Granny Square Blanket

For years I have wanted to own a Granny Square blanket. I could have cheated and purchased one, but it wouldn't have been mine then. Earlier this year, a friend mentioned that she had signed up for a crochet class. The rest as they say is history! I also signed up for a beginners class with Claire at Beautiful Things. Her teaching methods are great and by the end of the first session I was hooked. After two sessions I had mastered the stitches needed to make my blanket and started to collect some wool. But it wasn't until last Friday when Claire set up a challenge on her blog that I made a start on my blanket.

As a novice, I made my first six squares using chunky wool. I can't say that I enjoyed working with this weight of wool, but the work grew quickly and I was able to practice my tension. The pattern I used was from a blog called Little Tin Bird, it is just the basic pattern and an excellent tutorial.

On Monday, the fun started and I made my first square using Stylecraft DK, so many lovely colours to choose from. I already had a few colours but over the week I now have 18 different colours to use in my blanket with the main colour being white. Following the tip from a blog called 'The Stitch Sharer', I made myself a colour chart, so that I wouldn't forget the names of all the colours. I had already chosen my yarn before I came across this blog, so I haven't used the same colours. Mine are more pink and  purple based. I love the scrappyness of these blankets and have to say I am obsessed already. My husband doesn't seem to mind me crocheting in the evening (he hate's me sewing), so a great project whilst watching TV.

Following Claire's instructions, I am working in groups of six squares. But instead of completing the six, before I start the next set, I have different colourways at different stages, this is so that I just work with white at night when I'm watching television. I can already see that sewing in all the ends is going to be a challenge. I might have to watch a few You-Tube tutorials to see how to incorporate them into the square whilst I'm working. After week one of the challenge, I have six chunky squares and 24 DK squares. I know that I won't be able to make this number each week as I have other projects that I need to work on, with deadlines looming. As long as I make a set of six each week, I will be happy.