A last minute crochet commission = FREE Granny Square Blanket Pattern and a Knit Pair of Tin Can Knits Rye Light Socks

A few weeks ago one of my best friends from NYC, Todd from Ridgewood, Queens, asked me if I would crochet a blanket to be auctioned off to raise money for Gottscheer Hall.  My friends frequently DJ and chill there.  I rarely have the time or energy for commissions these days but I am willing to make exceptions for very special people and places.

I used a combination of Berroco Vintage Worsted and Biscotte DK SWM with a size G hook.

I'm actually teaching a granny square crochet class tonight and granny squares have been on my mind a lot lately.

When a granny square is large, with high contrasting colors and crocheted well, it has a very striking effect.

In between finishing the JRYC crochet shop sample (to be revealed during the crawl next month) and various other time sensitive shop samples for my upcoming classes, I frantically banged this blanket out.

I am NOT a UNC fan but if I was, I would totally crochet a blanket like this for myself.

 

I used to sell a variety of granny square themed items on Etsy but it's been a while since I've made or sold anything new.  If I ever get the time and/or energy, I'd love to do a handmade granny square pop up someday.  Someday...

I just finished typing up the pattern to teach in my class and I thought I'd share it here.  There are a million (free) granny square patterns online and most of them are very easy to follow.  This is the condensed version of my pattern using 6 different colors of Berroco Vintage DK yarn.

Pattern and yarn Requirements:

• Size E or G crochet hook
• 6 different color skeins of Berroco Vintage DK yarn [52% Acrylic/ 40% Wool/ 8% Nylon, 288 yds (263m)/100g (3.5 oz)/skein] or a total of approximately 1,728 yds of DK weight yarn
• ring marker(s)
• scissors

Kimberlee’s sample used the following 6 skeins of Berroco Vintage DK:

Color A 2110 Fondant                                       Color A _________________________________

Color B 2192 Chana Dal                                    Color B _________________________________

Color C 2179 Chocolate                                    Color C _________________________________

Color D 2176 Pumpkin                                      Color D _________________________________

Color E 21197 Bright Blue                                 Color E _________________________________

Color F 2102 Buttercream                                  Color F _________________________________

Pattern:

Round 1: With color A, make a slip knot, ch 4 and ss into the first ch (next to the slip knot) to form a ring or make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as first double crochet), 11 dc around (magic) ring, close ring by joining with a ss in the top of the starting ch-3.  Break yarn leaving an 8” tail.  Weave in ends.

Round 2: Join color B, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space, *1 ch, skip 3 dc, (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next sp, * rep from * to * twice more, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, 2 dc into same sp as 5 ch at beg of round.  Ss into next chain sp. Break yarn leaving an 8” tail.  Weave in ends.

NOTE: Every time you (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) you are in the corner of your granny square.  The cluster of these 8 stitches creates the 4 square edges/corners of your blanket.

Round 3:Join color C, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space, *1 ch, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next sp, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, **(3 dc, 2ch, 3dc) into next spc, * rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more, 2 dc into same sp as 5 ch, ss into 3^rd st  of 5 ch.  Ss into next ch sp.  Break yarn leaving an 8” tail.  Weave in ends.

Round 4: Join color D, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space, *(1 ch, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next sp) twice, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, ** (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next sp, * rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more, 2 dc into same sp as 5 ch, ss into 3^rd st of 5 ch.  Ss into next ch sp.  Break yarn leaving an 8” tail.  Weave in ends.

Round 5: Join color E, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space,*(1 ch, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next sp) 3 times, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, **(3dc, 2ch, 3 dc) into next sp, * rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more, 2 dc into same sp as 5 ch, ss into 3^rd st of 5 ch.  Ss into next ch sp.  Break yarn leaving an 8” tail.  Weave in ends.

Round 6: Join color F, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space,*(1 ch, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next sp) 4 times, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, **(3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next sp, * rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more, 2 dc into same sp as 5, ss into 3^rd st of 5 ch.  Ss into next ch sp.  Break yarn leaving an 8” tail.  Weave in ends.

These rows set the square pattern.  Working 1 more repeat in each side edge, continue until you run out of yarn or the blanket measures your desired size.  Leave at least 38gm of yarn for the border if desired.

Joining new yarn: When you need to join a new ball of yarn (of the same color), when there is only 6-8” remaining of your working yarn, tie the new yarn in a double knot to your ball of working yarn.  Continue working until you get to the knot and then hold your working yarn and both tails (of the new and old yarn) together and work over all strands until the tails are “hidden” (or woven in as you go). 

Border round: 5 ch, 4 dc in same sp, *(dc in each of the next 3 dc, dc in the sp).  Repeat between ( and ) until you reach the corner.  **(3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into the corner sp.*  Repeat from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more.  2 dc into same spa s 5 ch, ss into 3^rd st of 5 ch.  Ss into next ch sp.  Break yarn leaving an 8” tail.  Weave in ends.

Steam or wet block with a wool wash and pin edges into a square if necessary.  Air dry laying flat.

I had a little yarn leftover and I made a bonus pair of socks to contribute to the auction.  

They only took a few hours to make.

I used a combination of Summer Lee sock patterns from her new book to knit a pair of vanilla kid socks.

Believe it or not, because I knit so loose, I knit these with US size 2 needles!

Xena was so pissed that I donated the socks she thought were for her, I'm now knitting her another pair with the remaining Biscotte DK and some Kindred Red Rad Sock scraps. 

I also just finished a pair of socks for myself and I am pretty sure this is the 4th time I've knit these socks.  The pattern is so simple to follow and the reverse stockinette bar matches the sleeve detail of the Flax Sweater.  

 

Even when I was busy live bidding in a philatelic auction I was knitting a pair of socks...

As usual (for myself), I knit these on US size 0 needles.

I used 29 Bridges Go To Sock yarn (75% SWM/25% nylon) in the Carbon colorway.

I really wanted a (dark) grey pair of socks.

I knit the leg longer than I've done on previous pairs.  I knit twisted rib on the cuff.  They fit perfectly and I love them!

Knit Hotdish Cardigan Designed by Larkspur Knits in Little Fox Vixen Yarn and VKL in NYC

I enjoyed knitting the Hotdish Cardigan designed by Larkspur Knits aka Lindsey Fowler so much, I went in for a second serving.  This time I used some local yarn, from Little Fox that I bought on sale at DWW.  I used Aimee's Vixen base which is 400 luxurious yards of 80% SWM/20% silk fingering weight yarn.  The pattern is designed for marling so I held the yarn double.  The MC is the "well that's ranunculus" colorway and the CC's are "Lemon Squeezy" and "Raven's Wing".

 

When I'm working a top down raglan, before I put my sleeves on hold, I always try my garment on naked(!), especially if I'm knitting a cardigan.  The reason I do this is because I hate bras.  This might be TMI but I frequently wear cardigans indoors and braless.  I like my cardigans to be cozy and not too constricting.  A good fit check always re-energizes me and makes me excited to finish my pattern.

 

I started this pattern in early December and probably would've finished it a lot quicker if it wasn't for all of the winter holidays and Xena's break from school but I digress.  I was still furiously trying to finish it so I could wear it at VKL last weekend didn't actually finish it until 2 days after the fact.  

 

This was my first time attending VKL on the East Coast.  The overall vibe definitely seemed quite different than on the West Coast; in NYC the atmosphere felt more high fashion and commercially focused.  The funniest thing about VKL in NYC is that it was held in the same hotel that I last stayed in while working the NY2016 International Stamp Show.  The last time I dined in the Marriott Marquis hotel bar/restaurant was in the company of our British/Czech philatelic friends, the Kirke family where I met Nick's brother, Simon, the drummer of Bad Company, for the first time.  He was not impressed with the hotel, at all.  At the very least, even I think the circle of randomly assigned elevators is confusing.

For this trip, I stayed with my friend Lisa in NJ.  We met at Rhinebeck a few years ago.  We rode a NJ Transit bus into the city which was great until my motion sickness kicked in and I could no longer sit and knit and instead was forced to just close my eyes and anxiously brace myself for a quick arrival at Port Authority.

It was fabulous to be reunited with Amber again!  Speaking of Amber, we just booked our tix for Yarncentrick and MDSW in May.  Amber's been to MDSW but it will be our first time for Yarncentrick and my first MDSW ever! I am SO stoked!  

 

I got to see my former boss, Amanda, the owner of Atelier in SF/Marin.  I can't believe it was already over a year since we saw each other IRL.

 

I didn't take many photos at VKL because in many cases, the lighting was terrible.

 

I also didn't get to see a bunch of people I had hoped to see but since I was only there for a few hours on Saturday afternoon, I suppose that's why. Maybe next year I'll make more of a trip out of it.  I've just been so busy with work and parenting in general that I didn't want to be out of town any longer and Matt's dad just died the week before VKL...

 

One of my favorite things to buy is vintage buttons.  Dusty's had a phenomenal selection!

If you're gonna take the time to knit a garment, don't skimp on buttons.  Use the good ones.  Every time you button and unbutton your garment, you will thank yourself.

I only bought products that we don't sell at DWW or new things that I'd never seen/heard before.

I can't wait to try these Prym crochet hooks.  Some of the self-striping yarns are gifts but all of that luscious Wandering Flock is mine, mine, MINE! Details on the colorways are on IG.  I am hoping to cast on a sweater using some of this new stuff before the end of the weekend.  Currently I'm working on a test crochet sample for the JRYC and a consignment for my friend, Todd so I am really gagging to cast on something new and majorly cool for myself!

 

I used these hand carved Mother of Pearl VTG buttons from Dusty's on my cardi and they are just perfect!

 

I try to sew buttons on with matching yarn whenever possible although it doesn't always work if the holes are too small.  This time I got lucky but it was still a very tight squeeze.

 

I only very gently steam blocked this sweater.  As with the previous one, I used US size 5 and 6 needles.  I knit size 6 of the pattern.

In other news, things are starting to look really SWEET at work.  Everyone loves Keyser's Valentine's Day display.  I am so thankful to work in such a cheerful and loving environment!

This Saturday saw the kick off of our Cesium Yarn trunk show at DWW.  They are based in Roanoke, VA.

 

It was wonderful to meet Cat IRL.  She is a woman of many talents, a chemist, dyer, crocheter, knitter, pattern designer and super nice person all around.

I was really inspired by this trunk show, especially by all of the well made samples with an equal distribution of knit and crochet pieces.

 

You know, it's not like I need to buy anymore yarn but of course, I did!

I love how my neon yarn exactly matches the DWW state of VA shaped progress keepers.