Sunday has come around so quickly this week, pheewww, I've been in a bit of a whirlwind! My week has been one of contrasts - quite a lot of quiet solo time spent with yarn and hook, immersing myself in colour and rows of beautiful, therapeutic stitching. But also some really great social time spent in the company of good friends - I do so enjoy the creative "knit and natter" sessions that pepper my week with chat, laughter, friendship, coffee and creativity. And crumpets, mustn't forget the necessary bit of sweet stuff on the side! At Coopers Café, they serve their hot toasted crumpets with real butter and a little glass jar of home made lemon curd, and in recent months it's become something of an addiction of mine. I can confirm that crumpets, cappuccino, crochet and chatter go very, very well together, it's a wonderful mix indeed.
During the past week I've had some days where I've been crocheting at my cosy studio....
....and some days where I've chosen to crochet on the sofa instead. Both have been wonderful and I am still very much enjoying this bright, sunshiny crochet journey.
I find it easier to work on my log cabin squares in the quiet of the daytime when the light is good and I can concentrate. It's not that this is a particularly hard pattern, (it's just rows of treble crochet after all as I've made all the Sunny Centres), but somehow I just prefer to make them during the days when I am quietly alone with my own thoughts.
For those of you who are joining me with your own Log Cabin Squares, I really, really hope you are enjoying them? I thought it was worth adding a few words here to remind you to mark your top/number 1 strip on each block and leave the marker in place even after you have finished. I have misplaced my little stitch markers (I've no idea where I've put them, they could be anywhere in this messy house!), so I'm just tying a loose loop of contrasting yarn around the post of a stitch instead. It does the job perfectly and doesn't get in the way when blocking either.
You also need to identify each square after you've made it, so please don't forget to number them in some way. The squares do all look very similar but when we come to join them together, it'll be really important to put the squares in the right order, and the right way up.
This week we are working on squares 5 & 6, so without further ado, here is the colour info for you....
SQUARE 5 (pattern HERE)
♥ 1. Spice ♥2. Wisteria ♥ 3. Violet ♥ 4. Shrimp ♥
♥ 5. Fondant ♥ 6. Meadow ♥ 7. Petrol ♥ 8. Magenta ♥
♥ 9. Bright Pink ♥ 10. Turquoise ♥ 11. Lime ♥ 12. Plum ♥
♥ 13. Claret ♥ 14. Aster ♥15. Sage ♥ 16. Lipstick ♥
SQUARE 6 (pattern HERE)
♥ 1. Turquoise ♥ 2. Bright Pink ♥ 3. Sage ♥ 4. Magenta ♥
♥ 5. Lime ♥ 6. Plum ♥ 7. Wisteria ♥ 8. Lipstick ♥
♥ 9. Meadow ♥ 10. Fondant ♥ 11. Violet ♥ 12. Spice ♥
♥ 13. Petrol ♥ 14. Shrimp ♥15. Aster ♥ 16. Claret ♥
My Sunny Granny Stripe is delivering a huge amount of hooky pleasure I have to say - I think there is more instant gratification when working on a striped design as the blanket is forming in front of your very eyes as you crochet. With each and every row you get a little mini ta-dah moment, which is actually weirdly addictive and satisfying in a way that doesn't quite happen when you make a blanket from squares. The squares are more of a slow burn thing - there will come a time when those sixteen large log cabin blocks will come together and I'm anticipating a humongous rush of satisfaction then (I absolutely can't wait!)
I mainly work on my stripes in the evenings when I am in need of some relaxing, low-brain-power hooking to unwind with before bed. I find the rhythmic, repetitive motion of crocheting the same stitch over and over and over feels really, really soooooooo good. The best type of relaxation therapy if you ask me. I also love taking this blanket out and about with me, as I can chatter to friends whilst making these rows happen with very few mistakes occurring. Although it's getting quite large now to stuff into my bag (thank goodness for the generous dimensions of my Yarndale bag), I only ever need to take two or three balls of yarn out with me which is a Good Thing.
So here is the colour list for the Sunny Granny Stripe Part 4 (picture above)
You can find the pattern HERE.
The colours are listed from the bottom to the top, as follows:
♥ 55. Magenta ♥ 56. Spice ♥ 57. Claret ♥ 58. Bright Pink ♥ 59. Violet ♥
♥ 60. Turquoise ♥ 61. Sage ♥ 62. Lime ♥ 63. Citron ♥ 64. Fondant ♥
♥ 65. Wisteria ♥ 66. Aster ♥ 67. Petrol ♥ 68. Meadow ♥ 69. Gold ♥
♥ 70. Shrimp ♥ 71. Lipstick ♥ 72. Plum ♥
Remember that every stripe is crocheted in two rows.
Here's wishing you a fabulous, Sunny week ahead - have fun!
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Useful links ::
♥ Sunny yarn pack - 18 x 100g Stylecraft Special DK.
♥ Granny Stripe Blanket pattern
Sarah-Jayne at 12.26pm, if you look at post of 26 October Lucy has stated the sizes of both blankets. The log cabin is square, 150cm I think, the stripe rectangular, 120 X 180 so they won't fit back to back.
Nice idea though and with all the great tips Lucy has on this blog you could probably adapt your stripe to fit your square. Make your starting chain 25% longer then just follow the stripe pattern and stop at 150 cm.
My thinking may not be right, I've only been crocheting a year and only made one granny square blanket and a gazillion cosy neck warmers, oh and a small cosy stripe blanket for a furry friend. Yarn for the ripple coast blanket being collected today, after that it is the sunny stripe. It's addictive. Thank you Lucy for all the tips and advice, and gorgeous photos of your lovely part of the world.
Posted by: MMK | November 26, 2015 at 06:24 AM
Hello Lucy, thanks for the wonderful sunny blanket pattern! I've actually finished Squares 5 and 6 already, and was wondering if it were possible to get the next patterns from you before sunday. I do so want to gift this blanket to my sister before Christmas.....Please let me know if you can. My email is [email protected]
Posted by: vai | November 24, 2015 at 05:16 PM
Lucy, your work is beautiful and I LOVE all the bright colours. Gorgeous creations!
Posted by: Marney Simmons | November 23, 2015 at 12:06 PM
I'm loving these squares! Such great colors! And your yarn is stored so neatly! I have mine in bins in an antique wardrobe. I need more storage space in my craft room/closet.
Navy Wifey Peters @ The Submarine Sunday Link Party http://www.usscrafty.com/2015/11/submarine-sunday-143.html
Posted by: T'onna @ USS Crafty | November 23, 2015 at 12:37 AM
I love your craft room so very much!! Great yarn storage. We are moving house soon and then I will be able to have a craft room, which I am very excited about!
Posted by: Holly | November 23, 2015 at 12:15 AM
They're quite wonderful - have finished the sunny squares and will start on the log cabin additions this week. :-) They've been quite helpful in de-stressing a couple of bleak weeks at work. Take care....
Posted by: sarahlcc | November 22, 2015 at 09:30 PM
Hi Lucy will we be able to find the Kirsty chat anywhere? I think we are all wondering how it went. I am wondering if you got my parcel at Coopers?
Posted by: Catherine Maudsley | November 22, 2015 at 09:02 PM
You are so organized on your posts with the colors and designs! I'm glad you're having fun with it all. But you're young. :-) I hope you had fun during your interview. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | November 22, 2015 at 08:16 PM
I agree with Carol that I love the bag that the Wool Warehouse sent the yarn in. I'm on the third round with my colors and the blanket is getting big and beautiful!!!!! I'm so glad that I decided to do this CAL.
Posted by: Judyk2310 | November 22, 2015 at 06:44 PM
I went away for a week on holiday and now I am a week behind. Never mind, I will catch up sometime. I was wondering if you ever considered a contemporary granny? Like wide stripes to start with, the going more and more narrow, even single rows and then widening again.
Posted by: Catherine Caspersz | November 22, 2015 at 06:36 PM
They're coming along very nicely Lucy. I know what you mean about the week flying by, I'm convinced they speed up at this time of year. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | November 22, 2015 at 05:44 PM
Your studio is just lovely. How inspiring to have all your yarn out and visible!
Posted by: Ellen | November 22, 2015 at 05:40 PM
I am really enjoying the granny stripe. I had most of the colors in my stash and only had to substitute the Claret and chose to put in Saffron! I know you aren't a yellow-lover, but I think it is turning out well.
Posted by: Tammy Davis | November 22, 2015 at 05:21 PM
Hi Lucy I'm a teeny bit late to the party and have done all the middle granny square's and just about finished the first Sunny Log Cabin colours from week two.....must remember to tag it! I'm recording all the colour sequence's in a notebook (as you post them) so that I have them to hand as I need them.....guessing it'll be well into 2016 by the time I'm done at this rate !! Loving the colours as always....Thank you x
Posted by: Rae | November 22, 2015 at 04:23 PM
Thank you so much for todays pattern. I am really enjoying this CAL. I just want to tell you how much I appreciate the clear instructions on what to do. It has been such a pleasure to follow your pattern. You are a most generous person sharing all this crochet goodness with us. Thank you!
Posted by: Chantal | November 22, 2015 at 04:14 PM
I've finished my sunny square, & blocked it as per instructions, but the corners are still bigger than the sides. What am I doing wrong please? This is my first crochet project, so I'm clueless.
Posted by: Liz Davies | November 22, 2015 at 03:14 PM
They are both coming along beautifully Lucy! I agree, there is nothing like hooking on something easy in the evening before bed. I find if I don't, I'm grumpy. lol Have a lovely day! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | November 22, 2015 at 01:42 PM
Loving my granny stripe blanket!! 😃 It's like a guilty pleasure to me, I feel like slinging it over my shoulder and bursting into song to Joseph & his amazing technical colour coat!! Lol
I'd told a friend she could have this blanket, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to part with it...... Oh well, I'll have to make another one! 👍
Thanks for sharing this with everyone x
Posted by: Rebecca Bagnall | November 22, 2015 at 01:09 PM
i am going to cross "the pond" just for some time at coopers and the studio
xoxoxoxoxoxcrafty mema
Posted by: crafty mema | November 22, 2015 at 01:05 PM
Hi Lucy, I can confirm I am enjoying making these delectably bright squares immensely, especially the moment the first green strip goes on each as I'm finding the greens are the colours that really bring these squares together (also may be slightly bias as green is my favourite colour).
I also have a question for you as this week I happened upon an idea. I decided to do the log cabin as my cal but I must say the granny stripe is looking so inviting that I'm wanting to buy a second pack. I then thought wouldn't it look fabulous if the granny stripe was indeed the reverse of the log cabin blanket......double colour fix yummyness and extra toasty warmth from a doubley thick winter snugglefest! Now obviously at the moment I don't know how these rainbow window panes are to be joined or what border will frame their sunny glow so my question is if I start making the granny stripe now as it is written will it come out the same size as the log cabin? Or should I wait a while and see if I need to make adjustments once the log cabin is finished?
Your assistance in this would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Sarah-Jayne x
Posted by: Sarah-Jayne | November 22, 2015 at 12:26 PM
Love, Love, Love the beautiful colours of the new blanket. Getting quite warm here in Central Queensland, but I have almost finished my Granny Square blanket, a Christmas Present for a very dear friend.
Love and Hugs from DownUnder :-)
Posted by: Margaret Simpson | November 22, 2015 at 12:19 PM
Yes! I'm loving the CAL...it is very satisfying hooking the blocks and then seeing the blocked squares in a neat pile ready for the da dah moment. I love the colours you've chosen...they are indeed happy and sunny and brighten up these grey days. Thank you for all your hard work on this project, I really appreciate your time and sharing. :-))
Posted by: Jo | November 22, 2015 at 12:19 PM
Just started a Granny stripe blanket using left over wool -first crochet project (I'm a late starter) and inspired -thankyou so much :)
Hanneke
Posted by: Hanneke | November 22, 2015 at 12:10 PM
Lucy did good!! I was in the audience yesterday with Kirstie and she was great!
Posted by: Rachel | November 22, 2015 at 11:46 AM
Glad it not just me that finds the weeks rushing past so fast . Great colours as always.
Posted by: heidijo | November 22, 2015 at 11:42 AM