"When you give a gift made with love,
It turns it into something priceless."

Get Hooked Website

My NEW LOOK Website Get Hooked on Crochet is here

Online Crochet Course

Learn to Crochet ONLINE
All 3 courses available in UK Crochet Terminology -Learn to Crochet from the comfort of your own home when YOU have some spare time, whatever time of day! The course never closes so you can return as often as you like, as many times as you like + you can add questions & photo's & have me as your virtual Crochet Teacher !

Followers

Saturday 31 December 2011

Good Bye 2011 - Hello 2012 "Granny Square a Day"

Yes it's the last day of 2011 and I have lots of lovely Crochet plans for 2012!!

My Personal,  main Crochet plan, is to crochet a Granny square a day.  Yes, Plain old Granny Squares!!  I really do love them and the only variety that they will get is the colours.  Some will be one colour/ plain and other with be up to 4 colours per square.

I will be continuing with other crochet projects at the same time so don't think that a little Granny Square a day is all I will be blogging about!!

I have ordered lots of lovely wool / yarn in a double knit weight from Ebay in colours like Wisteria, Plum, Soft Peach, Sky Blue, Citrus, Saffron, Spring Green & Candy - they were only £1.25 per 100g ball (the P&P came to about £5, so cheaper than getting in my car, parking fee's & my time shopping) & I can't wait for them to arrive.  Hopefully they will arrive today, in time for tomorrow, but if they don't I will start off using similar colours from my Yarn Stash and use the new colours once they arrive, however I will probably add odds and ends from my current YS as it's a great way to use them up!

I am going to make small Granny Squares - no bigger than 4 rows in each square and I am going to join each Granny Square as I go along.  You could either use this method, which I will try to make a tutorial about OR you could make a stack of squares and join them up as and when - that's up to you!

I have joined squares on previous blankets by double crocheting them together, but I like this idea of crocheting them together as I go, as this saves the "chore", which it can turn out to be and it also saves having a Granny Squares Stack!! (My Squares Stacks in previous projects, have mounted up to 30's and 40's).  I also like the finished product as I like the texture that the raised join on the right side of the work, gives you.

Here's a sampler that I made before I went on holiday........


Each square measures 3 inches across, so bearing in mind that there are 366 days next year (leap year) then this blanket, this time next  year to be exact, is going to be rather large!

Now the next question to you, reading this blog, is: 
ARE YOU GOING TO JOIN IN? 


Could we all get together and get a GLOBAL Granny Square a Day Crochet Theme going?  Can we do it? Do you want to join in?

Here's what you need to do:

1. You can make any Granny Square of your choice - do it your way, in your colours, add flowers or anything you want to.  I am choosing to do mine plain because that's what I want to achieve from this 366 day project, but you do your Granny - A - Day YOUR Way!

2. If you do want to join me in a Granny Square a Day, then just leave a comment and I will (a)follow your blog or follow you on Twitter PLUS (b) I will add  your blog to the new Blog Roll that has started (see Granny - A - Day'ers at the top right of the blog) or (c) if you don't have a blog then it would be great to get an email from you on a weekly or a monthly basis with some photo's of your Granny Square a Day project as it progresses. (d) I will post photo's (daily if my time allows me to) on this blog under the *Granny-A-Day* tab (see above)

(If you are emailing/sending me links or posting me pictures via twitter then you are allowing me to publish your photos on this blog & therefore giving me permission to use them - however I will not use your full name directly - only initials or your blog name and if supplied the area/country that you come from.)

3. Remember you can do it YOUR WAY - you can add flowers or motifs, make different size squares, use any colour YOU like, any yarn that you like & join the squares in the method you prefer - the choice is yours!

4. There's a button that I have created, so that you can copy this to your blog and encourage others to join in!  Just take a look in the border at the very top right of the blog (you might have to scroll back up ------------>

Remember to let me know that you are joining in the fun as I have posted a group on Ravelry - so if you are joining in from there just leave a comment below. 

The More the Merrier!! 



My current Crochet Project is a cover for a draught excluder that I have at my Guest Bedroom door.  It's simply a rolled up fleece blanket from IKEA that I am am going to makeover with a Crochet Cover in "Rainbow" colours!!   It's a great way to use up odds and ends from my Yarn Stash. - Picture will follow later as I will probably finish it today, but here's what's happened so far.

The current draught excluder is just a rolled up fleece blanket - effective but boring

The "Rainbow" cover so far - not boring at all!


81 comments:

  1. Good idea! I'm in.
    I'm going to use up stash yarn, though so my finished object might not be as stylish! It is my New Year's Resolution to blog more often - this is the perfect way to make me do it and I'll end up with something pretty. Off to choose a granny pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for joining in Vicky - you don't have to blog your new square every day - maybe weekly - it's up to you, but like you say it's a great way to use up your yarn stash and also a great excuse to blog more often!! I am sure yours will be ultra stylish - I can't wait to see the end results in a years time !! This is going to be very Crochet Exciting!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I might just have to give this a try. However, I may not be able to keep to one a day and end up doing two one day. I joined a CAL on ravelry for a square a month. I really want to make a nice blanket for a single bed and squares seems to be the way to go.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Laydilyke - thanks for coming on board - just do it at your pace! If you do 3 one day and nothing for a few days then that's fine! It's not set in stone so just do what you can when you can and it's just lovely to have you joining in - pass it on by the way - the more the merrier!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Okay, you got me, I'm in! I love being able to pick my own squares. This is a great idea and thanks for letting us all join you! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh...I forgot...Are you going to start a Ravelry and Flickr group?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Eileen - glad you can join in!! Happy to have you on board - please pass it on and if you have time, copy & paste the button to your site. Thanks for the follow - I have followed you back and loving the colours use use. Happy 2012 xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Eileen, I have now worked out how to set up the Ravelry Group & will look into doing a Flickr one - thanks for that - the more the merrier!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm in! I think I will be using them for the mission projects through church--prayer shawls and baby blankets, so with 366 squares, I may be ending up with many small projects. This is going to be fun! Thanks for organizing this!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I had already thought about doing this. So glad I can join you. I do not have a blog yet so could I email you? I want to do stained glass grannies as I find them very pretty. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm hosting a Granny Square exchange in March so I'll join you with this. I have a bunch of scraps that I need to get rid of to make room for yummy yarns in 2012.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Count me in, I have a lot of yarn brusting out of my craft room.....promised the hubby I would use a lot of the yarn before I go buy new...this will inspire me to do so.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's Great Kathy - Nice to have you along! Do you have a blog or twitter account or will you be emailing me your photo progress?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Just started a blog.....now what do I do?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mlissabeth - thanks so much. I am now following your great blog and I have added your id to the Granny A Day'ers & a pic of your first to the Granny A Day tab!!! I am so excited about all these lovely Granny Squares

    ReplyDelete
  16. Cassandra - thanks for joining in and posting your 1st square to your blog. I am following your blog and your square is pictured in the Granny A Day Tab too! I love all the squares that are being sent in - don't you?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Kathy - liking the blog already - just have a play around with it and add stuff in e.g. You can add the Granny A Day button to your border by copying the code then click on design at the top of your blog page, then Add a Gadget - next a little page will pop up and choose HTML/java script code and past the code in there. Hope that helps and Looking forward to seeing a pic of your first square! Happy Blogging

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sara - welcome to Granny A Day! This is a great way to use up scraps!! Looking forward to seeing your first square. :0)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I will join you!! I won't have a block every day but it is a great goal. I will put your link on my crafty blog.

    God Bless and have a wonderful New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Welcome to Granny A Day 2012 Amy. Just work at your own pace and kindly send me some photo's when you can. I am now following your blog - thanks for the follow. Happy New Year from me.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Would like to join your fun project group! I stay busy lately with afghans, but would enjoy that little break daily with something different!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi, I <3 this idea. I'll see how well I can keep up, though making my granny square earrings will help. I'll be posting pics to my twitter account @crochetedmonkey

    ReplyDelete
  23. Welcome along Stacy & Crocheted Monkey. I look forward to seeing your first squares. I will add you to Twitter CM. Have you seen the squares made and pictured so far? Aren't they all FAB?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Ali - I've joined in the Granny a Day project. Didn't manage to do one on the 1st day as it was husband's birthday and we were out most of the day. Did two yesterday and have already done today's. I will probaby have to have 'catch-up' days every so often. Looking forward to this. Don't have a crochet blog (yet!!) so will email pics. Gwen x

    ReplyDelete
  25. Gwen YAY Happy to have you join in anytime and however many squares you can manage! I was only thinking of you a few moments ago as I was looking at my Geranium Props, then I came to my computer and there was your email! You can always Twitter the pictures to me - or email - whatever is easier for you. Can't wait to see your Crochet Blog when it's ready!! FAB xx

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm in!! i can't wait to start. this
    will be soo much fun, as i am a crochet
    addict too! Thanks for making up such
    a lovely idea!I will try to post pics too.

    P.S. my ravelry ID is KittyAndYarn

    ReplyDelete
  27. count me in! i don't twitter, or have a blog, but will submit pics on Ravelry :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sheesh, I need to get off of the internet before I acquire so many projects that I won't possibly be able to get them all done. Sign me up for this one too. I just started a new blog a few days ago. Guess now I'll have something to post,iggyboop.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Kitty & Yarn - I have you on Ravelry and have sent you a message on there - welcome to Granny A Day 2012!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Tam Stamper - Let me know your Ravelry ID and I will follow you on there. Welcome on board!

    ReplyDelete
  31. IggyBoop - can't wait to see your 1st post re: Granny A Day. I am now following your blog and will add your ID to the Granny A Day'ers list. Good to have you on board. Happy Crocheting.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'd love to join in! I think a new friend of mine will be doing this as well. My goal is to make blankets for my parents for Christmas this year, so this CAL is perfect! I'm honeyorange on ravelry. :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Honeyorange (and friend) great to have you join in. I will look out for you on Ravelry. :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would love to join in please. I need to use up stash. I can't, however promise to truly get one done per day....is that alright?
    Also, I've not made a granny square in many years. Right off hand do you have a link to a pattern?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Marsha C, Thanks for joining in and following my blog too! I will follow yours and add your blog ID to the Granny A Dayers list so Welcome. This is a GREAT way to use up yarn / wool stash so glad you found this! Don't worry if you can't do one a day - some crocheters can and some can't. If you do none one day and 3 the next then nothing for a week it's up to you. Work at your own pace.
    Re: Granny Square Patterns. If you go to my tutorials tab at the top of this blog there is one on there. I will also be adding a "joining colours on Granny Squares" at some stage today.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Sign me up! I'm playing along! I'm Caitirin on Twitter and I've been posting pictures to my blog - Esoteric Eclectic - http://caitirin.livejournal.com.

    Now I'm off to find the Ravelry group!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I haven't used my LJ in forever, but I am on Ravelry as xephyr!! :D But I am on twitter @xephyr_42 I guess I have some catching up to do to make up for the last four days!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Ali - I joined in via Twitter and have finally set up my new blog Merry Makewell. So far I'm keeping up. Just hope it lasts!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Nice to have you along Lilian - Well done on setting up your blog - you'll be hooked on blogging as well as crochet now!! LOL. Keep the pictures coming - squares are looking great YAY

    ReplyDelete
  40. Count me in. This is a great idea. I need to practice my granny squares.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Amy, Good to have you along for Granny A Day - it certainly is a good way to practice!! I am now following you blog and I will add your id to the Granny A Day' ers! Let me know when you have some pictures to submit. Ali

    ReplyDelete
  42. Count me in! I started a granny square afghan on New Years and then heard about your granny a day project at my LYS! Great timing! I'm am4graves on twitter and amgraves on ravelry.
    Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  43. I'm going to do this! I love to crochet and the granny square is such a great item to crochet. I'm starting late but I will catch up! Thanks for this great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi Tracey, Glad to have you along. I am now following your blog and I will add you to the Granny A Day'ers list (see top right) Just let me know when you've posted a photo to your blog and I will pop along to copy & paste it to the Granny A Day Tab (you don't have to send in a picture a day - most people are doing one picture of all 7 per week) Happy Crocheting!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hello Ali!
    I am joining! Because it's a good idea to spend at least a small part of my stock of yarn! Now I've made 5 squares.
    I'm on Ravelry too: http://www.ravelry.com/people/soleila, where I joined in your group.
    Thank you!
    Olga ☼

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi Hookers ,
    I would like to join in too . I love to make grannies . It was the first thing I learned to make . I have a ton of scrap yarn to use up so I can make room for more . : )
    Thanks .
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  47. Kathy, lovely to have you join in! It is a great way to use up scraps and I love making Grannies too! Do you have a blog or twitter account so you can send over some photos?

    ReplyDelete
  48. I am going to join you. I just found this today and I need to catch up since today is the 9th. I just started crocheting last April so, I need the practice. This a great idea! I will post as soon as I can when I catch up.
    My blog is: http://clippingsofmylife.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  49. That's FAB Becky - welcome along. I will add your blog ID To the Granny A Day'er list - just let me know when you put photo's on your blog and I will copy & paste them to the Granny A Day tab!

    ReplyDelete
  50. This week's progress post is up! http://marshasspot.blogspot.com/2012/01/wip-wednesday-new-blog-page.html

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks Marsha I will go and take a look right now!

    ReplyDelete
  52. got my yarn Friday catching up over this weekend will post pics Monday ,so Excited to join challenge we are painting our bedroom this summer and this project will compliment the project Thank You so much for the group and Challenge,Sinz

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi Sinz - welcome on board! Glad that you've found Granny A Day and that you'll be joining in the challenge. I am now following your blog & hope you'll follow my blog back. I will also add your blog ID to the Granny A Day'ers list. Can't wait to see your photo's - just let me know when you post them. Ali

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Posted pic of my granny squares still afew more extras to catch up hopefully by this weekend:)havea great day!

      Delete
  54. Thanks! I will wait until you've caught up and then copy the photo's across then. Can't wait to see them all so far!!

    ReplyDelete
  55. http://marshasspot.blogspot.com/2012/01/wip-wednesday-11812.html My new WIP post that includes a photo of my granny squares so far.
    I am heading to the flickr group to get my new picture up as well.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hello Ali!
    I've updated my Granny-a-Day page with a total 20 squares picture:
    http://olgasoleil.blogspot.com/p/granny-day-2012_08.html

    ReplyDelete
  57. Thanks Olga I have updated day 20 on the Granny a day page with your pictures - they are looking lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  58. I haven't started yet because I just found you several days ago, but I will be blogging about it when I get going! I have some of my other projects on my blog. http://kandidkatie.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great Katie, when you have a photo of some of your squares just let me know or email them to me and I will add them in to the Gallery! Thanks for joining in!

      Delete
  59. Can I still join in?
    I would love to be a part of this event.

    Line (Denmark)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course you can still join in Line - glad to have you along. Do you have a blog or are you on Twitter? Just let me know where your photo's are published & I will copy and paste them to the GAD Gallery

      Delete
  60. I alright I'm in.... a little behind but I can't resist. http://homeschoolinghooker.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hi Dragon's Fairy, Great to have you on board! It won't take long for you to catch up - just go at your pace. At the moment I am managing one a day alongside all my other day to day chores, but I am sure the time will come that I may have to do 2 or more in advance or to catch up one day soon!! Just let me know when you post some photo's and I will pop along to copy them across to the gallery. Ali

    ReplyDelete
  62. I just came across your blog a few minutes ago, while googleing these types of groups. Too bad I'm almost two full months behind. This would be something I would really enjoy doing with a group of supporters (as I'm the only one that crochets around me now that I'm a stay at home mom, I miss the crochet groups from work).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy-Jo, it's not to late! We are only 49 days in so if you make 2 little ones a day then you would soon catch up! I do hope you change your mind - the more the merrier!!!
      Ali

      Delete
    2. Count me in!!! I figure that it won't really take me that long to get caught up with everyone. After finding your blog, I already whipped up 3 squares. So if I continue at that rate per day, I should be caught up with everyone else by this time next month :) Thanks for letting me join in the fun.

      Delete
    3. That's great news Amy-Jo - glad you've decided to join in and let me know when you've posted some pictures so I will pop by your blog and copy them across to the GAD gallery. Oh this is so much fun!!

      Delete
    4. I posted my squares from yesterday...

      Delete
  63. Thanks Amy-Jo they are now in the Gallery!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I would like to join. Great idea
    http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Hi there - Great that you want to join in - today is day 72 (12th March 2012) so catch up when you can and let me know when you post some photo's so that I can copy & paste them to the GAD Gallery!!
    Welcome!

    ReplyDelete
  66. been following since the start, but fell behind. :( please link my new blog!!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Not to worry Xeph42 I am sure you will catch up soon. I will link your new blog - no problem :0)

    ReplyDelete
  68. HI,
    I just learned of this on FB. I know it is April 21st and I have to make up for lost but I can do it!! I would love to join in.

    Thanks,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Karen, sorry I have taken so long to reply - of course you can join in! It won't take you long to catch up - just post me a picture when you can and I can't wait to see what you make from your squares - I am just making a 366 square blanket whilst others are making bags, scarves etc. so it's all lots of fun!!

      Delete
  69. Hi there, I am joining via Ravelry.....getting started right now...yay! Adelaide-Rose

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hi Hales - good old Ravelry! Glad to have you joining in :)

    ReplyDelete
  71. I didn't realize there was a place to declare my 365 squares intention! I started in mid-February, and have done 75 or so now. Glad to find your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi SJ, I have just been over to your blog and left a comment. Ali

      Delete
  72. Hi I just love this idea!! I am starting tonight even though half the year is over. I'll complete two squares a night. who knows depending on how i feel maybe more. please add me my twitter name is Chauncey Williams and my blog is http://chauncielove.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a Comment - I love to get Comments and I will reply as soon as I put my hook and yarn down!