I bought a beautiful bunch of irises from the supermarket yesterday, they were slung in the "reduced" bucket with a load of tatty carnations and were only £2. The buds were all tight shut at the time, but in the cosy warmth of my studio they have begun to unfurl.
That flash of yellow amongst the purple is surprisingly lovely - I have been thinking a lot about the colour yellow of late as I deliberate over a particular new colour scheme. To include yellow or not? A rich golden yellow, or maybe a pale butter yellow? My current Harmony blanket has no yellows, and weirdly I kind of miss it a little. I think my next blanket will be back to full-on happy brights in all the colours of the rainbow plus a few extras thrown in for good measure :)
I love taking pictures in my studio, it's very photogenic with such a joyful, colourful, creative atmosphere. Every single day when I put the key in the lock and open the door, I am full of gratitude for this room, being here makes me so happy. I stood on the chair to take a photo of my table, I've got a few things going on at once at the moment and I am teetering on the edge of making some big decisions. Well, that's to say that they feel big to me, the choosing of colours for a new project is pretty epic in my crazy little crochet world.
I've been asked quite a number of times about the small crochet squares that you often see in my studio pictures. I've made these to represent the blanket packs that I've designed - in the picture above you can see all five of my current colour palettes, including the new Harmony colour palette which will be available in a month or two once I've finished the blanket and written up the tutorial. These miniature blanket blocks help a lot when I am pondering on new colour schemes, they allow me to easily see what I've already got going on.
The pattern for these squares is very straight forward, a variation on a simple granny square. Sometimes called a "solid granny square" or a "target square". When I make each one I leave a 30cm tail end dangling, then use these to stitch the squares together. It's a nifty joining technique (if you don't mind a bit of simple over sewing) and makes an invisible seam. Let me know if you would like me to write up the pattern and show you how to join, I'd be happy to share - these squares would make great cushions/blankets don't you think?
I've been working on a little something for a magazine this week, a new design which I decided needed a bit of a pretty beaded finishing touch. I looked everywhere in local shops to find suitable beads (with holes big enough for dk yarn to pass through), but no luck. I ordered two packs of beads online, but when they arrived the holes weren't quite big enough and one set of beads was too small, the other too big (but still with small holes).
And then - I had a pure light bulb moment - PING!!!!!!!!!!! I suddenly remembered the beaded jewellery that I used to love buying for Little Lady when she was much littler, the sort made from colourful wooden beads strung onto elastic.
I went straight to Amazon and ordered these
The holes are big enough for me to thread them straight onto the cotton yarn I'm using, and the colours are gorgeous, so bright and cheery. The combination of painted wood and cotton yarn pleases me enormously too.
Can't wait to show you what I'm making, it's my favourite sort of pretty-but-useless decorative crochet. I've even remembered to write pattern notes as I go along, crikey, wonders will never cease.
Oh I really love love love my studio so much! I've been there every day this week either working at this middle table with yarn and beads and pattern notes....
....or sat at my little desk in the corner working away at the computer. I've managed to tick off my to-do list rather pleasingly this week and it feels really good I must say.
Tomorrow is Friday and I've got our fabulous Creative Coopers group to look forward to, it's one of my most favourite times of the whole week. If you are ever in Atticland on a Friday morning (9.30-11.30) or a Tuesday afternoon (1-3) you would be most welcome to join us upstairs at Coopers Café Bar. Be warned, it's a pretty noisy affair (lots and lots of laughter, you'll definitely hear us before you see us) but it's a super friendly group. Just come and get yourself a yummy drink (and maybe a delicious home baked treat), pull up a chair and be prepared to do more nattering than crocheting/knitting/stitching.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yes, please show us how to do these squares and how to join them! Thank you!
Posted by: Catherine | May 31, 2015 at 05:21 AM
Yes! Please please PLEASE share a tutorial on how to join with an invisible seam. I have problems while joining and never feel confident about it not unraveling! LOVE your blog. I've now made the Cottage Topple and Cosy Blanket. Can't wait for the next one e!
Posted by: Nikii | May 29, 2015 at 07:05 PM
A tutorial would be wonderful! I've kind of taught myself to crochet but the results are....variable....
I generally pick projects which are too hard and then get disheartened when the finished product is a bit loose or wonky (rubbish basically!) - these look nice and straightforward and the joining technique also sounds perfect!
I love visiting your blog for a shot of colour on rainy Scottish days :-)
Posted by: Alisn Duncan | May 28, 2015 at 10:06 PM
Ciao Lucy ti seguo sempre e il tuo blog mi piace molto, ho fatto una granny con i filati Warenhouse, mi piacerebbe tu preparassi un pacchetto anche con questi colori per questa nuova bellissima coperta che spero tu spiegherai, un saluto dal Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italia) M.Grazia www.pettirossoinfreddolito.blogspot.it
Posted by: M.Grazia | May 24, 2015 at 07:45 AM
I LOVE these squares Lucy, they are just gorgeous. Can't wait much longer for the pattern!!!!!
Posted by: Sarah Eddleston | May 23, 2015 at 05:34 AM
I would love the pattern for your solid granny squares and how to join. I love your blog, I only found it last weekend and have been reading it everyday. I am very new to crochet love all your projects and want to make them all. These little squares would I think be a good place to start and bring some beautiful colour into my life. Thank you for sharing the little snapshots of your wonderful colourful world. Julie
Posted by: Julie Dowthwaite | May 22, 2015 at 03:25 PM
I would like you to post the pattern for the solid granny square and how to join. Thanks
Posted by: Connie Clark | May 21, 2015 at 09:17 PM
Love you and your world. I would so love the Square Pattern and joining. I already know when I make them they won't look a sweet as yours. But I must try.
Posted by: Kim Quinn | May 20, 2015 at 04:12 PM
Thank you for your invite to Coppers Creative ...I may well pop in as I pass in the not to distant future !
Posted by: steph | May 20, 2015 at 03:53 PM
Like all of the previous comments, I would love the pattern for the square, I love your colourful world :)
Posted by: Wendy | May 20, 2015 at 12:04 PM
Love all the colours in the different packs. Yes please to the instructions for the little solid squares.
Posted by: Marilyn Robinson | May 20, 2015 at 08:53 AM
What a beautiful, colorful studio! I love it!
Posted by: Margo | May 20, 2015 at 05:01 AM
Love ur blog and cant wait for the pattern!
Posted by: gill from Bangor Co.Down | May 19, 2015 at 10:19 PM
With my husband I popped into the Wool Warehouse (we live in the next town) where we met a charming Australian couple over here on holiday buying yarn. I took one look at her range of colours and said "oh are you going to make an attic 24 blanket?" She laughed and said yes - they were shipping the yarn home for her. We then spent sometime chatting about yarn and family history etc. A delightful conversation. We wished then well and then they went on their way.
Posted by: Diane | May 19, 2015 at 05:27 PM
I love your space - I'm lucky to have moved into a house with a space for me too. so now I have a studio/craft room, just have to motivate myself to do some. Looking at your blog gives me just the motivational kick I need - love your work. But are you sure these are carnations on the pictures above? look to me like irises lol
Posted by: MARIOLA leeman | May 19, 2015 at 02:13 PM
I love your studio!!! and I'd love to have the patter and joining instructions.
Thanks,
Lujan
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posted by: Lujan | May 19, 2015 at 12:57 PM
Ever tried making you own beads with Fimo or Primo, then you can get the holes big enough.
Posted by: margaret anderson | May 19, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Lucy, I too would love the pattern on these squares and info on how to stitch them up. Every time I see them on your blog I think what a wonderful colourful blanket they would make! I'm presently making your cosy blanket and I already have the yarn pack for the cottage blanket. Thank you for the inspiration!!!!
Posted by: Angela | May 19, 2015 at 01:39 AM
Oh Lucy, I've spent so many hours trolling your site looking for the pattern of these target squares. I would love to have the pattern and a tutorial on how to stitch them together would be great! The first time I saw them on your work table I fell in love. I wouldn't be able to figure out the pattern myself but have been longing to make a blanket with them. So yes, yes, yes and please! After reading the other comments, I think it's clear! We want, we like!
Thanks for sharing your talent. You're a gem!
Also so great to see your readers from all over the world. Thank you from all the way out in the pacific in Hawaii! Lydia
Posted by: Lydia March | May 19, 2015 at 12:58 AM
i would love for you to write up the instructions for your "solid granny squares". it's the style of square that i have been looking for. thanks1
Posted by: folks | May 19, 2015 at 12:04 AM
Yes, yes, YES, Lucy... Please do a tutorial on your invisible joining technique!!! I am about to embark on a granny blanket and would love to know your technique...thank you so much!!!
Posted by: Corinne | May 18, 2015 at 10:12 PM
Could I possibly please have your pattern for the little granny squares?
I'm making your Christmas wreath at the moment
You are very inspiring!
Posted by: Tina Knight | May 18, 2015 at 09:42 PM
Love the studio! I have some serious workspace envy going on - must tidy/rearrange my craft room! xx
Posted by: Elsie Pop | May 18, 2015 at 12:58 PM
The squares caught my eye a few weeks ago and gave me an idea for a cot blanket for my new nephew. I found a similar pattern but would love to know how you have joined them as I am having a devil of a time getting an invisible stitch and single crochet is very fiddly. So yes please - jumpy claps.
Posted by: Lea Pea | May 18, 2015 at 09:54 AM
Love your posts. Your love and play of color is so inspiring. I have a tip for stringing beads on yarn. A beading needle is very useful or dental floss with the stiff end for threading thru braces. It makes bead stringing so much easier. Especially if you are adding beads while you are crocheting. Looking forward to seeing your FO.
Posted by: Lynn Dee Butler | May 17, 2015 at 05:48 PM