So these are two afghans that I originally started way back in the spring. I stopped working on them a week or two later because they were both such big projects, they were overwhelming. I had never completed more than several rows on a blanket before these, and I had come to terms with the idea that afghans were too big a commitment for me.
Well, I made the mistake of showing my mom's mom, Grandmommy, the first few rows of her blanket back in April. Grandmommy, who can rarely remember how many grandchildren she has, was still asking about her blanket in August. I felt bad for giving up on it, so I decided to attempt it as a Christmas present. She still doesn't know I picked it back up.
The other blanket, for my dad's mom, Gaga, has the same history. These two blankets were really twins, since I worked on them simultaneously from beginning to end. I would crochet one row in Grandmommy's blanket, then crochet one square for Gaga's. It really kept me going because I was changing it up so often, I didn't get bored. I finished Gaga's first, so that's the one I'm going to talk about first.
Gaga's blanket has a lacy design and was worked in squares and then assembled. Gaga has these doilies that her sister (I think) crocheted on some of her end tables, so I thought this throw would go with the motif of her house. Plus, it's such a neutral color, it can work in any room it's put in!
I think it turned out gorgeously. Gaga was really the reason I started crocheting in the first place, since I grew up watching her do it. She has been so proud of my skills so far, and I'm so happy I can give back to her! The best part is she has no clue I've made this for her, nor has she ever seen it. I can't wait to see her face on Christmas day!
The yarn I used was Caron Simply Soft, color Off White. I used a size I hook. The finished dimensions are 5' x 3 1/2'. As far as time goes:
40 minutes to make one square and attach it in a strip x 48 squares= 1920 minutes= 32 hours
Sewing together 6 strips of 8 squares + 2 rounds of edging + weaving in ends= Estimated 4 hours
TOTAL TIME= roughly 36 hours
I enjoyed creating this throw. The pattern was easy to follow and I liked that each round was different because it kept it interesting. This was my first time assembling pieces, so there were some continuity errors as far as the sewing went. They were just rookie mistakes, like the stitches going different directions or I wouldn't leave myself enough yarn to sew with. But nothing is very visible to the untrained eye, luckily. Just some things to keep in mind for next time.
While Gaga's blanket was created for decoration, Grandmommy's was definitely made with a more practical use in mind. She's at the age where she's cold all the time, so I made this blanket to match her couch so warmth can always be within arm's reach.
I love this pattern and I love this blanket! Actually no, I'm lying right now. This took A LOT of time to do and it was extremely repetitive, so I kind of hate this blanket right now, but given a little time, I know I'll love it again one day. But I know my grandma will like it. The texture is so thick. It makes the blanket very warm.
I used a size J crochet hook and Red Heart Soft yarn, colors Wine, Rose Blush, and White. This blanket is huge. It measures 3 1/2' x 6 1/2', not including the fringe, and weighs 5.8 pounds! Time wise:
Each stripe= 1 hour x 57 stripes= 57 hours
Weaving in edged and fringe= estimated 4 hours
TOTAL TIME: Roughly 61 hours
Now you see why I'm sick of it.
If I had to change anything about this blanket, I wouldn't have made it as tall as it is. I didn't begin it with Grandmommy's height in mind, and she is far shorter than I. If I had taken off even six inches, I could have saved a lot of money in yarn. But what's done is done, and it might be beneficial to the blanket in time, since my grandmother won't use it forever. I know it'll be long enough to whoever it's handed down to.
One problem I ran into while making this was the stitches that sometimes "got stuck" on the stitch below it. Not a big deal, but it affected the uniformity of the piece. Luckily, it was an easy fix.
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| See how at the bottom of the white, the pink shows through the stitch? |
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| By grasping the stitches as shown and pulling up on the top one and down on the bottom one... |
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| Problem solved! |
If I were going to make this blanket again, I would make the stripes go horizontally instead of vertically, just because I like horizontal stripes better. I'm also not a big fan of fringe, so perhaps I'd add some edging instead. I think it would be kind of cool to make the stripes different widths throughout, like roll a dice and do that many rows of one color, or something. Completely random. That would make it pretty funky. But it's just an idea, and I will definitely not be using this pattern again anytime soon. I'm so sick of it, haha!
The patterns for both blankets can be found in this book. Gaga's pattern is called Lacy Squares and Grandmommy's is Mood Indigo.
As far as other projects go, I've put everything else on hold while I participate in National Novel Writing Month. I can't fit write, work, and crochet into my schedule. So it may be a little while before I update again. :(
Pictures of my grandmothers opening their blankets will be posted after Christmas! Which blanket to you like better? Let me know in the comments!
