Back in June, I rather optimistically named this the Granny-a-Day blanket. I was inspired to make it by Kylie’s gorgeous blanket of the same name. Baby Ruby was due to be born in November, and I figured that if I made a square a day (easy! No problem! Right?) I should easily get it done in time for her birth.
Hmm, well, I should have known better. Each square took just under an hour to make. I had originally planned to make a blanket that was 7 squares wide and 11 squares long, with a fairly wide border and finished with a pretty picot edging. But time got the better of me. In the end I finished with a slightly smaller blanket – 60 x 10 squares with a simple double crochet border. It is just the right size for a baby cot, and I must admit that, although not exactly what I had envisioned, I am pleased with how it turned out.
So, here are the details:
Yarn: A mixture of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino and Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK.
Crochet hook: 4mm
Pattern: Just a collection of crochet granny squares. There is a great tutorial on how to make them on Crochet Cabana’s website.
Notes: I love Asiye’s restrained use of colour in her Falsebay Baby Blanket, and decided to follow her example. I used four colours: white, bright pink, lilac and pale green. I kept the order in which the colours progressed within each square the same, and rotated which colour was in the centre.
I crocheted rather than sewed the squares together. There is a good tutorial on how to do this here, although I joined mine with the wrong sides facing so that the resulting ridges were visible from the front.
All in all, given: how crochet makes my wrist hurt; and that I really do prefer knitting; and that I seemed to spend every free moment towards the end doing nothing but make-more-squares; and that it still ended up smaller than I hoped; and that it ended up being a Christmas not a birth gift, I think that this blanket turned out all right!
It got to be what it wanted to be I guess! The colour combination is very pretty. Loved the review of 2009 – wishing you a very happy 2010
That is just gorgeous! I too prefer to crochet over knit as I find when I crochet my wrist hurts. I haven’t done any major crochet projects since I made my kids each a ripple afghan a couple of years back, I had started one for charity and it sits at 3/4 done. I suppose if I work at it slowly it will get done. I love the quickness of the crochet but I am not a fan of sewing together squares. I’m going to check out this tutorial and see if it is more appealing as this blanket definitely has me thinking of making a throw for the living room.
I love the colors! This is sure to be a treasured gift.
This looks so pretty, love the colors of it. I’ve tried crochet but I just don’t enjoy it as much as knitting.
That’s stunning Anna! That’s my aim for the year – learning to crochet so I can use up all my sock yarn remnants – and your baby blanket will be my inspiration.
All the best for 2010!
it’s beautiful š that is going to look so lovely on baby Ruby’s cot.
I hear you on the knitting-over-crochet debate, too. My wrists ached by the end, and how hideous is sewing it all together and weaving in all the ends??!
your end result is spectacular though, and I’m sure worth the effort and very much appreciated by the recipient!
It’s just lovely – is sure to be a treasured blanky for Ruby. I love the minimal use of colours and the way you’ve organised it, looks just perfect.
Anna, that is so lovely. The colors are perfect; they’re so soft and work so well together. Truly a memorable gift!
Lovely colours, I’ve been making mine for nearly 2 years….. it’s to fit my king size bed. I always think other peoples look so much nicer!
It’s gorgeous Anna! This year is going to be the year I finally learn to crochet properly, so this is very inspiring. What a lovely gift, it’s sure to be treasured.
Love the little blanket I have had one on the go for longer than you and it still isn’t finished maybe 2010 will be the year
Hi there – I came across your blog from a comment on peacefulknitter’s blog – I am new to crochet, but love the granny square blankets I have seen lately – thanks for sharing your links and notes – very helpful! Happy new year!
That is a fabulous blanket! I get hurt wrists from crochet, unless I hold the hook like a pencil (which always feels wrong). Maybe I’ll go back to it one day, your blanket is inspirational.
it’s lovely. Granny squares can be so effective. You do sound like it was a bit of slog though!
Ruby will love it forever!
This is just gorgeous, the colours are lovely.
The blanket looks really lovely. The palette you’ve used works really well – great for a girl without being too pink.
I too have underestimated the time it would take to crochet a blanket. But your finished product is well worth it.
The blanket is gorgeous, keeping the colours limited has given it such a strong feeling. Beautiful.
Gorgeous!!!
Beautiful! I really like the colors you chose – very pretty!