Friday 17 October 2014

And Finally I Grannied

Sshh..don't tell anyone. It';; be our secret. I had a funny little life ambition and now, at last, I've managed it. I crocheted a granny square! 



I know, I know: as life skills go it's hardly going to help me change the world, but it has made me more than a little happy. I defy you to look at a stack of springy, woolly, bright and cheery granny squares and not want to smile. And now I know how to make them! 

Six months ago I couldn't crochet at all. Not in any way. But I took up my hook and I made a start and I've finished two blankets since March. Am I ready to stop? Not likely. Si I looked round the house for a space into which I could squeeze another crochet creation, and I thought about the sofa in the kitchen, and - to my surprise - round here they thought that wasn't a bad idea. because, as they said, it's a sofa, in a kitchen, it's covered in - you know, splats and spills and stuff. I could make a cover-up, they said, so I grabbed my hook and ran with it because, as you probably know, not all creative ideas are deemed useful and worthwhile by the ones you love. 

This cover-up, then I realised, shouldn't be too bobbly, not if it had to act as a throw and we might end up sitting on it. That ruled out any kind of bumpy  motif, which was a shame (I love this owl one). I looked at Attic24's Summer Garden granny square, too. But in the end I decided that if it had to sit with the cowboy cushions, it had to look a bit more manly: rougher and tougher, like a campfire rug, so I chose a basic granny from the tutorial here on Little Tin Bird. There are lots of photos and it was very easy to follow.

Oh yes, I had a couple of false starts and I have a little pile of rejects



But then I started to get the hang of it. And now? I do love a Granny! More progress reports soon. The only trouble is I'm twenty squares in and I'm already thinking about what I could make next..





29 comments:

doris sander said...

congratulations! so glad you've entered the granny ranks! :)

helena said...

welcome, I still find them totally addictive and yours look fabulous

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Oh, they look good. I like the way you've picked out the colours in that (Cath Kidston?) cowboy fabric. I still want to learn to crochet, although I think I'll be more of a ripple girl. Perhaps that will be my next challenge, once I've made all the Friendship Quilt squares and put my own quilt top together.

Lesley G said...

Woohoo!! I haven't done any in a long time, think I may have forgotten how to crochet!!!

debs14 said...

You've matched those colours perfectly, be sure to show us the finished project!

scrappyjacky said...

Love the colours....it's going to look perfect.

scrappyjacky said...

Love the colours....it's going to look perfect.

Larry said...

They look great! I have literally just learned to crochet and am attempting a granny square so will definitely look at the links you have given

Ladkyis said...

and then you take apart the rejects and make them up into other granny squares and all those little oddments that you saved for scrap-booking will get sucked into the mix and........ the voice of experience speaks, and having spoke shuts up!!! Welcome to the world of afghan squares

KraftyKaren said...

They look fab.

I would love to learn how to crochet but have a feeling that it would give me the same RSI problems that I experience whenever I try to knit now :(

Look forward to seeing the finished cover x

Melissa said...

These are perfect to go with those Cowboy pillows! My Grandma crocheted and I have a little stash of squares that she left - it makes me happy just looking at them. Maybe someday I'll make them into something!

alexa said...

Such a lovely homely feel ... this is going to look wonderful across a sofa. I admire your determination and stickability (as my Granny used to call it) in learning something new!

Sandra said...

I know it sounds silly but my no 1 goal is to be able to crochet a granny square. I can do a few basic stitches, when at a class, but as soon as I'm home on my own, it all falls apart. I'm so jealous ... I love it

Jennifer Shaw said...

Oh your granny squares look lovely. There is something very exciting about a pile of them. You are making me want to get back into my throw for my daughter. I knew you would have no trouble with granny squares after seeing your beautiful knits and the other crochet blankets you made. What a great idea for a throw for the kitchen and I love those vintage cowboy pillows!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Are they fun? Borderline additive? I learned to crochet granny squares a few years ago by watching a YouTube video over and over - made a bunch of them but never finished enough for a proper blanket. Yours look lovely, Sian.

Nathalie said...

What? You didn't know how to crochet just 6 months ago? I had no clue while I was admiring your blankets that you were so new to this! Congratulations on your progress! This is really giving me hope :) Maybe I too can put my beloved scrapbook papers aside long enough to try crochet! One day...

Unknown said...

They look great Sian, I have managed to crochet flowers which is what I learned for but I haven't progressed any further and I think these would be fab! Good luck getting it done.

Jane said...

congratulations, I love crochet especially during those long winter evenings.

Lizzy Hill said...

Well done! Wonderful that the family appreciate a good warm crocheted rug, too:):)

Carmen said...

Congratulations Sian :D Craig's Mum tried to teach me to crochet and I would get it and be crocheting away... then forget how to do it completely. Mid line. Just *poof* gone out of my head! Same with my own Mum when she tried to teach me knitting. Would get it, knit, knit, knit and then all of a sudden - blank. Very weird.

I do love the colour combo you chose :)

Anonymous said...

Love the colours of you have used. I had a look at the owl one and have to say I am seriously tempted to get hooking again after many many years.

Karen said...

Granny squares look like a doable project. I like that you can do them one by one. I'm not about to take up crocheting, but I do admire how you've taught yourself to crochet. Your squares look lovely, and the colors are so bright and cheerful!

Cheri said...

You've done a FANTASTIC job with them Sian - can't wait to see the finished project! I just picked crocheting back up (something I hadn't done in about 30 years) and have been busily making scarves as Christmas gifts. Started a throw last night. Haven't tried the granny yet, but did learn to ripple... totally addictive isn't it?

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Love the colors! I get bored with granny squares. I have been working on a throw with them for a couple years now. I'll go in spurts where I'll make a bunch of the first 3 rounds and then quit, then I'll spend a night or two doing the final 3 rounds of those. Or maybe just two of them. Or maybe do some more center parts.
Someday I'll finish it

Jimjams said...

Congrats - they are fun to make - my granny taught me, but it's so long since that time that I've forgotten how!

Lou said...

Look at you :) granny squares are good and i'm so please you finally got around to completing some. My great gran taught me when i was young..i always remember her house being covered in granny square throws x

Jo said...

They look great and I love the colours, I am yet to Granny but I will soon :)

Sandie said...

I'm very impressed with your crochet progress Sian. I started to teach myself a couple of years ago and didn't progress more than a 12 inch square. I am using it as a practice piece and should get it out again.
Good luck with your throw, it sounds a perfect project for the kitchen sofa.

Anonymous said...

They look great Sian. I love the colour combination you came up with for them. Congrats on accomplishing them - you've come a long way in 6 short months. I hate to say it but I think you're hooked. Sorry I just couldn't resist. :)

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