If you are a beginner like me I strongly recommend that you begin with a giant granny square. In fact, I insist. It is a superb way to practice and isn't too fiddly.
You gain confidence as you stitch which is half the battle when starting something new. My first ever project was a load of granny squares (blogged here) and I still haven't joined them. Can't face it. There is no worrying about joining squares with the giant granny, you just add row after row after row after row... until you get bored. Or suffocate.
I started this blanket late summer last year when we went to stay at our static caravan in Norfolk for the week. We stayed up late to watch the rioting on the news and it was so chilly that I had to drag the duvet through to the living room. My blanket will reside at the caravan ready for a whole summer of fun. I will wrap it around my shoulders as we sit on the beach for the mandatory early evening fish and chip feast. It will also our picnic blanket, our late-night-car-ride-home blanket and our TV snuggler. The dog has made a few suggestions of her own. She remains hopeful.
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I've started my next project - a round cushion for the garden. I am all about the garden this year. The seeds I've already sown are looking magnificent (says me) and I have actual shoots from the dahlia bulbs I planted. *bodypops* Tomorrow I'll be doing more. Gardening, that is; not bodypopping.
Have a great weekend!
Nicki
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Oh Nicky, that is absolutely divine! The colours are just gorgeous (maybe this time next year I will have one of my own...when I've paid someone to make it!!)
ReplyDeleteOn a side note...I bloomin' love swing seats!
Claire xx
So pretty! I love the colours. The swing is cute too.
ReplyDeleteNicki!! It's absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!! whoohooo well done on finishing it up, I'm super jealous of your fantastic crochet skills :D
ReplyDeleteJessie, xo
Oh well done Nicki! It's just gorgeous, I've never actually made a giant granny blanket... these photo's have put the idea into my head though! The colours you used look so lovely... just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAshley xxx
oh that IS gorgeous! I love the little frill to the edging...makes it look a little bit more special.
ReplyDeleteWell done, tis an addiction though blanket making - sigh - a lovely little addiction :)
xx
Oooohhhh - that is gorgeous.....
ReplyDeletePretty pictures too :)
Happy weekend to you
Nina xxxx
Beautiful blanket. Hopefully the summer will be hot and you won't have to snuggle under it too much. Why don't you join your granny squares using the join as you go method, Lucy from Attic 24 has a good tutorial. It's very quick. Your dog is so cute, by the way. My daughter wants to get a Westie and call him Henry. Lots of love xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's a very beautiful blanket and the colours that you have used work wonderfully together ~ I love it :O)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and I love the colours.
ReplyDeleteThe only way I'll ever have one is if someone makes it for me, I just can't master crochet :o(
BEKI XX
It's lovely! I started a red, white and blue one early last year, hopefully to be finished before the Royal Wedding, but it is still languishing half finished in my crochet bag. You have inspired me, so hopefully I will get cracking and finish it in time for Jubilee celebrations ... Or failing that, The Olympics! Xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's so pretty, the choice of colours are gorgeous! Well done it must be a huge sense of achievement to have completed a proper blanket, something I have yet to do :0(
ReplyDeleteKandi x
Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! Here's to many, many more! :) Love your colours xxx
ReplyDeleteNicki, it's just beautiful. No wonder you're thrilled to bits. I adore the colours you've used.
ReplyDeleteI planted some anemone bulbs about three weeks ago and still no sign. Gutted. Do you think it's possible to plant them upside down?! Think I might have to have a rummage and see if anything is happening under the soil!!
Hope your Sunday is as sunny as it is here (at the moment).
Hxx
ooo love your blanket.. its gorgeous.. i love the colours you've used really pretty .. (would look so nice in my house!)
ReplyDeletelove that its got multi-functional uses aswell..always a winner!
charl
x
It's lovely Nicki, you must be very pleased with it!
ReplyDeleteIt looks most fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteWell done you! It's super. I live in Norfolk, good hols choice by you! Can't wait to see your cushion. Love Katie xx
ReplyDeleteJust stunning and exactly the inspiration I needed to start on my own *first ever* crochet project! Hello, from your newest follower x :)
ReplyDeleteLove it - the colours are fab! Crochet is so addictive!
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
Congratulations on mastering crochet (and making such a fab blanket). Love your blog...the photos, your writing style. I'm always happy to see you've posted. x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous everything sweetie! love the throw, the chair, the cushions, colour of your doors .... and mustn't forget the gorgeous dog!!
ReplyDeleteBee happy x
Have a delicious day!
Hi Nicki.love the blanket,I agree the best thing to start on, as you can see over at mine granny blankets was my addiction and everyone in the family has one including the dogs!lol.Enjoy the weekend gardening, juliexoxox
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous...I am doing one very similiar at the moment. You have inspired me to keep going. Love your blog. xx
ReplyDeleteOooooohhhh, ahhhhhh!! It's gorgeous Nicki :) really very lovely. I love the red you've used. Lizzie is the perfect model for it! I can imagine you having lots of lovely memory making to come in the caravan with it. I can't wait to get into gardening once/if we ever move! Looking forward to lots more garden pics :)
ReplyDeleteLove & hugs,
Jo x x x
It really pretty. I found the first couple of rows of crochet really stressful and so abandoned the little squares idea too for my first project. I started with ponchos and then the granny strip from Attic24. I found it hard to actually decide when to stop making the blanket and put it into service - I just wanted to keep on and on making it!
ReplyDeleteoooh yes Nikki - lovely colours.
ReplyDeleteI've decided a blanket is not for me - but looking at yours has made me think I could cope with a giant granny.
I've become obsessed with arigurumi (or whatever it's called) and have just finished a teeny mouse. It's cute....but what the? Totally useless, I don't even have a cat. Need to catch a grip and make something useful....
happy new week to you
fee x
Hi Nikki. The blanket looks fab. Worth all the effort and time. Well done. Will look fantastic in your caravan.
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Its gorgeous ;-)) well done you, dee x
ReplyDeletewoop woo, what a stunner, I'm not surprised you're so pleased. Love your pretty photos too.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy snuggling up in your blanket.
Kate x
woop woo, what a stunner, I'm not surprised you're so pleased. Love your pretty photos too.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy snuggling up in your blanket.
Kate x
Congratulations on your first blanket, it's a beauty! I love the Cath Kidston-esque colours, but it's so much better than CK! I also love the shabby chic white chair it's displayed on.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Nicki. Really, really beautiful. Giant grannies are lovely. They take little thought and the end results look fab. I have made a couple and that's not enough! ha ha, I am never satisfied! I hope you have many a happy day with your blanket!
ReplyDeletexxxxxxxxxxxxx
Beautiful, gorgeous, sweet, lovely, fab & any other sweet words I can think of, love it
ReplyDeleteKaren x
Awww Nicki it's FAB! Love your colour choices. I worry that if I did one I would make bad colour choices... I kind of need to have it spelt out for me I think! I am doing granny squares at the moment and you have made the giant granny sound hugely appealing by contrast.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute pooch too.
x
The husband said to me: "You blogging girls are funny. You all take loads of photos of blankets. Us men wouldn't do that. And then everyone comments on how great a blanket looks. We wouldn't do that either."
ReplyDeleteI just gave him a withering look, told him HOW long it takes to make such a thing and that one therefore wants to celebrate their creation.
And I told him that men wouldn't take photos of blankets because they wouldn't make one in the first place and that the Blanket of Glory which he snuggled under every night is one of those blankets. It soon shut him right up.
Why don't they get it?
Thanks for your comments over at mine, I had to laugh!!
We'd bought the Prince a new mattress over at my mums so we just all piled in to see how many of us would fit. Me and the husband and the Prince got out as we were struggling. One of those "you had to be there" moments I guess!!!!
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This is just gorgeos Nicki, the colours are perfect. What a great all rounder, you are going to have so many memories attached to this blanket.
ReplyDeleteThank you for my daughters birthday wishes, she had a great day.xxxxx
Absolutely gorgeous!! Love the colours, so pretty! What wool did you use? Ive made 2 giant grannys before but not as big as yours. My daughters blanket was christened the Wobbly Granny as the bigger it got, the more out of shape it went. But she didnt care & she loves her 'rainbow blankie' which is what she calls it. Cant wait to see the cushion!! xx
ReplyDeleteWOW I love your blanket! I've also just completed my first giant granny square blanket. I'm new to crochet but I am now hooked!
ReplyDeleteYour blanket is just lovely. Great colors, and cute little dog!
ReplyDeleteLoving those colours, absolutely gorgeous! I'm a beginner too and part way through my granny for my sisters baby when it arrives in September.
ReplyDeleteVictoria xx
The cupcake flags are so adorable!!
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this?! It's gorgeous :D
ReplyDeleteOh it's I true triumph my girl! And absolute blinder of a blanket. I've been doing a giant granny rectangle. I've enjoyed each and every second.
ReplyDeleteMore gardening. Not Body pops. Chuckled at that, you goon!!!
xxx
You do make me laugh Nicki - bodypops indeed!
ReplyDeleteFabulous blanket, sweet dog ... super luverley blue door !
Jeanne
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I just signed up for crochet lessons! I can't wait to make blankets like this. I fear our whole house will end up covered in them ;)
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