Tag: Granny square

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A Memory Afghan

THe Memory Afghan

The Memory Afghan planning

The only thing better than a Memory afghan is two. A friend asked and I agreed to crochet her Mother’s yarn stash into two different memory afghans. It was a huge project and the first step was to sort the yarn into two different groups. One for her daughter’s Memory afghan and one for her granddaughter’s (or her Mother’s great grand daughter’s) memory afghan. 4 generations of women, the youngest a baby, including a daughter, a mom and her mother.

We added some white to the neutrals and light colors for the daughter’s afghan. Pinks were added to the baby’s afghan. It was created adult size to get the most use out of the yarn and longest life for afghan.

A Great Grandma's yarn stash.

They all started at this point. A wide assortment of yarns from a Great Grandmother’s yarn stash. She crocheted with worsted weight and has a variety of yarns here from Red Heart to Caron and others. The colors were a bit blah so we added a huge skein of white and then also 3 skeins of pink plus a skein of teal to widen the range and create a more girly blanket as one of the blankets is for an infant.

The Farmhouse Style Memory Afghan

The farmhouse style was crocheted for the Granddaughter who is now a Mom. A more sophisticated selection of neutral colors was chosen. Using up the beige, off white, yellow, powder blue, and grey yarns plus a few of other shades. The squares are all sewn together to create a softer look. The afghan is surrounded with a lovely scalloped chocolate brown border. The crochet blanket is 5’x 6′ before the border was applied.

The Memory Afghan for the Grand daughter's created out of her Grandmother's yarn stash.

The Floral Afghan

The Floral Memory Blanket is crocheted using the same basic floral square. Crocheting the whole blanket in the 3-d Flower Garden Pattern was our first idea. Weight was going to be a huge problem with a blanket out of all of the 3-d flowers. It would have weighed 10+ pounds, too much for an infant, too much for me! Such a huge crochet blanket would be a problem. Suggesting instead that we use a few squares of an adapted 3-d flower and then filling in with squares that were the same design as the one above. They look similar but are different enough to add in personality and age differences. The crochet blanket is

The Great Grand daughter's Memory afghan created out of her Great Grandmother's yarn stash.
Another photo of the Memory afghan for the Great Granddaughter.

So much fun to crochet and so many memories are tied up in these Christmas gifts. I have waited 6 months to show them to you. What a great gift idea and way to use up yarn stash!

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas, and are working on a Happy New Year.

talk to you later,

Karen

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Cathedral Window Granny Square Free Pattern

Cathedral Window Granny Square

A few weeks ago, a friend brought me an afghan to repair. It was her mother’s favorite and was crocheted sometime in the ’70s. I was fascinated with the pattern as I have never seen a granny square quite like it. I decided to write-up a pattern based on the squares as I repaired the unraveled spots. It’s called a Cathedral Window Granny Square, and I’d like to share that pattern with you today.

Cathedral Window Granny Square

(I think I need to show you how to repair afghans because things happen– like dogs– but that is another post, or maybe another YouTube video!)

Cathedral Window Granny Square

As you can see in the photo, this square is done in 4 colors.

  • Color 1–The first two rounds are a light main color
  • Color 2– The third and fourth rounds are a medium main color
  • Color 3– The fifth round is the darkest shade of the main color
  • Color 4– The sixth round (in the example above) is white.

The yarn in the example afghan is baby weight yarn and the hook used was smaller than a G-size.

Notes: 

  • The sample square is crocheted in DK Stylecraft Special
  • I used a G-size hook and my instructions are in US crochet terminology

Abbreviations:

  • hdc — half double crochet
  • sc — single crochet
  • tc — triple crochet
  • dc — double crochet
  • ch — chain

Notes:

This square was crocheted with Stylecraft Special DK  with a size G hook. The instructions are written in U.S. crochet terminology. I crocheted several different squares using various color yarns. The photos are color accurate. The square will look misshapen until the last round and may still need blocking to get it truly square.

Instructions

Start of Cathedral Window Granny SquareRound 1

Using color 1, ch 3 and join into a circle with a slip stitch.

Ch 2 and dc into center of circle, *ch 3 and dc twice into circle (corner loop group created).

Repeat from * two more times, until you have four double crochet groups, ch 3 and join to beginning ch 2 with a slip stitch (4 corner loop groups created).

 

Row 2

Ch 2, *hdc into loop group 2 times, (hdc into space created between 2 dc of previous round). Hdc twice into next corner space (5 hdc created). Ch 4 and continue from * three more times. Join to beginning ch 2 with slip stitch to complete the round.

There should be 5 hdc on each side. Fasten off yarn.

Round 3

Join color 2 at loop group on corner.

Ch 2 (counts as 1hdc), hdc into loop group and in each space between hdc across and 2 hdc in corner loop group (8 hdc created per side). *Ch 5, hdc twice into loop group from previous row. Hdc in between each hdc across the side and 2 in corner loop group ch 5. Continue from * two more times. Join to beginning ch 2 with slip stitch.

Middle of Cathedral Window Granny SquareRound 4

Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc). Hdc into loop group and in each space between hdc across and 2 hdc in corner loop group (10 hdc created per side). *Ch 2, hdc twice into loop group from previous row. Hdc in between each hdc across and 2 in corner, ch 5. Continue from * two more times. Join to beginning ch 2 with slip stitch.

Fasten off yarn.

 

 

Round 5

Join color 3 in corner loop group. Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc) crochet 1 hdc in corner loop group and in each space between each hdc across ending with 2 hdc in corner loop group (total of 14 hdc).

*Chain 5 and crochet 2 hdc in corner loop and in each space between hdc from previous round ending with 2 hdc in corner loop and ch 3. Continue from * 2 more times. Join to beginning ch 2 with slip stitch. Fasten off yarn.

Round 6

Join color 4 (white) to corner chain loop.

Ch 1, sc in corner loop group, sc in next 2 spaces between hdc from previous round, hdc in next 2 spaces. Dc in next 5 spaces. Hdc in next 2 spaces between hdc from previous round. Sc in next 2 spaces and 2 times in corner loop and then ch 5.

Completed Cathedral Window Granny Square* Sc twice in corner chain loop. Sc in next 2 spaces between hdc from previous round, hdc in next 2 spaces. Dc in next 5 spaces. Hdc in next 2 spaces between hdc from previous round. Sc in next 2 spaces and 2 times in corner loop and then ch 5. Repeat from * two more times.  Join to beginning ch 1 with slip stitch. Tie off.

 

Cathedral Window Granny Square is complete.

Pattern based on vintage crochet blanket from a friend.

 

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4 Blocks a Week – Week 2

Here are my four blocks for this week.

4 Blocks a Week

This one desperately needs blocking.

 

 

4 Blocks a Week Here we go with number three. I am using a different book for the squares this week. Leonie Morgan does a great job showing the different rows in different colors. I hope they look great in one shade of yarn.4 Blocks a Week

4 Blocks a Week

 

4 Blocks a WeekThis one also needs blocking. I will have to steam block them and see if they improve.

The week is proving to be a challenge in many ways. I keep skipping around on different projects and it seems like my progress on one any of them is slow. I have a Minion hat to get out in the mail and then two or three projects that I seem to be working on more seriously than the others. I hope to get them finished pretty quickly as well.  I am also working on some organizing.I have been sorting through Christmas ornaments and decorations. It appears that we have a bunch that are old and not used. The cleaning and organizing progress in the studio has also slowed down as I am waiting on some parts for some shelving. The parts should come in the mail this week. Then I can get more work done. My studio is up under the eaves and I am putting up shelving so that I can stack my tubs on them. I think it will help me get to them more easily.

The quilting class that I am taking with friends is starting in March instead of this week. I am going to try to get the fabrics gathered together for that class this week. We are making a log cabin quilt and I hope to sew it entirely out of stash fabrics. I also start my Use My Stash Challenge next Monday. I have been thinking about different projects to start and WIPS that need to be finished up. These will all be part of the Use Your Stash Challenge. I am also thinking about my rules for the challenge.

Our daughter heads back to school this week and the rest of us will try to get into a schedule of sorts. I just feel really scattered in my thinking and that time to think is in extremely short supply.

Talk to you later,

karen

 

 

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Tuesday’s Project Progress – week one

It has been such a long time since I told you  my project progress and list of things to do for the week. I hope to keep this up over the year. It is so hard to do.
Here is my list of works in progress with photos whenever possible.

Yarny things:

Granny circle thing

Tuesday's Project Progress

Crochet shawl

Tuesday's Project Progress I love the colors in the scarf/shawl. It will be big enough to be a shawl  and yet small enough to wear with a coat. It matches my winter coat and most of my clothes so when I take off the coat I can still wear it.

Crochet shawl/scarf

I am making another one of these scarf/shawls. This one is out of sock yarn. I finally decided that I am never knitting socks. The double point needles keep slipping out of the yarn and I would drop stitches because of it. I have had the yarn for ages. It is a  lovely, grey, red, and blue self striping yarn. It is washable and will make a great scarf.

grey diagonal

Tuesday's Project Progress

I have had this in a partial state for at least a year. It is time to finish it but I just don’t like what it is turning into. So, I need to either frog it or finish it. What do you think?

blue and white Stripe

Tuesday's Project ProgressThis I will finish as it is for ChocolatesBabyShop. I love the combination of colors and it will make a beautiful baby blanket.

multicolor granny stripe

Tuesday's Project Progress

crochet hats of various kinds

Sewn things:

  • Various cup cozies
  • coffee press cozies
  • hot pads or pot holders
  • 2-3 aprons
  • a quilt that needs the machine quilting

I am also in the middle of cleaning/de-cluttering/ organizing the studio. (I am rearranging the furniture to make it more useable.)

That is a huge list and doesn’t include my home school mom duties, my housewife chores or just daily life. I am overwhelmed with everything that is on my plate right now. I need to take it one thing at a time. I know that I can get the important things done and the little things will melt away. I can also delegate some of the daily chores. Three things in my favor this week.

  1. I have a menu for the week.
  2. I have a calendar with appointments listed on them
  3. The post office will pick up from my mail box!

Well, I should let you go as I am needing to get on with my list for today.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

 

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Bright Flower Afghan

I spent the better part of 3 weeks designing the flower blocks and creating this crochet blanket from them. The blocks are a little intensive and require a tiny bit of advanced crochet skills. I have been waiting to show the blanket to you. It is gorgeous! The flower squares are great for using up small bits of yarn. So it is perfect for using up your stash yarns.

Bright Flower Afghan Bright Flower Afghan Bright Flower Afghan Bright Flower Afghan

I had some extra flower squares so I created this pillow cover as well. It matches and the black color is really super dark navy.

The back of the pillow with the lovely bright buttons that keep it closed.Bright Flower Afghan Bright Flower Afghan Bright Flower AfghanHere it is inside on our black couch. The colors still look bright and beautiful inside. I really enjoyed creating this granny square and I hope to have the directions available soon.  The blanket and pillow will both be available for purchase in the Studio. The blanket is 40 x 50″.

Talk to you later,

Karen

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Been Stressed Much, Lately!

Are you feeling a bit stressed lately. I know I have, I have been a bit frustrated the past month or two.  I could list my frustrations out but I think it is counter productive. I have been listing them over and over and then expecting them to go away. Since doing the same thing repetitively and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. I have finally decided to list out ways to overcome frustration. The first step is to decide which frustrations I can personally change and which I have absolutely no influence over.

Frustration seems to come from a feeling of lack of control. Its root is either anger or fear. I have been feeling both emotions in abundance lately. So rather than take you into the dark places that I have been travelling lately. I am going to walk us through an exercise of how to overcome.

Remember that frustration is born of wanting things or people to be a certain way that is fixed in your head. Your expectations of others and of how the world works is formed over many years of experiences and sometimes your personal overlay is defective; it might have been a source of self-protection once but when it continues to advise you poorly for future experiences, then it is stuck in time, and generally plain wrong. When you cease to expect other people to act in a certain way, when you start to look at the world with fresh eyes again and expect nothing apart from the fact that you are a member of a community of individuals and a world of many happenings, then you start to realize that things happen, people are the way that they are, and most importantly of all, how you react matters.

http://www.wikihow.com/Cope-With-Frustration

Ok, so my frustration is born out of the expectation that the surgery I just had would give me greater mobility, not less. Is there anything I personally can do to change this mobility issue? What would help me?

1. Exercise (which in itself is frustrating as all the written information talks about going for a walk!) Are there other types of exercise that I can do? Yes, I can start swimming, even though it means that I will swim differently now. I can also do Pilates which requires nothing more than a clear space and a tv.

2. Clearing your mind (I don’t know what I think about this. People with clear minds often have empty minds devoid of creativity) I think they mean that you stop thinking about what you can’t do and instead focus on what you can do! Like a camera that can take close up photos. If I focus on the things I can’t do then I forget all of the things that I can do. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason, which I may never know. It is our choice to either allow that “thing” to destroy or refine us.

3. Change how I react to what I can and can’t do

http://www.bitrebels.com/lifestyle/10-tips-to-overcome-frustration/

Frustration usually occurs when our intended personal goals and dreams are not met. We may feel frustrated when an outcome of what we wanted to happen simply did not happen, or when we meet challenges. There are so many things that can cause us to be frustrated. Some people act on that feeling, while others do not. More often than not, the cause of our frustrations can be attributed to external forces that we do not have control over. It can be triggered by a situation like a gadget not working, or even by another person. Frustration can block us from feeling motivated. We can react by trying to solve what is causing the frustration, or we can just simply give up.

4. Giving up is not an option. I am not a quitter. I do not give up. I am as my Mom says a fighter. She says I have courage, actually, I am too afraid not to take the next step. I tend to do what I can to keep from thinking about what is happening or going on around me. Pain refines and challenges every aspect of our lives and frankly I would rather have the physical pain rather than emotional pain. Time doesn’t dull pain acceptance does. We allow the paint to infiltrate and diffuse into every part of our lives until it has been with us so long that we have a hard time even recognizing it. Until it is gone, well and truly gone.  Then only by concentrating do we see that there is pain and that something needs to be done.

I had a long talk with a long time friend last night. We had both had amazingly frustrating weeks and it was nice to talk to someone and get a different point of view on things. She helped me immensely. It was nice to be able to say what has been on my mind and have someone remind me that things really are better than I think. I think I was able to do the same thing and encourage her to look past her frustrations. So, my last piece of advice would be to find a close friend and really talk to them about your frustrations, if you can. We don’t often share like we did last night but it really helped to talk about our fears and get them out in the open. Fear really doesn’t like the light of day and sharing about your fears often makes them go away. Remember that there is a difference between sharing and whining!

Been Stressed Much, Lately! The lovely corner detail of a baby blanket. ChocolateDogStudio.com

The photos are of some new blankets that I started this past weekend. They are beautiful and I can’t wait to share the finished patterns and product in the shop! The pink and brown one is already for sale in the shop and I love this close up of the border.  You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/165023172/blanket-crochet-granny-square-baby

Talk to you later,

Karen

p.s. I am also assuming that you have already prayed about your frustrations.

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November Already!

Yes, it is November already…am I ready?  NO! There is so much I want to finish before the end of the year. It has been a hard year and I won’t be sad to put it behind me and start with a fresh clean slate. It has been a year of changes.

  • We have moved: packed everything we own and moved it 7 hours South and unpacked it yet again…plus unpacked the boxes we hadn’t unpacked yet the first time. No, we aren’t done yet and there are still boxes left.
  • Put one kid in college (and then drove off and left her five hours away from home)! Don’t laugh that has been one of the hardest things to do and also one of great joy. She is doing fantastic, even when she thinks she isn’t…she is!
  • welcomed a son back home until the wedding so he can save money…That has also been hard and continues to be hard simply because I forget he is an adult, but he has been an incredible help and I have so enjoyed this time.
  • preparing to have a wedding….no they haven’t picked a date or have a minister yet…but there is the Dress, so things are moving forward.

Well, that is a small list but there has been some good news. I found my camera last weekend. So, I will once again be able to show off some bad photos of things I have finished unlike these that my live in photographer took last weekend.

I added up the things I have done lately and here is my list. November Already

This is the stack of afghans I have finished this year that haven’t been shipped off. That is a huge stack of crocheted blankets. It doesn’t include the two granny square blankets that I shipped last week or the custom baby blankets I have been crocheting lately. The pretty one second from the bottom is headed out tomorrow after I get a box. We did braces today and then some comforting and hanging out. I would love for all of these blankets to find a home. Some crocheting is so repetitive that I find myself praying for the person that will receive them. That it will comfort and warm them when they need it most. I have also made tons of Christmas ornaments and I am just going to share one photo of them.ÂNovember Already

I love these star ornaments. I was trying to come up with a way to use small bits of yarn and ended up crocheting  too many of these stars. Then last week, I had a great idea…so these happened. Spontaneously, and now I have about eight pairs and could easily make tons more.

November Already

Boot Cuffs! Aren’t they cute? I don’t usually wear boots. I love these cuffs. I have so many different colors now. So, that is some of what I have done. I am also in the painting mode. I am in the process of finishing a house project that has been in the unfinished stage for more years than I would care to count. I have done the prep and just need to get the motivation to finish. You know, it is painting a bathroom cabinet. The downstairs bathroom cabinet and I keep putting it off as I know that I WILL get paint all over me when I forget that I painted in there.

See you later,

Karen

P.S. You can crochet your own boot cuffs from this pattern here on Etsy and here in the Chocolate Dog Studio shop.