Showing posts with label spincushions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spincushions. Show all posts
Everyone knows what a granny square is. Even people who are not quite familiar with crochet have seen the granny squares most likely. And granny squares are first thing that comes to our mind when we think of crochet. Our grandmothers and grand grandmothers made them. But as everything else, crochet is developing constantly, and new stitches are born every day. And today granny squares may look very different. Modern and fresh. Granny Square Flair book by Shelley Husband of Spincushions, which was published recently, collects of wonderful selection of such modern and fresh granny squares. And today I would like to share my thoughts about this book.
DISCLOSURE: My copy of Granny Square Flair book arrived on August 28th – just on the day of my birthday. And opening the package delivered from UK felt like a real birthday gift. Shelley Husband sent me a copy of her book for review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
As already mentioned, Granny Square Flair book includes instructions for 50 modern granny squares. And all of them come in one size: approx. 15cm/6in when made with 8ply/DK/light worsted yarn and a 4mm (G) hook, if your tension is average. There are also suggestions given on how to adjust the size and make squares larger or smaller.
Before jumping to patterns’ instructions it might be helpful to study several chapters about different types of yarn and hooks, joining methods and pattern notes. I just love Shelley’s seamless tips – something new to learn and use in my own designing work.
Each pattern in placed on a separate page in the book together with written round-by-round instructions, a chart, a picture of a finished square (I love the idea of showing off all squares in one off-white color) and several colorful version with different shades.
Although I prefer to crochet with charts whenever possible, I found some of them to be difficult to read. Because of several layers being used at the same time. For these complex squares I would choose to follow written instructions (and they are easy to understand) with partial referral to the charts. In general I would say Flair book is perfect for both beginners and advanced crocheters, as everyone will find something for himself.
I couldn’t help myself and tried my hook on Iron Lace square. Isn’t its texture lovely?
Next chapter of Granny Square Flair book is not less exciting as it shows 11 crochet projects made with granny squares listed in the book. I honestly love all of them, but because recently I am all about gradient and variegated yarn, my absolute favourites are Melbourne Wrap and Dahlia Scarf.
Melbourne Wrap was made by Shelley with my own colorway of Our Tribe yarn by Scheepjes*.
And Dahlia Scarf uses two skeins of Our Tribe yarn in shade Haak Maar Raak.
Finally Shelley Husband suggests tips for how to design your own crochet projects using granny squares: how to choose yarn, patterns and layout. And how to estimate approx. yardages for a project.
In the very end of the Granny Square Flair book you will find a complete Glossary with all crochet stitches used in the patterns, their descriptions and explanation of symbols from the charts.
The book is available as a hardcopy ($29.99) and as E-book ($14.99). If you’re in Australia, you can purchase the book directly through Shelley’s website (if you want to support crochet designers, please consider buying from them directly!) If you’re located elsewhere, you can find the book through other retailers such as:
Amazon.com* (paperback)
Amazon.co.uk (paperback)
Barnes & Nobles (paperback)
Bookdepository (paperback)
You can purchase the PDF E-book from Shelley’s website, too (link is listed above, just scroll down a little bit), no matter where you are located.
Shelley has kindly gifted one hardcopy of Granny Square Flair book for a giveaway. If you would like to win it, please, comment below this post with an answer to a simple question:
Are you enjoying making granny squares? And why?
For an additional entry, please, follow lillabjorncrochet and Spincushions on Instagram, then come back to my blog and leave another comment here. The giveaway will run through September 24th, 2018, and a happy winner will be picked randomly and announced here on the same day. Good luck everyone!
________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: the Giveaway is closed now! thank you very much for participation and lovely comments.
The winner was chosen randomly and it's Arja with comment: "I love making granny's and even the weaving ends when i finished one. You van make beautiful things with it als: pillows/blankets/bags/coasters/cardigans/sweaters and even à dress. It is endless, but in the end i just love à pile of granny's". Dear Arja, please, contact me for more details about your prize :)
________________________________________________________________________
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“Making crochet squares is gratifying in so many ways. They give you a sense of achievement, since you can complete a square easily in one sitting. You get to do a little happy dance every time you finish one.” Shelley Husband
DISCLOSURE: My copy of Granny Square Flair book arrived on August 28th – just on the day of my birthday. And opening the package delivered from UK felt like a real birthday gift. Shelley Husband sent me a copy of her book for review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
What’s inside Granny Square FLAIR book?
As already mentioned, Granny Square Flair book includes instructions for 50 modern granny squares. And all of them come in one size: approx. 15cm/6in when made with 8ply/DK/light worsted yarn and a 4mm (G) hook, if your tension is average. There are also suggestions given on how to adjust the size and make squares larger or smaller.
Before jumping to patterns’ instructions it might be helpful to study several chapters about different types of yarn and hooks, joining methods and pattern notes. I just love Shelley’s seamless tips – something new to learn and use in my own designing work.
Each pattern in placed on a separate page in the book together with written round-by-round instructions, a chart, a picture of a finished square (I love the idea of showing off all squares in one off-white color) and several colorful version with different shades.
Although I prefer to crochet with charts whenever possible, I found some of them to be difficult to read. Because of several layers being used at the same time. For these complex squares I would choose to follow written instructions (and they are easy to understand) with partial referral to the charts. In general I would say Flair book is perfect for both beginners and advanced crocheters, as everyone will find something for himself.
I couldn’t help myself and tried my hook on Iron Lace square. Isn’t its texture lovely?
Next chapter of Granny Square Flair book is not less exciting as it shows 11 crochet projects made with granny squares listed in the book. I honestly love all of them, but because recently I am all about gradient and variegated yarn, my absolute favourites are Melbourne Wrap and Dahlia Scarf.
Melbourne Wrap was made by Shelley with my own colorway of Our Tribe yarn by Scheepjes*.
 |
| Photo by Jo O’Keefe |
And Dahlia Scarf uses two skeins of Our Tribe yarn in shade Haak Maar Raak.
 |
| Photo by Jo O’Keefe |
Finally Shelley Husband suggests tips for how to design your own crochet projects using granny squares: how to choose yarn, patterns and layout. And how to estimate approx. yardages for a project.
In the very end of the Granny Square Flair book you will find a complete Glossary with all crochet stitches used in the patterns, their descriptions and explanation of symbols from the charts.
Where to Buy
The book is available as a hardcopy ($29.99) and as E-book ($14.99). If you’re in Australia, you can purchase the book directly through Shelley’s website (if you want to support crochet designers, please consider buying from them directly!) If you’re located elsewhere, you can find the book through other retailers such as:
Amazon.com* (paperback)
Amazon.co.uk (paperback)
Barnes & Nobles (paperback)
Bookdepository (paperback)
You can purchase the PDF E-book from Shelley’s website, too (link is listed above, just scroll down a little bit), no matter where you are located.
GIVEAWAY
Shelley has kindly gifted one hardcopy of Granny Square Flair book for a giveaway. If you would like to win it, please, comment below this post with an answer to a simple question:
Are you enjoying making granny squares? And why?
For an additional entry, please, follow lillabjorncrochet and Spincushions on Instagram, then come back to my blog and leave another comment here. The giveaway will run through September 24th, 2018, and a happy winner will be picked randomly and announced here on the same day. Good luck everyone!
________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: the Giveaway is closed now! thank you very much for participation and lovely comments.
The winner was chosen randomly and it's Arja with comment: "I love making granny's and even the weaving ends when i finished one. You van make beautiful things with it als: pillows/blankets/bags/coasters/cardigans/sweaters and even à dress. It is endless, but in the end i just love à pile of granny's". Dear Arja, please, contact me for more details about your prize :)
________________________________________________________________________
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