Granny and Grand-Baby

Thank you very much for your best wishes--both here, on Ravelry, and via email. We really appreciate it. Many of you want to know the flavor of our cupcake--we wont know until Cupcake arrives!



In the meantime, I am doing a little bit of crafting. This blanket was not the first project to be cast on, but it was the first to be finished. I think that is kinda cool--the first crochet technique I learned (I think I must have been six?) was the good old Granny Square. And I learned crocheting (and many other crafting addictions) from my mom. So this project is a thank you to my mom. Hence it is called "Oh Granny! It is a Grand-Baby Blanket!"



I am not good at making baby clothes in traditional baby colors. Not that I dislike baby colors. I am also not good at making baby clothes in "babyish" patterns. Again, I love the frills and fancies--I think for that I would invest in store bought things...I am too preoccupied making little baby-adult clothes.



Though I have tons of Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece in stash, this is the first time I have worked with it. I liked this yarn for this project for two reasons. One, the stitch definition is just amazing. Second, it is the perfect blend of wool and cotton for all-year blanket needs.



I also liked how the yarn worked with the pattern. I wanted a tighter (but very comfortable) gauge, so I used a 4mm hook. This defined the corners of the square, without really enhancing it. At the end, the project looks like a three dc in space blanket, and also as a granny square. Or at least that is how it looks to me...



But can you tell how there is a shade difference for about two rounds? All the yarn was from the same dye lot, and I have no idea how this happened. Well. If this was store bought (and not handmade), I would have got very annoyed and promptly returned it. But since it is handmade, it is all about character. It is.



Pattern: Grand Granny Square Afghan by Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece in Slate Charcoal
Hook: 4mm
Modifications: The last round was of single crochet, with three single crochets in the corners.