Sunday, February 26, 2012

Time For A Square!

Hello!!!!

As you've probably guessed, since the Great Telephone Cable Theft I'm only managing to post once a week at the moment! We are still trying to get a wireless connection but everyone here works on Africa Time (a concept I'm not sure the rest of the World would ever understand) so consequently it hasn't happened yet......

Anyway, it's been a busy week. My school theme this week was My Pets so lots of painting of cats and dogs was done and the kids made a picture of a fish in a bowl for their art books which was much fun!! Little D had his first swimming gala yesterday and came third in one of his races which made me very proud - he was very nonchalant about it but that's 7 year olds for you!!!

On the hook front I've been very busy with my friend's baby blanket which I've named Stephan's Blanket (unoriginal I know but at least I will remember what it was and who it was for)!!! I spent much of yesterday (Saturday) sitting at my dining table with the french doors open. The sun was blazing outside (I think it hit 28 at one point so too hot to sit outside) but a cool breeze was blowing off the hills.... This was my table at around lunchtime -


Don't you love my little piles of squares?? I'm really enjoying making this blanket. Unlike Little D's Ripple Blanket that I made, this is like lots of little projects which I can pick up and put down as I want. The Ripple was fab but I had to lug the whole thing around with me whenever I wanted to work on it. This is much more portable. Do you like the colours?


When I started the squares my friend was still pregnant so I went for the 'colours for girls and boys' theory which I think turned out quite well. Absolutely love the jewel brights. Above are squares without borders and below are some with their white borders added.


I did a thin white border at first but the colours are so strong that it wasn't enough to break them up so I added another row of trebles and the above was the result. I know that white isn't the best colour for babies but this wool is 100% acrylic so is easily washed and it doesn't stretch too much either.

The pattern for the squares came from Heather at Little Tin Bird from her gorgeous baby blanket. I think I amended it slightly but I honestly can't remember. Anyway, here's my version:


Chain 4, join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1
Ch5, (4tr, 3ch) 3 times, 3tr, join with a slip stitch into 3rd chain of first ch5. Slip stitch into corner space.

Round 2
Ch5, 2tr into corner space, *4tr to next corner space, 2tr, ch3, 2tr into corner space*, repeat from *-* twice, 4tr to next corner space, 1tr in same space as initial ch5. Join with a slip stitch to 3rd chain of first ch5. Slip stitch into corner space.

Round 3
Ch5, 2tr into corner space, *8tr to next corner space, 2tr, ch3, 2tr into corner space*, repeat from *-* twice, 8tr to next corner space, 1tr in same space as initial ch5. Join with a slip stitch to 3rd chain of first ch5. Slip stitch into corner space.
Bind off.

For the border I kind of made it up as I went along. Here's what I did....


Join white yarn through a corner space.

Round 1
Ch5, 1dc into same corner space, *11dc to next corner space, (1dc, ch4, 1dc) into corner space*. Repeat from *-* around the square and join with a slip stitch to 3rd chain of initial ch5. Slip stitch into corner space.

Round 2
Ch5, 2tr into corner space, 13tr to next corner space, *2tr, ch2, 2tr into corner space, 13tr to next corner space*. Repeat from *-* around square. 1tr next to initial ch5. Slip stitch to 3rd chain of initial ch5. Slip stitch into corner space.
Bind off.

I hope all that makes sense!!! Have fun.
Til soon.
xxx



2 comments:

  1. Oh yeah, love the colours. I reckon you're doing well posting once a week given your cables challenges. I'm not managing much myself and I have no excuse. Maybe I feel like living on Africa time.
    Regarding your question about Venus fly traps - get one! They are easy to care for. I've managed to keep mine for several years now. I keep mine in a bowl of water. They say not to use tap water too many chemicals/chlorine. I think the one in the terrarium will be even easier because it is kept moist. Even easier are the pitcher plants.

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  2. Ohh I LOVE your little piles of squares... they look gorgeous- and even brighter with the white border- its going to look great!!!

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