Granny Square Mania...or a great project for a road trip!
I hesitate to use the word "mania" as this is very relaxing. For me, the "manic" excitement comes from seeing all the beautiful, scrappy yarn colors coming together! They are very much like the scrappy quilts I love, but more portable while they are being formed!
I love looking at these eclectic granny square creations![The photo with the crochet hook is of my squares.]
Where, besides leftovers and scraps to find small amounts of colorful yarn? Try visiting Pickup Sticks for their "small balls" of worsted weight wool. Yarn candy!
Good granny square directions can be found at purlbee.com and below are basic directions.
Good granny square directions can be found at purlbee.com and below are basic directions.
Basic Granny Square
1. Chain (ch) 4.2. Close into a ring with 1 slip stitch (sl st) in the first chain.
This is the center ring.
Then follow these instructions to complete the first round.
1. Chain (ch) 3 for your first double crochet (dc) and then work 2 more double crochet stitches into the ring. Chain 2.
This is your first corner
2. Work 3 more double crochets in the ring and chain 2.
3. Repeat step 2 two times.
You now have your four corners.
4. Join the round by working 1 slip stitch in the top of the turning chain. Don't turn your work.
To go on to the second round, follow these steps:
1. Slip stitch across to the first ch-2 space and then chain (ch) 3 for the first double crochet (dc).
2. Work 2 double crochets in the first ch-2 space, chain 2, then work 3 more double crochets in the same ch-2 space. Chain 1.
3. Work 3 double crochets, chain 2, work 3 more double crochets all in the next chain-2 space. Chain 1.
4. Repeat step 3 twice, which brings you to the last side of the motif. Work 1 slip stitch in the top of the turning chain to hold.
1. Chain (ch) 4.2. Close into a ring with 1 slip stitch (sl st) in the first chain.
This is the center ring.
Then follow these instructions to complete the first round.
1. Chain (ch) 3 for your first double crochet (dc) and then work 2 more double crochet stitches into the ring. Chain 2.
This is your first corner
2. Work 3 more double crochets in the ring and chain 2.
3. Repeat step 2 two times.
You now have your four corners.
4. Join the round by working 1 slip stitch in the top of the turning chain. Don't turn your work.
To go on to the second round, follow these steps:
1. Slip stitch across to the first ch-2 space and then chain (ch) 3 for the first double crochet (dc).
2. Work 2 double crochets in the first ch-2 space, chain 2, then work 3 more double crochets in the same ch-2 space. Chain 1.
3. Work 3 double crochets, chain 2, work 3 more double crochets all in the next chain-2 space. Chain 1.
4. Repeat step 3 twice, which brings you to the last side of the motif. Work 1 slip stitch in the top of the turning chain to hold.
[You can change colors of yarn (usually when you finish a "round") as often as you like!]
We will be traveling to our daughter's for the week of Christmas. Making granny squares is a satisfying, and meditative way to add color to the miles of interstate highway! Maybe, some day, I'll have enough completed squares to make an afghan. The important thing for now is to relax and enjoy the journey!
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Here is a recipe for a favorite Christmas cookie which, once we arrive, the grandchildren may help me to bake. It is from my friend Sally and I have enjoyed it for years!
NUTMEG LOG COOKIES
□ 3 c. flour
□ 3 c. flour
□ 1 tsp. nutmeg
□ 2 sticks butter
□ 3/4 c. sugar
□ 1 egg
□ 2 tsp. vanilla
□ 1 tbsp. rum
ICING:
□ 3 tbsp. butter, softened
ICING:
□ 3 tbsp. butter, softened
□ 1/2 tsp. vanilla
□ 1 tsp. rum
□ 2 1/2 c. sifted confectioners' sugar
□ 2-3 tbsp. evaporated milk or cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 large cookie sheets. Sift flour and nutmeg together. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and rum. Gradually add flour, mixing with spoon until well blended. Roll dough into 1/2 inch logs on a floured surface. Place logs 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes until light brown. Cool on wire rack. Prepare icing by creaming butter, vanilla, and rum. Beat in sugar alternately with cream. Spread over cookies, use a fork to make "stripes" or ridges (bark) and sprinkle with nutmeg.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 large cookie sheets. Sift flour and nutmeg together. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and rum. Gradually add flour, mixing with spoon until well blended. Roll dough into 1/2 inch logs on a floured surface. Place logs 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes until light brown. Cool on wire rack. Prepare icing by creaming butter, vanilla, and rum. Beat in sugar alternately with cream. Spread over cookies, use a fork to make "stripes" or ridges (bark) and sprinkle with nutmeg.
With work and travel, I am not on-line much these days.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas!
Be safe and savor the little things!
Lila
4 comments:
I love Granny squares too - I want to someday make one with black as the outer ring, it would look like the ones my grandmothers used to have.
I think that is the traditional way! Black sets everything off!
The Granny Squares are so colorful! Afghans come in handy at this time of year.
Before this week I was not acquainted with purlbee.com. My local newspaper gave the link to them this week and again you did in your post. I had to visit them. That site has so many neat projects. I found the dimensions for a Christmas stocking (that I needed)!
Have fun with your grandchildren making the yummy cookies! Thanks for the recipe.
I have my grannie's afghan..love it..Have a Merry and safe Christmas..
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