A tale of two grannies


As I mentioned in my post 'Fingers in Pies' I've been having a lot of fun with granny squares lately.  Or 'grannie' as we seem to call them in my family for some reason.

I've already shown you my Eclectic Grannie.  So now it's time to show you the next grannie in the series, my Giant Grannie.

I'm sure you, like me, have seen many of these giant grannie square blankets around and about in blogland.  I've coveted them for a long time, but I wasn't sure that I would ever be able to face an ever increasing round which took longer and longer and looonnnnggggeeeerrrr to go around.  Daunting.

But after getting to row 28 of my Eclectic Grannie, loving the look of it and really, really wishing I had enough to go further, I thought maybe I should go for the blanket size after all.



As I mentioned before ('Finger in Pies' post linked above),  I struggled with the colours of this one quite a bit.  I knew I wanted some quirky and slightly more unexpected colour combinations than I've been used to but I was finding it a fine line between quirky and mismatched.  But, as the blanket grew, so did my confidence.  Plus, the photos I took for that last post looked so lovely I started to be convinced that I'd made the right choices after all.

I used a total of 14 colours, all random yarn that that I had in stash already.  So this is a blanket of quirky colours and very mismatched yarn.  I've got acrylic, wool blends, bamboo and cotton blends in here.  I'll give you all the details at the end in my 'factual' section but there's a few older yarns in here that it's been great to use up and it means that I'm very nearly, almost done using up the old yarny bits and bobs that I've been wanting to get used up and be rid of.  Hooray for stashbusting!


My favourite thing about this blanket is the random, vintage, 'using up scraps' style of the colours.  I tried to never have a similar shade or tone next to each other.  So that each colour would show up as much a possible.



And apart from a couple of 'errors' early on, which I'm glad to say seem to be nicely lost in the general scheme now the blanket is bigger.  I think I managed to get a pretty good contrast between each colour.  Love that picture above, it's one of my favourites!

It's always hard to get the 'whole blanket' shot.  I decided to lay it out on the bed.


Ooh, that looks good.  But really, I do prefer the closer shots where you can see all the individual colours better.


Of course, the other big decision is the border.  I decided on the one I was going to use very quickly, so the only problem was which colour to use.  I had a nice lot of the darkish 'airforce' blue that I could use but was worried that it'd be too dark at first.  But I planned to end with a nice colour sequence to end on to compliment the darker border and I'm pretty happy with it.  What do you think?


I used my trusty 'Around the Corner Crochet Borders' by Edie Eckman, a book I adore and have talked about on this blog many times before.  Don't worry, I'm not sponsored to rave about it, it's just that I love it and can't recommend it enough!

Then it was all done.  Just in time too, because it's turned a little more nippy in the last few days and I've been very glad of it's snuggly company.  Not that I'm short of a snuggly blanket or too, but a new blanket is always that much more snuggly I find.

Now let's give you all the...

Facts of the matter

Blanket Pattern:  I've actually written a pattern for this blanket now:

Grannie Goes Large by Sandra Paul

You can also find a photo tutorial to show you how I make my grannies here: Classic Granny Square

Border Pattern:  Now included together with the blanket pattern.

(The original blanket used border No. 45 from Around the Corner Crochet Borders by Edie Eckman)

Rounds before border: 69

Size:  160 cm / 64 inches square

Yards used:  approx 4100

Weight: 1370 grams

Number of Colours: 14

Hook Size: 4mm (USA G)

Yarn used:
Stylecraft Special DK:
1026 - Apricot
1080 - Pale Rose
1240 - Soft Peach

Stylecraft Life:
2342 - Mint
2311 - Fern

Hayfield/Sirdar Bonus DK:
836 - Airforce Blue
838 - Silver
855 - Cream (Baby Bonus)

Knit Shop Simply Wool DK:
2082-111 - Cream
2097-172 - Duck Egg

Jarol Heritage DK:
132 - Rusty Brown

Rowan Wool Cotton:
971 - Goldilocks

Sirdar Juicy:
420 - Foam

Mirasol Contanani:
403 - Burgandy (but it looks purple)


Wow, that's a lot of yarn.





When I set out to make this blanket I wanted it to be really traditional and have a Like Grannie Used to Make feel to it.   I think I did that, it feels nicely oldy worldy to me and I do love it that's for sure.

Update

Granny Goes Large Pattern now available!


S x



Comments

  1. Lovely colours and I especially love the border.

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  2. wow wow wow! wonderful granny blanket in wonderful colours you have made a great job. I feel inspired to start a granny blanket.

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  3. Yummy scrummy. I would love to curl up underneath that! I love the colours. One question though, what will happen if you ever have to wash it, I mean with all the different types of yarn? I definitely want to make a big massive granny square at some point and I love the colours you have gone for. Beeeautiful. Ooh another question - what size of hook did you use? Sorry for quizzing you!

    Wow indeed! Well done!

    Helen xx

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  4. It is so beautiful, you have a wonderful mix of colours and the airforce blue looks fab on the edge. Well done. I like the look of the giant granny squares but feel a bit daunted by them.Sue

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  5. That is beautiful. The colours work together soooo well and I love that you've stash busted! I'm still learning so am a little hesitant about mixing it all up. Your gorgeous blanket has proved I need fear no more!

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  6. I love your colours and the finished blanket. Have fun snuggling :)

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  7. Your grannie blanket turned out great! I made one of these in all blues and white about 25 years ago and we still use it!

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  8. Great colours, I especially love the grey-blue, very restful....perfect for a blanket.

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  9. Oh, it's beautiful! I love the colours - a lot of them look kind of faded which helps give it the vintage look. And using up yarn scraps is what granny squares were invented for, I reckon!

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  10. Well - all that work was definitely worth it!It DOES look like something my Oma would have made. Aren't those larger rounds tedious? The bigger the blanket the easier it is to get discouraged by the never -ending rounds. Well done to you for sticking to it!

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  11. Your blanket is perfect!!! And I agree with everyone who commented before me; way to hang in there and keep going! :) How do you keep your granny from staying so straight if I might ask? If I make a granny that big, it always seems to get wonky after a while.
    xo,
    wink

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  12. Your granny blanket is stunning!! I love all the beautiful colors, and it looks so cozy!! What an inspiration!! I have started my first granny square blanket, and it is a work in progress. I can't wait for it to be done! xo Heather

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  13. Wow...what a fabulous blanket! I love the colours you've used....you make the colour choice look so easy. Fabulous border....I'm a fan of that book too :-) I've always been unsure about mixing different wool/acrylic yarns but after seeing this I'm not going to worry about it again.
    Thanks for the inspiration and all the facts....really helpful.
    Carole x

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  14. I agree with winkieflash....my grannie's seem to go wonky after a while too! How do you keep yours so straight?
    Carole x

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  15. Oh gorgeous! I'm in the process of making a giant Granny, too! I'm 25 rows in and seeing yours complete and looking so lovely inspires me to keep going with mine. I absolutely adore the border you used. I'm going to have to check out the book you got it from.

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  16. Lovely blanket. You did a beautiful balance of colors, and I think the border color is perfect because it is neutral and matches with all the others. (and I love that book too...one worth buying)
    Enjoy your beautiful blanket!!!
    Greetings,
    Ana BC

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  17. You are much braver than I am.... I use one or two colors on my giant grannies.... I might just bite the bullet and just do each row a different color! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Stacey

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  18. Hi. Your blanket is gorgeous, I love the colours. So glad I have found your page as I all be signing up for your crafty home project soon. We are planning on doing up the house this year, and I so want it to reflect me and my love for crafting and 'homemade. See you soon. Hugs Em x

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  19. Oh it is very lovely and I love the border. I hope to make a large grannie blanket for our bed this year...I hope;-)

    blessings, jilly

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  20. Your Grannie blanket is beautiful, you really can see all the colours wonderfully and it is massive!!

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  21. So beautiful Sandra. Such lovely colours. Bet it's great to snuggle under! x

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  22. Your blanket is absolutely gorgeous. The colours work so well together. Thanks for sharing,
    Anne xx

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  23. I so love your vintage looking grannie! I think I said it on one of your last posts, I don't think I would be brave enough to attempt a colour scheme like that - my usual is much brighter than that, but I do really love the more muted vintagey look too, so maybe it is worth me breaking out of my comfort zone!! :D Just out of interest, how did you make sure the squares didn't start going wonky from the centre. I've heard it is a common problem, and the little cushion cover I made at xmas started going like that even though I joined my new colours on different sides... it's mystery to me!! Jenny x

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  24. It really looks like it was 'grannie-made', which i LOVE! It's perfect!!

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  25. It's absolutely gorgeous, you have a magic eye for colour! :-) x

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  26. This is a gorgeous blanket. Very vintage looking, the colours are fab! I have loads of yarn leftovers so I might have a go at making one.

    xx

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  27. It's wonderful! Truely wonderful. I have always had a soft spot for things made with real scraps and leftovers....

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  28. Stunning! Love everything about it! Well done. :)

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  29. Oh wow, it's lovely! Well done on getting it finished. Mine's stalled now I'm on round 36 or something as it just takes too long to do a round!!

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  30. The blanket is gorgeous, really gorgeous. I notice your blanket does not slant, do you use the same technique as Bunny Mummy with no chains between the 3 double crochets?
    Teresa

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  31. I think your colour choices are perfect Sandra, I love your blanket :-) xxxx

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  32. Gorgeous. Must finish mine. I too am using all odds and ends, which gets harder the bigger it gets because you ever quite know if you have enough to go all the way round. Lovely work, colours great

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  33. oh my!! your granny blanket is divine!! i LOVE it!!

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  34. Hi Sandra, I love your Granny! I'm a Granny, but I don't think I look as nice as your blanket does :0) It must be so satisfying to see it on your bed in all it's "old fashioned" loveliness - and Yes, I do think the dark border goes so well. Your blog is such an inspiration .... thank you!
    Val xx

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  35. It's gorgeous! Love the colours.

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  36. Wow! This is so beautiful!

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  37. I am completely in love, I have a real soft spot for any type of granny blanket. It's just gorgeous ♥

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  38. Beautiful!!! Love the colours you've used. I too have done a giant granny, but in bright tones (almost too bright!). Well done.

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  39. Oh my goodness - that is just gorgeous! I'm coveting a grannie now! The colours are beautiful and it looks incredible spread out on the bed like that. Well done!

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  40. A giant granny is definitely on my to-do list.
    Yours is so lovely- the colours are just perefect together- it really does have a comfy, vintage feel to it.
    Enjoy your weekend.
    Xx

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  41. MUY LINDAS TUS LABORES.
    PRECIOSS LAS MANTITAS.
    SALUDITOS

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  42. Oh my! How come I have missed out on your place for so long? This is paradise to me. I am officially a follower from today's date (although I've browsed your blog for weeks now... why is it so hard to just press the follow button sometimes?) to make sure I won't miss ANYTHING of your candy pops around here. L O V E everything I see.

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  43. Oh I just LOVE this granny! I'm definitely going to put this in my queue!

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