wise craft

tiny stones

Whenever we go to the beach (lucky us, its minutes away in several directions), I always look out for smooth stones, pebbles, and beach glass. For fun I thought I would try crocheting a few small stones. They turned out kind of cute, what do you think? Thinking of trying a few more, with a smaller crochet hook, if my eyes can stand it.

granny square sampler afghan- week 14

 

I'm hijacking this week's granny square sampler choice in order to satisfy my own selfish desire to do a rectangular granny square. A rectangular square. You read that right. Apparently granny squares don't always have to be square and I am completely okay with that (and it just so happens this one is Ian's favorite so far). I've been wanting to do one of these since starting this project and I just hadn't sat down to figure it out until this week. Which is silly, because these are easy. Using only double crochet (dc) and chain (ch) stitches, which you've by now done a bazillion times for this sampler, the trick is simply getting that first round right. Get that part right, and Bob's your uncle.

Rectangular Granny- Make 2, in any combination of 5 colors you want.

Using your first color, ch 16.

 

Rnd 1: Into the 4th ch from your hook, work the following stitches all into the same chain [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. (This forms one short side of the rectangle). *Ch 1, sk 2 ch; 3 dc in next ch st**. Rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sk 2 ch. Create opposite corner: Into the last ch [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. *Ch 1, sk 2 ch; 3 dc in next ch st**. Rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sl st in beg 3rd ch. End off yarn.

Rnd 2: Starting in one of the ch 2 corner spaces from the previous rnd, join new color and [ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in same sp.  In next ch 2 space (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp**, rep from * 3 more times, ch 1. In ch 2 sp at corner, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc)**, ch 1,  rep from * at next ch 2 sp.  *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp**, rep from * 3 more times, ch 1, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3. End off.

Rnd 3: Starting in one of the ch 2 corner spaces from the previous rnd, join new color and ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp. Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1. In next ch 2 space, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp**, rep from * 4 more times, ch 1. In ch 2 sp at corner, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc)**, ch 1,  rep from * at next ch 2 sp.  *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp**, rep from * 4 more times, ch 1, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3. End off.

Rnd 4: Starting in one of the ch 2 corner spaces from the previous rnd, join new color and ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp. Ch 1, *3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1**, rep from * in next ch 1 sp. In next ch 2 space, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp**, rep from * 5 more times, ch 1. In ch 2 sp at corner, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc)**, Ch 1, *3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1,  rep from * at next ch 2 sp.  *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp**, rep from * 5 more times, ch 1, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3. End off.

Rnd 5: Starting in one of the ch 2 corner spaces from the previous rnd, join new color and ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp.  *Ch 1, *3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1**, rep from *2 more times. In next ch 2 space (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp**, rep from * 6 more times, ch 1. In ch 2 sp at corner, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc)**. *Ch 1, *3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1**, rep from *2 more times.  In ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc), ch 1. *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp**, rep from * 6 more times, ch 1, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3. End off.

Next week will mark 15 weeks of this sampler. I'm thinking we should start joining some of the squares, what do you guys think?

Happy hooking!

Blair

crochet catch up

Thanks to sitting and watching the Olympics with the family, I am almost completely caught up on my granny squares for our sampler. It feels really good to pick up the hook again and work on these after several weeks off.

Week 9- I love this one's 3d effect, an easy square to do.

Week 11- Crocheted popcorn stitches are so satisfying to make for some reason.

 

Week 13- This one has a little something going on with the cream stitch rows (it was the first one, you know, the one where you work out how to make the square). The square on the right actually uses 2 different shades of gold yarn. The difference is subtle, but it was fun to try a tonal version.

Once I got started in catch up mode, I was able to do these in just a few evenings, so don't worry if you feel like you've fallen behind. I tried Week 12 and my first attempt was a hot mess. That one is tricky because you have 4 strands of yarn (each color you use in the square) all dangling at the same time. I am hoping to try it again tonight.

Look for a new granny square assignment on Friday!

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And thank you so much for all the lovely tweets, instagram messages, and comments about Lisa's quilt!

granny square sampler afghan- week 13

This week's granny square is brought to us by Beth (who is @cookiecat57 on Instagram- remember you can tag your photos on instagram with #grannysquaresampler so we can all see each other's). I like this one because its quite different from the ones we've done over the past few weeks, retro, unusual, and just plain interesting. So let's do it! It is called "The Whirlygig" and needs no introduction other than Beth's photo, which she also kindly sent me.

Make 2 of these this week (you overachievers out there can always make more if you want, but at least 2), each one using just 2 colors of yarn. As with all other squares we've done, this square starts in the center, going outward. Nothing new there. The slight twist with this square is that, from Rnd 2 and onward, you always crochet into the back loop only of each double crochet/dc stitch. Double crochet into the back loop only = dcblo. Here is a video that demonstrates crocheting into the back loop at about 2:12. (It also demos crocheting into the front loop, we will be doing a single crochet into the front loop only, or scflo, which helpful when crocheting with color B, as you'll see below).

 

The Whirlygig Granny Square

With color A (which is the yellow in the top photo above), chain 4.

Rnd 1- 11 dc in 4th ch from hook. Sl st to top of starting chain to join.

Rnd 2- Ch 3, dcblo into next dc, (5 dcblo into next dc, 1 dcblo in next 2 dc) 3 times; 5 dcblo in next dc, sl st to top of starting ch to join.

Rnd 3-5 Ch 3, dcblo in each dc, making 5 dcblo in center of each 5 dc group from prev rnd. Sl st to top of starting ch to join. End off yarn at end of rnd 5.

Using color B, attach to any free front dc loop on first round, scflo in same space, continue to scflo all the way around, end off yarn after each round. Continue to do this on all 5 rounds (refer to Beth's picture above), doing 3 scflo in center of each 5 dc group.

Just reminders-

Post your sampler granny squares to our Flickr group.

Post them to instagram.

Follow along on the pinterest board.

Find all the week's squares on this page.

aaaaaand.....

don't worry if you are behind! I am! Hoping to catch up this weekend. First we are celebrating Ian's birthday, he's 11 today! My baby is 11!

As always, let me know if there are any questions in the comments.

Enjoy crocheting this week!

Blair

 

granny square sampler afghan- week 12

I am a little embarrassed to admit that I am still behind on finishing my squares. Didn't touch the crochet hook over the weekend. I fully intend to catch up. This whole week has been a flurry of crazy, which is mostly over now. Sitting down to crochet sounds just about perfect to me.

This week's square-

(Image via crochet me)

The granny square spiral. I love it because its just another version of using those same stitches we've been using all along. I love it because it will add a little wonkiness to our afghan (I'm breaking out of my need for symmetry with this project!). I had a version of this pinned to my crochet board, but the video was not in English. Reader Grace read my mind and sent me a link to this version (thank you Grace!). You can find the written instructions here (sorry, no video). Make 3 of these this week.

As always, all the weeks of the granny square sampler project can be found on this page.

If anyone has any requests for squares as we work through the last weeks of our granny square sampler, please email me at wisecraftblog@gmail.com and I will definitely try to get them in.

granny square sampler afghan- week 11

I'm glad some of you were able to use last week to play catch up on your squares. I myself still have a few squares to catch up on, so don't dispair if this is you. We've been finishing Emma's room, which I'll be showing you hopefully next week!

I have gotten some emails from folks nominating squares they like around the web. I love this, please send any squares you think would work in this sampler ! I can't promise that I can include every one of them, but will try my best.

This square suggestion was given to me by Jill, a popcorn flower. Erin assigned us a square with some texture from week 9. Let's add more texture this week. This square is from Teresa of Crochet Geek, and she brilliantly provides a YouTube video as well as written instructions AND a diagram. So there you go.

Assignment: Make 3 of these this week. As always, vary your color combinations. If you are using a border color (like cream, for me), make sure one of these has that color as its border color.

I will be making mine over the weekend, and will put a picture up on the post when I finish.

As always, please leave any questions in the comment section.

Enjoy!

granny square sampler afghan- week 10- no new square this week

It has been a busy week here at the wise craft house, so I've decided for sanity's sake to take this week off the granny square sampler.

Or, if like me, you're a few squares behind (4 squares behind, to be exact), this is the perfect time to catch up.

Or, if you're anxious to keep going and are all up to date on your squares, pick a couple of granny squares from weeks 1-9 to repeat a few and add those to your afghan.

I was asked how many more weeks we will be doing this project. It was meant to last the summer, the idea being it could travel in beach bags and on trips away from home without too many supplies. I was looking at the squares we've done and thinking about the overall size we want this afghan to be. After doing a little research, seems a "standard" afghan size (something you would use on the sofa or in a chair) is anywhere from 48"-50" x 60"-70". I would like ours to be about 45" x 65". Towards the end of the project we will begin joining our granny squares and spend some time adding borders around the outsides of groups of granny squares, which is all going to add some length and width to the overall size. At this point, I think we're a litle over halfway done with our squares. Take this into consideration as you look at the stash yarn you are using. I myself have run out of a few colors, but have simple added in other stash colors (seems the stash never runs out in my house). The more I work on this project, the more I like adding in unexpected colors. Let me know what you guys think.

I'll be back next week with a new square for you. In the meantime, enjoy your weekend!

Thanks for crocheting along with me,

Blair

P.S.- The photo above was taken on Emma's bedroom floor. I had to laugh when I laid the granny squares out in there, I never thought in a million years that her floor would EVER be clear enough for a photo like that! Makes me so happy! We're almost done in there!

granny square sampler afghan- week 9

How is everyone doing on the granny square sampler? Is everyone up to date on their squares? I know some have been crocheting on car trips and I am so jealous, I get car sick when I try. All that wasted passenger seat time!

This week I have a treat to share with you for our assignment today. I asked Erin if she would be willing to jump in and share a granny square for the sampler, and she graciously agreed. This week's square is a sweet dimensional flower she chose for us.

granny square sampler afghan- week 8

We are hard at work on Emma's room this week (pictures soon) and there is, as always, quite a bit of DIY involved. In fact, there are consecutive projects going on all over the house. Kind of chaotic! This all means no time for much crochet this week, as lovely as that sounds. But I did manage to complete half of this week's assignment, I'm hoping to finish the rest over the weekend. I turned to my trusty crochet pinterest board and found one that I think adds some nice variety to our sampler. The Sunburst. This one feels retro to me, kind of 70's, is that what you see? Anyway, her directions are written a little differently than what I'm used to. For example, she indicates the number of times you make a stitch after the stitch, (For example: "R1: Working in ring, sc 16".) You'll get it, I think this granny square is pretty straightforward.

granny square sampler afghan- week 7

I am so excited for this week's square! It's great for you beginners who are still getting the basic stitches down, but sort of adds a little flare. I found the video early this week and starting playing around with the square on Wednesday and let's just say I think this is one of the prettiest squares I've ever tried. A variation of the African Flower Granny Square, its going to measure around 4 1/2" square or so, done in our weight of yarn.

In the video, she begins her square with a little something called a "magic ring", also called a magic adjustable circle, etc. I wanted to talk about this at some point, but didn't want to overwhelm any beginners out there in the early weeks. But really, it's a nifty way to begin a center circle and I like that it pulls the circle tightly, leaving no center hole.

To learn to make a Magic Circle to begin this week's granny square, go to this video. I encourage you to give it a try, its a good trick to know.

The alternative method to begin this week's square is as we've been doing- With first color, ch 5, join with a sl st to form a ring.

She also does a triple crochet stitch (tc), which is a new one for this project. Here's a video for this one (we don't need to worry about the part where she explains about putting it into the 5th loop, etc. for our project, that would be for crocheting row by row, instead of in the round.

This week's assignment is the Granny Square African Somalia Flower- Make 2 of these.

(Kathy generously agreed to share the instructions she wrote for this flower following the video, here they are for those who need them. Thank you Kathy!!)

Granny Square African Somalia Flower

Make magic ring with 7 sc.

Close ring with sl st into 1^st sc

Rnd 1 – same color. ch 3, 1dc into same stitch, *ch 1 , 2dc in next sc. Repeat from* until end of round, ch1 . (8 prs of dc.) Close with sl st into initial chains.  End off.

Rnd 2 – join new color. Begin bet any set of dcs; ch 3, 1dc, ch 2, 2dc into same space, ch 1. In next space *2dc, ch 2, 2dc, ch 1*, repeat from * * all the way around. Close with a sl st into initial chain. Do not end off.

Rnd 3 – same color. 1 sl st over to the ch 2 space closet to the hook, ch 3, 6dc, ch 1. *In the next ch 2 space, 7dc, ch 1*, repeat from * * all the way around. Close with a sl st into initial chain. End off.

Rnd 4 – change color. Start in the middle of a petal from previous row, ch 1. 1 sc into every stitch all the way around, but the ch 1 space (between petals), 1 sc but pull the stitch to elongate it, do this sc stitch into row 2 to create a long stitch (see video). Continue all the way around. End off.

Rnd 5 – change to frame color. Start at a notch between petals. Ch 2, *sk 1 st, 1 hdc, 3sc, 1hdc, sk 1 st*, then 2 tc, ch 3, 2 tc all into the same stitch (corner). *sk 1 st, 1 hdc, 3sc, 1hdc, sk 1 st* 1 hdc (this hdc is instead of making a corner), repeat from * * 1 time, then make next corner. *sk 1 st, 1 hdc, 3sc, 1hdc, sk 1 st* 1 hdc (this hdc is instead of making a corner), repeat from * * 1 time. Repeat from * * 1 time, and sl st into intial chain. Do not end off.

Rnd 6- (I did not do this on mine) 1 hdc into each stitch all the way around. End off.

Please remember, we are not professional crochet pattern writers, so if you see mistakes, let me know in the comments.

I hope you are taking time to spread out all the squares you've done and admire your work, especially you beginners. I am so excited that there are folks out there learning to crochet simply by following along on this project and trying the squares! When I envisioned this afghan as a finished project originally, I saw my version using minimal amounts of colors and repeating them, but the more squares I do, the more I like the variety of what I'm seeing. I'm worried less and less about actually picking colors for each square. If you have a color that you will be using a lot of to connect our squares together in the end (for me, it will be cream), then try to see in your mind how that will connect all these random colors. I'm excited to get to that point.

One more thing- I have created a pinterest board for all the week's assignments for those who are over there a lot (kind of like me lately). Hope that is helpful.

Enjoy your weekend!

Blair