December 9, 2009

granny's back

I always have a project going. Quilting, scrapbooking, and many miscellaneous Christmas projects...quite a few have been completed, and many more are unfinished in the cupboard. I tried knitting once, but was never able to relax and find my groove. I ended up at the chiropractor to fix the consequences of stress knitting and that was the end of that. I also tried, for approximately five minutes, to learn to crochet a baby afghan. My sister makes the prettiest little blankets, and it looked like fun. I never took up my hook though.

Yesterday, with the arrival of my Garnet Hill catalog, a new obsession was immediately born. I am in love with this (photo from Garnet Hill website) granny square (although I suppose it's hexagon) afghan.


My love of all things granny started last year with this scarf.


It was ridiculously priced at $68.00, so I simply admired it in the store. Apparently, everyone else thought it was over priced as well, and a full year later, it was on a killer clearance so I snatched it up.

I have to admit, I never, ever, dreamed I would be into granny squares. Some things from the seventies should never be seen again, but with the right yarn and color combination, I feel sure granny is here to stay.

Any other granny lovers out there?

Will it be easy to learn?

Crochet on.

27 comments:

  1. Oh, I love to crochet and love all the new-old crochet decor looks out right now. You'll have to check out this blog - http://attic24.typepad.com/ - if you don't already read it. She's got the crochet decor down right now! I'm a new reader recently and really love your kitchen re-do. -- michele

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  2. OK, when I saw your title, I immediately pictured a granny's hunched-over osteoporosis-riddled back. I wasn't sure what to expect!

    I also love the granny vibe. But you probably already knew that. And I don't crochet/knit/darn/needlepoint/hook rug/sew. But one day....One day....

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  3. I have a granny square blanket that my mother gave me, it's vintage....I suppose I should give it its own photo session. I like it, although my kids think it's HIDEOUS. Well...perhaps it is in certain settings, but I do like the colors of the one in your Garnet-Hill catalog, I can picture you doing one up in your soft blues, aquas, and other pastels and looking wonderful in your home!
    XOXO
    Joni

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  4. I am always on the lookout at thrift shops & yard sales for granny square blankets & afghans! Love them!

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  5. Teresa, if you were ever going to attempt a crochet style...Granny square is it!!My grandma's grannies are all over the place and it was ONE of the FEW patterns I sat still long enough for her to show me! I have SO little patience with stuff like quilting and such but I promise you if I can relax through it ANYONE can!! I also have seen some CUTE purses made of 8 squares. I see a scarf at Kohl's I want for a pattern but will not give my right arm for it. Maybe I will have your luck and it will stay put 'til January..when BATHING SUIT season starts in the stores haha!!! Like Joni, I can see you doing something in aquas...my fave too!! HUGZ,Sue

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  6. I so just got on a granny square kick too!! I want to learn soo bad! I knit (sometimes) and would love to learn how to crochet .. its kinda sad when I mentioned it to my mother she said .." you were born too late girl , you need your great grandma" lol thanks mom ~ Sarahlynn

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    1. There are TONS of tutoirals on youtube for beginners and experts alike. I've been crocheting for over 30 years (hate to admit Im that old!!) and cut my teeth on grannies then tired of them, they were everywhere! Back on the granny bandwagon again, but with a different more pastel focus and the variations for more experienced crocheters abound on youtube as well. Try the youtube videos with a sale priced skein and a H or size J crochet hook - maybe you'll be 'hooked on crochet' like me?

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  7. Yes, I love to crochet and started some squares about a year ago. I have to get back to them this winter. I have to tell you, crocheting them is addictive!

    xo
    Claudia

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  8. Learning to crochet is my goal for this winter! I love granny and hexagon too!

    Be well. ~Andrea~

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  9. I have two afghans my Mom made many years ago. She made them out of really nice wool yarn and must have used a really samll crochet hook because the stitches are tight. I love these afghans and would never part with them. I made one once but haven't crocheted in years.

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  10. Love both the afghan & scarf Teresa. I love crocheting & knitting and with Winter here, there's an afghan at the bottom of each bed and one on each couch. I even made one for my daughter's cats :-)

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  11. I LOVE IT TOO..REMINDS ME OF THE 60'S..GOOD LUCK LEARNING THAT, IT SCARES ME! I DO GOOD TO CROCHET AROUND BABY BLANKETS! Come say hi :D

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  12. One of my things is I want to learn to knit when I move to Montana. I collect granny spuare quilts from the thrift. Someone has spent their time doing this and I do love it. I would love to find a scarf like yours. Don't you love it when you win after waiting for something?! Did I say love to much?

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  13. I have such great memories of my grandmother teaching me how to do granny square crochet. In college I got into making huge afghans out of a conintuous looping around of a granny square. Such a stress buster. Then I forgot how and stopped for about 20 years. When I lived in Denver it was cold and I picked it up again, taught my college girls and we made tons of scarves that year for gifts. (2004) I thought it might go away, but seems like crochet is here to stay. I'm working on a black blanket now, nice and thick and won't show my black dog's hair :)
    Merry Christmas.

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  14. Oh I love the colours in that afghan. Soft and heirloom.

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  15. Yes, I'll admit I'm a fellow granny square lover. I have drooled over this very afghan but I love it in the more primary colors. But, yikes! the price is crazy!

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  16. Granny squares always seem to have a way of grabbing you and not letting go. I love them!

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  17. Yes, I learned to crochet when I was about 10. Granny squares are a good start, no worry about tension and one end being way wider than the other etc. Just lots of joining.

    Those are both beautiful examples. I love the colour combinations.

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  18. I love it too! I remember my Grandma had a black granny square throw blanket with the multi- colored squares. Her Aunt Alice had made it and it was one of her favorite possessions. My sister ended up with it and I would love to make a similar one for myself. They can be so contemporary with the right color combination and design. I found a pattern that I really want to copy that has different sized squares. I have a photo of it if you'd like to see it! Kitty

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  19. Granny squares are easy to learn! I did when I was 10 - though I've not made one since then! I need to brush up on the skill to teach my own 10yo.

    I sell crocheted hats on Etsy - and charge between $30-45. Handwork just takes SO much more time than machine created work - I only pay myself $10 per hour. Once you learn to make the item, you better understand the fees attached to handmade things.$68 - including the store's own markup - probably isn't out of line.

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  20. http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/

    http://posy.typepad.com/posy/

    Theresa-
    Here are links for two of my favorite blogs who do amazing things with crochet. You may have to search back a little ways, but Posy esp has some gorgeous granny square blankets she has made.
    I also wanted to tell you how happy I am that I found your blog, I am loving it! I find lots of new blogs all the time but every once in a while I find one that I love so much I decide to go back and read from the very beginning and that's what I'm doing with yours! I love both your photos and writing, you've made me cry a bunch of times already! I have 4 boys myself so I loved the post about your boys. Two years ago I was lucky enough to get a little girl- at long last!- so now I get to indulge my pink loving girly side and I'm loving every minute of it! I've always been drawn to the aqua, pinks and greens in your house and I can't get enough of your dining room and kitchen photos. It's incredible what you've done and obviously you're a fabulous gardener as well. Anyway, I just wanted say hi and thanks.
    Oh, and also I wanted to tell you that I can totally relate to the need to purge and clean out, but be careful because there have been a few times I've done that and then regretted it later. Just remember, you can always wait to get rid of it but once it's gone, it's gone! I understand you feeling like you want to be less materialistic, but I feel like it's ok to have a beautiful home and things as long as it's not crazy excessive, and you balance it out with doing good, which you clearly are. I think we were created with a natural love of beauty and art, and that's a good thing!
    Take care,

    Elisabeth

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  21. rI love to make granny squares, there are so many desiyegns. Love your colors, I have no eye for color.

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  22. Yeah, it's quite easy to learn. But once you do, you might not think that scarf was so overpriced. Even a relatively simple thing like granny squares takes time to crochet. The person who made that probably made VERY little per hour for their time.

    Love the colors in that blanket, though! They all look hand-dyed.

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  23. I recently learnt to crochet after many years of not getting the hang of it, and am now merrily making a 'Wendy Blanket' (see Ravelry) for my granddaughter. I'm not a fan of the granny square look myself, but absolutely love crocheting them

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  24. In the 70's I made one for my grandma. I was big enough to fit her queen size bed. I made it from most of yarn in the house. Every square started with a white center, then 3 rows of different colors & last row was black. I think it has 117 blocks & no 2 blocks has the same color combinations. I was about 30 years old with 2 small children & it took me 4 months during summer to complete it. I was working away from home also. When I gave it to my grandma my husband told her "I don't want to be mean or hurt your feelings, but when you no longer need this will you please give it back to me." So late in her life & she knew the end was near she called my husband into her bedroom & gave it to him. It is now on the bed in the quest bedroom in her memory.

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  25. Love the afghan and the colors. I'm just disappointed that there isn't more information on this particular one. Lovely.

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  26. Crochet is my great passion !It's easy to do . Try , I will follow you !
    Maddy

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