Continuous Learning
Hello, lovely Needleworkers! It's been a while. Life has always been tremendously hectic. Seriously, too much to do, too little time! But we all know, we don't stop creating, do we?
I've been wanting to share my latest crochet project here, but time is not on my side. And then I found the latest OCD Community Boost Contest so I reckon I might as well share it now.
First off, I am really thankful I found the Needlework Monday Community for this community has inspired me to try something I have never done in my entire life. Would you believe that the first time I held a crochet hook was only in August last year? And yes, it was a rewarding experience that I constantly wanted to learn more.
Granny Squares
I am someone who constantly wants to challenge myself. I always want to try something new, creative, experimental. I don't mind repetitions, for that would definitely mean progress over time. So I tend to make some ambitious projects like the elephant amigurumi in which I learned a lot.
But before the amigurumi, there was the granny square first.
My very first attempt to make a granny square was a complete fail. I remembered following the tutorial to a T (or so I thought, LOL) but instead of a square, I made a "granny round". Regardless of the failed first attempt, I know in my heart that it was not the last time I will ever try to make a granny square.
Over the past months, though I was not sharing any work here, I kept on practicing different projects. I even made crochet snowflakes and poinsettias as a Christmas project. Of course, granny squares never left my thoughts.
I have to be able to make a "perfect" granny square.
So I went to "YouTube Academy" and found this starburst granny square tutorial. It seemed something I could easily follow, and at the same time, I loved how the colors blended nicely.
Talking about colors, I only used the yarns that I have available (which is not a lot). Thankfully, the colors I used matched perfectly. The yarns were also made of different materials- acrylic and cotton, but that didn't stop me from using them.
I think most (or all?) granny squares start with a magic circle, so this is what I made first, using my red yarn. The first row was double crochets. For the second row, I used the old rose yarn I had leftover from my scarf project, with which I made puff stitches. The third row would be like the "leaves" so I used green yarn. The lady from the tutorial video was not sure what the stitch was called, but it was basically a cluster of double crochets. Do you know how it is called? Until the third row, my granny square was round, and the last row was what would make up the sides of the square. It's a succession of triple crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, and then half double crochet, double crochet, and triple crochet, in order to complete one side of the square.
As it was only a practice session, I only made two squares using this pattern. I tried tightening my tension on the second one and I think that was much better.
What Should I Do With The Granny Square?
I can see that there are lots of projects that can be made out of granny squares. The one that stood out for me was a bag. First, because I know I will be able to use it, and second, I do not want to commit to a project that would require me to make tons of granny squares (like a blanket).
Talking to a friend, I got inspired to transform my granny square into a small pouch. I watched several tutorials to get an idea, but throughout this stage, I was mainly freewheeling already.
I basically just made a few rows of single crochets, with a length enough to cover the three sides of the granny square. I also used single crochets to attach this strip to the square.
Next is the back panel. I didn't want to make it all white, so I used the green yarn instead. It was just made of rows of double crochets. Again, I used single crochet to stitch the back panel to the square.
So now, my pouch is complete. And I have a problem.
Remember when I said earlier that I was mainly freewheeling at this part of this project. The single crochet strip I made ended up longer than the height of the pouch. Now I think this can be remedied by just continuing through this excess and begin the strap of the pouch from it. Hey, every problem has a solution, right?
It is meant to be a pouch for small bottles, so I have to make a way in which the bottles won't slip through the gaps of the stitches. So a satin lining perhaps?
I am thinking of a more solid granny square patterns, and I found these two. Although the one at the left still has prominent holes in them, and the one on the right? Oh, I have no idea how to complete the sides. I thought I was following the tutorial but something was amiss, I did not proceed with it.
What do you think? Are my granny squares more improved now than my first try?
A project that represents my character.
Personally, I think every art and handmade craft is a representation of the artist's character. We spend lots of time and effort to complete a project and each project is a masterpiece. Crocheting gets me into the zone where I become oblivious of what's around me. It is my ME Time. Although, so far my projects have still been based on tutorials and I have not made a project that I can call entirely mine. That being said, I make sure that what I make is reflective of me - my taste, color preference, and style.
This article is my entry to the OCD Community Boost Contest #7
