Tag Archives: afghans

February 26, 2014 · 3:30 pm

February – Square Four

February - Square Four

February – Square Four

February’s second square is quite a bit more complicated and includes an Extended Double Crochet Cluster (EDCC) which I had never done before.  The heart is crocheted first and then the granny clusters must be worked around it and built up to make the piece square.  The heart ends up slightly off center in order to accomplish this.  The pattern for this square can be found here.  I made a few small modifications for mine including changing color back to red at the half double crochet round and then changing back to white again and crocheting another double crochet row followed by a single crochet edging.  Happy Valentines Day!

Leave a comment

Filed under The Granny Square Project

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

February 18, 2014 · 2:44 pm

February – Square Three

February - Square Three

February – Square Three

February’s first square is another very basic Granny.  As a matter of fact, the first three rounds are worked exactly the same as the basic Granny I did for January’s first square.  However, starting with round four, instead of working clusters (3 dcs) in chains spaces, double crochets are worked in the previous row’s double crochets – with the exception of the corners of course.  I completed this square in a single variegated yarn instead of finishing off and changing colors after each round.  I prefer January’s basic Granny over this one.

Round 1: Sl st in a magic ring, ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2 in ring) 3 times, join with sl st in top ch of beg ch 3, pull tail of magic ring tight to close ring to complete round.

Round 2: Sl st across to corner ch 2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 1) 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 3: Sl st across to corner ch 2 sp, ch 3 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1) across to corner, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch 2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1) across to corner, repeat from * around and join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 4: Sl st across to corner ch 2 sp, ch 3 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next dc and in each across to next ch 1 sp, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch 2 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next dc and in each across to next ch 1 sp, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Repeat round 4 until desired size has been reached. Finish off.

Leave a comment

Filed under Patterns, The Granny Square Project

Tagged as , , , , , ,

February 17, 2014 · 10:01 pm

January – Square Two

January - Square Two

January – Square Two

January’s second square is a bit more complicated.  I continued with the cold winter blue and white and added a snowflake.  This pattern requires a bit of knowledge in shaping in order to transform the piece from round as it starts out, to square by the last round.

The FREE pattern for this square can be found here on Ravelry.  The original picture there is in red and white and the center is done in the contrasting color rather than making the inside all the same color.  But it looked like a snowflake to me so I did the center all in white.  Just another example of the different results you can get by changing colors.  I also skipped the last round of single crochets on this one as I had already reached my seven inches by the round of double crochets.

I do like how this one turned out.  The snowflake is very pretty.  I didn’t find the pattern to be completely clear though.  I had to do a bit of experimenting to figure out the shaping.  But it all turned out well in the end.

Leave a comment

Filed under The Granny Square Project

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

February 17, 2014 · 9:12 pm

January – Square One

So I am a little behind in starting out the Granny Square Project.  The new baby decided to come a few weeks early in December rather than wait till the middle of January so I’ve been a bit busy.  But, we went to visit the in-laws this past weekend and I was able to get caught up while they played with the kids.  So I will be posting both January and February’s squares here shortly. 

January - Square One

January – Square One

January’s first Granny Square is the most basic of Grannies.  I completed it in blue and white to go with all the cold temperatures and snow we’ve been having this winter.  Each of the squares in the project will be seven inches square.

The basic pattern is as follows.  As a note for all my Grannies, I start them all out using the “magic ring.”  There is a good tutorial here if you need it.

Round 1: Sl st in a magic ring, ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2 in ring) 3 times, join with sl st in top ch of beg ch 3, pull tail of magic ring tight to close ring to complete round. Finish off.

Round 2: Join new color with sl st in any ch 2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 1) 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. Finish off.

Round 3: Join new color with sl st in any corner ch 2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1) across to corner, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch 2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1) across to corner, repeat from * around and join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. Finish off.

Repeat round 3 until the desired size is reached. I also added a row of single crochet for edging with 3 sc being completed in each corner.  This is completely optional.

The nice thing about this is you can finish off on each round and add a new color, or you can continue in the same color.  Each square can look completely different, yet be completed from the same pattern.  You can also make it as large or as small as small as you like.  Usually the fewest rows completed is 3.  (See, I’m trying to appreciate the Granny here.)  January’s square two coming up shortly!

1 Comment

Filed under Patterns, The Granny Square Project

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

November 15, 2013 · 2:10 pm

The Granny Square Project

This was my first Granny Square project.

This was my first Granny Square project. (Stock photo from pattern book.)

Like many crocheters, one of my very first projects was made up of Granny Squares.  The basic Granny Square is very simple and you can connect and combine them in a variety of ways to make endless different projects.  There are also countless variations on the basic Granny Square allowing crocheters an infinite variety of options in creating works of art.

But I have a confession to make… I always hated making Granny Squares.  By the time I finished the above project I was so bored with it!  When I crochet, I generally like to sit back and relax and crochet continuously, row after row.  But with a Granny Square you are usually creating one round and finishing off to change colors for the next round.  I disliked not being able to just sit back and relax and simply crochet.

In an effort to increase my appreciation for the Granny Square, I have decided to do a year-long project focused on these little gems.  So here’s the plan:  I will make 2 Granny Squares a month, for 12 months in 2014.  Each square will be a different variation on the Granny Square. At the end of the year I will join them all together into a 4×6 square afghan.  Each square should only take me an evening or two to make so I won’t have to spend all my time on the project, but will still get to create a variety of squares.  Probably the biggest challenge will be to modify my gauge and get all the squares to be the same size.

I’m starting my research for different squares to use on Pinterest so feel free to follow my board.  Also, feel free to send in your own Granny Square variation pattern suggestions either by email or on Facebook.  I’ll take pictures and post each month’s squares as we go too!

Leave a comment

Filed under The Granny Square Project

Tagged as , , ,

September 24, 2013 · 3:29 pm

Ribbon Cross Christening Afghan (Style A)

Afghan 3The pattern for this afghan is now available for sale on Ravelry!  I’ve set the price for it at $5.00.  I would love to hear from anyone who purchases the pattern and see pictures of your completed afghan!  I may even post your picture on the site here!  Click on the picture to see the Ravelry listing, or just the “buy now” link.  Enjoy!


Leave a comment

Filed under For Sale On Ravelry, Patterns

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

January 16, 2012 · 1:35 pm

Persephone Belle

I hadn’t realized it had been so long since my last post here.  I haven’t had a lot of time since the baby was born, but I do have several  projects that I need to post, so here’s the first catch up post…

This is Persephone Belle on the Ribbon and Pearls Christenting Afghan that I designed in her honor in her newborn photo shoot.  Doesn’t she look cute on it?!  (Thanks to Krista for the shots!)

Incidentally, I’ve sold 5 of my patterns for this on Ravelry since posting there.

Leave a comment

Filed under Afghans, Designs, For Sale On Ravelry

Tagged as , , , , , ,

September 27, 2011 · 6:56 pm

Project Linus

I have joined a new organization!

Project Linus is an organization that “Provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.””

And here is the first afghan I have made to donate!  This baby afghan is a fairly simple pattern.  The pattern stitch is made by alternating a wrong side row of double crochet + slip stitch, with a right side row of straight double crochets.  The combination of the double crochet followed by a slip stitch creates an interesting textured bobble type stitch. 

This stitch gives the simple 12-row repeat before changing colors some pleasant detail without complicating the design.

I continued the simplicity to the edging where I completed one round of single crochets in white, followed by one round of the pattern stitch.

I have added the websites for both the National and Kansas City chapters of Project Linus to the Links menu if you are interested in more information!

Leave a comment

Filed under Afghans, Project Linus

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

August 27, 2011 · 10:45 am

Pattern – Ribbon and Pearls Christening Afghan

The pattern for this afghan is now available for sale on Ravelry!  I’ve set the price for it at $5.00.  I would love to hear from anyone who purchases the pattern and see pictures of your completed afghan!  I may even post your picture on the site here!  Click on the picture to see the Ravelry listing, or just the “buy now” link.  Enjoy!

5 Comments

Filed under Patterns

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

August 25, 2011 · 6:46 pm

Ribbon and Pearls Christening Afghan

As promised, I designed an afghan in honor of my baby girl and I just love how it turned out!  I even submitted this one to Leisure Arts to see if they wanted to publish but they didn’t.  Oh well. 

I think I’ll sell the pattern for this one on Ravelry.  So I won’t post it for free here, but I will get the link added to the item on Ravelry once I get it posted there.

I loved how the ribbon and pearls turned out.  I was initially going to use white pearls but I’m glad I used the pink.  This pattern could be real pretty in reverse colors too with pink yarn and white ribbon and pearls. 

Update:   I have added the pattern for sale to my Ravelry store!

1 Comment

Filed under Afghans, Designs

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,