterns truly a great blog. Thanks Verity.
Posted by: Verity | February 14, 2013 at 01:35 PM
That's so beautiful and for such a worthwhile cause. Love it, x
Posted by: Cockney Blonde | February 13, 2013 at 10:11 PM
I'm totally inspired!
Posted by: Joy | February 13, 2013 at 08:38 PM
I love the colours of the little blanket.
I think it will also look wonderful as a place mat.
Posted by: Lu-Gerda | February 13, 2013 at 01:12 PM
This is beautiful. but I wouldn't have the nerves to do this, 'case I ghate sewing pieces together. Eaven crocheting them together is sometimes so boring that I can't do some pieces I'd like to knit or crochet.
Anyways I love your crocheting, as allways!
Posted by: Miisa | February 13, 2013 at 08:15 AM
Love the bright colors Lucy. I saw something similar only it was a scarf done in the tiny squares. It was quite stunning too.
Susanne :)
Posted by: Susanne Tyree | February 13, 2013 at 05:31 AM
Love this adorable doll blanket. So colorful!
Posted by: Cathie Jeffreys | February 13, 2013 at 01:05 AM