- Luther Burbank, American Botanist 1849-1926

A simple question. Yet for some reason I have struggled with understanding the difference. Since I've been working on making granny squares with flowers in them it seemed like it was time to find the answer. The internet offered me page after page of patterns for squares, hexagons, circles, flowers, leaves and more. It showed me options for Irish crochet and Japanese crochet. I was catching on, but still needed more. I left the computer behind and hit the books.  My old reliable dictionary told me a motif is a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper (or a crocheted fabric!). The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches finally brought it all together for me.  A granny square is a type or style of motif. A flower is a motif. A flower in a square is a granny square motif!! All granny squares are motifs, but not all motifs are granny squares.  Motifs can be used on their own, as embellishments or appliques, or joined together to create a fabric. The planets have aligned and the angels are signing. I understand!!

Now that I'm comfortable with the correct terminology, lets take a look at what's been going on here at Crochet Nirvana and The Granny Square Project.  So far I have journeyed back in time for a little history. I have experimented with the traditional pattern, and I have expanded my knowledge of basic color theory.  For this installment I decided to explore some of the ways to create flowers.

Granny squares are incredibly versatile.  Because they are worked in the round they easily  lend themselves to creating images that resemble flowers.  In a solid color the design is subdued, but clearly visible. When you start adding color, they jump right out at you.  I love that you can use bold and vivid colors as effectively as those that represent what the flower "really" looks like.  When I first started on this segment I was trying to use the colors in the pattern, but quickly realized that it was more fun to mix and match from the stash.  There were surprises along the way.  Like teal and orange - they're complimentary on the wheel but to me  it just seemed wrong, until I tried it!

All of the squares are made with Herrschner's Worsted Acrylic and my trusty H hook.  The patterns are all from The Granny Square Book which is proving to be a reliable and rich resource for me.  I like that they all have a chart to compliment the written instructions.  Using both has helped build my confidence in working from a diagram, something I've shied away from.  The only shortcoming I've found is that there are no dimensions on any of the squares.  I realize that hook and yarn size make a difference, but it would be nice to know based on the materials that were used.  As it turns out I have many different sized grannies.  I was hoping to make a sampler blanket with them, but that seems unlikely.  Unless any of you have a suggestion.  Please don't be shy - tips and pattern ideas are always welcome!!

This bunch of flowers were interesting and educational.  I was surprised by how easy it is to create three dimensional designs.  For the most part, you use basic stitches like sc, dc, tr and chains.  Working them into "clusters" or "groups" produces petals that are puffy, pointy or loopy!  In Square VII the unique petals are created by wrapping the yarn over the hook 10 times and pulling through a loop to make the bullion stitch.  I was intimidated  at first, but I persevered. It was awesome to watch the flowers bloom!

I've found that I can crochet all kinds of things when I take my time.  If I over think, or try to anticipate what's next I mess up.  Sometimes the instructions are confusing and don't make sense.  When that happens I don't let it stop me from trying.  I remind myself to have faith and only work one stitch at a time.  Usually that does the trick and as the stitches come together the pattern becomes clear.

- William Shakespear, Romeo and Juliet

Roses have been in existence for 32 million years, and have been used for many reasons throughout history.  In Victorian times the language of flowers (floriography), was a means of communication using various flowers and floral arrangements  to send coded messages.  This allowed people to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken. They were most commonly communicated through "Tussie-mussies"'  or small, round bouquets of herbs and flowers with ­symbolic meanings.

In crochet, roses are perhaps the most popular flower motif.  And like their organic namesake there are numerous varieties available.  We don't think of them as having the same kind of meaning, but giving a gift of a blanket covered in blossoms would  surely show your love and affection for the recipient!

I chose these three patterns because they each utilize a different technique.  I think the Irish Rose looks the most realistic.  I was frustrated with my inability to make the square straight.  I'm certain that I followed the pattern exactly (stitches were counted repeatedly!), but it just doesn't seem right.  I imagine with a different fiber and blocking the situation could be rectified, but there must be another solution.  I've had this happen with other squares.  Does anyone know why? I'd love to be hear your tricks for making squares square.  The Rose of Sharon was a snap to make.  I didn't realize I was such a fan of the popcorn stitch, but it turns out I am! This would make an excellent pot holder/hot plate if done in wool or something that doesn't melt!  The Picot Rose is John's favorite. Not because it looks like a rose (it doesn't!) but  because of the colors. This one was also a treat to make.  The long corner stitches were a mistake, but if I didn't tell you I bet you wouldn't have known!!

For the past two weeks I have been happily stitching away growing a wonderful garden of granny square flowers.  With every one that I finished I felt the satisfaction of creating a piece of crochet art.  As I was selecting colors I tried to examine all my options, and use new combinations.  Some I loved and others not so much, but I was willing to take chances regardless of the result. I moved outside my comfort zone.

This installment has had a tremendously positive impact on my stitching skills.  I understand more about how they work individually and when you group them together.  Crochet (and I imagine knitting) is a craft driven by math. We count stitches, elements are worked in multiples, even the way pattens are written resembles an algebraic equation. And when you think about it all motifs are geometric in design.  Math like this makes sense to me.  It's orderly.

With my improved understanding and confidence I have been inspired to try something new.  I'm going to design my own granny square flower.  Until this week I was completely content to let someone else tell me what to do. But this is different.  Not only can I see what I want to make, but I know what to do (I think!) to make it happen. I'm so excited!  I can't wait to get started - and to share the whole thing with you next time!!

The Granny Square Project is a series chronicling my exploration into the world of granny squares that I'm doing as a member of the Come Blog-A-Long group on Ravelry.   We’re all working on different things as part of A Year of Projects and come together once a week to share our stories.  Please stop by to learn more about YoP and to see what everyone has been up to.

If you’re interested in reading the other installment in the series I’ve placed buttons on my sidebar for easy browsing.



Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a stroll through Granny's garden with me. I'm having a fantastic time with this and I hope you are too!  In addition to sharing with my friends at YoP I'll be linking up with these other wonderful bloggers.  Be sure to stop by to see some amazing talent!

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Do you have a suggestion for what I can do with all my different sized squares?  What about a tip on how to make an unruly square - square? or Maybe you have a hint for a first time motif designer?! 
Don't be shy! I love hearing from you!

In addition to my fiber offerings, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done it, why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Usually I include my five minutes at the end of my regular Friday Show & Tell post.  This week I'm hard at work on Part IV of The Granny Square Project and hope to have it up by the end of the day.  However, I really enjoy participating in this exercise and didn't want to miss the chance to stretch my writing muscles. So if you stopped by expecting tales of crochet and yarn never fear they're on the way.  In the mean time, thank you for allowing me to indulge my inner writer.

Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Change"

Fall is in the air.  I caught a glimpse of it this morning even though the weather channel tells me it will be 90 today.  As soon as that crisp tang begins, images of my back to school days play through the life movie in my head.

I always loved the new school year.  It was a chance to reinvent myself. To try on a new persona.  Punk rocker, cheerleader, rebel, honor student I worked my way through all of them.  See growing up I moved - a lot.  And that meant 11 schools in 12 years!  Army brat? Nope - a child of divorced parents who were also struggling to find their way.  As a result, every new school was a chance to try on a new me.  You know how it is when you're a teenager.  You want to fit in, but still be unique.  You want to be part of the right crowd.  Every year a got a chance to try.

And I embraced it.  I looked forward to the opportunity to meet new people and introduce them to a brand new version of me.  There were times that it was hard.  And I'm envious of my husband who lived in the same house all his life and is still friends with people he went to kindergarten with.  But for me change was all I knew, and somehow I made it work.

And now, as the long summer day's come to an end I can feel the promise in the air, and I look forward to the changes that life has in store for me.

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

We had errands to run and an appointment to keep. I knew there would be plenty of time spent waiting, so I decided to bring Sweet Eleanor along and make the most of the free crochet time! While we were out we took advantage of the beautiful weather and a little of the local art and history.

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.  One of the best parts about blogging is linking up with other crafters and sharing our progress, projects, successes and even failures. This week I found a new place to hang out - with Tara at the Trendy Treehouse. While you're out and about please stop by her place or any of these other terrific blogs to see creativity in action!

After you're done visiting, why not check out your community and see what bits of history or art you can find.  I bet it's there if you look closely. And don't forget to take your project along! I know they enjoy a day out just as much as we do.

So glad to share this time with you! Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings and salutations friends! I'm so glad you're stopping by today.  As you can see, Granny has taken over as I've been busy preparing for the next installment of the Project.  In Part IV my focus is more on finished squares so that means lots of happy hooking this weekend!

I'm truly overwhelmed (in a good way!) by the amazing amount of encouragement, support and positive feedback that I have received for this series. I'm having a fantastic time learning new things and sharing them with you.  Thank you so much for  reading and commenting. Knowing that you're there each week keeps me motivated and inspires me to do the best work I can.

The square that you see here is known simply as Flower Garden Square VI from The Granny Square Book.  Join me next week for Part IV and I'll tell you all about it and the other lovelies that are growing in Granny's Garden!

In addition to my fiber offerings, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done it, why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Join"

Putting together.  Attaching.  Creating a whole out of parts.  These are all ways to describe “join”. With all of my recent work with the granny square I’m thinking about different methods for joining them. The whip stitch, a chain stitch, a mattress stitch or perhaps the invisible join?? Always options for creating a connection.

And now I think of all the pieces of my life that have been pieced together to make me who I am today. And of my friends and family and how I am connected to each of them in a way that is similar, yet different.

We are the sum of our parts. Some of our connections are strong while others are fragile and fraying. I know that I am more because of each one of these bonds. I am a beautiful, multi-colored, vibrant granny square blanket. Each square is an experience, a moment or milestone. And I am joined together with yarn made of hope, faith and love.

So there you have it. I know "time flies" is a bit cliche but it doesn't stop it from being true! Today before it escapes completely I'll be linking up with these wonderful bloggers, and stopping by to see what kind of fun everyone has been up to.  I hope you'll join me.

This week I'm also joining in with Tricia and her Stash Bash. Click over for a peek!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings Friends!  Granny square fever continues to burn! Each week I find myself amazed and surprised by the variety of patterns and color combinations waiting to be discovered.  And speaking of discoveries... We just got this nifty book at the library, and after a quick glance I knew I needed a closer look.  In The Crafter's Devotional Barbara R. Call has done a great job of compiling a diverse collection of crafty inspiration in a variety of mediums.  Each day of the week has a category and there are lots of ideas to get your creative juices flowing.  I'm particularly taken with the journaling prompts and button art.  Ask for it at your library and give it a browse - I bet you'll find something that tickles your fancy!

Here is the lovely Juliana.  Finally we've had a break in the weather, and with the cooler temperatures I've been able to pick her up again.  Last night I finished the final row of the mesh section - hooray! I'm really pleased with the amount of fullness and body that is developing. There are a hand full of SC rows and then the edging. I'm hoping to use beads for the first time to add a bit of sparkl . I've narrowed it down to  the aqua, clear, white or opalescent. What do you think? I'd also love any advice about bead work, since I have no idea what I'm doing!

This week I started reading Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness.  This is book two in the All Souls Trilogy. It's crazy, but I've been waiting with great anticipation for this to come out. Last year a friend recommended A Discovery of Witches, a book I had been avoiding because as a rule I'm not into vampires or witches. But she usually doesn't steer me wrong and can be quite persuasive. I'm so glad that I listened! I was completely drawn into this story and found myself reading into the wee hours just to find out what happens next. Fingers crossed that book two is worth the wait!

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Viking Penguin
April 5, 2005; 335 pages

I don’t usually do this, but today I’m going to rely on the inside book cover to tell you what this book is about…

"…Now in her luminous new novel, Kidd has woven a transcendent tale… Inside the church of a Benedictine monastery on Egret Island, just off the coast of South Carolina, resides a beautiful and mysterious chair ornately carved with mermaids and dedicated to a saint who, legend claims, was a mermaid before her conversion.

When Jessie is summoned home to the island to cope with her eccentric mother’s seemingly inexplicable act of violence, she is living a conventional life with her husband Hugh. Jessie loves Hugh, but once there, she finds herself drawn to Brother Thomas a monk who is soon to take his final vows.

Few novels explore the lush, unknown region of the feminine soul where the thin line between the spiritual and the erotic exists. Where does the yearning for a soul-mate come from? How does a woman find the place of self-belonging in herself."

So here’s the thing. There are parts of this book that are beautifully written. There are luminous moments as the cover promises, but the relationship between the main characters just doesn’t make sense to me. Jessie and Brother Thomas, two mature adults see each other one dark night in the woods and it’s love at first sight – what? They spend a few months sneaking off for hanky panky in the sand and without hesitation declare their undying love for each other. But when Jessie’s mom goes off the deep end it becomes clear that Brother Thomas isn’t going to be the one to help her deal with the problems. 

There are some great characters on the island, and a dog that is a celebrity in his own right. It’s clear that Jessie is struggling in her relationships with Hugh, her mother, and her daughter as well as with the death of her father when she was a child. She is sad and confused and has a lot of “issues” to work out.

As I’m writing this I’m thinking, okay I guess I get it. But that’s not what I thought while I was reading. Then I thought, they’re not in love, they’re in lust – you don’t really expect me to believe they’re going to live happily ever after do you? Maybe Kidd wanted me to react that way. Maybe she was trying to show how confused, distraught people behave in erratic, unreasonable ways?

I suppose this is one of the reasons that I love books. They make me think.  And there’s something to be said for a book that elicits this kind of a response from me! Do I recommend this one, honestly I’m not sure! I’d say if a book about relationships, family, trauma and figuring out who you are and where you’re going is you’re thing than give it a try. And please, let me know what you think.  If none of that stuff interests you than it’d be best to steer clear.

So my friends, that does it for me today.  As usual, I'll be linking up with these terrific bloggers. It's always a treat to meander about the web, meeting new folks, and seeing what everyone is up to.  I hope you'll join me!

Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Paul Klee, Swiss Expressionist painter 1879-1940

Color – It surrounds us and plays a significant role in nearly every aspect of our lives. It affects our emotions, moods and desires. Color tells us what to do, “Stop at the red light”.  How we feel, “Boy she’s got the blues” and how our finances are doing, “Thank goodness we’re in the black this month!”  Advertisers use it to sell their products and to create brand recognition – we all know what color a can of Coke is.  It's even used to demonstrate excellence as we saw at the recent Olympics where everyone was going for the gold!

When I decided to write about color I didn’t have a real plan. As I began my research it became clear that there was a lot of information available.  With so many qualified experts only a click away it seemed silly for me to try to educate you on the many facets of color.  Instead, I decided to share with you some of the information that I found interesting and useful to me as a crafter.

I am quite taken with the color wheel. To me it represents the science of color, and I can relate to the orderly way it presents information and options. After just a bit of study I can talk with (some) confidence about hue, tint, tone and shade. I know the difference between warm and cool colors.  Color harmony or themes however struck me as an incredibly important concept, and it seems that an understanding of this would be useful in working with granny or any project.

The original color wheel is attributed to Sir Isaac Newton in 1704 which he discovered through his experiments with light and prisms. It provides us with several formulas for creating balance and harmony. I imagine that we use them often without realizing there is a name for our choices!


Here is a list of the most common themes and how they're made:

Monochromatic – use various values within the same color family
Analogous – 3 or more colors side by side on the wheel
Complimentary or Direct Complimentary – are colors that appear opposite each other on the wheel
Split Complimentary – one color paired with 2 colors on either side of the color's direct complement creating a theme containing 3 colors
Double Compliment – 2 sets of complimentary colors that sit next to and across from each other on the wheel forming an X
Tetrad – 4 hues equal distance from one another forming a square or rectangle on the wheel
Diad – 2 colors located 2 steps apart on the wheel skipping the color in between
Triad – 3 colors equally spaced apart from one another forming an equilateral triangle on the wheel.

Grannies are excellent for experimenting with color. Making a square with potential colors for a project is a good way to see if they’ll live harmoniously or create a disturbance. It’s interesting to see how different colors effect one another.  Take a look at these four squares. They all have the same blue center, but the outside color makes each one look and feel different. The placement of colors is important. Deciding what goes where will have a big impact on your project.

There are patterns for granny projects that use color in many ways. In pastels for babies, primary colors for kids and in varying shades to create an ombre effect. I’ve seen blankets that look like vibrant stained glass windows and that resemble a garden of wildflowers. I noticed on Pinterest that white is a popular boarder color, while the blankets from my childhood were done with black.  If you’re designing your own afghan it can be hard to decide which color goes where. Creating random balance is harder than it seems! Check out The Granny Square Color Pattern Generator.  Choose your colors (using a color wheel!), the number of colors per square and the number of squares in your blanket. Voila! It generates a pattern that is aesthetically pleasing - no spread sheets required!

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference.  We think about who we’re making the project for, how they will use it. What feeling are we trying to covey? Warm and cozy, bright and energetic, young and fresh or classic and timeless. The possibilities are as endless as our imagination.

Spending time learning about color has been a great experience. It has opened my eyes and made me curious. I’m interested in trying new combinations and expanding my horizons beyond my comfort zone. And granny is just the girl for me. With so many different ways to make the square, it is a small canvas where I can create with any colors I want. No matter what the wheel says!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope that you enjoyed my adventures in color as much as I did and maybe you have been inspired to do some exploration on your own.  Some of the sites that I used are:
Sensational Color,  Pantone,  CrochetCabana,  Visual.ly, and The Psychology of Color.

I’m a member of the Come Blog-A-Long group on Ravelry and The Granny Square Project is my contribution to a Year of Projects. We’re all working on different things and come together once a week to share our stories.  Please stop by to see what everyone has been up to.
If you’re interested in reading more about The Granny Square Project  I’ve placed buttons on my sidebar for easy browsing.

Please join me next time for Part IV – Granny Flowers.

Until then friends I hope your day is filled with color!
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings! Thanks so much for stopping by. I've been hard at work on Sweet Eleanor and learning about color for the next installment of the Granny Square Project. As much as I'm enjoying myself, yesterday I found my mind wondering, thinking about the next "big thing".  I blame the mailman since he's the one that brought me the latest issue of Crochet Today! I always get antsy to start something new when any of my magazines arrive.  I decided to appease my desire by whipping up this little cow pencil topper (from the February 2012 issue of Crochet World). I actually think it looks more like Snoopy, don't you? No matter, it was quick and fun and gave me a chance to do something different without a commitment.  Kind of like speed dating. (Not that I know anything about that, I'm just saying...) With that out of my system I'm ready to focus on my color research and,  if the weather cooperates, maybe do some work on Julianna.

Everyday on my way to work I walk by this unlikely outcropping of beauty that appeared near the drive through of our bank.  It seems that these flowers were determined to find their way into the world.  Seeds from last year's container must have landed in a crack in the blacktop giving them their start. 

I can't help but be inspired by their perseverance and adaptability.  Others must be intrigued as well because they have remained untouched.  And on one particularly hot day I noticed that the lawn service had given them water along with the other flowers!

In addition to my fiber offerings, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done it, why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Stretch"

I remember him from my childhood.  The super elastic plastic man – Stretch Armstrong.  You could pull him and twist him and without complaint he returned to his original muscular stance.

I don’t have that ability to move my body like that, but I do try to expand the limits of my mind as often as possible. There was a time when that may have implied psychedelic exploration, but that’s not where I’m at today.  Today I am open to learning as many new things as I possibly can. I want to experience as much as I can and then some. I want to press the limits of my brain capacity.

Seeking the unknown, my willingness to absorb as much as I can has become a big part of my life as an adult. It’s this desire to seek just a little bit more, to go a little bit further than I have in the past that makes life so interesting.  And then as I come back I am the same, yet something more.

Friday is a great day for browsing on the internet. I'll be linking up these wonderful bloggers and sharing today's fiber offering. There are so many creative people to meet and new things to be inspired by - I hope you'll take a look.

This week I'm also joining in with Tricia and her Stash Bash. Click over for a peek!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings friends! I'm glad you're here. I decided to take Sweet Eleanor on a field trip to work. It seems a great excuse for a little public display of crochet, as well as a chance to show off our new library! As you may know, we've spent the last month moving out of our cramped and tired historic library building. It's been a massive project, but absolutely worth it as our old library we be undergoing a much needed renovation. The current plans say that in about a year we'll be moving into a stunning structure that combines the original Andrew Carnegie building with a state of the art "green" addition that will see us through the next century!

On the crochet front I've been busy! The Granny Square Project is spectacular fun. There's been such fantastic feedback and it's generating more interest than I ever imagined! This week I'm exploring the use of color. That means more research and experiments! My Sweet Eleanor Scarf is making steady progress and the CAL continues to provide encouragement. I'm pleased that the pattern is finally taking shape, although some serious blocking is going to be in order! And Juliana Mod is patiently waiting for the weather to break. I'm so close and I'm really looking forward to being able to wear her this fall. I'm also thinking about putting beads on the last row - something I've never done. I have some that are a lovely iridescent glass that might add the right bit of sparkle to this snow white beauty!

Since it's Wednesday that means I get to (further) indulge my reading obsession! I'm just about through with the Mermaid Chair. I was really taken with the beginning. I'll let you know it was able to keep up the momentum and finish as well as it started.

The Time of Our Lives by Tom Brokaw
Random House Audio
November 1, 2011; Unabridged 7 hours
Read by Tom Brokaw

I don’t typically read (or listen to) non-fiction. It’s just not my thing. And I’m inclined to avoid anything that may have political overtones, because honestly politics confuse and depress me and I prefer for my book time to be spent with things that make me feel good. That said, I have been drawn to The Time of Our Lives since it hit the shelves last year. I brought home the book, but returned it unread because others seemed more interesting at the time.  And then, as packing was wrapping up at work there was the audio edition – lonely and forlorn having somehow been overlooked in the frenzy. It must have been divine intervention and seeing how Tom Brokaw was doing his own reading I brought it home to give a listen.

In The Time of Our Lives Mr. Brokaw explores the challenges that we face today in America and asks, “What can we do to restore our country to greatness?”  Through stories about his working class family and their experiences as well as those of several interesting and inspirational Americans he paints a vivid picture of the country that was, and the American dream that meant so much to so many. But what has become of that dream? What do we hope to achieve in our lives and what do we want for our children? In the past century we have gone from the great depression to decades of great excess and now into the great recession. How do we find our way back to the top?  Can we find our way? Mr. Brokaw doesn’t profess to have all the answers, but he offers insight into what restored us following WWII and how it might help us now.

Like I said, non-fiction isn’t my thing, but I’m really glad that I brought this one home. First, I love his voice – he could be reading the dictionary and I would listen. The main reason though is it gave me so much to think about.  It also led to several stimulating conversations with my husband, John. What is our American dream? Things that were once so important, like owning a home, have a completely different meaning to us now. And how about retiring and living a life of leisure? I’m pretty sure that won’t be happening any time soon! It isn’t all about the big stuff. He reminded me that my son won’t ever have a collection of 45 rpm records, and that the salesman won’t be coming to the door with this month’s encyclopedia!  There are other things too, like how much our life expectancy has increased, and the amazing advances that we’ve made in medicine. I’m pushing the envelope on 50, but hopefully I’m only half way done!

The book moves along at a good pace. Even the parts that touched on politics and world events were presented in a way that held my interest.  I like Tom and his family (by the end, I felt like we were friends so it’s okay to use his first name!)  There’s a bit where someone asked what his wife thought of being married to a “news celebrity”, and he replied, “I’m surprised when she even remembers what I do at the end of the day!”  Family and community are important and he reminds us with touching stories of everyday heros and regular people displaying extraordinary strength and compassion.  I’ll even admit that listening to a story at the end of the book about a herd of cattle in the Montana wilderness was so moving that I found myself tearing up! The moral of the story - when we’re faced with a difficult situation it’s always easier to go through it together. You’re right Tom. And I promise to do my best!

So there you have it my friends! Thanks so much for dropping by and spending a bit of your day with me. I'll be linking up with these talented bloggers to share my adventures this week.  I just love taking a little time to see what you've been doing, and I'm always rewarded with something special.

Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

I began with a look into granny's history. Now, it's time to find out more about her. The classic, the traditional, the one that started it all! There are many definitions, but it all comes down to this:
A granny square is a crochet motif worked in the round from a center circle. Clusters of stitches are worked into the center and connected by chains. A square is formed when a group of stitches are worked into the connecting chains (chain spaces).
I know that it seems crazy, but it works! Continue adding rounds of clusters and chains and the square grows and grows!

If you search "Granny Square" in Google you get more that 3 million results. There are tutorials, blog posts, YouTube how to's and pictures galore. But there's not a standard pattern.

In the three books that I'm using today, they all agree that a classic granny is made using three stitches:  Chain Stitch (ch); Double Crochet (dc); and the Slip Stitch (ss),  and that a beginner who is comfortable with these stitches and working in the round will easily be able to master the square.

That's about all they agree on. Each shows the classic worked in a different number of rounds (3.4 or 5), using a variation of the elements that define a granny.

Since I am a novice when it comes to making squares of any kind, and my mission is to learn, explore and share what I find, the easiest way to get started is jump right in.  I set to making a classic granny following Margaret Hubert's pattern from the Granny Square Book. I'm happy to say that success was achieved and Granny #1 was born. But I still didn't understand why there isn't one, standard pattern. I decided to see what happens when I try my own variations. Add a chain, use a different corner you get the idea.  I wonder, how much will changing one little element effect the overall look of granny?

I made 5 grannies. For each of them I used the same H-hook, Herrschners #4 worsted acrylic yarn, and I worked them in 4 rounds. Take a look... (Click on the picture on the left to see the pattern details.)

The results - A stitch really does make a difference! Of course you can see the similarities, but the differences are fairly substantial.  It's all comes down to preference.  You can choose your pattern depending on the look and feel you're after in your project.

It means a few things. I understand why there are so many different patterns, and even definitions for granny. I always thought of it as one thing. The Granny Square. But that's not right. It is a technique or maybe a genera.  The granny square is as unique as the person who is making it, and there is no right or wrong way to make it.  Something as grand as granny can not be limited to only one pattern. It's like saying there is only one way to make chocolate cake.  We all have a favorite recipe. Maybe one that was handed down through the generations. But no matter which recipe you follow, chocolate cake is good. It's the same with the granny square. Open and airy, tight with crisp corners, full and slightly rounded - the way that it looks is only limited by your imagination and willingness to experiment. With such a great capacity for change and individual style it's no wonder that the granny square is as popular as ever.

I hope that you enjoyed Part II of The Granny Square Project.  This series is part of A Year of Projects, a group that I'm taking part in on Ravelry. Please check it out to see the amazing work being done by other fiber enthusiasts.

Join me next time for Part III. I'll be taking a look at color and the impact it has on granny. The books that I used to help put together this post are: The Granny Square Book by Margaret Hubert, Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs by Edie Eckman and The Woman's Day Book of Granny Squares and Other Carry-Along Crochet from Fawcett Publications, 1975.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Before you go, do you have a go-to granny pattern? Who taught you how to make granny squares? I'd love to hear your favorite pattern story!

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

In case you missed it, here's a link to The Granny Square Project - Part I: Born of Necessity, Raised to an Icon

I am not a winner. Lady luck does not shine graciously upon me. I can't even remember the last time I won anything. And while I avoid gambling like the plague (no scratch tickets for me!) I do enjoy casting my name into the pot when it comes to entering blog give aways. I don't go out of the way to find them, but if one of my regular reads happens to be running a contest I'll gladly leave my comment and take a chance.  Once I've moved on to the next blog, it slips my mind and I don't give it a second thought.

Imagine my surprise when Danielle from A Stash Addict dropped me a line to let me know I'd won her recent give away! How cool is that?! I've been reading her blog for some time and coveting the brilliant hand dyed colors she produces in her studio. Danielle further rewarded me by posting my prize straight away. It arrived within a week from West Susex, UK to Massachusetts, USA! I've had mail sent from the same state take longer to reach me!

It was so exciting to open the plain gray package and find this beautiful  100g / 400m skein of sport/sock weight super washed BFL in a rich teal. According to the product description "the Bluefaced Leicester breed is unique to the UK and produces stunning lustre wool; this is because there are only a few surface scales on the fibre." A coordinating button and stitch marker were an added bonus.  Now I need to find a project worthy of such special prize. After all, because of this yarn I'm a winner!

Granny fever is sweeping the nation! Okay, maybe not the nation, but it has taken over my corner of the world. I could not be happier with the response to the Granny Square Project.  Reveling in the enthusiasm, I'm anxious to keep up the momentum. I was only going to use yarn from my stash, after all that is where granny got her start.  But my colors seemed lack luster and didn't have the variety I was looking for.  I found Herrschners was having a sale and I was able to buy this rainbow of colors for $12.70!! A special email  promotion gave me a discount plus free shipping and I was unable to resist!

I did dabble a bit with some cotton I had for washcloths (the brightest colors in my stash before the new order arrived!).  The big square on the bottom is my version of the Granny Corner Dishcloth. I added a few rounds as I like my cloths a bit more generous. It was a good way to get my hooking into the granny groove.

This weekend I'll be dividing my time between Granny and Sweet Eleanor.  Can you imagine all the color combinations my new yarn has to offer? My first "project" is a study of the basic granny pattern and how small stitch variations create big changes. I can't wait to see what happens!

In addition to my fiber offerings, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done it, why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Connect"

Writing a craft blog has allowed me to connect with the most diverse group of people.  Although I knew that the internet was a conduit to the world, I had no idea that I would interact regularly with women from England, Australia, Greece, Korea and South Africa.

This exploration has created connections that I never imagined. I have met so many wonderful, funny, smart creative people.  And we share and encourage and support each other.  Often these connections that occur while sitting in front of my computer are more personal than the relationships I have with people that live in my community.

I am amazed at the different ways we connect. We blog and tweet and share status updates.  We pin things to our boards.  We participate in group activities like CALs where we cheer each other on and help each other with the intricacies of complex patterns.  The possibilities seem endless when new ways to connect are just a click away!

Well my friends, another week has come and gone.  As I consider all that has happened I can't help but smile. The "new temporary" library is officially open, and it's working out better than we could have hoped! I have plenty of yarn, plenty of projects, a well stocked pantry and an encouraging (tolerant!) family. The air conditioner is humming along and the Olympics are on the TV. What more could I ask for? I guess I really am a winner! 

Today I'll be linking in with these wonderfully creative blogs. Before I settle down with my yarn I'll be seeing what you've been up to this week. I hope you'll visit along with me.

This week I'm also joining in with Tricia and her Stash Bash. Click over for a look!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!