may inspiration and a crochet granny square sampler-along (how do I say that)?
Happy May Day!
Thank you all so much for the comments and tweets about yesterday's painting. I feel a bit sheepish about showing something I am so new at, but you guys are so great and so enthusiastic, you make me feel the same way about it.
Now, how about a little May inspiration wallpaper for your computer??
Download the May inspiration image here.( I only know how these images look on our Macs, so if there is ever an issue with how they look, and choosing "resize to fit screen" in your settings doesn't seem to work, please shoot me an email.)
I have had such good thrifting luck lately. I found those embroidery woolen skeins in the image (they're so teensy and cute!) and some beautifully colorful sheets. In fact, I am working out a quilt design in my head every night when I'm going to sleep that involves those pretty floral sheets.
<><><>
And let's talk for a minute about granny squares. I have been working a bit here and there on the crocheted granny square sampler that I discovered a few weeks ago. A commenter had cautioned me that it is full of errors and she was right. Some of the directions just really don't make sense, and I was getting frustrated the other day when I thought, let's just come up with our own sampler! We (you and I) could do our own crochet granny square sampler. I started writing up a pattern that would include the granny with a circle center, as well as the traditional granny, and some other variations.
Will you do it with me??
I could create a loose timetable here on the blog each week, to follow as strictly or loosely as you want, this would be a go at your own pace kind of thing. I could also include links to videos (and possibly my own videos, if I am that together) that explain any new techniques, or how to do each new square, etc. I'm not totally clear on all the details yet, but I will figure them out. We follow along, all doing our own thing at our own pace, what do you say?? The beauty of a sampler project is that its a great take-along project for summer trips, there's little more you need other than a hook and a couple colors of yarn.
If you're interested, let me know in the comment section.
erin
May 1, 2012 at 5:49 ami’m in!
(loving this inspiration, blair.)
peanut
May 1, 2012 at 6:40 amThat sounds like so much fun! I’ve been wanting to get more comfortable with crochet. 🙂
Rachael
May 1, 2012 at 7:06 amI love how you’ve made up your own little granny square. I’ve been crocheting for a number of years and never attempted inventing my own! I can’t wait to see how your pile of granny squares grows!
Sara
May 1, 2012 at 7:35 amI’m in!
Heather
May 1, 2012 at 7:39 amI would love this.
Susan
May 1, 2012 at 8:12 amI’m interested in the crochet-a-long. Yes! I have a pile of yarn waiting to become the little granny circles. Ta Da.
Sofie
May 1, 2012 at 8:35 amyes, please!!!!
Lisa
May 1, 2012 at 9:06 amSounds like great fun!
jackie
May 1, 2012 at 9:51 amyes ma’am i am interested!
Grace
May 1, 2012 at 10:15 amI want to … but I’m afraid of crocheting! LOL!
samantha
May 1, 2012 at 10:40 amcount me in. and i love you background. already downloaded.
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:55 amGrace, don’t be afraid. You? Aren’t you already a knitting expert? Crochet is just a different tool : D
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:55 amThanks Samantha!
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:56 amThanks friend! I tried to comment on your blog a couple of times, but it was doing weird things on my phone (probably my fault). Just wanted you to know I’m checking in on your clothing sewing progress and wishing I had the courage : D
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:56 amThis would be a great way to do it, we’ll keep it low stress (actually, no stress)
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:57 amHope you join in Rachel!
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:57 amYay!
Amy T
May 1, 2012 at 10:57 amI’m in! Your granny-with-a-circle project inspired me to pick up my hooks after a loooong hiatus. I’m loving it, but could something to mix it up a bit!
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:57 amGreat!
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:57 amYou’re halfway there! : D
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:57 amWoohoo! Great!
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:58 amThanks!
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 10:58 amGreat!
Susan
May 1, 2012 at 10:58 amI have been thinking about attempting to crochet granny squares because I have loved seeing what you’ve done. This might just be the way to get me started!
Grace
May 1, 2012 at 10:58 amHa! You're so nice! I think it's so hard to tell what's going on with those stitches! Maybe I will try again….
Jaimee Martin
May 1, 2012 at 11:05 amI’m totally in for this! Looking forward to it!
michelle
May 1, 2012 at 2:37 pmYES!!! I have just recently learned how to crochet (spurred along in part by your blog!) and I would love to learn new granny square patterns. I also need help learning how to join, so this would be a great project!
Kari
May 1, 2012 at 4:05 pmHi Blair! Kari here – we met last year at School House Craft. I’m super interested in this. I’d love to take part.
blair/wise craft
May 1, 2012 at 4:28 pmOh my gosh, hi Kari!!! Would love for you to be a part of it!
Beth
May 1, 2012 at 5:09 pmI’d love to join in.
Annri
May 1, 2012 at 5:19 pmYES! I would love to do this with you; a group to keep pace with would be perfect motivation to see a sampler through. Thank you!
Harriett
May 1, 2012 at 7:06 pmSounds like a great plan. I’m in!
lisa s
May 1, 2012 at 9:49 pmduh. who wouldn’t want in …
cruz
May 1, 2012 at 10:16 pmThis sounds great!
Audra
May 2, 2012 at 3:03 amI love that you shared your painting! It inspired me to look into Lisa’s painting class which led me to reading about her on her blog. She became a professional artist in her 30s and I fond that VERY inspiring.
Debbie
May 2, 2012 at 4:50 amI like the sound of this, sounds like I can join in while waiting outside school! – Count me in IF I can find my crochet hook and yarn stash in the back of my scary store cupboard!
erin
May 2, 2012 at 5:09 ami came back over here to see how many crochet-along-ers you got and saw your response to my comment. fyi, i never got it in my email and checked the spam, too. not sure if it’s a problem on my end or yours, but i wanted to let you know.
also, thanks for sweet words about the clothes sewing. i’m having a blast!
Jen G...
May 2, 2012 at 6:20 amWould love to join in!
susaninfrance
May 2, 2012 at 9:00 amI would love to do this! Need it to get me going on crochet, which I really want to master but can’t seem to get started (or stay working on). Thank you!!
MP
May 2, 2012 at 11:45 amWould love to take part!
Kim
May 2, 2012 at 7:37 pmI love this idea because I really want a granny square blanket. But! I’m weak with the crochet skills!! It feels so floppy compared to knitting.
Beatriz
May 3, 2012 at 1:22 amJust what I need right now!
Karen
May 3, 2012 at 9:31 amThis sounds so great. I’ve got your granny square down now and am ready for more!!!
Bridget
May 4, 2012 at 7:25 amI would love if you did this! You’re right – perfect for summer.
Shannon
May 10, 2012 at 5:47 amI’m in! thanks for leading us along!!
S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen
May 10, 2012 at 9:14 amOh, I think this might just be what I need to finally learn how to do a granny square! I’ve tried and tried over the years and always managed to baffle my instructors until they are so confused they have to rip EVERYTHING on their own square out plus mine. That’s always super embarrassing, btw…
Jenny
May 11, 2012 at 12:04 pmyes, i want to play! I have struggled through granny squares in the past and would love to master them!
Shirley
May 11, 2012 at 7:59 pmSounds like fun to me!
Kate
May 11, 2012 at 10:32 pmCount me in. Granny squares are like potato chips just not as detrimental to your health.
Aimee Morse
May 12, 2012 at 9:48 pmI’m in, it’s been a long time for me, but I would love to start doing it again!!
robin
May 14, 2012 at 8:05 pmWhere do we learn to make our FIRST granny square? any suggestions? Knitter here!
blair/wisecraft
May 14, 2012 at 8:21 pmHi Robin, I will post info next week on getting started with the simplest granny square (this project will start basic and get more challenging). Stay tuned.
Steph
May 15, 2012 at 6:16 amI’m new to crochet but i’m going to give it a shot!
Steph
May 15, 2012 at 4:18 pmI’m in! I’m new to crochet but i’m going to give it a go!
daniela
May 17, 2012 at 8:58 ami’m a late comer, but i just today stumbled over erin’s post, she has gathered her yarn…
i’m in and have already gathered my yarn, as you suggested, from my stash limited to 12 colours. thank you for the inspiration.
nancy
May 17, 2012 at 4:01 pmam i too late? i just recently started crocheting and now i can’t stop. would love to be in on this project.
blair/wisecraft
May 17, 2012 at 7:35 pmLisa is quite an inspiration to me too!
blair/wisecraft
May 17, 2012 at 7:36 pmAwesome Daniela, glad you want to join in!
blair/wisecraft
May 17, 2012 at 7:37 pmThank Nancy! You’re not too late at all! I post the first week’s assignment tomorrow.
Joys
May 30, 2012 at 9:02 amFinally got this going. I’m looking forward to the structure I’ll need to finish something. Halfway done with week 1, but the wool just arrived yesterday. Thanks,Blair.