Square Makers Unite!! And Other Things to Talk About

The last week has been hectic. I was busy enough trying to get my son moved back in with me after college but then my old faithful car had to be put out to pasture. It's funny how things work out sometimes, on the same day my mechanic told me the bad news I was able to find another car that I could afford. (and it even runs!!)

About the squares, I have enough for now, but I found another great place to send them. Share a Square is collecting squares to make blankets for a summer camp for children with cancer sponsored by The American Cancer Society. For all the FAQs visit This Eclectic Life.

Anyway I have lots of things to take pictures of to show everyone, I'll try to find time to do it later. I did finish 2 RWB lapghans and have another one almost finished. I also received two more envelopes full within the last couple days. I will be doing the drawing in a little while.

I received more chemo caps from the members of Crochetlist, too. There's a drawing involved there also so I need to get on it!

.

Bouncy Ball Baby Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

I had made squares similar to these before to send out to joiners in some of the groups I belong to. It's a seven inch square when finished and the perfect size for what was needed at the time. However, I had never actually made a full blanket out of them. I used two skeins of each color in Red Heart Super Saver but the next one I'm working on is using scraps of pastel colored yarn. It's a great way to use up bits and pieces. Here's the pattern:

Bouncy Ball Baby Blanket

Two skeins of each color in Red Heart Super Saver
J hook

The squares:

Make 24 (for a rectangular blanket 4X6)
or make 25 (for a square blanket 5X5)

Triple Yo Yo
Chain 4 and join to make loop
Rd 1: ch 3 (counts as dc) 11 dc in loop and join to top of ch 3 (12 dc)
Rd 2: ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc in each dc around and join (24 dc)
Rd 3: ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc around ending with 2 dc, join and end (36 dc)
The count is important, make sure there are 36 stitches

The Border
Using the contrasting color join to top of any dc
Rd 4: Ch 1 and sc in same space, *1 sc in each of next 3 dc, hdc, dc (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc to make corner) dc, hdc, sc, repeat from * around, join to first sc
Rd 5: dc in each stitch making corner (as above) in each ch 2 corner space join and end
Rd 6: repeat round 5

Join squares with your preferred joining method

Border is three rows of single crochet putting sc, ch 2, sc in the corners

Celebrate the Red, White and Blue, Contest for a Subway Gift Card

I was thinking that it would be really nice if I had some red white and blue lapghans to give to the veterans in my local nursing homes for the 4th of July. I started making some squares but it's slow going because of other projects I'm working on, work and other commitments. Alone I might, if I'm lucky, get two or three done. Since so many people have been so generous with their donations, I thought I would make this request into a contest.

So I have a $10 Subway Gift Card for one person who has sent me a RWB 6" granny square that I have received by June 30th. I do have some requirements, they MUST be a traditional granny have 5 rounds and be 6" square for ease and speed of joining. I can join a lapghan like this in one or two evenings. Please keep in mind the American flag when choosing your yarn colors.

I'm getting some questions, here are the answers:

1. You can find the pattern for the classic granny here.
2. Worsted weight acrylic only
3. Variegated is fine, so are solid color squares
4. I use a I hook but I crochet tightly
5. Please don't wait until the last minute if you can, I need to get as many as possible joined by the delivery date which is July 2nd. rd it, send them as you get them done.
Several disclaimers, Subway in no way has sponsored this giveaway, I just happen to have the gift card. On the other hand if they (or anyone else) would like to sponsor a similar giveaway I wouldn't mind.

Although the squares are being asked for a specific use, any leftover or received too late may be used for a different purpose. Be assured though that it will be a charitable donation to some cause (Project Linus being my other main cause but I do contribute to others).

Of course any other donations will still be gladly accepted, click here to read more about it and see what is needed, but it's just the RWB squares that will earn contest entries.

You will get one entry for the gift card for each square you send me. Please take the time to let your friends know about this contest, I will give an entry for posting about this giveaway on their blog, facebook or whatever, a link to check it is required.

Contact me at debsstuff55 (at) yahoo (dot) com for address to send to or any questions.

More Great Donations!!

Sandie P. from Crochet Cabana sent me these great squares. She also wrote the tutorial on the continuous join that I've been using (and adapting) to join the squares.

Chris H. sent me a bagful!! Thanks so much Chris!!

Joyce sent in these beautiful 7" squares. I asked for 6" but there's enough there for an lapghan so that's great. (That's a hint!)

{I worded that wrong, Joyce had asked me if I would take these squares before she sent them. I made it sound like she made a mistake, She didn't, I knew they would be 7". The point I was trying to make was that if you have enough for  a full lapghan or blanket, they don't need to be 6"}

I know all three of these ladies from the Bev's Charity Challange Yahoo group. These squares will make some beautiful lapghans!!

And last but far from least Margaret from NJ sent me these great Chemo Caps!! She even donated the yarn she had leftover!! I can always find a use for yarn!

If you would like to join us and help the elderly, ill and disabled in my area you can get more information here or email me at debsstuff55 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Finished Blankets for Project Linus

I decided to try to finish up some of my (many) unfinished projects. The peach and white one wasn't too hard to finish, I was close to being done, but the pink and white one had to be frogged and started over so I pretty much did it from scratch! In case you didn't know Project Linus is a nationwide organization that provides security blankets to ill and traumatised children. It's a great way to become involved in charity crafting so check them out and find a chapter near you. Both blankets were made with the Never Ending Blanket Square pattern.

Six Inch Squares for Pine Ridge Reservation

Here's the squares I made for the Pine Ridge Reservation. Here's the details if you want to get in on the contest. The pattern I used is, of course, my never-ending blanket square. I think I'm in a rut, gonna have to come up with a new pattern. Now I'm on to my own projects again, just wanted to show you theses squares.

A Tutorial for my Sunflower Lap-Ghan!

This is so awesome. Mikey made a video tutorial of my free pattern for the Sunflower Lap-Ghan. I really feel honered. You need to check it out if you have any problem understanding written instructions or even if you don't.

Deb's V-Stitch Granny (Dishcloth) Free Crochet Pattern

We have a challenge going in my Yahoo group CraftingForACause to make dishcloths for a women's shelter. After making a few from patterns, of course I had to try one of my own. The reason I put the dishcloth in parenthesis is because that's what I made with the pattern but it could be used for any project using squares. It's a repeating pattern and I'm going to write it in a way that you can make it any number of rows.

.

For the dishcloth I used 3 oz. Sugar & Cream variegated worsted weight cotton and 1 oz solid. I used a J hook and finished size is about 12" square.

.

Starting V-stitch: Ch 4, dc in same stitch

.

V-stitch: dc,ch1,dc in same stitch

.

Corner: in corner space 2dc, ch2, 2dc

.

Start Dishcloth

Ch 4 and join.

.

Rd 1: ch3 (counts as dc) 2 dc, *ch 2, 3 dc* 3 times ch 2 and join

.

Rd 2: ch 3, dc in each dc work corner into each ch 2 space and join

.

Rd 3: Make sure you are in the center dc of the side make a starting V-stitch, sk next dc, 2dc, work corner, 2 dc, skip next st, V-stitch, sk st, 2 dc, work corner, continue around join to 3rd chain of first V- stitch and sl st into V-stitch

.

Rd 4: Starting V-stitch, skip next st, dc in next 4 dc, work corner, dc in next 4 dc, V-stitch, work all the way around in this pattern, join in same manner as above, sl st into V-stitch

.

Rd 5: Starting V-stitch*sk next st, dc, sk next st, V-stitch, sk next st, dc in next 2 stitches, work corner, dc in next 2 st, sk st, V-Stitch, sk st, dc, sk, st, V- stitch around and join

.

Rd 6: Starting V-stitch, dc in every dc V-stitch in every V stitch and work corners around

.

Rd 7: Starting V-stitch, *dc in every dc, V-stitch in every V-stitch to the last V- stitch of that side, sk1 of the side, dc in next st, sk 1, V-stitch, dc in next 2, corner, dc in next two stitches, sk 1, V-stitch, sk, continue around from * Join

.

Repeat rds 6 and 7 and end

.

Solid Border (optional)

Rd 10: Join solid color to any corner, ch3, 4 dc in corner, dc in every dc and in ch 1 space of V- stitches to corner, 5 dc in corner and continue around

.

For another dishcloth try Deb's Flower Dishcloth

The Never Ending Blanket Square Free Crochet Pattern

This is the standard Granny square I usually work with when making my blankets. This particular square is one made for a never-ending-blanket. I like it because it's "mindless", I can do it with my eyes closed. I know that for sure because I've tried it. It's also versatile, you can make each blanket unique by changing the colors, where the color changes are and size of the square. I've made blankets with 144 small squares and I've made them with one really big square. Several people have asked for the pattern and I've referred them to a similar pattern that I've seen on the web. But it is similar not the same so I thought I would finally post my pattern here. This square is suitable for projects asking for squares with a minimum of "holes" or "no lacy patterns" and makes a very warm blanket. I need to name it, hmmm, maybe the Never-Ending-Blanket square??

.

Never-Ending-Blanket square

.

chain 4 and join to form loop

Rd 1 chain 3 (counts as first dc) 2 dc, ch 2, * 3 dc, ch 2* 3 times join to first ch 3

Rd 2 chain 3 (counts as first dc) *dc in each dc (3 st total), in ch 2 sp for corner, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc* 3 times

Rd 3 and all other rounds start with 3 ch counting as first dc, dc in each dc and 2 dc 2 ch 2 dc in each corner

To change color simply end first color at end of round, join the new color anywhere ( I like to do it in a different spot than where I ended to make working in te ends less noticable) following pattern.

For pictures of blankets I've made with this pattern

Never-Ending-Blanket

Double Strand Lapghan

Project Linus Blankets

Baby Clouds Blankets (read down in post for the 'not quite a pattern' pattern)

The Never Ending Blanket

I call this the never ending blanket because another blanket is started before the last one is finished. I keep several bags of smaller balls of yarn in certain color combos. These may change as I get more of certain colors and less of others. The color combos I usually use are bright colors, pastels, and red, white and blue. I only use worsted weight yarn but even then some are too thick or thin so make sure they're all about the same although some variation can be worked with.

You can use any plain granny square pattern. I use one that doesn't have a lot of holes. I also use a K hook so these squares go fairly quickly. Since I am making them for Project Linus and kids come in all sizes I don't worry too much in the beginning about size and number of squares. I found if I have a lot of smaller balls making more small squares works. On the other hand, if you have larger balls you can make large squares and don't have to make so many.

The pattern for my square can be found here.

I have a few "rules" I follow, but you don't have to

1. Never change colors in the middle of a row. If I don't have enough I unravel and try on a lower row of another square.

2. Never do more than 2 rows with the same color in the same square.

3. Except in the very beginning where sometimes it's unavoidable, once I choose a ball to use , I use it up. In other words it may be big enough to make a row 7 and 8 of one square, 6 and 7 of another then maybe a 2 or 3 and finally to use it up I make one or two row 1's. This is the rule that makes it a never ending blanket, there are always squares started for the next blanket.

4. When first starting your blanket, start with the smallest balls first. This makes it easier to use up all those small balls and work your way up. If you want, save any pieces that are too small to make a first row for fringe.

5. As you get more scraps, small balls etc. add them to the squares you have made, at some point as your working on them, you have to decide how big you are going to make the squares and how many you are going to need.

6. Once you have enough join them together in a pleasing way. I often do all the last rows in the same color. In the picture above, if you can make it out, I did the last rows of all the squares on the bright ones in Red Heart Mexicali variegated. This can pull all those colors together. But again, you don't have to.

7. Do several rows of double or single crochet for the border.

Now that your finished, if you followed the rules, you should have at least a couple squares of the next blanket started. You don't have to do them all at once, or save up a lot of yarn. I usually add scraps as I get them so it can sometimes take a while to complete a blanket but of course I'm working on a lot of other projects so I'll have more scraps!!