Saturday, February 21, 2015

The Crazy Granny Square Big Green Blanket.........

It is done, finished, complete!  I am so excited to be done with this blanket.  Be prepared for a wee bit of picture overload, I am just tickled pink this baby is done.  No seriously I will try and pull myself together and only post a few pictures.

This baby is big for a lap blanket.  It measure 78 in x 54 in.  Each square is roughly 12 x 12.


There are 24 Crazy Granny Squares made with just two colors of green.


I made this blanket with Knit Picks, Wool of the Andes superwash yarn, and a size I hook.  The darker green is Noble Heather (16 balls) and the lighter Pampas Heather (11 balls).  While not in love with this yarn because it is kind of splitty, it was more cost effective to use to make a big blanket with.  It is decent yarn you can wash, and is durable and won't fall apart. 


I decided on a five row granny border with the darker green as that color was my favorite, I added a single crochet with the lighter green, and finished with a simple picot in the dark color.  I might not add the lighter green if I had to do it again because up close it looks a little uneven, but will anyone notice but me, I don't think so.


This is where it will stay, right here in the corner of my sofa in my family room.  The alpaca bear was my teenagers, I bought it years ago when visiting Rhinebeck with my sister Claudia.  He has now been given to Little Buddy who is not to sure about the texture of the bear.  Do you see any one's little feet in the picture above?


Oh no someone is getting in on the photo shoot!


27 balls of yarn in total were used to make this blanket, adding up to 2,970 yards of yarn used.  I started this blanket in the very beginning of January after a false start last year using another pattern.  This pattern is so easy,  I mean really, really, simple.  But I don't think that is a bad thing, sometimes simple is better.  I made 12 centers, six of each color, then the outside, joining as I went.  When half of the blanket was done I made the next 12 centers and so on.  

I wish I was more of a colorful person.  I love everything so bright and beautiful I see made out there in blogland or on Pinterest, but for my home I need more muted colors.  Colors that are calming and don't scream at me.  I love all the white walls and white furniture I see out there draped in colorful crochet, but my home is not like that, so I have to blend in with what I have.


The next blanket will be done with the same pattern.  I will be making white centers and the green will be used on the outside portion of the square..  We will not know the sex of this baby until it is born, I am so excited my nephew and his wife are doing it that way.  If it is a girl I might put a little pink on the border, who knows.  This is all stash yarn, the white left over from an African Flower Baby Blanket I made a few years ago, the green for a sweater I was going to make for myself.  Perfect way to use yarn, for a sweet new little one.

Little Buddy thanks you all for the well wishes.  He just has a cold.  No ear infection, no fever just a simple stuffed up nose.  I kept him out of school the rest of the week just so he could take it easy, and I admit it was a bit easier for me, too.  He will be back on Monday, hopefully with a boosted immune system from all the rest he has had.

Hope you are having a nice weekend.

44 comments:

Terriea Kwong said...

The big project of blanket took time but worthy for the nice turnout. Green is pretty too. Little Buddy get well soon.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Terrie from Hong Kong

Judy S. said...

You only started in January and are done now? Impressive! It's very nice and looks great in your family room. (I love that window seat, too!) Glad to hear LB is on the mend.

Betsy said...

That's a very pretty blanket Meredith and the baby blanket colors are perfect. I use a lot of green and white when I'm not sure if its a boy or girl. It's good to hear that LB is doing better and that it's nothing serious. We're sitting in the airport in Portland, OR waiting to see if our flight goes to DC today with all of the nasty weather going on. If we get stuck here I'll be calling Teresa, Gracie and Taci and seeing if we can have an impromptu lunch!!! No better place to be stranded. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy

Home Meadows said...

Your blanket is gorgeous. I'm like you, I admire all the colorful yarn creations out in blog land, but my home also has more muted tones in it. Glad you LB is doing well and you both enjoyed some down time. Congratulation on your finished blanket. Heather

moonstruckcreations said...

Love your blanket :-) I am also not a fan of bright colours, soft and muted every time for me!

Glad LB is all recovered!

Helenxx

Amy at love made my home said...

It is so lovely Meredith!! I can imagine you snuggled on the sofa with it, or it just draped around if it is warmer. It is a great blanket and the second version will be a great baby blanket too! Yes, spotted the little feet! xx

Ljubinka said...

Blanket is beautiful, congratulations!!
Have a great weekend.:*

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I hope LB feels much better by monday. Colds and flu are really going around here. You would think that this bitter weather would kill the germs out. But I guess it doesn't help that no one can get out into the sunshine and fresh air. But it is a gorgeous day today! Just today....but we will take it! With as fast as you crochet it is nice that you have friends relatives to give gifts to as your house would be filled to the rafters otherwise! LOL.

Unknown said...

Wonderful blanket, just as expected, can't wait to see another one! ; )

My Garden Diaries said...

GORGEOUS!!!! My goodness you hit this one out of the park pal! The colors and the design are stunning!!! My kind of blanket!! Happy weekend to you all!!! Nicole xoxo

Suzan said...

Congratulations !!!
It's a beautiful blanket and I know it will be well used!!
I enjoy seeing all the different pieces you make and houw you use the colors!

Teresa Kasner said...

Congrats on finishing that blanket.. it will look very nice and be at the ready for a snuggle when needed. Dayle is watching a stupid old movie full of old stars - "The Buccaneer". It's a gorgeous day so I might "encourage" him to go out for a drive and some lunch. Enjoy your weekend and I adored your little photo bomber! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Yay! Congrats on finishing. It's big and beautiful and perfect for cuddling up in. The baby blanket will be lovely and a different color border will set it off nicely. Glad to hear Little B is doing well. Sometimes resting is a very good thing indeed. Best wishes, Tammy

kathy b said...

Awww What a finish Meredith. I LOVE It. Two tones of green is soothing and lovely. That's a huge accomplishment.
Sniff sniff lil buddy! Get back to school now and have fun playing!

CJ said...

Love it Meredith, and the edging is just right. I don't go for all the bright colours either, your colour choice is gorgeous. Glad your Little Buddy isn't too ill. I hope you all have a good Sunday. CJ xx

Rose said...

So nice of you, that's a big commitment of time, even if crochet is quicker. I really want to relearn crochet as I want to make a chevron throw. Maybe soon.

Tanna said...

BEAUTIFUL blanket, Meredith! I love it and the soft colors! And, those little feet are precious! Glad he is on the mend. blessings ~ tanna

Jennifer Hays said...

I love your blanket! It turned out really well. The colors are very soothing too. Nice work.

gaia said...

Gorgeous blanket,Meredith!

Géraldine B. said...

Just beautiful !! And yes I spotted the little feet ... Have a lovely sunday ...

Anne said...

It turned out really great! And it looks awesome of the couch! I am sure you will have lots of wonderful moments cuddling under it :-)

Take care
Anne (Crochet Between Worlds)

HollyM said...

I can't believe you finished the blanket from January until now! I like clor but mine goes on the walls and I coordinate with it.
I have the green from the wool in your next project in my kitchen and bedroom!
I'm glad Little Buddy is feeling better. My he seems to be growing.

Plain Jane said...

Well done! I can see that's going to be a well loved blanket - little Buddy is making his move already! And if you're going to stick to a simple colour palette make it green - the best colour there is! Give yourself a huge pat on the back - it's lovely x Jane

kathyinozarks said...

good morning Sunday, I really love your blanket allot-especially the pattern since it is different than most I have seen-and I with you I love muted and earthy colors the best. I like large blankets too, so they are nice and cozy to use on the couch.
enjoy your new week ahead-it is still a cold winter here where I am.
Kathy

Lynne said...

Hi Meredith! Your blanket came out beautiful and you finished it so quickly! I downloaded the pattern to check it out. It's going to make a lovely baby blanket too.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend :)
Lynne

Caffeine Girl said...

I admire anyone who can stick with such a big project. Totally worth it -- the blanket is beautiful.

I'm somewhere between you and Kristin Nicholas when it comes to color. Have you seen her blog and photos of her home, where color bursts from every surface? I wish I had her courage in decorating!

I didn't get a chance to comment on
your last post, so I want to add that I am so proud of Little Buddy. He is progressing so well. Those of us who work with children know that a loving home makes all the difference!

Anonymous said...

What a great throw!!! I hear you about colors... I love seeing colors on Pinterest and displayed in other people's homes but my home is country - being a converted barn anything modern just looks plain silly so I satisfy myself by admiring from afar! :D
Hugs my dear fibery blogging sister,
Beth

Jo said...

I think you should keep it green and white, that is pretty for boys or girls. You have made a great lap blanket but I do LOVE green. Jo x

Susanne Tyree said...

I am always on the lookout for new and interesting patterns and this throw you made is one of them. Thank you for sharing it with us. I can see where you are partial to the calming colors for in your home. I seem to be just the opposite though, I'm the original scrappy colorful gal who goes in the exact opposite direction when it comes to that. I guess it stems from growing up in a house where my mom had to have paneling on every wall and beige paint, way too many browns. Then I married a guy whose mom was a quilter and had so many splashes of color in her life to brighten her surroundings. She had a flower garden that I loved as well as those pretty quilts that adorned her beds. Your buddy is so cute. He looks like he is one happy child. I am so glad you found him and he found you.
Susanne :)

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I like your crocheted throw...nice colors! You keep me motivated. Have a good week!

Christina said...

I am the opposite, I find it difficult to choose muted colours for my home but I really should, it starts to look like a carnival in my house. Love your blanket and I really want one of those window benches that I spotted behind your sofa. I imagine to sit on it and gaze through the glass into the garden. Have a lovely week. xx

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Wow considering the size of it, that blanket took you no time! Love that shot of Little Buddy's feet disappearing behind the sofa :)
Jillxo

Carla from The River said...

You are so amazing!! This looks just great and you are so fast at it. :-)) Wow, is all I can say.

I love all the photos. Fun!

Maureen said...

Very nice blanket. Love the colours!
I'm like you; I would love to have bright colours in my home, but I tend to go for blues, greys and yellow. I find them more relaxing.
Maureen

Joyful said...

The blanket turned out great. I'm so impressed that you keep track of just exactly how much yarn you use. That is real good organization. I also love the photos of little Buddy. Especially his feet peeking out of one pic, lol. I hope he gets better real soon. I have an ear infection and I wouldn't want him to get one of those. xx

linda said...

Well done on getting it finished Meredith that is a big blanket and it's lovely, it will be great to snuggle under on a cold evening. I hope little buddy gets better soon! have a great week. :) xxx

Mindy said...

I just love the blanket! And the new set of colors is such a fun springy color set. =) Glad Little Buddy is doing better.

Heldasland said...

Wonderful, I can imagine little buddy snuggled beneath it. Great colours , every calming and it looks perfect on your sofa.
I too wish I could live in a house filled with colour but it just isn't practical with our family and now I have a grandson.
Have a lovely day

Acorn to Oak said...

Congratulations on your finished blanket! It looks fantastic! I love the colors and the pattern! You did an incredible job! Glad to hear that Little Buddy is feeling better! Have a wonderful week! :-)

Hena Tayeb said...

wow.. nice!

handmade by amalia said...

The big reveal! I love the soft colors and congratulations, a big project indeed.
Amalia
xo

Gracie Saylor said...

Your choice of pattern and color is lovely, Meredith...no apologies needed! It looks just right to provide calming warmth and a great spot for The Boys' snuggly Rhinebeck bear, too :-) xx

elns said...

It looks really good. Your finished pieces always look so polished Mere. Very nice. I can't wait to see the next basket of yarn worked up.

Babajeza said...

You've been busy finishing this blanket. I think it looks great on the brown leather sofa. Don't think twice about all the white others have. :-)