Hello, sorry I haven’t blogged for a while. I haven’t been feeling well enough to write posts or take photos. The medication I’m taking is suppressing my immune system and my body doesn’t seem too pleased about this. It’s responding with incredible tiredness – I can sleep during the evening, all night long and still wake up feeling tired.
The tiredness has made it difficult to craft. I’m using what little energy I have for the basics, like looking after myself and going to work. I’ve had to put aside my cardigan knitting. I tried cross stitch, but I counted wrongly and all the stitches are off. I’ve put it aside to be ripped out later *sob*.
I’ve spent a lot of time in bed or on the sofa recently. I find it hard not to be doing anything; crafting keeps my hands busy and my mind from dwelling on negative thoughts. So, I decided to use my time productively, if I could. I’ve blogged many times before about about my inability to learn crochet. While I was bed or sofa bound, I picked up a crochet hook and scrap yarn to practice making granny squares. I found this tutorial and after many, many tries, somehow it just clicked. Hurrah!
I’m having a go at making a granny square blanket. I’ve coveted the ones I’ve seen on other blogs for ages. I figure that the squares are repetitive and they’re small enough for it not to matter if I make a mistake and I have to rip back. I’m going to keep making squares until I get bored or I feel well enough to tackle something else. I’ve got two inspirations for my blanket: MeMe Rose’s spring blanket and the colours in a photo I took at the tea party.
I’m using Stylecraft Special DK. I don’t often use acrylic yarn, but I want the blanket to be sturdy and machine washable so acrylic was the obvious choice. It’s cheap (£1.50 for 100g) and there’s a good range of colours. I’m pleased with it so far – it feels soft and it’s not squeaky like some acrylic yarns.
Here is my first batch of squares. The colours are Turquoise, Cloud Blue and Meadow with white edging. You can see a glimpse of my new duvet cover in the background as well. I thought it looked Cath Kidston-esque, but it was only £16.99 for a double duvet cover and two pillowcases. Bargainous!
Rejoice, for I have conquered crochet – my hooky nemesis is no more!
8 comments
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May 16, 2011 at 2:18 pm
mooncalf
oooh very nice. I like crochet squares cos they’re a nice little bite-size project that adds up into something substantial.
May 16, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Stitched Together
I love the colours you are have shown us so far. I’m really pleased you have found something that allows you to craft even while exhausted. Its awful when you are feeling so tired that you can’t event think. Granny squares are perfect. Crochet is quite easy to read, and you only have to worry about the one loop on the hoot at once.
The other option to try is doing knitted squares, but then you have to worry about lots of stitches! I think grannying is the way to go right now. Can’t wait to see what you produce with them.
May 16, 2011 at 3:01 pm
noknittedknickers
Well done you. There’s such a sense of achievement when it stops being a nightmare and starts looking like something you want to make again and again. Love the colours too. Very retro. Sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. C.x
May 16, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Vivianne
There’s a Stylecrafters group on Rav ….come on over to the Dark Side ….
May 16, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Alexandra
I hope you feel better soon! The squares look lovely, beautiful colors!
May 16, 2011 at 4:19 pm
abby
Those colors are spiffy! And good job on fighting to do something. It would be so easy not too and I bet this has improved your mood and health loads. Get better soon!
May 17, 2011 at 1:19 pm
noddingviolets
Well done on conquering crocheting. The granny squares are lovely. Great colours too. Your squares are quite fancy too aren’t they. I can only do the really basic ones. I love the circular middles in yours.
May 18, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Michelle
I love your color choices in the granny squares!