Big Stitchy Finger Project: the Blanket

It's not called a "Granny Square"
for no reason!

"Crochet is for old people." I said a few years ago."I'll do it when I'm a grandmother."

I was wrong. For it didn't take being a grandmother to get me hooking, it took a week at my Mum's village in Devon around Christmas time 2012.

Where she lives is lovely and picturesque with rolling hills, the sound of cattle lowing, and historic cottages that just ooze charm. But charm and prettiness can only go so far when the peak of weekly entertainment is the free Thursday Tesco bus.

Seven long, dark, cold days stretched ahead of me. Just me, my Mum, and her passion for crime dramas. In a state of desperation I scoured the craft magazines at WH Smiths looking for inspiration. I saw the first edition of a crochet magazine that came with wool, hooks and DVD instructions. "That'll do." I said. 

And so a new addiction began.

Over that week I learnt the basics. Nearly giving up several times as handling that hook and keeping the tension right is not the easiest thing to grasp. Literally.

But eventually I got there, and to celebrate I bought the book '200 Crochet Blocks' as an added little Christmas present, with the idea that I'd make a sample blanket and teach myself new techniques.

And although I don't like to brag, that approach has really worked for me. It has indeed meant that I'm working on different stitches all the time. And different blocks mean that I don't get bored, which is something I'm inclined to do quite quickly once I've mastered(ish) something.

I chose pastel colours because I think they're pretty and a bit different to what blankets are usually worked in. (Perhaps there was a little part of me thinking it would make a nice blanket for any future small person but let's not go there!)

Eighteen months or so later I am only ten blocks away from block completion, and I'm really starting to believe that I might finish it. I know there is still the blocking, joining and perhaps a border to do (which will be interesting seeing as I don't think any two blocks are actually the same size), but I've decided to bump it up my priority list because even though I used to think that crochet was just for grandmothers, I don't want this blanket still in my "work in progress" pile when I'm a granny myself.

Stitching a life's ambition

I often think that crochet is an excellent way to watch telly guilt free.

Evenings spent re-re-re-re-etc.watching Pride and Prejudice aren't wasted with a hook and some pretty yarn in hand.

Sometimes, I wonder if the programmes I'm watching could somehow have an effect on what I'm making. For example, while on holiday at my Mum's at the beginning of July I watched a lot of Wimbledon while making a baby blanket. Will the little one who ends up with that blanket grow up to have good tennis skills?

Just imagine...I could assign a telly theme to each thing I make...

There could be the 'Period Drama Doily' that is guaranteed to increase the levels of politeness and chivalry in your life. 

Or the 'Rom-com Rag Rug' that will ensure unlikely romantic connections and adventures (and that you will live in an appartment that most people couldn't afford on your salary.)

People could request that a particular programme is watched during the making of, say, some baby booties for their newborn. I might have to organise a pre-approved list though. I don't want myself getting tied into hours upon hours of something like Made in Chelsea.

And I guess I would have to avoid thrillers and murder mysteries as it wouldn't be very socially responsible to work those thoughts into a scarf or pair of gloves. And fast cars too for that matter. I'll have to tell Nerd (my boyfriend) to watch the Grand Prix in another room. I'm sure he'd understand, it wouldn't be right to pass on dreams of driving dangerously fast to a little one.

Yes, there's definitely no reason to feel guilty about hours of telly watching if crochet is involved, as long as the right kind of programmes are being watched.

I'm dreaming of a crochet Christmas

Ok, so I know that July is not yet out and that we're having the hottest days of the year and all that...but I think it's time to start planning for Christmas.

I'm not taking about getting the turkey ordered (which would be weird anyway as I'm a veggie), but about getting presents organised.

You see, I've decided to go a bit Kirstie Allsop and make as many as I can myself.

This has several benefits, such as potentially saving money and learning/honing some skills. But also, I've quite simply run out of other ideas for interesting presents. 

My crochet bible

The list of makes is, so far, as follows:

• Four pairs of socks (pattern from my crochet book)
• Three pairs of child's wrist warmers (pattern from my crochet book)
• Two (perhaps more) sets of snowflakes (will test out some internet patterns)

I may also make some pom pom baubles and Christmas decorations. And today I bought some yogurts in glass jars with the idea that I can crochet some jar cosies and make them pretty tea light holders. I might make some cards too.

Oh my what am I doing typing here I'd better get working!

Here's hoping that my makes turn out ok. I have five months to practice. And if they're all a total disaster, I guess there's always the nice tin of M&S biscuits option.

Welcome!

I love to craft, and I love to write.

So here's a thought.

Let's write about crafting!