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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The 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…
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.
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.
Here’s a peach and white one. What do you think?
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…
I think I’ll definitely be wearing this one while the sun’s shining!
