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Picking Up Stitches

Knitting, crochet, cross stitch and more - the wonderful world of working with wool

Month: July 2017

Granny squares on the go!

July 10, 2017 by Annie Leave a Comment
Three large orange and white granny squares

Granny squares a go-go!

If there’s one thing I love about crocheting, and granny squares in particular, it’s that the projects are so portable. I take some yarn and a hook with me everywhere and have recently been crocheting on buses, Tubes and trains around London, in pubs and cafes, and out in the park. Each time, someone is bound to ask me what I’m making and to strike up a conversation.

Bag with yarn inside and granny square

So, I was really pleased recently to be asked by Annie (yes, another Annie!), the owner of The Village Haberdashery in West Hampstead, if I’d teach some beginners’ granny squares classes there… Spreading the granny-square love one stitch at a time! More about the classes here.

Now Annie gave me some Rico Essentials Merino DK yarn to take away to create some samples. I loved the shades she chose – mint, coral and rusty brown. They’re slightly retro, in a modern sort of way.
shades of wool and granny squares

I made the squares at another Haberdashery. This time not a craft supplies shop, but a gorgeous cafe, The Haberdashery in Crouch End, which is one of my favourite places to grab an elderflower soda on a hot day.soda in a jar and granny squares

I was really pleased with the results. If you fancy having a go, there are instructions for a basic granny square in the How To… section of my website here.

Retro style lamp and trhee granny squares

All things orange

After using the coral shade for those classic granny squares, I realised that when it comes to colourful inspiration, I’ve been surrounded by all things orange recently.

marigolds in a windowboxThe windowsill is full of marigolds, I’ve just made a batch of citrus olives, with lots of orange zest in the marinade, and when I opened my kitchen cupboard, this is what I saw…

orange glassward and assorted homeware in kitchen cupboard

So while I was visiting The Village Haberdashery the other day, I snapped up some Hooked Zpagetti in peach, orange and white to experiment with. I used a 10mm plastic hook.

Hooked Zpagetti tape in peach, orange and whiteand crochet hook

The result was some oversized granny square mats. They’re a little cumbersome to make though, so I won’t be taking these out on my travels with me, but they’re perfect to sit and make at home.

Three oversized granny squares in orange and white

Here’s a peach and white one. What do you think?

large granny square mat with plant and orange glassward

Size doesn’t matter!

So after making these giant mats, I turned to something much smaller, which just goes to show how versatile granny squares can be. I found some muted orangey yarn in my stash, and some contrasting blue. With three simple two-round squares, I created a fun wristband.

It’s laced up with a plait, decorated with two little glass beads…

Laced up fastening of granny square wrostband

I think I’ll definitely be wearing this one while the sun’s shining!

wristband made from three small granny squares in orange and blue

 

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Posted in: Crochet patterns, workshops Tagged: crochet, crochet classes, granny squares, tablemats, wristbands

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  • Favourite links to blogs, places and people
  • Features and Interviews
    • An interview with Dee Hardwicke
    • Knitwear designer Martin Storey – an interview
    • Louisa Harding, knitwear designer talks to Annie Windley
  • How to guides
    • 1 Making a slip knot
    • 2 Cast on – a step-by-step guide
    • 3 Knit stitch – a step-by-step guide
    • 4 Purl stitch – a step-by-step guide
    • 5 Cast off – a step-by-step guide
    • 6 Making a chain stitch
    • 7 Making a double crochet stitch
    • 8 Making a treble crochet stitch
    • How to make a Basic Granny Square
    • Joining granny squares
  • Lessons in Thanet and North London
    • Crochet projects
    • Now We’re Knitting! (beginners)
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    • Annie’s Advent Calendar: Christmas CAL 2018
    • Carrot & pea bunting pattern
    • Fallen Leaves Autumn Cowl
    • Floral granny squares & little flowers pattern
    • Little crochet heart pattern
    • Little Tea Cosy pattern
    • Waffle Blanket
  • Shop
  • Spring Granny-Square Bag CAL pattern

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