Little Squares

I love love love Thursdays, I'm sure I've told you this before. At 9.30 I drop Little B off for his two hour session at playgroup (which he loves), then spend half an hour whizzing round a few of the charity shops in my town. Today's buys were a stripy scarf (destined to become part of an "Upcycled Sheep" for Yarndale) and a really lovely blue china bowl which cost me 75 pence. I popped the bowl into my bag, then walked up to the cafe for knit and natter.

I decided to put my new blue bowl to good use at the cafe, and I have to say I am loving the use of china bowls to hold little bits of crochet, such simple visual pleasure!

This morning's job was to begin stitching my Little Squares together. Each square is left with a 6 inch tail end of yarn which I'm using for the stitching up. It's quite time consuming, and ever so slightly mind numbing, but weirdly I kind of like it. It's simple, gentle repetitive work which allows me to chatter and ponder freely whilst at the same time being productive.

When I come home from Thursday knit and natter, I am usually in full-on crochet mood and find it difficult to do anything else. All I want to do is sit and play hooky for the rest of the day.

I love setting up a cosy work space in the Big Chair next to the bay window. It feels like an indulgent way to pass the time, and it makes me really content down to the tips of my toes to be able to do this creative thing that I do. I consider myself exceptionally lucky to be a Crochet Lady.

So.....these Little Squares. I am really loving the scale of them, they are sooo cute and quick and fun to make. I love that I can use up the smallest scraps of precious yarn to make them. And I love that I am making them for a Very Good Cause.

You see, this is not a scarf I am making. Nor a cushion or a bag.

It is a small Patchwork Blanket that I am making, which will be for a really special handmade doll.

I am delighted to be a part of a collaborative project which will help raise money for a very well known UK charity :: Comic Relief.

The "Red Nose Day Dollies" will be auctioned on the Comic Relief EBAY site on Red Nose Day,  March 15th 2013.

The dolls have their very own blog and you can also keep up with the amazing creative talent happening over on Facebook and Twitter. There are twenty wonderful designer makers all helping to make the project a great success. Many, many thanks to Emma (Silver Pebble) and Ros Badger for making this happen. You are both marvellous!

http://therednosedaydolls.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/RedNoseDayDollies

https://twitter.com/@rednosedaydolls

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ps I've already been asked quite a few times on Facebook about the pattern for these Little Squares (yes they would make a fabulous scarf/cushion/bag!), it's very easy as follows ::

Chain 4, sl st into 1st chain to form a ring. Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr's into ring, chain 2, 3 tr's into ring, chain 2, 3 tr's into ring, chain 2, 3 tr's into ring, chain 2, then sl st into 3rd chain of initial ch-3 to close round. Fasten off leaving long tail end for stitching to neighbouring granny!

This is written in UK terms...for those of you in the US, you need to work DC stitches!

x

 

 

 

 

Comments

[lisa]

Thank you for sharing your lovely patterns. One is prettier than the next. I'm having a hard time deciding which pattern to use to crochet.

[Jonnie Lana Snook (Barnes)]

Just the sweetest granny square I've ever seen. Ty, 4 sharing your gifts and talents. 💙🐥

[Tess]

I just realized the border I’m asking about isn’t even ON the mini blanket lol. It’s on the stripe blanket under ur lovely new bowl and your mug. Could u add the border stitch to the little pattern? Pretty please :)

[Tess]

I love to just look at the pictures of your work :)
My 4yr old has cancer and we are oftentimes stuck inside. I’ve made a little world for 18” American Girl dolls for both of my little ones. (Big sis is 8 but they also have two much older sisters of 19 and 22...I’m gonna be a grandma in May to a little BOY!!). Miss Emma saw this and fell in love. I’ve got plenty of Caron yarn in bright colors from another project I can steal from. I can’t tell what the border is....I would call myself and intermediate crochet hooker but I still can’t tell all stitches by sight. Could u tell us what type border that is? Im terrible at the borders it seems but that looks like something I would like and it lays flat.

[Nivedita]

Thanks for sharing. Very simple n cute.

[Alejandra Barrera]

Podría mandar el tutorial en español?

[Mona]

Hello,

Love these squares! is there a tutorial for stitching them all up?
would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!
Mona

[Sarah Eddleston]

Absolutely adorable. I'm starting my own blanket with these squares and it is coming along beautifully. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is wanting to do a quick and easy project.

[julie]

hopefully you will see this! I have a question. I love this idea but I would love to know how you put them together!! did you use a yarn needle or did you crochet them together? I'm have trouble figuring out how to get it put together!

thanks!

[Teci]

Hi Lucy! Thank you for those lovely squares. My aunt is going back to knitting and this is the perfect project to begin with. God bless you!

[Katie]

Thanks so much for the hours of enjoyment you've given me and for the excitement I find building in me until I once more can get back to your site to see what new and creative ideas I can explore, next.
I've read about Artisan bread that looked so delicious, I was salivating and I can't wait to try to these little granny squares. Never thought of connecting them.
Your site makes me happy just looking at it.
I've started my May wreath, which gave me nothing but happy thoughts and a warm feeling that brings me back to my childhood.
I love a cozy home. I find the blogs you list so interesting.
You just get my creative juices going and I feel thrilled to be alive.
I think I might be rambling but I just felt I had an obligation to let you know that I have just been delighted that I found you!

[Serrianna]

My nieces are getting doll blankets for Christmas and this is the perfect pattern to do. Thanks again for writing it out for all of us. :)

[Louise]

I love these little squares and I will use lots of them in future projects.

I just wonder, how do you crochet the border that you have surrounded the squares please.

Take care and I wish you lots of lovely crocheting time. Blessed Be.

By the way, I am also from North England too :-)

[Happy]

Lovely - The owls are fab too, we're becoming colonised!

[Stefani]

I just found your blog through Facebook. You do lovely work which is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing the patterns!

[Patricia Dumas]

Love your little world. Beautiful things, beautiful country.

Pat Dumas
NJ, USA

[email protected]

[Annie Legg]

Hi Lucy
I've just seen your little blue bowl, it's really lovely, I also love charity shop rummages and would just have to buy that blue bowl.
Looks like your a Cappuccino girl as well, I have about 4 sachets a day!
Well, we need them to keep us warm!
Ani

[Annie Legg]

I have been iPadless for a while,
so just catching up with Attic24 makes me feel soooooooo warm inside.
Happy Spring Lucy
Anix

[Mar]

Lucy, your job is really beautiful. I'm very new doing crochet and I would like to know how to make those little squares. Can you help me?

[Emma]

Hi Lucy, this is fabulous! Do you mind if I ask which yarn you've used? X

[Mary Bohrer]

Video tutorial for beginners:
http://www.craftyminx.com/2011/11/crochet-school-.html/

[Mary Bohrer]

Donna Chapman: US terms
Chain 4
Slip stich into 1st chain to form a ring
Chain 3
Double crochet twice into the ring
Chain 2
Double crochet 3 times into ring
Chain 2
Double crochet 3 times into ring
Chain 2
Double crochet 3 times into ring
Chain 2
Slip stich into the 3rd chain of that initial Chain3 (this closes the square)

[Mary Bohrer]

I'm a beginner to crochet and avidly follow your blog! One thing that I am not well versed in yet is yarn and hook selection. I am hoping to make these delightful little squares. I am wondering if there is a type of yarn (acrylic, cotton, wool, or blend) that you typically work in? As well as what size hook do you use? Until I hone my own talent I will need to replicate others to understand the craft....
Best,
Mary in Virginia, USA

[SewRecycled!]

Lucy its beautiful!!! Its been such fun being part of this, I really hope it all raises LOADS of money!
Em x

[Annie Schuiling]

could you let me know the size crochet hook you
used please.
Annie