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

Relaxing Hand Stitching

 Block Printing - Hand Stitching 

I don't do a lot of Hand Stitching but whenever I do I find it So Relaxing.

Late last year I did some Fabric Stamping on some plain canvas Bags and Zip Pouches I bought from Amazon

Block Printing 

The Fabric Stamping itself was very easy and fun to do.

I have quite a good selection of Wooden Stamps

Most from Colouricious

And I used some of the Stamped Bags as Gift Bags at Christmas.

The little zipper pouches have come in useful over the last few weeks as storage for my Little Janome Gem Sewing machine bits & bobs. I had got that machine out to take to my local school to help get Year 6 Pupils Stitching, and the little tin I kept the spear bobbins, feet etc was looking rather shoddy with rust marks in. So time for an upgrade me thinks.

Hand Stitching 

And another for my Hand Stitching bits & bobs.

And then I thought um, a touch of outline Hand Stitching would look good on them.

So I got out my trusty Pearle Cotton No. 8 and began Stitching.

Check out My Running Stitch Post

It didn't take long to do. Was very Relaxing and made the Pouches more personal to me. 

My Redwork Style Fabric Stamped Hand Stitching Bag.

Check out my One Hour Hand Stitched Hearts

What do you think?

More about Hand Running Stitch Here

Has this given you some Inspiration?

Catch up on My Blue Houses

Like to know more?

Here's an Applique Idea of mine for the Canvas Bags.

Yours In Stitches, Joy

Crochet Emotional Support Chicken

 Emotional Support Chicken 

I recently Crochet this Emotional Support Chicken from The Knitting Tree  for my Neighbour who keeps Chickens.

The Pattern is also available on Etsy

And Ravelry

You can also buy Knitted versions.

I used a Chunky yarn and it made a life sized Chicken.

She's quite Splendid. Just the right size to cuddle.

Applique 

Some close up pictures. Top Left the Chicken I Appliquéd onto A Canvas Bag.

Bottom Right the Chicken I Appliquéd onto A Gift Card.

I had so much fun making all these. The Chicken took less than a week to Crochet.

The Appliqué on the Canvas Bag took an hour or two and is machine stitched onto the bag.

And the Appliqué Chicken Gift Card was made using HeatnBond so a quick no Sew project.

Then there's My

Grandmother's Hug Throw

AND

Granny square Baby Blanket  

See more of my Crochet Projects

More of My Ideas for Canvas Bags

Links to My Small & Easy Crochet Projects

Yours in Stitches, Joy

Winter Village so far....

 Winter Village 

Thought I'd give a progress report on the Winter Village Quilt I'm currently working on.

It's Called Winter Village by Edyta Sitar

The Pattern can be found at Laundry Basket Quilts but it is also in Edyta's Book A Season In Blue

I started working on this Quilt in April 2024

Edyta Sitar 

I made a good start following Edyta's YouTube instructions. But then like the Blackbird Crafter I am got sidetracked by lots of Shiny Little Projects...

In between these Beautiful distractions I stitched a few Houses here and there over the months.

There were 23 Blue Houses in total.

Although I did make a rouge Red One just for the fun of it

I have Built all the Houses now. And have made a start on the Quilting.

Machine Quilting 

Some close-ups of My Machine Stitching. Just inside the doors and windows followed by Stitching just outside the doors & windows. And some diagonal Machine Stitching on a roof.

Hand Stitching/Quilting 

Above. I've decided to Hand Stitch Hearts in different sizes in the Sashing and other spaces.

May 3rd 2025 Update

I have just finished the Hand & Machine Stitching on the top half of my Winter Village 

I'm so enjoying seeing this Quilt come to life as I add more and more Stitches to it. I'm using four different sized heart outlines for the Hand Stitching. All the Hand Stitching in Blue (an Aurifil Thread) For the machine Stitching 

I'm using a YLI Natural Colour Thread.

Read more about My Hand Stitching

Lots yet to do. Including some Appliqué Branches and Birds.

What do you think of it so far?

Link to My Crochet Projects

Camp Stitches

 Camp Stitching 

Last week we Camped for three nights in Pembrey Country Park  South Wales.

It was perfect weather for Sitting & Stitching 

In between sightseeing.

Ours is the Blue Tent on the left.

Feathered Friends 

We had three regular visitors while we were there.

The Pigeon was ringed and very tame.

The Robin was quite cheeky and almost came inside our tent a few times!

And The Blackbird was collecting food to take back to his nest. We did see Mrs Blackbird too but she was much more wary of us and kept her distance.

The Stitching Inspector 

Mr Blackbird came to inspect my Stitching. I had just started work on my Bothy Threads Blackbird. I like to think he approved!

Camp Crochet 

I alternated between my Bothy Threads Stitching and some Crochet. It's early days for a new Crochet Blanket I'm working on. I'm keeping to cheerful flower colours for the little Granny Squares and will be joining them together with a Grass Green.

I'm enjoying working with these Happy Colours 

It was so Relaxing Sitting outside our tent Crocheting and watching the world and wildlife  go by.

Out & About

Of course I couldn't spend all my time Stitching.

We had a little look around. Top pic is Burry Port which was very picturesque. And bottom middle is us on Pembrey Beach eight miles of glorious Sand.

Time to Catch Up!

Time To Catch Up

Wow! I knew I hadn't blogged for a while but even I was shocked to see it's been almost TWO YEARS!

So a Catch Up is called for me thinks 🤔 

I haven't been busy. In fact for about Six Months I didn't pick up a Needle or Hook.

But I'm back in the saddle and Stitching again  Yay!

So I thought today I would step back into Blogging slowly.  I'm going to post some pictures of my Stitchings without too much explanation just to get things rolling again, and give you all a taste of what's been occurring.

Above Humphrey The Giraffe Appliquéd onto A Piece of Welsh Wool Blanket 

My Little Welsh Sheep. Appliquéd onto wool fabric from an Old Welsh Wool Blanket

 

Crochet - Beach Walk Blanket

Pattern by Marion Mitchel

Me and My Wool Felted Crochet Bag

Quick Serger Bag

Native Indian Bear

Outline Stitching 

Hope you have enjoyed seeing some of my Stitching. 

I'll give you more info on some of these pics in future posts. 

But I wonder...

Which of my projects appeals to you most?

Would you like to hear more about a specific one?

And

Have you made anything similar?

Until Next Time, Yours in Stitching 

Joy

P.S.  My posts on Boro work seem very popular.

So here is a link to My Posts on Boro Work