Lullaby Lodge

Sunday 3 June 2018

How to add a simple shell border to a granny square baby blanket - Crochet Tutorial

A pretty shell border is the perfect way to finish off a crochet project. You can use it to edge a blanket, a hat or even the cuff of a sleeve...

Simple Shell Edging

Abbreviations

US Terms

dc - double crochet

sc - single crochet

sl st - slip stitch

ch - chain

sp - space

Adding your border to a granny square...

Starting on any odd numbered round, join your yarn with a sc, 3 spaces to the right of any corner,

then work 7 dc into the next sp...

...and sc in the next sp.

Now working into the corner sp. Into this and every corner make 9 dc...

...and then a sc into the next sp.

Continue in this fashion around your granny square

until you get back to the beginning. Join with a sl st to you starting sc.

A row of simple shells makes a great edging for a baby blanket...

...and I'm sure you can thing of many other uses for this pretty stitch.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.

See you soon

Catherine

Saturday 12 May 2018

The Granny Flower Square - Crochet Tutorial

The Granny Flower Square is probably the most simple flower motif out there and can be used to make almost anything your imagination can think of. Of course my most favourite thing to make has always been blankets and I have made many in the past using this motif.

The Granny Flower Square

This pattern now has a video tutorial (new for 2021)...

Abbreviations

dc - double crochet
tr - treble crochet
sl st - slip stitch
ch - chain
sp - space

Instructions in parenthesis [ ] are repeated the required number of times. Join new colours with a sl st. Start each round with a ch 3 or chain less dc unless otherwise stated. US terms are used throughout.

Foundation Ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring

Round 1 work 12 dc into the ring.

Round 2 work 2 dc into each space between the stitches from the previous round.

Round 3 work 3 dc into the spaces between each pair of stitches from the previous round.

Round 4 starting in any sp ch 4, 2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr in the same sp (corner made), [3 dc in next sp] x2, *3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr in the next sp, [3 dc in the next sp] x2* work from *to* 2 more times and join with a sl st to beginning ch 3.

In no time at all you could have a whole pile of gorgeous granny flower squares...

...and you could make a blanket like this...

The story behind this blanket can be found here in this post and the full pattern is available in both my Ravelry and Etsy stores. A free version is also now available here...

I would love to see some photos of your granny flowers, please feel free to share some pics on my Facebook page.

See you soon
Catherine
x

Sunday 22 April 2018

The Granny Stripe - Crochet Tutorial

Who doesn't love a granny stripe? The granny stripe blanket is in my opinion, the most quintessential crochet blanket of them all... They have been around for decades and the basic pattern is so easy to master. You only need to know a few basic stitches and in no time at all, you can create a gorgeous, squishy, stripy, colourful blanket, perfect for snuggles on the sofa.

The Granny Stripe

US terms are used throughout.

Abbreviations

sc Single crochet

dc Double crochet

sl st Slip stitch

ch Chain

sp Space

sk skip

Notes: You can use any yarn weight you like with this stitch, just use the hook size recommended on your yarn ball band.

Foundation Chain a multiple of 3 + 1 (keep chaining until you reach the required width of your blanket).

Row 1 dc in the 4th chain from hook, *sk 2 chains, 3 dc in the next chain* repeat from * to * until the last 3 chains, sk 2 chains and 2 dc in the last chain. Turn. We will now be working in the spaces between each group of stitches

Row 2 chain 3, 3 dc in the next sp (in between the first 2 dc and the next 3 dc) and in each sp along the row. End with 1 dc in the last stitch (top of chain 3 from previous row). Turn.

Row 3 chain 3, dc in the first sp, 3 dc in the next space and every space along finishing with 2 dc in the last sp. Turn

Rows 2 and 3 form the pattern, continue in this way changing colours when ever you like...

...until your blanket is the desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.

You could end up with something like this...

The full detailed pattern for this blanket is available in both my Etsy and Ravelry stores.

The granny stripe is one of my favourite go to patterns for blankets. The easy repetition makes it perfect TV crochet and you have so many options when it comes to colour. The pattern will also work with any gauge yarn, just use the recommended hook from the yarn ball band.

Here are a few I have made in the past...

I will be back with more patterns to share with you soon.

Take care

Catherine

Sunday 15 April 2018

How to Make the Perfect Granny Square (without twisty corners) - Crochet Tutorial

Everyone loves a granny square and there are many different ways to make them and many tutorials available on the web. This tutorial particularly focuses on avoiding that "twist" you get after working a few rounds in the traditional method. This is particularly helpful when making large granny squares or a giant granny square blanket.

The Perfect Granny Square

Abbreviations (US terms)

sc - single crochet

dc - double crochet

sl st - slip stitch

ch - chain

sp - space

Other notes: I used a 5mm (H) hook with Aran weight cotton yarn to make my squares, but you can use any yarn you like, just use a hook recommended on your yarn ball band. I like to start my rounds with a chainless dc, you can do this too if you wish, or just stick to the traditional ch3. Join new colours with a sl st, if you wish to make your squares a single colour, sl st into the corner sp to start next round.

Foundation Chain 4 and join with sl st to form ring

Round 1 (right side) ch3, 2dc into ring, ch2, [ 3dc into the ring, ch2] 3 times, join with sl st to top ch3 and fasten off. Turn.

Round 2 join new colour in any corner sp, ch3, 2dc into same sp, ch2, 3dc into same sp (corner formed), [ 3dc into next sp, ch2, 3dc into same sp] 3 times, join with sl st to top ch3 and fasten off. Turn.

Round 3 join new colour in any corner sp, ch3, 2dc in same sp, ch2, 3dc in same sp, [3dc in next sp, 3dc in next sp, ch2, 3dc in same sp] 3 times, 3dc in next sp, join with sl st to the top ch3 and fasten off. Turn.

Continue in this way...

...round after round...

...in the same manner...

...changing colours and turning your work over after each round (this keeps your squares nice and straight with no twisty corners and adds a lovely texture). Oh and don't forget to weave in all those pesky ends...

This tutorial is available in an ad free pdf format in my Etsy Store...

Pin it for later...

Now you have mastered the basic granny square you can use this for the base of many projects. Make lots of squares and join them together to make a blanket or throw. For a super easy baby blanket project just keep adding more and more rounds to your square until you get to the size you want and you can make a pretty blanket like this one...

The Beginners Blanket

If you enjoyed this tutorial and would like to see more like this, then be sure to follow (in the sidebar) and subscribe...

Enjoy!

Catherine

Sunday 18 March 2018

Granny Flower Love!

Well hello everyone! If you have been waiting for another stash busting post please accept my apologies, I have had a couple of commissions that have taken up all of my time and the stash busting will have to wait. So, I will share 1 of those with you instead.

I was very fortunate enough to receive an order for a single bed blanket. I don't make large blankets very often, so it was a refreshing change. My customer chose the colours and the design. She wanted granny flowers on a cream background. The room the blanket was intended for was to have Cath Kidston wallpaper and so the colours were chosen around this...

I used Stylecraft Special Aran for this project. I find an aran weight yarn is much nicer for making bigger blankets and the Stylecraft aran is so soft and squishy.

Colours used - Lemon, Pale Rose, Cloud, Aster, Pomegranate, Pistachio, Baby Pink and Cream.