Tag: rug

The Humble Granny Square revisited…

The Humble Granny Square is back… most people who crochet will know The Granny Square, it’s been around forever, or so it seems & perhaps this alone may be why it is so often overlooked, or relegated to the boring basket.

However, recently I’ve been noticing a resurgence of the Granny Square in all its shapes & sizes & it’s made me think…. although I’ve gained reams of experience & moved on to more challenging projects over the years, I can’t help but be mindful of how much I owe to the good ol’ Granny Square… they are how I learnt to crochet & where my crochet journey really began so many moons ago &, I suspect, this applies to almost everyone who loves to crochet – after all, we all had to start somewhere & the humble Granny Square made with loving care is a beautiful thing.

Who hasn’t dug out that old granny square rug on a chilly winter’s evening, wrapped themselves in its wooly warmth for a night in front of TV? Have a look behind the scenes while watching your favorite sitcom, there’s most probably a brightly coloured rug thrown randomly over a chair to add that homely touch.

So, what’s so great about this little gem?

  • they are super easy to make
  • they are a great way to use up all those odds & ends in your yarn stash
  • you can use any yarn you like & work with any size hook you’re comfortable with
  • you can make your squares using a single colour, harmonies, contrasts, mono tones or be as random as your heart desires
  • you can make your square any size you want & join them as you wish to make a blanket, bunny rug, vest, scarf, jacket, slippers, handbag… gosh, the list is far too long to name them all
  • or you can just keep going around & around adding new colours (or not) at will
  • they are possibly the best way for learners to gain speed & understanding, with the bonus of having a lovely handmade item at the end of it
  • &, once you’ve mastered this easy one it may lead you on to try others… there are hundreds

If you are new to crochet (or perhaps just want a refresher) & would like to give the Granny Square a go you’ll find, what I hope are easy to follow instructions on, ‘The Humble Granny Square’ page of Crochet tips & Tricks – enjoy

Beautiful Rag Rugs

Check it out!!!… had  the honour of being included in this Flickr Gallery  “Rug Hooking Inspiration” – really awesome work – it’s wonderful to see rag rugging is still alive & kicking

Freeform crochet has taken over for the moment  but here are some other examples of Rag Rugs that I created what now seems like a long, long time.

 

 

Flower Patterns up & running

In response to everyone who PM’d me about Gran’s Garden patterns, they are now up & running for sale – as a whole & as individual patterns – enjoy!!

Patterns (for both the complete rug & individual squares) are in written & diagram form, using UK & US terminology & include abbreviations, special stitch drawings & instructions.

Gran’s Garden 25 Flower Patterns – $25 USD – visit my Ravelry store, or

Individual Flower Pattern – $2.50 USD ea – visit my Ravelry Store

Instructions for joining squares & the all-round border (for those of you who select just a few of the flower patterns) is a free PDF download – visit my Ravelry Store

Please remember – I’m very happy for you to use any of my patterns for fun, personal challenge, gifts & fundraisers – but not so happy if you re-print them for others or sell them for profit – you know the drill -copyright & all that!! Thanks for your help here….

Gran’s Garden – 25 Flower patterns

This rug (afghan) is made up of 25 flower patterns which I’m hoping to offer for sale as a whole & also as individual patterns as soon as I work out how…. each flower pattern has a base round from which the main square is then worked – I’ve used the humble granny square simply because it’s an easy start for the less experienced but there is no reason why you can’t used a favourite (square) of your own – I used 8 ply Bendigo Woollen Mills yarn but here again use what you have or favour – the 4.50 hook is my preference but if you’re more comfortable with a 4.00/5.00 then go for it – Patterns (for both the complete rug & individual squares) will be in written & diagram form & will include abbreviations, special stitch drawings & instructions…. let’s hope I get it up & running quickly……

The following are the requirements for the complete rug – also, instructions for joining squares & the all-round border for those of you who select just a few of the flower patterns – this should give you some idea how the patterns read …. & please, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any probs….

Gran’s Garden: Rug (afghan) size – approx 135cm x 135cm (53” x 53”)

Hook:         4.50
Total Yarn requirements:Assorted colours for flowers (see individual patterns)400 grm x Cream – (Classic Raffia 603) – Bendigo Woollen Mills   

300 grm x Lt green – (Classic Moss 662) – Bendigo Woollen Mills

300 grm x Lt green – (Classic Lichen 740) – Bendigo Woollen Mills

250 grm x Mid green – (Classic Spinifex 605) – Bendigo Woollen Mills

Requirements for joining squares & all-round border:
 
 

Hook:         4.50

Yarn:       100 grm x Dk green – (Classic Kelp 610) – Bendigo Woollen Mills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placement Chart:

Using the Placement Chart: the placement chart is a guide only. When different colours have been used you may have to move the squares around to achieve the most pleasing colour arrangement.

 

 

Joining Squares:

* Layout squares according to placement chart or as desired

* pin squares together – for easier handling work with rows of 2 squares at a time – take care to always join from the same end for each row being joined

* working right to left, with right sides of both square facing outward, work back loop (centre loops) of both squares, join Col-G in first st using one of the following joining techniques:-

1. Invisible Join: using darning needle sew each corresponding st together to end.

2. SS Join: join with ss in first st and ss each corresponding st together to end.

3. Dc (US sc) Join: join with dc (US sc) in first st, dc (US sc)  each corresponding st together to end.

 

All-round border: when all squares are joined, join Col-G with dc (US sc) in back loop of any corner st, 2 dc (US sc) in same st, * dc (US sc) in each st across to next corner st, 3 dc (US sc) in corner st, repeat from * around, ending with ss in first dc (US sc)  – do not finish off

Subsequent Rows (optional): work in both loops, 1 ch, dc (US sc) in same st, * dc (US sc) in each st to corner st, 3 dc (US sc) in corner st, repeat from * around, ending with ss in first st, repeat this row as many times as desired.

 

Last Round: work Crab st around  – finish off – weave in all tail ends 

 

 

 

 

All-round border stitch diagram & Abbreviations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 











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