Granny Bunting for Yarndale

Isn't this knitted bunting completely, absolutely amazingly lovely? The photo was taken at the 2011 knit and stitch show at Alexandra Palace and was part of the Woman's Weekly Centenary year celebrations attempt to break the world record for the longest line of bunting ever made (8,982ft!).

 This fantastic image has stuck in my mind since I came across it at the start of the year, and I knew without doubt that I would love to help create lots of woolly bunting for Yarndale.

As one of the members of the Yarndale team, I immediately put my hand up and volunteered myself for the Bunting Cause. Yes I can make bunting! Yes I would LOVE to hook up a colourful bunting storm! And that is precisely what I have been doing during the past four days. I have been a Bunting-making Machine. Well, kind of. I am quite a speedy hooker, and I have been doing my very best to get this creative endeavour off the starting blocks.

I sampled various methods of triangle making which mainly involved rows of double crochet with either increase or decrease rows to create the tapering triangle shape. But it was all quite time consuming, and damn it, it involved counting. I kind of got a bit peeved about counting rows, and so began to search for another way....and that's when I remembered the granny bunting I made a few years ago. Yes of course! Granny bunting! So easy to work in rounds instead of rows and there is no pesky counting to be done.

These triangles are super easy to make, and ridiculously speedy and addictive. I have worked them up in seven rounds of random colours using leftover odds and ends of Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic yarn that I've used for various blankets, see here, here and here).

I also had a play with some variations which used one, two, three and four colours. Even easier and quicker than the seven-colour-change triangles, but perhaps not as much fun for a colour addict like me.

I also whipped up a quick flower to add a little extra flourish.....

....it was simply stitched in place on top of the plain one-colour triangle. Cute eh?

I've made this many triangles during the past four days, working on them whenever I could. My bowl of yarn has been sitting permanently on the table with my hook, scissors and darning needle, ready to to picked up in an instant. It's been fun and I've loved seeing such great results come off my hook so quickly.

Now then, I'd like to use this opportunity to chat a little about steam blocking. Oh I know, how riveting and thrilling, how can we stand the excitement?! Seriously, if you have Stylecraft yarn in your possession (and I know many, many of you do), then you will love this info. Follow carefully. See the above picture? This shows you what we are dealing with :: the before (crumpled and curly and a weeny bit down-and-out looking) and after (so perfectly flat, with beautifully pointy corners!)

This is the method :: you need an ironing board, tape measure and pins. Turn the triangle over so that the right side faces downwards. Stretch out the top edge and put a pin in both corners, making sure this edge measures 18 cm/ 7 inches. You are pinning directly into your ironing board cover, putting the pins at an angle so's they don't ping out.

Pull the bottom corner downwards until the triangle looks straight and even, and put a pin in the bottom corner.

Now set your iron to the LOWEST heat setting, and make sure you have STEAM.

Now HoVeR!!!! This is VErY ImPorTaNt....The Iron Does Not Touch The Crochet. You hover it very, very close, about a centimetre above the surface of the yarn, and you simply allow the steam to do the work. No contact, no pressure. Just the pfffffffffffffffff of the steam. Concentrate on the corners. It does not take long, maybe ten seconds is all. And the results are absolutely miraculous.

Take out your pins, and hey presto, the crochet stays exactly as if it were still pinned!

It remains all flat and neat and beautifully shaped, with the most marvellously perky-pointy corners.



Ahhhhhh. I love to see a sweet little pile of Grannies. So satisfying.

Now then...........I have something to ask you, a Big Request. As you can no doubt tell, I am having heaps of fun making these triangles, but I also have a serious amount of other things going on with Yarndale (see my Yarn bombing post on the Yarndale website). So I have decided to put out a call to all the wonderful hookers of the world and ask if you would consider working up some Granny Bunting triangles for me, for Yarndale? Do you think you might like to join in with me? I would SO love it if you would. I would be hugely ever so grateful.

I'm thinking you could use up your own odds and ends of yarn to make up some Granny Triangles, and send them to me here in Yorkshire. Use whatever yarn you have, in any colours. Use loads of colours or just single colours, with or without flowers. It doesn't matter. All I would ask is that you consider the size :: I've used a DK weight yarn on a 4mm hook, and have worked up 7 rounds, but the important thing is that when stretched/blocked, the sides measure approx 18cm / 7 inches.

I've written up the pattern with a picture heavy tutorial for those of you who appreciate the visuals. At the end of the tutorial I've also written out the pattern in words so that you can copy/paste and print it. FIND THE PATTERN HERE!

I've not managed to sort out a mailing address yet, but will let you know in the next week where you can send them. I am SOooooooo excited about this project, and am more than happy to put in the considerable work to join all the triangles together. It's going to be spectacular. Thank you in advance (and excited anticipation) for your help, especially to those of you who have already offered your hooky services for the Bunting Cause.

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Comments

[The Patchwork Heart]

I will be making for you Lucy what a great way to use up scraps!
Heather x

[Karen]

I would love to help and be a part of Yarndale! Thank you so much for the opportunity! I'm headed for my scrap bin!

[Taciana Simmons]

Yes Lucy, I'm in. I'm from Brazil but I live in Portland, OR I love your blog and the colorful inspiration. I'm going to look for yarn on my stash right now... I love exciting new projects...I'm bubbling with excitement ... Happy :)

[Paula]

I'd love tohelptoo! What a fab idea :-) discovered your blog about three weeks ago and really enjoy reading it.
Paula

[Diane thomas]

Yes I would love to help out,count me in! Love you Lucy, you such an inspiration, love all the things you create. Well be waiting for an address to mail them to. God Bless,Diane T.

[Kathy W]

This is such a lovely idea. I will make some for your wonderful Yarndale. Just waiting on the address. Your wonderful.

[Laura]

I made three triangles! I wait for the address! ^^

[Alicia]

Hola Lucy,por supuesto que contribuire mandandote un momton de Bountig.No podre estar en Yarndale pero de esta forma es como si un poco de mi participara.
Tambien sera una forma de agradecerte el haber despertado mi espiritu crochetero dormido desde hacia mucho tiempo. Gracias.

[Beate]

Yes, yes, YES! I'm definitely in! I'll start right away! (dashes off to the yarn basket) :D

[shayne sayer]

Hi from Australia! I'm definitely going to contribute! :)

[Alana]

Thanks for the pattern Lucy. The bunting looks fab. I really like the multicoloured but the plain flower one is very chic.

[Sharon Braxton]

I would love to add to this bunting. I won't make promises as my health is a little iffy right now and my right hand doesn't like to do much crocheting but I will start with one and see how it goes. Looking forward to the mailing address.

[dashuska]

Люси, приятно с вами познакомиться! Меня зовут Катерина, я из России.
Почитала ваш блог и мне очень-очень понравилось (к сожалению не смогла найти где подписаться на ваш блог или стать его постоянным читателем) Хочу возвращаться и читать, смотреть ваши прекрасные фотографии.
Я тоже занимаюсь разным рукоделием, но больше всего я люблю вязать спицами и учусь вязать крючком. Посмотрела на вши красивые и яркие треугольники и прям влюбилась в эту идею. А я вяжу маленькие квадратики для большого проекта.

Lucy, nice to meet you! My name is Katherine, I'm from Russia.
I read your blog and I really, really liked it (unfortunately could not find where to subscribe to your blog, or become a regular reader of it) I want to go back and read, watch your lovely photos.
I also do a variety of crafts, but most of all I love to knit and am learning to crochet. I looked at the lice beautiful and bright triangles and straight fall in love with this idea. And I'm knitting little squares for a large project.

[Eileen Turner]

HiI've made 10 for you already, just waiting for an address,
Eileen

[Kitty]

PAT, thank you for answering my question about the CROCHET HOOK SIZE LETTER F. I am having some difficulty with changing color as I am not sure if I am fastening off correctly. Do you cut yarn after fastening, then begin new yarn color?When adding a new color do you knot to secure, and if so, where? I would be more comfortable with doing SOLID COLOR granny triangle. Do I SLIP STITCH to the CENTER CHAIN STITICH in the OPEN SPACE or just continue stitch around in OPEN SPACE when starting new round? I am not too experienced in crochet. I shall try my best Lucy, hopefully I won't get too discouraged! I can just imagine everyone busy with their colorful creations and feeling great satisfaction with their results! That motivates me! Sharing and caring too! Makes my heart feel full of joy! What the world truly needs now is love sweet love! I believe it is happening right here at Attic 24! Lucy, just want you to know that you have inspired me. My son and beautiful daughter in law took me out for an afternoon of painting pottery. I had no ideas when I got there. The sky was gray, then the sun peeked out and I began painting a blue sky, a green field dotted with flowers of color. Named it "My field of flowers". I love it and I think you would love it too! Love to all, Kitty from New Jersey

[Hannah from Love Create Home]

I'm in the thick of crochet projects for a charity event at the end of June but once I've untangled myself from these I will definitely make up some triangles for you!

[Emily]

I shall endeavour to make a bunt or two... Everything is more cheery with bunting

[Jackie]

Cant wait for the address. I think it's an amazing idea - especially since I am to far away in the states to visit I would love to send some bunting to you. One day I will get there!!!

[Eva Martin]

hi Lucy,

I'm in for the help too (from Spain).
What is the deadline for this ?

thank you,
Eva

[Antje]

I'm in, too ... :)

2 done, more to come...

BUT: If I don't change the colour after each round somehow the space at 1st corner doesn't feel right... It feels as if I need to start in the middle of the space so I try to "slip stich" there after finalizing the previous round. Or should I simply ignore that feeling? :D
Any tipps & tricks from your side? :)

Cheers, Antje

[Shirley Ann]

Ooooo - I'm in on this one! Thanks for giving us the opportunity to get involved :o)

[Julia]

I'm happy to help!
Let's set a new record! Lucy you are the best!

Julia from Kiev

[Jo]

Hi

What a fab idea, I definitely will make some up too, it's my way of saying thank you to you for your great blog and tutorials that are such an inspiration that have enabled me to make some wonderful things. Jo xx

[Sarah]

Lucy I'd be thrilled to help. Your blog inspired me to finally learn to crochet. I owe you a big thank you, my crocheting may still be a little eccentric but I met the most wonderful people when I went to learn at my local creative group. We meet again on the 2nd June and we're going to have a go at your bunting pattern. Hopefully they will come out as beautifully as yours and I will send them off to Yarndale. Sarah x

[Juidth]

I can't say I like making small items with lots of colour changes, but I will do my best to produce some bunting triangles for you. It is the least I can do when you are running the Show. Your pattern came just in time - a day later and I would have passed my odds and ends onto a friend!