Monday 25 April 2022

...grannies galore

My 100 Day Project (#100grannies100days) is doing nothing to curb my crochet enthusiasm. During days 26-50 I worked on a series of spring-coloured squares that I thought could potentially be made into a baby blanket (if the right baby comes along)...
...then during days 51-62 I worked on a series of 12 squares inspired by Kandinsky's 'Squares with Concentric Circles' (which he almost certainly painted with granny squares in mind). I enjoyed this bit of the project so much I could hardly bear to limit myself to just one square a day! Each square consisted of four rings of colour within a square border. Sticking to three rings of treble crochet and one ring of half treble crochet per square allowed me to vary the thickness of the bands of colour, and I added embroidered (chain stitch) rings when four colours weren't enough... 
...I had so much fun trying to replicate the different squares. I couldn't match Kandinsky's original colours all that accurately because I was just using up yarn I already had, and I  wasn't a massive fan of those clashing reds and yellows either...
...but I absolutely love the finished set. Again, not sure what to use them for - a cushion cover, perhaps, or a bag - I'm sure an idea will present itself eventually.
Next came a new pattern trial (the 'Compass') and a series of six squares in more soothing 'clematis' colours for days 63-68. I joined these into a strip as I went, thinking they'd make a groovy headband/ear-warmer (it's still quite chilly in April when the sun's not out). However, after a style consultation with my husband and daughter, it was decided that I haven't yet achieved the level of eccentricity required to pull this look off, so I will probably just make a few more and turn the headband into a cowl instead. One should always know one's limits!
Day 69 was a one-off square - the 'African Flower with 8 Petals' - which went a bit wonky because I got the tension of the longer spike stitches too tight...
...and days 70-71 have seen the trial of another new pattern - the 'Sunburst Granny Square' - which I tracked down a tutorial for here. I was thinking that I might finish up the 100 days making a scarf using all my favourite blues and purples, but the puff stitches in Round 2 of this square have driven me absolutely insane, so I might need to keep looking for the perfect pattern - maybe this one  or this one or this one
When I'm not working on my daily square, or combing the internet searching for the next pattern to try, I'm reluctantly creeping towards the end of the Rose Cottage blanket I've been making for my daughter. I'm half way round the final row of the border edging, and I'm eking it out for as long as I can - I'll be lost without its lap-warming companionship in the evenings, not to mention my daughter's companionship when she moves into Rose Cottage - possibly at some point in June if the stars (and solicitors) align in her favour...
...and when I've completely exhausted my daily round of crochet-related activities, I've also been working on a couple of card commissions. I've just completed a 'Leaving' card for a cycle-loving, Everton-supporting colleague at my old workplace (slightly edited here to remove some personal details)...
...and I'm midway through another design for a special 'Thankyou' card...  
...which is just at the awkward 'is this going to work or do I need to scrap it and start again' stage. One thing's for sure - I've got granny squares on the brain! Just look at those concentric circles of colour. This design might not make a good card, but it would certainly make a lovely crocheted blanket!

6 comments:

  1. The granny squares are delightful, and I just love the springtime colour palette. But the leaving card is wonderful. You are incredibly talented. X

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  2. Everything is so bright and lovely and I've enjoyed seeing how your project has inspired your other creative pursuits.

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  3. Lovely...you are really having a great time with those 'grannies'. Your painting is lovely, too! Sandi

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