Stella's Granny Hat

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NeverEnding, NeverAgain Afghan

  (updated version: March 26, 2013)

 I started this afghan about 2 years ago. I never ever, ever thought that 2 years later I would still be working on it.  A total of 285 small Granny Squares is what it took to make this afghan big enough for a double size bed. I have 3 more rows to slip stitch together, and maybe a border added, before I can call this 'My Finally Done Afghan'

This was suppose to be a project to use up my scrap yarn and instead, ended up being more than one trip to the hobby store... Which ended up with me buying yarn to start other projects..... wonder why this one isn't done yet?

In this picture,,,you can get an idea of what it will look like when completed.   That is my little buddy, Stella, sitting off to the side. 
Her little heart is going to be broken when she realizes I didn't make this for her.




At this point, I was planning on writing a tutorial on 'How to make Granny Squares'  but while looking around on Pinterest, I came upon a blog called things to make and do.   

She has a great tutorial on how to make basic granny squares, plus tutorials on how to adjust the sizes, blocking and joining.  Anyone wanting to learn......Go say 'Hi' to adaiha@ things to make and do. and tell her that Lorri, from Home away from Mom, sent you.   I am sending you to her patterns & tutorials page. 

 Start at Granny Square Tutorial part 1: Basic Granny Square. 

Once you learn that, the possibilities are endless. You can use multiple colors, sizes, stitches, make up your own design, you name it...it's all up to you.  Get creative and have fun.

For those of you who don't know how to crochet, but would like to learn......Go on over and say 'Hi' to 
Mikey @ The Crochet Crowd
He has some great videos on Youtube to help you on your way.



For my afghan:
I used an H/8-5.00mm hook and
RedHeart Supersaver yarn
(I'm sorry, I didn't keep track of how much yarn I was using)   

*I made up a graph to make my pattern..... 

As you can see, alot of scribbling went on,,,, and this was the one that got saved from the trash. 

For anyone wanting to take on this mammoth of a blanket. 
Everyone is welcome to the pattern I have created out of little granny squares and the pictures of it, but please link  back to me....Thank you.

Here is the placement of the squares I came up with. I redid the sheet and put in generic letters as the colors, but still posted, at the bottom the colors each letter represents on my afghan... It was amazing to see what it turned out looking like once I started getting it put together.  

Each one of my squares were made up of a solid color for 2 rounds and the 3rd round is black. Then I slip stitched them together using black.... I'm still debating on...Border or no border. and if I decide on a border...what kind of border.....decisions, decisions.

I know I call this my NeverEndingNeverAgainAfghan, But....who knows...Never say Never :)


Ravelry members.... Make sure you visit this page to post your pictures.
Ravelry: Page for NeverEndingNeverAgainAfghan


Once you get going, and have so many blankets made, that you don't know what to do with them all......there are alot of charities out there that need help. A nice little security blanket would mean the world to some little boy or girl.   You can check your local shelters and hospitals to see if they take donations.
                                      Hoping you all have a Happy Friday
                                           and a happy and safe weekend,
                                                                Lorri

Dreamcatchers

    

My Sister and Co-contributer to this blog, Susan, loves Dreamcatchers and Plants. So last year for her birthday I decided to put the two together and make her a Dreamcatcher Plantholder. 
Pictured is the first one, of many, that I ended up making. Some with the plantholders, some without, some big, some small and some small enough for the kids to put on their rearview mirrors in their cars. 
   

After the first two, I still wasn't getting the hang of how to tie the knots so I switched to crocheting the middle part. 
You can find a nice doiley pattern to crochet, or just wing it like I did.  Also, There are many sites with directions on..... 'How to make a Dreamcatcher'..... for those of you who don't crochet.

Items needed for a Dreamcatcher/Plantholder:

*Brass Rings
*Craft Thread
*Craft Cord
*Assortment of Beads
*Feathers
*Any decorations you like

It takes a bit of money to get all the supplies you need to get started, but once you get set up, you can make pretty many Dreamcatcher/Plantholders and just have to buy a few things here and there.    

If you decide to crochet your dreamcatcher, remember to make it smaller than the ring so you can stretch it tight onto the ring. I tied mine into place and cut off the strings as I wrapped the Craft Cord around. Once you have the ring wrapped, it is time to add the Plantholder. The Craft Cord comes in different sizes. Choose which size is best for your plantholder, but keep in mind, the bigger the Cord, the harder it is to get the beads over it, for decorating. 

Decide how long you want your plantholder to be. Cut 4 pieces of Cord double that length, plus a little extra to count for the knots.

Slip all 4 pieces through one of the spaces in your Dreamcatcher and around the ring. Pull down until all 8 pieces are even. Leaving a loop at the top, big enough to slip all 8 pieces through. Pull to tighten knot. (Larks Head Knot) 

At this point... you can add beads, knots or any kind of decoration you want to be part of the cord.





To make the net to hold the pot...

Separate into pairs of 4 and tie a knot 
in each pair. (above where you want the top of your flowerpot to be)  

Separate again...Go down a few inches and tie knots in each of the new pairs.

Combine all strands, Go down a few more inches and tie them all into one big knot.

This was a little harder to explain than I thought it was going to be...If anyone has any questions, please leave me a message and I will try to help you out. 
The picture to the right, is showing an extra set of separating, started higher up with some beads added. Play around and see what you  come up with.

From here on out, is the fun part...

The decorating......Add beads, feathers, charms or whatever else you can find. 
Don't forget to tie a loop to the top for hanging your Dreamcatcher.

Here are pictures of some of the Dreamcatchers I have made.  They did end up being Plantholders, but I took the picture before adding them.