Granny square part 1 - Pattern and keeping order

I’m still stuck at home, still feeling ill and very sorry for myself, but the one positive thing as a result of this is…..it gives me a chance to catch up on some of my projects. 

One project that I was very excited to start was the one made out of the huge bunch of Anchor tapestry threads, which I brought a while back at a bargain price of 10p each at John Lewis!

The first idea was to make something for the home, like a cushion, small blanket, but then I realised I have huge amount of cushions and probably not enough threads for a blanket. As the threads are pure wool I thought an accessory for winter will be perfect, so a cowl or a wrap or, my favourite idea, a triangular shawl. with tassels on each corner and one colour for edging and joining the squares. I want the shawl to have an ombré effects, which is ideal with such an amazing array of colours. However I decided to wait when all squares are made before I make my final decisions on the final item they will become.

I separated the threads into a colour order, four hanks of same hues in each bundle and got started. My idea was to have the squares starting from the lightest colour to the darkest, but I very quickly realised that the hanks are just too short to get enough squares out of four hanks, I only have one hank of each colour and each one is 10m long, not to mention all the ends I will have to weave in!

Then I decided to make a lot smaller squares in one colour, which will be easier, quicker and a lot less ends to weave in! It’s gotta be a winner.

I’m loving the little squares! They are dinky and super cute. I can make three out of each hank of thread, which is a lot better.

If you would like to make some as well, the pattern is as follows:

The pattern is written using UK terminology with US conversions in brackets in abbreviation list.

Abbreviations

[] – work instructions within brackets as many times as directed

Ch – chain

Ch-sp – chain space

Dc (US sc) – double crochet (US single crochet)

Tr (US dc) – treble (US double crochet)

Ss – slip stitch 

I have used 3.50 mm (US E/4) crochet hook to achieve the size of 4 cm (1.5 in) square.

Foundation ring: Ch 4, join with ss to first ch to form a ring.

Enclose the tail inside the stitches as you work the first round, you can just cut off whatever is left, so much quicker than weaving it in.

Round 1: ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr into ring, ch 2, [3 tr into ring, ch 2] 3 times, ss to top of ch 3.

Round 2: ch 1, 1 dc into next 3 sts, 3 dc into next ch-2 sp, [1 dc into next 3 sts, 3 dc into next ch-2 sp] 3 times, ss to first dc.

Fasten off

I have made quite few already but still have lots to go. To keep some order I am keeping all the finished little squares on spare bobby pins, six per pin. Large safety pins will work a treat as well, but I don’t have any available.

I want to keep all the threads bands in order so I know the shade number of each colour (will write out a full list later), I decided to staple the remaining thread to the band and keep the four colour from the bundle together with paper clip.

I also decided to take this projects over three parts with part two coming soon.
Part 1: Pattern and keeping order
Part 2: Joining together and deciding on the finished accessory.
Part 3: Finishing - edging and finishing touches.

Happy crocheting,

Anna x

The Big Mandala Swap

There is something very exciting in issue 5 of Crochet Now magazine – it’s a gorgeous book full of beautiful mandalas. In it you will find not only patterns for 9 mandalas but also a great project you can get involved in called The Big Mandala Swap. 

 

 What is the big mandala swap?? I hear you ask….well…We all know, experienced or have heard how crochet can help with one’s mental wellbeing, it certainly helped me a lot through some dark times and it still does, but talking with someone about your issues is incredibly important, so as a way of opening a dialogue Crochet Now has teamed up with Rethink Mental Illness charity to raise awareness of mental health issues and The Big Mandala Swap was born. You can read a lot more about it in the book, or go to Crochet Now blog. 

How it works……pretty simple really, you make a mandala of around 20cm diameter, write a letter about yourself, parcel it up and send it to the address below before 1st January 2017, Crochet Now will swap the mandalas and send them out to their new homes, you can provide contact details so your new crochet friend can get in touch. 

The Big Mandala Swap

Crochet Now, Practical Publishing

Suite G2 St Christopher House,

217 Wellington Road South,

Stockport SK2 6NG

If you have a story to tell about how crochet has helped your life, write it in a letter to your swap partner, send it in to the editor at hugh.metcalf@practicalpublishing.co.uk or post it online, tagging Crochet Now as well as the #thebigmandalaswap hashtag.

  Passion by Lynne Rowe

You can also drop your mandala to one of the participation yarn shops across the country. This is a great way to involve your community and help your local yarn shops to hold workshops and support this great project. 

I’m truly honoured to have designed one of the mandalas included in this great little book. My mandala is called Energy and it's also shown on the cover with more gentle colours.

Energy is just one of many beautiful mandalas designed by very talented designers.

 Energy

Crochet Now issue 5 is on sale now so go on get your hooks out and get involved!! 

Anna xx

Act of kindess

Let me start by saying this isn't a political blog and I'm not about to go off on a huge rant about every event of last week, this blog is more of a plea for sanity and good sense.

We all can admit that the aftermath of the leave vote is shaking us a bit, no matter what your vote was you can't  deny the worrying events that unfolded. While politicians play us like marionettes and have a shouting match while circling around the PM throne like a kettle of vultures, it's the little person that suffers, it's always the little person.

The vote has opened up a cesspit of hate and pure anger, it's seem like xenophobia, racism and homophobia have been given the green light. Don't get me wrong the anger and racism were always there but this is a new level and some feel they do not need to control it anymore.
We cannot go backwards to the hate crimes of the 70s and 80s, to the fear and inequality, we came too far to let this destroy us. It's more important than ever for kindness and good sense to win, because the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

I'm an immigrant from Poland, I came here many years ago, in fact I've lived here far longer than in the country I was born in. This is my home, this is were I have build a life, contributed to the economy and tried to be a good citizen. Poland gave me my wonderful childhood and very difficult teenage-hood but Britain shaped me into the adult I'm today. When the vote to leave EU was announced I have to admit I took it very personally, it felt as if I was told to pack up bags and that I'm no longer welcome in my home. It hurt like hell and it still does. After crying sea worth of tears for the unknown to come, for the uncertainty of our future and I have to admit a bit of self pity I had to slap myself and snap out of it when I saw what this vote has unleashed.

The reports of attacks have started that very Friday. Polish, Muslim, Pakistani and any other person who looks ''different'' was told to go home by some neo Nazi. It now has been a week and  shops are being burned down , people beaten , children abused and scared. It seems that no one is safe unless you fall into ''normal'' category set by some far-right nut. Those incidents are just the tip of the iceberg, the next more horrific than the last. No one deserves this kind of treatment for being of a different race, sexuality or nationality. This cannot continue, otherwise the hate will overtake, let we forget the murder of MP Jo Cox whilst she was out campaigning for equality and freedom for us all.

We all know someone of different race, religion, nationality, whether it's our neighbor, friend, co-worker, post man, local shop keeper, please let them know how important they are to you and this country, don't let them feel that they are unwelcome in the country they call home. Be kind to your fellow man, I don't mean start hugging people on the train , because that's just weird and no one really appreciates a weirdo, just be kind. Please remember no country ever won a war by itself, we need each other. Our grandfathers stood shoulder to shoulder fighting for our freedom and countries, lets not destroy everything they gave their lives to protect.

Please do not stand by and watch hate crime happen, there's been some very helpful websites set up to guide you on how to help, this one for example is very good: http://www.unitedagainstracism.org/archive/pages/info30.htm

Thank you all for listening and normal programming shall be resumed very shortly!

Anna xx

Nerida

Last month saw the release of my Nerida shawl in issue 2 of Crochet Now Magazine. I have been overwhelmed at the wonderful response to Nerida and truly appreciate every comment and shared photo of your finished shawl. Please keep sending your pictures I love seeing them and would love to make a collage of them.

This is the first piece I have designed that is inspired by its name. I heard the name few good months back and fell in love with it, I just adored the sound of it. 

Name Nerida is taken from the Greek word – Nereids, which in Greek mythology were sea nymphs.

Nereids also known as the female spirits of sea waters, were the 50 daughters of Nereus (the old man of the sea) and Doris. The Nereides dwelt with their elderly father at the bottom of the Aegean Sea. They would also accompany Poseidon, the god of the sea. 

The Nereid Thetis was their unofficial leader and Amphitrite was Poseidon's queen. 

 Only Theits was ever described in any form and it is assumed that her sisters were similar in appearance – she was a beautiful young women. Nereids were protectors of sailors and fisherman, coming to the aid of those in distress. The melodious voices sang as they danced.  They symbolized everything that is beautiful and kind about sea.

The oldest mention of the Nereids comes from Plato. When Plato was describing the Temple of Poseidon on the island of Atlantis, he said that there was a golden statue of Poseidon with one hundred sculptured Nereids riding dolphins around the base of it. The number of Nereids given by Plato seems a rather off, as in the writing of Homer and Hesiod they both  stated that the Nereids were fifty in number, it must be assumed that Plato was well versed in the writings of Homer and Hesiod.

When designing Nerida I wanted to depict the sea, where Nereids dwelt, in all its forms. When choosing the shape there was no doubt in my mind that it had to be half circle as the soft curve depicts the gentleness of weaves. The shawl has sections of plain pattern and lace, the plain part represents the sea when calm and the lace symbolises the turbulent sea when the storm rages with the water beating on rocks shown by the sharp edging.

Then I came to the question of colour……

Sea isn’t just blue, it has many shade, depending on its state, depth, the weather, time of the day. I didn’t want the colour to be flat, but I also didn’t want to show the different shades by crocheting stripes. After looking at gradient, flecked, and all other sorts of yarns I have settled for Rowan Fine Art in Stoat sh. 03. 

The colour is just perfect is this gentle kind of middle blue with lighter shades running through it, and of course it didn’t hurt that it’s one of my favourite yarns. That’s the yarn I have chosen for my imagined vision of Nerida, but you can choose any 3-ply yarn and name the shawl by your favourite name :).

Crochet Now are running a special offer on subscription now, which is a great deal and to top it, Rowan Fine Art is on sale now as wel!! 

Anna xx