And so today we crack a champagne bottle over the helm of a new category: In Praise Of. (I realize you are all clutching those bottles tightly to you right now, and champagne empties will be more widely available in a couple of days- this is a metaphoric cracking. I don't think the notebook could take it.) Let's start with something that's been burning up my web-world (and stash yarn) lately- the nostalgic, simple, and completely satisfying to make Granny Square.
These squares were born from the instructions in Simple Crochet by Erika Knight. I plan to join them as the book instructs by finishing each square with a border and then whipstitching them together. Good thing it's a small blanket, because I have so little patience for such seaming.
The first couple of people who saw my color scheme, which I deemed "kitchy and nostalgic," said, "Oh, it's a Redskins blanket!" I don't think I hid my dismay well. There might have been some gasping and swooning and application of cold compresses. They'll see- they'll ALL SEE when I add that chocolate brown border. RIGHT?
For these squares I'm using Rowan Handknit DK cotton. I have a rather considerable collection. This of course did not stop me from gathering up a few skeins of discontinued colors on discount the other day. Which purchase is totally justified because:
1. I will make so many awesome, awesome crocheted items with it and
2. My Legendary Stash is quickly being eaten up by Giant Granny Square Blankets.
Really, there's a net loss of string in this house. Check it out:
This is G.Biv.
...and this is Roy.
After crocheting their multi-hued cousin (Rav link), I couldn't stop myself, and divided all the odds and ends of my stash wool into piles by color family and went for it on two new Giant Grannies. It's embarrassingly pleasing to me to sit on the couch and alternate between the two while watching old X-Files episodes. Chuckling to myself. You know how it is.
Of course, Grannies don't have to be square. (Mine's soft and round- I like her that way. Tip your waitress.) You can find patterns for these (star, circle, and flower) and for free in the sidebar on The Royal Sisters.
For those of you feeling the pull of the granny- come join the Ravelry group! The granny is a fantastic way to learn crochet. Ms. Bestitched picked it up in just one lesson from Ms. Monsteryarn. One hook, one motion, one glorious sparkling disco-infused hotline to the 70's.
And for those of you for whom granny squares inspire nothing but horror as you recall the 70's and the decisions -sartorial, pharmaceutical, musical, and aesthetic- that you and your parents may have made then, I am sorry. But come on. It's not as if I'm macrame-ing owls over here.
(I don't need to. My Mom has already offered me HERS. Swoon.)