Pretty Granny Squares

  I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. I'm going to be working on a few projects here at Casapinka. For starters, I'll be crocheting with  some unusual colors for me. I had some scrap yarn and I wanted to try to make something pretty, but not dowdy, out of granny squares. I chose the colors above which happened to be scraps of yarn nestled together in my knitting basket.  I find them somehow restful, or maybe it's early menopause, but I'm hopeful that I can make something calm and nice, maybe a present for someone.  Purl Bee has  a simple tutorial on granny squares and I love all the colors and textures they used for their demonstration (see below.) Aren't they happy?

 

Speaking of menopause, I'm also excited because Husband just told me that it's my birthday again tomorrow! What the what? Well, there was that unfortunate incident of the present that contained...wrinkle cream. Now, it was this, which in no place on the bottle says "old woman, crone, crow's feet, you need botox, or for serious cases only" but c'mon. WRINKLE CREAM? I'm a sensitive soul, and I tried to look happy, young and perky, grateful and bountiful all at once...but I have to admit, the wind was taken out of my sails a bit. Forty is a big birthday and wrinkle cream...well, why am I explaining this - I'm sure you guys understand. I love Husband a lot but, boy oh boy. That being said, my wrinkle cream revealed that a friend received fetus earrings from her husband, so I'm kind of proud of him for steering clear of those.

Anyway, he said, "Tomorrow is your birthday, don't ask any questions, I'll take the kids to school, breakfast in bed, and we have a babysitter coming at 6." Seriously? 

So, having a look around for pretty granny squares, I found a lot of ugliness and some that were quite beautiful.
 

 

A gorgeous cushion from the wondrous Yvestown. I'm going to have to make one like this at some point, no doubt about it.

 

And also from Yvestown, a granny square blanket. I'm starting to think that I've strayed from colors that reside in the deepest recesses of my soul...
 

 

 It's fascinating what you find while looking for granny squares. I came across Snailtrail in the UK, which hires out vintage VW Campers. Look at how they're kitted out! With names like Maude, Matilda, Elsie, Pearl, Betty and Flo, they promise big adventures even if you stay inside the entire time, eating marshmallows and knitting. 

 This is Elsie - she comes with a matching granny square blanket (because that's what we're talking about, granny squares, remember?) Except now, yet again,  I'm longing for a pink VW campervan, which Husband HATES and you may remember that post I did on vintage campers a while back. Yes, it's still there, that wistful longing to take a road trip with Juniorette in our pink vintage camper, like Happy Loves Rosie's (below.)  We'd cook in our polka dotted interior and read on our granny square clad bed and no boys would be allowed! 

 

So now, do I feel overly sedate after looking at my color choices at the top and all the fun colors in this post? Uh, yes I do. But a girl's got to branch out every once in a while and leave her comfort zone. Otherwise, how does she grow? I somehow think by Monday  I'll be back to the land of pink, lemon yellow and aqua but you never know, I may see a Talbot's catalogue this week and be lost forever. Help me, I'm being swallowed up by red boiled wool coats with silver buttons and tartan pants!

Comments

[Ani]

Hi. Love the crochet. I'm so happy that these traditional things are not lost. Thanks for your comment on my squash. I'm new to blogging and thrilled to get comments. You blog is gorgeous, by the way. Ah, to be 40 again…

[Jen HC]

Brought back some terrific afghans from my Grandma's house recently. Zoe now has an AWESOME granny-square blanket on her bed. You must see it!! Enjoy your special Birthday!!

[Kate]

Argh argh argh! I might have to pick up the hook again. I started making a hexagon blanket, but I think I've made it on too small a hook and it's too hot here, anyway. But LORD those are pretty.

I love the way the right colours can bring crochet from blah and fussy and old to bright and happy and fresh - or restful, I LOVE those colours of yours.

Have you seen Attic 24? Lovely colourful crochet. Google for her blog, she's got a flickr inspiration group, too.

[Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your Life]

LOVE LOVE LOVE these images! I am ordering yarn today so I can get started (all super bright colors!)