Not Just Another Granny Square Blanket - DONE!

Another Granny Square Blanket, but with a simple twist of a giant granny middle. However, it is my first granny square blanket, not just another one to me. Not very radical, but I disobeyed youngest daughter, whose blanket it is, and decided I wanted to work in a bit more interest. Starting with the intention of a 12x12 sqaure throw ie 144 six round solid granny squares. I thought I would try join-as-you--go or JAYG for the first time. Except I didn't mug up on the method before going away on holiday at the end of August. Six rounds because I am lazy, and it is quicker to make as you have fewer ends to sew in.

But I digress, the brief from my 16yo was a "Cath Kidston snuggly blanket for TV slobbing" so it didn't need to be big but it is big, plenty big enough for her double bed under the eaves in the attic! It covers two on the sofa too, we tried it out tonight as I am holding off on putting the heating on still.

The blanket has taken about 5 weeks, I got a move on the first week as we were on holiday so no PC and no guilt crocheting in the evening or a few squares over a morning cup of tea in bed...holidays are like Sunday every day.
I was using 8 colours of Stylecraft Special DK as commissioned by the customer: Candy Floss: Cloud Blue, Fondant, Lavender, Lemon, Lipstick, Spring Green and White. I tried to be random, but keeping the lights and darks spaced and fairly even in each row. The giant granny was not that giant, and replaced the centre 16 squares, so 24 rounds it was.

 The edging is 6 rounds of granny clusters, how easy is that?!

I officially love JAYG, it is a bit quicker than sewing up, as you are sewing in an end that still has to be fastened off if you JAYG. I just love the country blanket stitch effect. I found it easier to do on a table to get the tension even on the join.

 The patchwork teddy was made by my mum aka Granny when our smallest one was born 16 years ago, she also made our other two girls one in different colours at the same time.

Not Just Another Granny Square Blanket finished 3rd October 2012, it took me 5 weeks!

FINISHED SIZE: 190cm square
YARN: 2 balls each Stylecraft Special 100% acrylic Double Knit 100g in 8 colours, up to half a ball of each left
Candy Floss 1130
Cloud Blue 1019
Fondant 1241
Lavender 1188
Lemon 1020
Lipstick 1246
Spring Green 1316
White 1001

Hook: 4mm

Solid Granny Square Pattern (UK terminology)

Ch=Chain Tr=Treble SlSt = Slip Stitch, Sp=space
Start with 4Ch join to a loop
Round 1
6Ch then 3Tr into loop
(1Ch 3Tr 3Ch 3Tr) into loop, repeat 3 times in total.
2Tr and join to 3rd chain
Round 2
Sl st into corner chains 6ch
6Ch then 3Tr into same corner chains
(1Ch, 3Tr into 1 ch sp, 1Ch, 3Tr 3Ch 3Tr into corner chains) repeat 3 times as before and finish with 1 ch 2tr and join to 3rd ch.
Round 3-5
Continue as set
Round 6
Complete first side to corner chain, Ch1 (not 3) then follow JAYG instructions on Lucy's Attic 24 photo tutorial. I chain 1 when turning a JAYG corner.

I have no idea if this is the correct method, just how I did them. Often there are no1 ch spaces on granny squares and just 2 chains to turn the corner, do what you prefer! I am also sure this pattern will have been written down somewhere before, I am not claiming to be original.

Happy Hooky Index: 9/10

I enjoyed taking part in the One A Day and Tuesdays Tallies on Carole's blog
Here is how it came together
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5

One a Day Project - Tuesday's Tallies - Week 4 - Not Just Another Granny Square Blanket

Crumbs...doesn't time fly when you are enjoying yourself?  It's Tuesday again already. The Giant Granny is surrounded now...

117 squares....it was 83 last week, I didn't think I had done that much but there was a good push on Saturday and Sunday as Mr Knotty was hitting a lot of his little balls about in a monsoon. So that makes um...clunk whir calculate, about 34. I really wasn't going to post until this row was complete and the ends sewn in, but it would be dark by then. I am keeping up with my ends, honest!

It is lovely to see everyone else's progress every week on Carole's blog. Come and join us.

PS I am secretly hoping the 144 blocks are finished for next week and I can start on the border.....

One a Day Project - Tuesday's Tallies - Week 3 - Not Just Another Granny Square Blanket

I spent three days last week driving 650 miles, the big round trip from Gloucestershire to Tyne and Wear via Cumbria both ways. I was returning the middle one back to uni in Newcastle and visiting my parents aka Granny and Granddad, in Penrith. So our house is quiet now only 3 + dog at home and not 5 like it used to be. Unfortunately the drive home from Penrith via the lovely M6 car park was not the best, it added "only" 3 extra hours to my 4 hour journey on Friday afternoon..sic.

I haven't got masses of progress to report this week but the Giant Granny has been finished and "joined-as-you-goed" and some more squares added and most of the ends are finished off too. The "Count" was 60 last week and 83 this week, actually not that bad considering. I've added over 3 a day, I count the giant as 16 squares. I am being very good with my ends.

I went to Knit and Natter at the brand new Bluestocking Wool & Gifts shop in Stroud this morning, and crocheted, they didn't throw me out! It's sad that Along Came Polly is now no more but great we still have a local yarn shop stocking my favourite Stylecraft as well as posh yarn like Rowan. I hope Sunie's shop grows and prospers as it should. I bought 3 more balls of the colours I am using, but three others I needed were out of stock. When I got home and read that the wonderful Get Knitted in Bristol are finally stocking Stylecraft too I whooped, just a £10 order for free post and great prices. So I have got the yarn winging its way to me that I need to finish; from my next most local shop, so I am happy to be able to support both. Even better the sun is out and photo taking is easy.

Cath Kidston inspired Granny Blanket

I have almost finished plotting the next crochet throw all chant together now "I must not start that one until this one is finished".....yeah right! Not too difficult as I am loving it!

Sun is out hurrah, and those really are the ONLY ends not sewn in!

See you next week and don't forget to check out all the other lovely "One a Day" projects via Gingerbread Girl's blog