Crochet Baby Gift

 Baby Crochet Blanket 

I like to make my Baby Gifts in Beautiful Bright Colours. It makes me feel so Happy. 

Your Choices

The fun for me starts way before I pick up my Hook.

There are decisions to be made.

The Pattern

First Choice: Which Pattern?

My Go To Pattern Inspiration Places

Facebook 

I follow quite a few Crochet pages on Facebook which means I regularly see different Crochet Projects in my Facebook Feed.

Pinterest 

Pinterest is great if you have an idea to explore. A Search for Crochet Baby Blankets will bring up lots of ideas.

Also it can help with colour choices. Put in a search for Blue Crochet Baby Blankets and you'll see lots of different blue options to inspire you.

Instagram 

I'm a bit umm.... about Instagram. There is some beautiful work on there. But for some reason I don't find a works very well for me. I've never quite understood how it works/the point of it.

I'd love to know your thoughts on Instagram though.

Basic Granny Square 

For this Project I just Crochet a Large Basic Granny Square with a Repeat of Nine Colours.

There are different versions of a Basic Granny Square. And for years I used the one where there is one chain between each set of three trebles (dc in US). But I've found that my work looks better if I don't chain one between each set of three trebles.

So My Granny Square pattern is:

Three Trebles (dc US) repeated with corners being 

Three Trebles (dc US) Two Chains Then Three Trebles (dc US).

I only use Chains in the Corners 

For example. If you look at the Yellow Round in the pic below. There are Six sets of Three Trebles (dc US) along each of the sides. With Three Trebles (dc US) Two Chains and a second set of Three Trebles (dc US) in each Corner.

But please use whichever Granny Square pattern that works best for you.

A Selection of My Crochet Blankets 

From Simple Stripes to Circles,  Squares, Hexagons,  with a few Fancy Stitches thrown in.

But I'm Always Drawn Back to Squares 

 Of all the different Blankets I have made. There are a small number of favourites for me. Ones I not only enjoyed making but have added to my Menu of Blanket Patterns.

Back to Square One

But at the end of the day, truth be told, I'm a Square Girl. 

I'm the same with Patchwork. I've said for years. You can't beat a Square!

So My Favourite Crochet Projects are usually Squares in one form or another.

That's Just Me

Maybe your a Circle Girl, or love different patterns. A Stripes lover, or Hexagons the options are endless. But think about it. What's your Go To Style?

Choosing Your Colour Palette 

I've often bought a Kit. That saves that part of the process. It is quite relaxing. You know the colour results your going to get.

I follow

Attic24

And often use

Wool Warehouse Yarn Packs

Sometimes I'm inspired by a colourway I've seen and try to replicate it. As with The Grandmother's Hug I recently Crochet for my Granddaughter.

See more about My Grandmother's Hug

Other times I start with a blank canvas. Maybe an idea in my head. And go from there.

And that's all part of the joy of Crochet for me.

This picture doesn't do the lovely Bright Colours justice. I'll try to do better next time.

P.S. Can you spot the little matching Teddy?

I'll be posting more about him very soon.

Little Teddy Hugs more info here

Take a look at my April Stitching Adventures Here

Grandmother's Hug Crochet

Grandmother's Crochet Hug

My older Granddaughter recently moved into a new flat. And I wanted to Crochet her something for her new pad. I found this pattern on the Drops Free Pattern Website. Grandmother's Hug

Here is my Version and this picture shows the colours really well.

I really enjoyed making this for My Granddaughter. 

And the picture below shows you it evolving from a Circle to A Granny Square.

Just Six Granny Squares 

It was made up of six large Granny Squares and nine rounds of border. 

It was a joy to make. I used Scheepjes Chunky Monkey Aran from The Wool Warehouse

It's so Soft & Cwtchy

And works up satisfyingly quickly.

If you like the colourway I've used.

However 

I had to improvise on the last two rounds of the border as I didn't have enough Yarn. I'm looking to make this Project again for my 2nd Granddaughter and I'll be ordering another ball of the White 1001 and another Ball of the Baby Pink 1240 So I can finish hers off as per the original Pattern.

The Way We Work

I like to make all of each round before I move to the next round. So I'll Crochet 6 of Round one, then six of round two etc. That way my brain doesn't have to keep chopping and changing each round. I can calmly Crochet Six (or whatever number I'm making) of each Round before starting the next. Of course for the purpose of taking pics for my Blog I had to show each round. 

I wonder how you like to Crochet multiple pieces? There's no right and wrong way mind you. Whatever you find works for you.

I recently gifted a very colourful Granny Square Baby Blanket. 

About My Granny Square Blanket

And

Have you seen My Emotional Support Chicken!

She's well worth taking a peek at.

Love of Hand Stitching

Stitched Printed Panel 

Simple Echo Stitching on a Beautiful Printed Panel.

For The Love of Hand Stitching

There is something therapeutic about Hand Stitching. Don't get me wrong. I Love Machine Stitching with a Passion. But every now and then I feel the need to partake of some Hand Stitching. BUT I can't Hand Stitch for long.

Weaknesses 

Eyes and Joints 

My eyes don't now, and never have actually done well with close work. Cross Stitch literally makes me Cross eyed! I just can't keep the Stitches still and get quickly confused. Similar although not quite so bad with Embroidery. My eyes tire quite quickly.

And then there's me joints. My fingers aren't as nimble as they once were. And repetitive work can become quite painful.

Blackbird Syndrome 

Blackbird Syndrome: Also, I'm easily distracted by shiny new projects. And consequently have lots of different projects on the go.

My Solution 

But I do Enjoy a bit of Hand Stitching. So what's a Girl to do?

Play to Your Strengths 

So what Strengths do I have?

I have quite a good guesstimating eye.

I have an artillery full of different Stitching techniques I have studied over the years.

I'm happy to try out different ideas.

I have a large collection of sewing supplies to call on.

I have plenty of time to play.

Well, I have spent years learning the Patchwork/Quilting Rules

They say once you've learnt the rules, you can break the rules.

I also enjoy Hand Quilting. I've managed a fair bit of that over the years. Although even that is now proving to be more difficult working through three layers.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention 

I'm one of those who will often start will a pattern and then decide there's a much easier way to do that. And completely sew off script.

And one of the easier ways I found was to use a Running Stitch instead of a full Quilting Stitch for certain projects.

Faux Quilting 

For years now I have used what I like to call Faux Quilting on things like Wall Hangings, Cushions, Bags and even Quilts.

Basically it's 

A Running Stitch

Which looks from the top of your work the same as or similar to A Quilting Stitch.

So what's the difference?

A Running Stitch is usually worked through one or sometimes two layers of fabric.

A Quilting Stitch is usually worked through three layers, a top layer, wadding/batting and a backing fabric.

Although Running and Quilting Stitches are basically the same Stitch. A Running Stitch is both quicker and easier to make due to only needing to get the needle and thread through one or two layers. Whereas the Quilting Stitch needs to be worked through three layers which I find takes more effort, time and is hard on my fingers/hands.

Probably best if I show you what I mean

Check out my two videos showing the difference. 

First Hand Quilting Stitch 

Next Running Stitch v Quilting Stitch

And below a Running Stitch 

Read about My Hand Stitching

There are so many opportunities to use a Running Stitch 

Running Stitch used on Cushions and Bottom Right a Wall Hanging. 'Ti's a quick and fun way to add emphasis to your work.

Combining Machine Stitching with Hand Stitching 

For years now I have used a Running Stitch to add some umph to my work.

I use it often on Bags, Wall Hangings and a touch of Running Stitch can really make a project pop.

I even use it on Quilts. I find it best to start with or add some Machine Quilting to secure the three layers.

Check out My Machine Quilting below

An example of Hand and Machine Quilting on the same piece of work.

Check out my progress

On My Winter Quilt.

Another Alternative to Quilting is

Boro Stitching 

Take a Look at my Boro Stitching