Swatch! Swatch! Swatch! There's so many Swatches!

Moving right along with what to do with them all, we come to what to do with more than a dozen at a time.  The obvious idea that we can all see is...........AFGHANS!!!!  These can use from 2 dozen up to 9 or 10 dozen.  You decide how many based on how big you want it to be and how big the blocks/squares are made.

OK.  Now that that has been said.  Let's come up with more ideas.

1. Bathmat:  Take a dozen in a 3 x 4 pattern of swatches/blocks that are 6 - 12 inches each in cotton.  
2. Welcome Mat:  Take another dozen in a 3 x 4 pattern of swatches done in jute, clothesline, rope or twine.  These fibers will stand up to some abuse.  The swatches/blocks should be at least 9 inches.
3. Heating Pad Cover:  Take 24 blocks/swatches in a 4 x 6 pattern.  Fold in half.  Seam along 2 sides.  Put buttons on half of the third open side and crochet along the other half of the open side and add some chain loops to fit over the buttons to act as button holes.  Insert the heating pad and button.  
4. Slippers:  With a dozen swatches/blocks you can make 2 slippers 6 swatches each that resemble booties.
5. Jacket or Coat:  With another 4 - 6 dozen blocks/swatches, you can make a coat or jacket of any size.  With tiny 2 inch granny squares you can make a baby cardi.  See this post for the basic layout.  To make this a longer coat, add more rows to the body.
6. Poncho:  With three and a half dozen (that's 42) swatches/blocks, you can make a poncho.  You can line them up in a diamond pattern or a very long rectangle to make the poncho.  It's up to you.
7. Rocking Chair Back:  With another two dozen in a 4 x 6 pattern and a couple of ties, you can make a wooden rocker back more cozy and comfy or cover a worn back.  Be sure to measure your rocking chair so you know your back will fit.
8. Contoured Bath Rug:  With a dozen more swatches/blocks that are 9 inches each arrange in this configuration.   Make it from absorbent cotton so it's easy care and can be warm to your feet in the middle of winter.
9. A variable number of squares or rounded grannies to fit your window, make a chevron shaped valance to add interest to a window that doesn’t need to be fully covered.
10. With 19 squares and some lining fabric, you can make a rectangular tote bag, 6 on each side and the rest are the gusset (sides and bottom to make it more usable).  Line for stability.  Add purchased handles or strap.
11. With 30 tiny thread squares sewn together into a long ring, you have a fancy lanyard for a convention name badge or scissors.

Now that's another 20 dozen or more swatches or granny square blocks used.  Leave comments with other ideas.  I'd love to hear them.

Swatch! Swatch! Swatch! What can I do with them all?

We've found a home for so many swatches.  How many you ask???  Would you believe 99 swatches of a variety of sizes?  It's amazing.  Can you come up with any new ideas?  Here are ideas for 8 to 10 swatches each.

1. Seat Cushions:  Nine granny squares is also the right size for a seat cushion for the dining room chairs.
2. Tote bag cover:  Nine four-inch granny squares can cover the side of a slightly worn, but ohso-handy tote. Eighteen squares and you can cover the whole thing!
3. Doll House Afghan:  Nine tiny granny squares will make a doll house afghan. The best yarn to use here is one strand of three-ply needle point yarn.
4. Tote Bag Cover:  Eight 6 inch squares and you can cover the same tote above.
5. A whole sofa cushion:  Eight swatches or squares and you can cover on both sides of a sofa cushion
6. Slippers:  ten 3 -4 inch squares, 5 to each one can make slippers.  
7. Vest:  For larger children and adults, 10 swatches of 2 sizes will make a vest.  Take 2 very large swatches for the front and back panels.  Use 3 small swatches seamed to the left and right side of the front.  Seam them now to the back panel.  Seam 2 of the remaining 4 small swatches together on one side to form a shoulder strap.  Repeat.  To place the straps, start at the 1/4 mark and the 3/4 mark at the top of the tube you formed before and seam them working toward the outside edge.  To give a finished appearance, single crochet around the outside edges.  

And here we have found a home for another 63 squares/swatches in a variety of sizes.  Bet you can't guess what all there is in store for next month!