Completed Postage Stamp Baby Blankets

I wanted to share some photos of a couple of completed blankets. I finished them with a round of hdc (half double crochet). In the next round, I evenly spaced 3 dc (double crochet) -- 6 dc, ch1, 6 dc in each corner. I repeated the shell pattern around with various colors, then finished with another round of hdc. I was going for a fun, random, colorful way to tie everything together, while using leftovers as much as possible. 

It's interesting how a border and edging can change the look of a blanket. It's always helpful to see how different options look before you commit to one yourself. I hope these are helpful to you.

From the leftovers of my uncle's blanket:

I had so much fun with the little squares, that I did one with leftover blues, browns, and neutral colors:

The finished size came out to 34" x 40" (10 squares across by 14 squares down). Each individual square is about 3"x3". I just realized that's 140 squares in each blanket. It sounds like a lot, but when you're in the thick of it, it seems to sail by. The weaving in is a bit of a drag, but I think it's worth it for this waffle-y (new word) effect. 

On a side note, when I stacked them together, I thought they would make a really cute gift for twins. Anyway, I'll be listing these at my Etsy shop in the very near future. Happy Friday and bon weekend!

Postage Stamp Baby Blanket

I used the leftovers from my uncle's blanket and worked up little, 2-round, granny squares, and the join-as-you-go method.

To see if my lengths of yarn are long enough, I use the finger tip to elbow measuring method :) I hold the yarn between my thumb and index finger, pull it to my elbow and repeat 11 more times. This typically ensures I have enough yarn to complete two rounds of a granny square.

Somehow my first post was overwritten. I like to think it was the blog site, but it was my own user error. I have been away from this site for too long, and it shows!

Special Christmas Gift

My uncle - who has always been a healthy and active person - has been struggling with a whole mess of health problems these past several years stemming from an infection he got after a surgery. His lungs have been deteriorating to the point he needed a lung transplant. Thankfully (after months of testing) he was approved and shortly thereafter received a new lung. 

On his 5 month anniversary of receiving the lung, he went on a 5 mile hike! I'm sure it hasn't been easy, but he makes it look that way. He's such a strong person, and I'm so happy he is finally feeling as good as he does.

For Christmas, I wanted to make him a blanket. Since I can't give him a big hug because of COVID-19, I'll let my blanket do the hugging :)

I had lots of blues and greens in my stash, and since he and my aunt are so outdoorsy, I went with those in a random granny square pattern. The colors reminded me of the sea, sky and nature in general. I just kept mixing the colors until I had enough squares (great stash buster too).  I think it came out quite nice.

Hope everyone is having a happy holiday season. 2021 can't get here fast enough!

This was my chaos. It was controlled chaos, but I'm sure this would make some crazy :) Reusable shopping bags and laundry baskets make great holders while you are working on a project. My current work in progress is a baby blanket with the scraps. Stop back to see how that turns out.

Scrappy Pink Gradient Blanket

I used some leftover skeins of various brands some new, some old, some discontinued to get this gently flowing pink granny afghan. Still working on the border, but thought I would post a couple of inspirational photos to use up yarn bits and never feel you can't mix brands.

I did 4 squares x 6 squares for this baby blanket. Each block with white border is 7"x7".

Happy Monday :)

Grey like the sky these days, but with a spot of sunshine.

A very nice customer contacted me last month, and asked if I could create a new daisy blanket for her friend who is heading off to college next year. One of the reasons I like working with customers is because they sometimes push me in a different direction I might not go on my own. I love color, but I do enjoy the subdued shades as well. I think it turned out quite pretty.

I used Caron One Pound Soft Grey (2 skeins), White (1 skein) and Yellow (1 skein).

Click here for my daisy pattern.

It was fun to work with her and meet someone new. I have been blessed to meet so many genuine and nice people over the years since I opened this little shop. I really enjoy that part.

Hope every one is staying warm on this December day.

Pop of Pink Granny Cowl

As I mentioned several months ago (OK, maybe last year) on Instagram, I finally have a granny cowl pattern to share with everyone. I've only worked it through in my head, so the written pattern hasn't been tested, but hopefully it is error-free. If not, please let me know, and I will revise when I can...it has been a busy 2018 already...work, kids, life. 

I hope you enjoy it. I use mine every day in these winter months. After many washes, it has loosened quite a bit, but I like the look and coverage still. The pink one I just finished for my daughter :) She is a skier and it fits snugly over her face from neck to nose.

You can download the pattern here.

Finished size: 18” circumference

(one size fits most)

Materials: (Any worsted weight yarn)

Universal Classic Worsted Yarn

(80% Acrylic, 20% Wool) 3.5 oz

Red Heart with Wool

(80% Acrylic, 20% Wool) 3.5 oz

A - 1 skein pink (light) (Universal)

B - 1 skeins gumball (medium) (RH)

C - 1 skeins pixie (dark) (RH)

D - 1 skein aran or white (Universal)

Crochet Hook - Size I - 9mm

Large Eye Blunt/Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations: 

sl st slip stitch 

ch chain 

sc single crochet 

hdc half double crochet 

dc double crochet 

tr triple crochet 

dtr double triple crochet 

sk skip 

st(s) stitch(es) 

sp(s) space(es) 

beg beginning

Directions: 

Granny square 1 (make 2)

With A, ch 4; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring. 

Rnd 1: Ch 3 [counts as first dc here and throughout], 2dc into ring, ch 2, (3dc in ring, ch 2) 2 more times; join with sl st in top of beg ch. Slip across remaining stitches to corner space.

Rnd 2: Join B in any corner space. Ch 3, (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same ch 2 sp (corner made),  (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in next ch 2 sp; rep 2 more times; join with sl st into top of beg ch 3. Slip across remaining stitches to corner space.

Rnd 3: Join C in any corner space. Ch 3, (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same space (corner made), *3dc in next space, (3dc, ch2, 3dc)*. Repeat *to* 2 more times, 3dc, sl st into top of beginning ch 3. Slip across remaining stitches to corner space.

Note: If you are whip stitching add one more round with D. If you are joining-as-you-go, continue on to granny square 2.

Granny square 2 (make 2)

With C, ch 4; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring. 

Rnd 1: Ch 3 [counts as first dc here and throughout], 2dc into ring, ch 2, (3dc in ring, ch 2) 2 more times; join with sl st in top of beg ch. Slip across remaining stitches to corner space.

Rnd 2: Join B in any corner space. Ch 3, (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same ch 2 sp (corner made),  (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in next ch 2 sp; rep 2 more times; join with sl st into top of beg ch 3. Slip across remaining stitches to corner space.

Rnd 3: Join A in any corner space. Ch 3, (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same space (corner made), *3dc in next space, (3dc, ch2, 3dc)*. Repeat *to* 2 more times, 3dc, sl st into top of beginning ch 3. Slip across remaining stitches to corner space.

Join-as-you-go

Alternate granny squares 1 and 2 as you use the join-as-yo- go method.

Tip: If you are using the join-as-you-go method, only do a half corner (ch3, 2dc) at the beginning of your last joining square. You will be joining this last square to the first three, but on the opposite side you will be joining it to your first square in the same round.

Finishing: 

Rnd 4 Continue with D (or join if you whip stitched) and ch 2, hdc in same stitch and in every st around. Join with a sl st to top of beg ch. Cut yarn. Repeat this round on the opposite side.

Rnd 5 Join B and ch 2, hdc in same stitch and in every st around. Join with a sl st to top of beg ch. Cut yarn. Repeat this round on the opposite side.

Rnd 6 Join C and ch 2, hdc in same stitch and in every st around. Join with a sl st to top of beg ch. Cut yarn. Repeat this round on the opposite side.

Weave in all ends.

Feeling like summer

I have been busy with a few custom blanket orders, but before things ramped up, I was working on this one...to me it says summer...sun, sky, water...bright and fun. Now if only the weather would catch up!

I used Red Heart's Minty, Turqua, Delft Blue, and a vintage brand soft yellow

Radiant Roses Blanket Complete!

I used approximately 1 skein of each color: Red Heart Super Saver (white, pretty in pink, petal pink, and glow worm). For this baby sized blanket, I did 4 squares x 4 squares. With the green border, the size was around 34" x 34".

I will try to put up a finished square pattern soon...the rose only pattern can be found here.

Garden flower sampler

Just finished up a new blanket for a customer. She is having a little boy and doing a garden theme nursery. We added a bee, bird, butterfly and lady bug! It was fun to customize it for her. She was a very creative client and knew what she wanted. It reminded me how much I enjoy working up these samplers...I will have to do more soon...maybe with some new colors?

Happy Friday!

Daisies in the middle

A simple, sweet, square variation of the daisy blanket with a special edge.

I used Berroco Vintage Chunky yarns (Snow Day, Aquae, Minty, and Banana). The blanket is on the smaller side measuring 30"x 30". It's perfect for a car seat or tummy time. The yarn is so soft and warm. It was fun to use.

The border is a shell spaced picot edge.

Finally finished - Daisies on the Edge

It took me longer than expected (between, kids, work and holiday things) to get this completed, but it's done. A new daisy blanket, I have dubbed "Daisies on the Edge". It's the same blanket I did back in 2012, but I used new yarn and new colors (Universal Classic Worsted Yarn). I also wrote the pattern, and it is available here. The main color is called bubblegum, but it reminds me more of a shrimp :)

Thank goodness it's almost Friday...

First snow of the season

Finishing up some custom order blankets and enjoying the beauty of snow. Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Finishing up a new daisy blanket

I am almost finished with a new pink daisy blanket I have been working on with a new customer over at my Etsy shop. She is a breast cancer survivor and is including the blanket in a daisy themed basket for a silent auction. She sent me her logo:

And I supplied a new version of the daisy based on her gerbera-type daisy used in the logo:

Ultimately, she went with the original daisy, but I really like how this on came out, and will definitely be using it in a new blanket.

BTW, the Get In Touch Foundation is a breast health nonprofit organization and the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel teaches girls in grades 5-12 the importance of and how to do a breast self exam.

What a wonderful cause! 

Simple Blue Boy Set

I'm back and trying to get into the swing of blogland again. I just finished up a blanket, hat, booty set for a lovely customer in New York. She asked me to put together a simple blue and white set for a friend who just had a baby boy. It's nice to do simple and sweet sometimes. I used Caron One Pound white and light blue -- a simple 4 round granny square in light blue with a join-as-you-go edge in white. The booties are done using my favorite booty pattern over at Lion Brand. Click here for the pattern.

I also included a plain blue fleece blankie that I added a reverse single crochet (or crab stitch) edge. I think it's a nice little extra to have handy. You can never have too many little blankets with a new baby!

Coming along

Here's a photo update of the pretty aqua blanket. It's oh so sunny!

As I mentioned in my first post, This one is going to be a coverlet for a double sized bed, so I have a little ways to go, but I just love these colors together. Again, I am using: Lion Brand Gold Fish and Sweet Pea, Red Heart's Cornmeal and a discontinued Robin's Egg, as well as Bernat Aqua. I'm using the join-as-you-go method to put them all together.

Back on my aqua kick.

I just love aquas, greens and blues, and I love to pair them with a clean white. A few weeks ago I started a yarn purge. I've been trying to slowly get rid of some yarns that I just don't see myself using anytime soon. In the process, I came across these beautiful colors that made my fingers itch to put together into some blankets. A few of them are vintage, like the bright greens. Those are both vintage wintuk yarns, so the downside is that I won't be able to reproduce these exactly the same. On the same token, the upside is I "won't be able to reproduce these exactly the same", so they are truly unique. I like things that are one-of-a-kind.

I finished the first granny rectangle, a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had the chance to post it to tillie tulip for sale. I was dragging my feet a bit, because I wanted to include a onesie with a little matching heart for the upcoming Valentine's Day. Why do hearts make things so cute?

I used Creme de la Creme cotton yarn in aqua jade for the center, and single crocheted the edge in aqua. You can find my heart pattern here. 

New custom order...pretty pansies

A special customer down in Texas, who I have worked with over the years (has it really been years?), requested a special blanket using the pattern from Leisure Arts #100318, Afghans for All Seasons, Book 1. It's called "Pretty Pansies", and they really are.

She wanted colors similar to the photo, but on a white background, so this is what I came up with:

(I used Caron One pound in white, jonquil, light blue, lavender, lilac; Vanna's Choice in sweet pea; and Red Heart's pretty in pink.)

She was happy with the samples, so off I go...

Happy weekend!

Custom daisy blanket complete

I finally finished up the pretty custom order, so I thought I'd share a little happiness with you:

It really is a sunny square. It somehow makes my day brighter. I hope it makes yours brighter too.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Loads of color surround the daisy

I'm back after a long break. The spring and summer have been busy months with travel, work and family. I've also been working on a steady flow of custom blankets, so unfortunately this blog has been a casualty.

One of the newest orders is for a baby afghan to match a shower invite. My customer liked the daisy pattern, but was looking for colors similar to the image below:

So I came up with this square:

I still need to ask if she would like it bordered in white or just purple. Maybe even a darker purple? What do you think? 

I'm really looking forward to seeing all of the squares together. I'll be sure to post a photo when I'm finished. I hope you've been having a wonderful summer!

Simple

Sometimes simple can be elegant. My latest blanket is for a lovely lady in New York who will be giving this as a gift to her friend (what a nice friend!) She asked for an all white blanket with flowers. I used the rose pattern, but added one more round of petals and sewed them onto an 8" simple granny square.

These squares will be for the middle of the blanket. Then I'll have a border of several rounds (haven't figured how many yet) of 3dc shell pattern and another border of roses. I'm excited to see how it looks when it all comes together. I love the all white though.

This is the schematic I drew up as a guide:

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!