Holiday Stripes

Holiday Stripes Blanket

This is a fun blanket to make and give as a Christmas Gift.  Doesn't it remind you of Ribbon Candy?  This year I made this blanket to give to my cousin.

You can make this blanket.  Free pattern instructions are at Coats & Clark at

 http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Seasonal/LW1882+Holiday+Stripes+Throw.htm

Joining Squares

Making granny squares is quick work, but joining them can be time consuming. 
Correct placement of different color squares is very important to the larger color scheme of the blanket.  Often squares are joined with ''right sides facing."  So the work is done looking at the wrong sides, which is not so pretty.  But once all the work is done, and a finishing edging is added, the blanket looks quite nice, and the project was worth all the time and effort.

Hip to Be Square

Granny Squares

These are four basic granny squares.  Ahh, the lowly granny square.  But NO!  The squares are very versatile!  There are soooo many possible color combinations and, yes, even pattern variations.

The basic granny square is actually worked in "rounds," and not rows.  It is very easy to make.  The "how-to" links at the top of the page will direct you to instructions on how to make one.  The basic square uses double crochet and chain stitches, with a couple of slip stitches to join the rounds.