Hey everyone! How is your weekend going?? We've had rain rain rain here the past week or so. I love that! I feel all cozy and feel like reading and drinking coffee and making stuff. Winter is in full swing in Sacramento! Finally. The rain is much needed here and I'm grateful. Last week I had so many fun activities and meet ups. Seems like everything goes on pause during the holidays and then the week after New Years we all want to get back to our normal routine. I was ready - ready for things to get back on track - food, exercise, crafting...all of it!
I finally finished my first big crochet project! I've made a few scarves, but only one big thing so far. I'm so happy to share it with you! One of my sweet blogger friends had a baby girl recently! I am so happy for her because she wanted to be a mama so badly, and I know she is going to be amazing as a mom! Her story was one of the 'good news' stories of last year. I wanted to make her something special for the nursery. The photos I saw of her nursery had grey and white and pops of bright colors (and pom poms!). I chose some pretty yarn colors in baby soft yarn (Caron Simply Soft - supplies and colors below) and set to work! This is a Granny Square Crochet Blanket!
I am a brand new crocheter and I made this! YEAH! The reason I'm telling you that is because I want to encourage you to do it to! If I can make this, you can! When you are a new crocheter, your best friend is YouTube. There are so many people (kind and generous people) who post instructional videos on how to do everything! I suggest you search for the pattern you want to make and then find one of the You-tubers that 'speaks' to you - that you like their voice and pace. That's what I did to make this - I watched a ton of videos and then started... I belong to two local Crochet/Knit meet ups that have experts - and they were always willing to give me help and a tip along the way. Yarn peeps are just like paper peeps - sweet and helpful (and they just hoard yarn instead of 12x12 patterned paper! LOL).
The pattern for my blanket is a Granny Square. It's about 40x40 inches finished. But, the good part is you can keep adding rows forever! Make it whatever size you want it to be! I changed yarn color after every round. After I finished the square blanket, I added a shell stitch crochet border in white to polish/finish it off nicely. Then I made some pink pom poms for all the corners using my Clover Pom Pom Maker. I attached the pom poms with a tied bow, so she can remove them if they get in the way - or for washing.
These colors are just like a bowl of candy! And it's sooooo soft and squishy!
Cutest photo shoot photo-bomber ever! Hee hee. What a helpful guy!!
I'm listing my supplies and colors below. I bought one skein of each color and I used an H hook size. I made the entire blanket, border and pom poms and still had yarn left over. I would say I used about 75% of each skein. So the yarn goes a long way. I'm still learning how to gauge how far the yarn goes and how to read the labels/weight etc.
I'm loving learning something new. I hope you've enjoyed my project too! What are you working on right now?? XOXO
SUPPLIES FOR TODAY!
Wow, Wanda this is incredible and something she will treasure for years to come, I just want to tell you how much I enjoy your blog posts. I jump to read them every time I see one in my email inbox! Thank you so much for inspiring me!
Posted by: Shawn Wenrich | 01/14/2019 at 05:19 AM
Beautiful baby blanket Wanda. She's bound to love it. Congratulations on your new skill. I've been learning smocking so I know how exciting and gratifying it is (I am 58). I would love to learn to crochet like you as well. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement. You are a good friend to all of your readers.
Posted by: Kathryn Pickering | 01/13/2019 at 09:43 PM
Oh this is beautiful, Wanda. Did you ever watch The Crochet Crowd. He is great. I also like Daisy Farm Crafts.
Have a blessed day.
Posted by: 🙂 Nancy Farrell | 01/13/2019 at 05:46 PM
Hi Wanda,
I come here for your gorgeous cards, But I've loved seeing your crochet posts!
I want to make this blanket! You've done such a beautiful job with it. Granny squares are so fun!
Could you please send me the link to where you found the pattern? I would be so grateful.
Posted by: Cindy Beach | 01/13/2019 at 10:25 AM
Such a thoughtful gift! She will treasure your hand crafted gift. I especially like the shell stitch. It is so pretty and delicate. Your posts have encouraged me to pick up my knitting needles. Thanks for your inspiration ❤️
Posted by: Veronica Fairbrother | 01/13/2019 at 10:10 AM
Super sweet and you did a wonderful job. Love the colors for sure. I am knitting an orange stocking cap for my 4 year old granddaughter. Orange is her favorite color so I might have to do mittens to match. I love paper but I also love yarn and fabrics. Made quilts for all of my grandkids. Now I have two more girls to spoil. I consider myself darn lucky....
Posted by: Anne Sturgeon | 01/13/2019 at 10:06 AM
Beautiful blanket such a special sweet gift.
You have conquered this crocheting. ❤️
Posted by: Geneva | 01/13/2019 at 09:23 AM
So beautiful! I have not crocheted in years. I did enjoy it when I did though.
Posted by: Verna Angerhofer | 01/13/2019 at 08:31 AM
Wanda,
Because of your crochet posts, I have returned to crocheting again. It’s been over 30 years since I made my last afghan. Your work has been a true inspiration for me. The blanket is beautiful and I loved the two scarves! I am currently working on a multicolored scarf and having so much fun in the process.
Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Lisa R. | 01/13/2019 at 08:27 AM
Just about the cutest little baby blanket I've laid eyes on... that new mom is going to treasure this gift from your own hands!
Lucky might like a basket full of poms made from those leftover yarns, Wanda!! Or what if you strung them together for a cute garland for staging your photos? Seems I've seen these colors on your darling cards...ya think? lol xx
=]
Posted by: Michele | 01/13/2019 at 06:44 AM
Wanda! This is a lovely blanket and as always handmade is so special. I know this new Momma will treasure your work. You go! My Mom and I talk about taking up crocheting all the time as my grandmother was an expert crocheter. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Julie | 01/13/2019 at 06:31 AM
What an adorable blanket - those pom-poms are the perfect finishing touch! So cute! I love your kitty photo-bomber -could he be plotting to make that blankie his??? LOL
Posted by: Lizzie T | 01/13/2019 at 06:21 AM
Congratulations, Wanda! You have done a great job with your crocheting and this blanket looks fantastic. It's such a lovely gift for a new mom. A beautiful piece to treasure. Keep up the great work. I love to crochet. I've been trying to work on a table runner for a long while, but keep getting distracted by counted cross stitch projects. LOL Good thing it'll keep until I can get to it again. Thanks so much for sharing and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Jeanne | 01/13/2019 at 05:41 AM
Wanda, this is adorable and such a great gift. What a keepsake.
Posted by: ~amy~ | 01/13/2019 at 03:52 AM