Wednesday 30 August 2017

A Granny Square Cardigan.

A few months ago I was learning to read a crochet pattern.  I was so happy about it, so enthusiastic in fact that I sent away for a pattern book full of crochet garments.  I could just imagine myself with a couple of lovely lacy cardigans to nonchalantly throw over my shoulders on a cool Summer evening.

But first things first.

I had to concentrate on what I was doing and learn properly from the beginning.

I was making a rug.  Theoretically, there were only five different crochet stitches, in various combinations that made up the pattern.  It seemed simple enough.  The stitch pattern repeat was twenty-four and the row pattern repeat was fifty-two....and then just carry on apparently.  Didn't sound too hard.

A calm beginning........


It started off fine (while I was concentrating) but oh boy, did I ever get sick of counting to twenty-four over and over.....or miscounting.  By the time the rug was about half a metre long, I had made so many mistakes. It got to the point that I couldn't sit down with a glass of wine and pick up my needles (or in this case hook) for a little while at the end of the day, as I love to do - and the sides of the rug were looking like a mad woman’s breakfast.  So in the end it was a choice between the rug or 'happy hour' and my sanity.  
I'm reluctant to admit that the rug got thrown into the wheelie bin during a tantrum of epic proportions a couple of weeks ago.  I didn't calm down until after the 'garbos' had been which was a bit unfortunate.

So....what to do about the lacy cardigan I had my heart set on?

After a bit of hunting around I managed to find a cute pattern for a granny square cardigan, downloadable.....and free.  I'm pretty sure I can make granny squares and enjoy a glass of wine at the same time – I think! 


So far so good.  No mistakes.  

If you do happen see any, please don't feel obligated to mention it.


Five granny squares down and only one hundred and thirty-seven to go.

17 comments :

Nanna Chel said...

Ha ha I know what you mean about the sides being uneven, Fran. I always have trouble working out which stitch to go into at the beginning of the row. Good luck with your granny squares and with joining them all together :-)

Home Is My Haven said...

Well I'm glad you've moved on and found something you can do whilst enjoying the glass of wine. Your granny squares look perfect - enjoy.
Kylie

Kate said...

I'm all for the happy hour and sanity - what's the point of driving oneself nuts over a project unless it's sheer stubborn determination .... nah, I've learned that happy hour and easy is the better way to go. I empathize with your frustration. Your granny square cardigan will be beauitul and unique in the colours you've chosen and even better you'll have enjoyed making it ... carry on! :)

Fran Ponta said...

Thank you Nanna Chel, Kylie and Kate. I'm happy I've found something less brain taxing for the evenings, although I believe I'm in for a whole new learning experience joining the squares together! Haha.

kylieo said...

Hi Fran, Your blog is looking beautiful - I love your design. It was lovely to meet you over Skype, and I am looking forward to following your blogging journey. Kylie xxx

Diann said...

Love the colour combination of your cardy, Fran. Those granny squares look perfect to me!

Go the happy hour! Rugs are over rated!

Fran Ponta said...

kylieo yes it was great to meet everyone wasn't it? Skype is amazing. I still have lots of tweaks and I still think I'll have to get my daughter to help with some of them! Thanks so much for your lovely comments.

Fran Ponta said...

Diann. "Rugs are over rated" - oh that made me laugh. I think my granny squares are pretty god too. I reckon they'll be perfect by the time I finish the other 137!

africanaussie said...

Oh it is a pity that you threw out that first attempt, it was totally salvageable. I love the colours you have chosen for your cardigan, and your work is lovely and even. Honestly granny squares are the nicest things to crochet. I am currently crocheting a baby blanket for a friend, and luckily only have to keep counting to five. Love to be doing something with my hands as well.

Meg said...

The colours in the beginnings of your rug look lovely, as do your granny squares. It find it frustrating in the extreme when craft projects stall and sometimes I put them away for a long time. I've recently re-started on a hand-stitched tote that I put away a couple of years ago and I have now remembered why I put it down in the first place! Still, this time I intend of persevering! Meg:)

Fran Ponta said...

Thank you africanaussie and Meg Hopeful. Yes I'm sorry (and a bit embarrassed) that I threw out my crochet rug. I'm sure I would have dug it back out of the bin if the rubbish truck hadn't been! I do agree though, that granny squares are the nicest thing. Meg good on you for persevering....I need a lesson in that.

selina said...

loving your blog so far, the granny square cardi is looking lovely too! shame you threw the blanket in the bin! next time have a pretend bin (like a storage bin) & throw it into that! but even i have been frustrated over works in progress (son's jumper atm) & i just leave it in it's bag for awhile til i'm ready to tackle it again.
some of your posts are a real adventure, will be coming back to read more

thanx for sharing

Fran Ponta said...

Yes I've learned a lesson for sure Selina.....all that lovely Bendigo Woollen Mills cotton! Thank you for popping in and for your lovely comments on my blog. (The storage bin is a great idea). Good luck with your son's jumper.

Happy Retiree's Kitchen said...

Crochet is on my to learn list Fran and to me it looks like you are doing very well. I am enjoying your blog and am wishing now that I had enrolled in Rhonda's class as well. Thanks for sharing, Pauline

Fran Ponta said...

Yes Rhonda's course was great, very informative and I feel a lot more confident now. Pauline I think I should have started with granny squares to begin with! I have also made a few facecloths with a simple repetitive pattern I bought from Bendigo Woolen Mills and that was fun once I got going. Perhaps check that out when you decide to start?

TheAwakenedSoul said...

That's a beautiful sweater. You are brave. I started crocheting with a granny square blanket and single crocheted pot holders. Your rug looks gorgeousl! Crafts can be frustrating at times. There's something to be said for simplicity.

Fran Ponta said...

I agree AwakenedSoul, there's certainly something to be said for simplicity. I'm hoping to get into a lovely rhythm with the granny squares. Thanks for popping by!