Joining granny squares

Recently I have had a chance to do a really thorough perusal of part of my studio. I had help moving a majority of stuff to another room.  For that I'm grateful.  Yarn skein by skein isn't heavy.   Yarn in tubs and cubbies are enormously heavy.   But in my moving and opening every bag,  box,  containers of who knew what, I found a bunch of granny squares. I even remember being given the squares.   

Three dozen are shades of blue with red(ish) centers. Another dozen and a half are not that size and are done in shades of brown.  Still another dozen and a half are again not the same as the other two sizes, nor are they shades of any one color.  These ones are mixed centers with a round of tan. 

I'm using the blue squares and a granny join with a light silvery blue yarn from Lion Brand Vanna's Choice.  I laid the squares out in a rectangular shape. 

Being a right handed crocheter,  I started on the right side with a standing double crochet in the right top corner of the bottom row of squares. I then went to the bottom right corner of the square just above and worked 3 double crochets.  I moved back to the first square and worked 3 more double crochet in the first chain one space.  Back to the top square and 3 double crochet stitches in the chain one space. 

I continue across the rows moving back and forth. When the end of the row is reached, a single double crochet in the top row bottom left corner. 

When all the rows are done going from side to side, I'll turn it 90* and repeat. At the junction a slip stitch between the two groups of 3 double crochets will keep it tidy. 

I plan to add more granny squares around the outside edges equally.   The goal for this is to go to a homeless shelter. 

A Year in Stitches week 1

This year is starting off slowly for blog posts. There's a problem with publishing new posts but not pre-scheduled.  And now here's week 1.  I did have this up but can't find it anywhere now.

Knit week 1

This is a quickie.   It's a 1 row stitch pattern in a multiple of 4.

R1: * k2, yo, k2tog-b.  Rep to the end. 

Crochet week 1

Granny in rows

This is another easy and quick stitch pattern.   It can be done with 1 color, 2 colors, or many colors and possibly use up leftovers. It's a multiple of 4.

Ch 24

R1: 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, * ch 1, sk  3 ch, 3 dc in next st. Rep from the * to the end.

R2:  ch 4, * 3 dc in ch 1 st, ch 1.  Rep from * to the end. End with dc on top of ch 3.

R3:  ch 3, 2 dc in ch 1 space,  * ch 1, 3dc in ch 1 space.  Rep from the * to the end.

Rep r2 and r3 until the desired size is reached.

Swatches

What to do with all those swatches?  We all know as a good knitter or crocheter you have been making swatches.  A proper sized swatch is about 5 to 8 inches square.  Some of us have also started sweaters or other large projects that for whatever reason have been abandoned.  I know I have a few.  If you don't want to frog your project and deal with the ramen noodle* yarn, you will probably have left it sit there unloved.

Does this seem to also relate to granny squares?  It should.  Squares are amazing for so many things.  Granny squares are not just the ones that were ever so popular for centuries.  Google granny squares and you can come up with hundreds of different patterns.  There are books upon books of granny squares, old and new.

If your projects are usually the same color family, you will have an easier time.  But even if they aren't, you can still put together a unique and completely charming project.  It is best if the swatches are the same size, but even that can be gotten around by adding a frame or border around the edge.  By using one color for the border you can make them all not only the same size, but you can make them all cohesive, like adding the black border to the old granny afghan squares.

Joining the swatches/squares can be just as fun.  There are the old standards of slip stitching them together, single crocheting them together, or sewing them together with your choice of method.  Whipstitch was my husband's grandmother's favorite.  I like that one and the mattress stitch.  Please don't use a sewing machine.  The yarn gets caught in the feed dogs and jams.  The thread can cut the yarn over time.  The yarn gets caught on the presser foot.  It doesn't look nice because you usually can't get the tension loose enough.

Ok.  Swatches and Granny Squares.  Check.  All the same size.  Check.  Joining method picked.  Check.  Now what can I make????  The list is almost endless.  An early post here is about a cardigan for a baby.  Afghans come to mind but that is a no brainer.  Don't need that many afghans?  If this is what you love to make anyway, here are some ideas.  Donate them to your local Warm Up America project, hospital for cancer patients to use during chemotherapy treatments, hospital or maternity home for underprivileged babies, animal shelter for them to have a comfy corner in what amounts to a concrete jail until they can be adopted.  Seam small ones together in a variety of ways to make eyeglass case, soap saver, scrubbies for dishes, wash cloths, hats, cushions, pillows, tote bags or purses.  

What are your ideas??  Post below.

*ramen noodle yarn is the crinkly curly yarn isn't straight after ripping out.  This is worse the longer the project sits in the knit or crochet state.  Winding into a long hank, tying in at least 6 places, and washing by hand (soak for at least an hour in water with a rinseless wool wash) then hanging to dry can fix some of this.

Revised Schedules AND some exciting news from Michaels.com

Discover Single Crochet  All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm   

August 19

September 16

October 14

November 11

Discover the Tall Stitches of Crochet  All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 26

September 23

October 21

November 18

Discover Granny Squares   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 5

September 9

September 30

October 28

December 2

Discover Textured Stitches   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 12

October 7

November 4

December 9

Please see a store associate for details about any classes

Yarn Nights are times for you to get a question answered about a stitch, yarn or pattern question that doesn’t require a full class.  You can also sit and stitch with me at this time. 

August 10  1 – 4 pm

August 24   1 – 4 pm

September 14   1 – 4 pm

September 28   1 – 4 pm

October 12 1 – 5 pm

October 26 1 – 4 pm

November 16 1 – 4 pm

December 14 1 – 4 pm

Warm Up America Joining Parties are times to help join afghans blocks to help the homeless here in Lebanon with the donation of warm afghans.

August 18 2 – 5 pm

September 22 2 – 5 pm

October 6 2 – 5 pm

October 27 2 – 5 pm

November 3 2 – 5 pm

November 17 2 - 5 pm

Discover Baby Crochet Class      All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Textured Baby Blanket    August 21

Textured Baby Blanket September 18

Baby Rattle  October 16

Textured Baby Blanket November 13

Discover Throws and Wraps in Crochet Class  Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Lacy Wrap     August 28

Granny One Piece Throw September 25

Lacy Wrap October 23

One Piece Granny Throw November 20

Discover Crochet Gifts Class      All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 7

September 4

October 2

October 30

December 4

Discover Time to Crochet Classes   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm 

Bavarian Crochet August 14

Tapestry Crochet  August 24 9:30 – 12

Crocodile Stitch September 18

Tunisian Crochet October 9

Painted Crochet October 26 9:30 – 12

Broomstick Lace November 6

Hairpin Lace December 11

Discover Knit Stitch Class    All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 22

September 19

October 17

November 14

Discover Purl Stitch Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 1

August 29

September 26

October 24

November 21

Discover Pattern Stitches Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 8

September 5

October 3

October 31

December 5

Discover Cables Class All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 15

October 10

November 7

December 12

Discover Baby Knits Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Blanket & Booties August 23

Kimono September 20

Blanket & Booties October 18

Kimono November 15

Discover Mitered Knitting Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 30

September 27

October 25

November 22

Discover Fair Isle Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

August 9

September 6

October 4

November 1

December 6

Discover Time To Knit Classes    All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Short Rows August 16

Knook September 20

Mobius Knitting September 28 9:30 – 12

Entrelac October 11

Knook & Loom Knit November 8

2 Needle Sock   November 16 9:30 - 12

I-Cord December 13

Discover Kids Classes

Discover Kids Crochet 1   

August 3  9:30 – 11am

September 7 9:30 – 11

October 5 9:30 – 11 am

November 2 9:30 – 11 am

December 7 9:30 – 11 am

Discover Kids Crochet 2

August 10 9:30 – 11 am         

September 15 11 am – 12:30 pm

October 12 9:30 – 11 am

November 9 9:30 – 11 am

December 14 9:30 – 11 am

Discover Kids Crochet 3

August 17 9:30 – 11 am

September 29 11 am – 12:30 pm

October 19 9:30 – 11 am

November 16 9:30 – 11 am

December 15 11 am – 12:30 pm

Also NEW is online sign ups for classes you want to take. Click here to go to the Michaels website.  Click on classes and fill in your zip code.  You can then select the store closest to you or that meets your destination requirements and sign up.    You will be prompted to call the store if it is less than 24 hours before the class you would like to be sure it is still has room for you.

Come see what all the fun is about!

Christmas in July day 15

Yesterday was such a big topic, it needed two days.  Today will touch on those pieces that sit around for decorative purposes, kind of like the animated things seen in malls and store windows.  Unless you have skills to animate these, they are still lives.  I don't possess those skills.

Angels  tree top angel angels of all kinds 

Santas  Santa-gnome-ornaments  a bunch of jolly old elves

This can also be a skirt for your tree, Christmas stockings, gift bags.  The list goes on and on.  In addition to links online, I know Leisure Arts puts out a lot of pattern books for holiday knit and crochet patterns.  I find them at thrift shops, yard sales, in stores.  Sometimes all that is needed is an update of the colors because the item is back in fashion.

One thing I wanted to do for my kids but never seemed to find the time for was an Advent Calendar.  Advent Calendars might not have gotten done, but we did have an Advent Wreath each year, complete with handmade candles.  (I could never find the 3 purple and 1 rose colored candles over Thanksgiving and never thought to look earlier in the year)

Each year, I have a collection of Santas I put on top of my refrigerator on one side and a collection of snowmen on the other.  These are small collections.  However, one of the snowmen is a knit creation with a knit scarf and wearing a stocking hat.  I will post a pattern and picture of him closer to the holidays.  My Santa that is hand made is a crochet creation made by someone in my dad's side of the family.Since most of these relatives are no longer with us, I can't ask.  Again I will post a pattern and a picture.  One year I gave my husband's grandmother a crocheted moue for Christmas.  His name is Christ Mouse and was a Leisure Arts pattern.  After she passed, the mouse came back to me.  My mother in law wanted a similar one but sadly my pattern had flown the coop by that time.  Christ Mouse now lives with her.  I will see if I can get a picture of him to post.

As you might be able to tell, Christmas and it's traditions are a big part of our family life.  I might just be getting out of one of the traditions though.  The annual Cookie baking frenzy.  My oven controls are shot and I don't intend to fix them anytime soon.  With just a husband and me, we can use a toaster oven.  I'm not crazy enough to bake cookies in one of those.

simple work

Why would anyone ever work the plain garter stitch xxx?  Why would anyone just make a simple crochet block all the same?  There is nothing wrong with plain and simple.  For beginners it is all about practicing the new and that is great.  We all need to practice the new.  It's how we get better at what we are learning.

It also holds the power to soothe a troubled person.  Recently, my family had a minor tragedy occur.  Everyone is fine as in not in a hospital. Everyone is not fine in the respect that we carry on as before.  We see this all the time when major tragedy hit our country in 2001, when loved ones are lost, when tragedies strike whole communities.

Simple garter stitch, plain granny squares, double crochet squares, garter and ribbed slippers, all these are quick to craft but more importantly, they hold the rhythm that lulls us into not feeling overwhelmed, kind of like a rocking chair for some, back rubs for others.  They give the rest we sometimes need and can't get watching television or cleaning or any of the things we have to do to get through our days.

What has helped me?  Garter stitch dish cloths.  I now have quite a few and these don't wear out nearly as fast as those I bought.

Here is the pattern I prefer to use.  I don't have to think for any of it.

Materials needed:  worsted weight cotton yarn.  I use Lily Sugar & Cream and Peaches & Creme.  They are affordable and easily found in my area on store shelves.  Mid sized needles, with my favorites being US size 6 - 8.  Use whatever size gets you the density you desire.  When I'm stressed, I have been known to go up to size 11 or 13 to get a gauge that doesn't result in cardboard.

Cast on 3.
Row 1: knit1, yo, knit 1, yo, knit 1.  (5 stitches now.  This will increase by 1 stitch every row)
Row 2 - 35 -50:  knit 2, yo, knit to the end of the row.  
Next Row:  knit 2, yo, knit 2 together, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row.  (The yarn over keeps the pattern the same on the decrease side.   The first knit 2 together keeps the stitch count the same.  The second decreases by 1.  This row will decrease you back down to about 4 or 5 stitches.)
You decide when it's big enough.  Want a blanket instead?  Keep increasing.  Then continue down the other side.  For a blanket I would use something soft and easy to use that doesn't have a lot of "stuff" for me to think about.  But that is just me.  On better times, I might use a novelty yarn with an easy pattern.  I'm on familiar ground but still get something that looks different and unique.

New Schedules and some time off

In an effort to have sufficient time for everything coming up, one son with his fiance is coming for a visit around Easter.  The same son is graduating and getting married in the month for weddings.  I also wanted to make sure I had enough classes scheduled for everyone to be happy and get what they need.

Here are my classes thru the end of July.  I don't want to think of August or the last third of the year just yet.

Beginner Knit Classes which are held Thursday nights unless otherwise noted are first.

Discover Knit Stitch Class    All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 28

April 4

April 6 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)

May 2

May 30

July 25

Discover Purl Stitch Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

March 7

April 11

April 13 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)

May 9

June 6

July 5

Discover Pattern Stitches Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 14

March 14

April 18

April 20 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)

May 16

June 27

July 6 (Saturday 9 – 11:30am)

Discover Cables Class All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 21

March 21

April 25

April 27 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)

May 23

June 7

Beginner Crochet classes are next up.  These are held every Monday night unless otherwise noted.

Discover Single Crochet  All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm   

March 11

April 1

April 29

June 24

July 23

Discover the Tall Stitches of Crochet   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 11

March 11

April 8

May 6

June 3

July 29

Discover Granny Squares   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 18

March 18

April 22

May 13

June 10

July 31

Discover Textured Stitches   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 25

April 22

May 20

June 5

Advanced Knit classes are held Friday nights unless otherwise noted.

Discover Baby Knits Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Kimono March 1

Blanket & Booties April 5

Kimono May 3

Blanket & Booties May 31

Kimono July 26

Discover Mitered Knitting Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

March 8

April 12

May 10

Discover Fair Isle Class/Learn to Fair Isle   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 15

March 15

April 19

May 17

June 28

Discover Time To Knit Classes    All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

March 22 Socks Toe Up

April 26 Double Knitting

May 24 Socks Top Down

Advanced Crochet classes are the final classes scheduled.

Discover Baby Crochet Class      All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Rattle March 6

Hooded Blanket April 3

Rattle May 1

Hooded Blanket May 29

Rattle July 24

Discover Throws and Wraps in Crochet Class  All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Lace Openwork Wrap February 13

One Piece Granny Throw March 13

Lace Openwork Wrap April 10

One Piece Granny Afghan May 8

Lace Openwork Wrap June 26

Discover Crochet Gifts Class      All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 20

March 20

April 17

May 15

Discover Time to Crochet Classes   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm 

February 27 Tapestry Crochet

March 2 Knook

April 24 Broomstick Lace

May 22 Afghan Patterns

The last thing to note are yarn nights.  

Yarn Nights are times for you to get a question answered about a stitch, yarn or pattern question that doesn’t require a full class.  You can also sit and stitch with me at this time.  Times are 6 – 8:30 pm unless otherwise noted.

February 26

March 19

April 23

May 21

June 1 (Saturday, 1 – 4 pm)

July 30