Friday 31 August 2018

Wednesday 29 August 2018

PATTERN: RAINBOW ALTERNATIVE SOLID GRANNY SQUARE

ALTERNATIVE SOLID GRANNY SQUARE 

We all know and use the solid granny square but have you ever tried working the stitches into the spaces instead of the stitches? 

Looking for a different look to a solid granny square then give it a go, its gives a more vintage feel to your solid squares. And for a real beginner its easier than finding the stitches to work into.....

I'm suggesting random/space dyed yarn but each round could be in a different colour and you can use the original granny square concept of using up left over yarns.





IMPORTANT NOTE: please read.

Always look for the patterns and repeats in pattern, it will help.
If you have a go at this granny square, you will notice that the increase goes up by a different number of sts, on each round and alternates between odd and even numbers. 
This is important as just doing [1dc, ch3 1dc], in the corners, for every round will make your square cup slightly. 
And doing [2dc, ch3, 2dc], in every corner will make the square wobbly and not sit flat. 
By doing the alternate corner increase you will have a completely flat square and means you can do a large square blanket if you want. 

This alternating odd/odd/even number of sts, could open up lots of possibilities for adding different stitches to the outer edge when your throw is completed. Depending on if you finish with an odd or an even row. Personally i would choose an odd number to finish on as this is a more versatile number to work edging stitches into.

 For Example: any stitch that needs 2 base sts needs the extra st to balance the st. So an odd number is better, any finish stitch worked into every st, doesn't matter if there is an odd number or an even number. 

Worked continuously the first and last st, moves along the join side.

Number of squares
Decide on the size of your square and if you want an odd or an even number of sts to finish with. Measure you square and work out the size of throw you require 

Make lots of smaller squares and join as you go using a sl st, into the spaces after completing each st, on the side being joined.


YARN:

For my blanket i am aiming for 6 x 6 squares 
Each 8 round square measures approx. 8"/20cm, so with out the border it should measure approx. 48" / 122cm

Each square weighs approx 20g so a 50g ball of the Stripes wool mix from Wilko's should give me around 2.5 squares so I will need 14 x 50g balls plus 2or 3 for the border or an alternative yarn to finish it off. 

UPDATE: I am actually getting almost 3 squares from a 50g ball.
 If you want to get 3 squares from one ball to make the usage smaller then make a 9 round square instead of a 10 round square.
This should give you 3 squares from one 50g ball making the body of the throw 12 balls of yarn instead of 14 balls then all you need is a couple of balls plus for the border yarn.
This change will only make the throw a tiny bit smaller.




This is a mock up blanket to give you an idea of what will look like but as it's random dyed yarn each square will be slightly different from each other.

Tuesday 28 August 2018

GIANT FLOWERS...CoveredHoops

Remember this post a few weeks ago, on Giant flowers?
for lots more pictures of the flowers and variations


Some progress has been made, i decided i wanted to put at least one flower into a hoop, it took 2 buys to get the correct size. None of the hoops cost me more than a £1, but I now have 3 different sizes. 
Who knew Hoola Hoops came in so many different sizes? They are all different thickness's too!

COVERING THE HOOP
Covering the largest hoop at the moment, for the large blue flower.
I'm over half way with about 5'  3" / 160cm and have almost used a 
full 100g of dk cotton yarn with a 10st strip.



It's going to be 8' 4" [100"/254cm] long. To go all the way around the hoop, you'd never guess a large hoop could be that long would you?






Saturday 25 August 2018

GRANNY SQUARE TARTAN



A simple 8 round granny square with colour changes in some rounds to create this granny Square tartan blanket, make as many of the squares as you want to create a square or rectangular blanket/throw

Or make less squares to make a long 2 row wrap 


Join as you go with each granny square 


UPDATE:
Shari Henderickson who is member of my Facebook group Granny Squares 
has had a go at the tartan with her first Granny Square




Well done, see how some of the colours become dominant 

Another member has a go with her Tartan Square
Michaela Miron, well done




Keep them coming xx

A 3rd version of the tartan square from
Nettie Godfrey



 Another fabulous blanket in the making well done all 
4th square made and looking fabulous too by Anne Purdham 




Mine and the first 3 squares done side by side for you to see how they all differ

Another group members square looking great
Jackie Bifaro






Friday 24 August 2018

TRIANGLE THROW PATTERN LINK


Originally it was meant to be a throw, 


but i published the wrap version first and never added the throw but here is the throw pattern...eventually got around to sharing it



ORIGINALLY A  WRAP
It's been a well worn wrap, still one of my favourites




A much bigger possible version of the Triangle Throw 

Thursday 23 August 2018

PATTERN: Anemone Flower, Wrap, throw, shopper or cowl


This is a great flower pattern for all sorts of project, you could use just the flower and join them together to make a fabulous throw, 
or use it to edge or decorate a blanket, 


on it's own, joined together 
Used to decorate a blanket in matching colours


add the box and join together in a wrap to throw


Made in a range of pinks and purples they look like the ANEMONE, but could be made in other colours and work just as well
Make a cowl...
or a shopper 

Enjoy the Anemone pattern