Whilst I may not have managed to write much this past month, I’ve certainly been busy with my scraps. You might remember that some months ago I started using up scrap sock (and other 4-ply) yarn in a scrappy blanket. The last time I reported on progress was in November 2019, and I’d got to this stage:
Since then I’ve beavered away and dug out old scraps and small scraps, until I finally had more than 200 little squares. In order to turn them into a blanket, I did have to buy some yarn, but I supported my local yarn store and, fortunately, had collected it before the lockdown happened.
And now, I’ve got all of the bits joined together and all I need to do is work the border. My intention was to achieve a stained glass window effect and I think that I have been quite successful. Unfortunately there is very bright sunshine today, so the photos don’t quite do justice to the most vibrant colours, still, you get the idea…
Some of the squares are unique as I had only enough yarn to make one, some are made with several scraps in order to use up bits. Some of the yarn was left over from making socks or shawls or blankets or gloves, some was given to me by folks who no longer had a use for it and one ball was a dye test. Considering the varied origins I’m rather pleased with the result. Placement was random with the only rule being that I did not put two squares next to each other that were the same.
-oOo-
I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate, Tall Tales from Chiconia. On the fifteenth of every month lots of folks often publish a ScrapHappy post, do check them out:
Kate (me!), Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan,
Moira, Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean,
Joanne, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Connie, Bekki, Pauline, Sue L,
Sunny and Kjerstin
If you fancy joining, contact Kate and she’ll add you to the list. It would be lovely to see more non-sewing posts, but any use of scraps is welcome.
katechiconi
/ May 15, 2020That’s gorgeous! What a triumphant scrappy finish, and I can only imagine how lovely and jewel-like the colours are when they’re not being bleached out by that dratted sunshine!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020I shouldn’t complain about the sunshine, but its timing was less than perfect. I’m really pleased with the black as it brings out the colours so beautifully.
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katechiconi
/ May 15, 2020Do remember to take a photo in better light so you have a good record, I’d love to see how it really looks!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020Good point… it may be better later today
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lifebyacompassnotaclock
/ May 15, 2020Utterly gorgeous 😍
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020I’m so pleased to have managed to make this just with scraps.
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lifebyacompassnotaclock
/ May 15, 2020Out of left overs and pieces that seem worthless comes this thing of beauty .
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deborah @ the magic jug
/ May 15, 2020What a gorgeous creation! I love the way we can make use of scraps to make something both beautiful and useful – a lesson to us in so many other areas of our lives.
Thank you also for your continued inspiration. Glad to hear you’re well and making still.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020I’ve been really busy crocheting and sewing and learning a new skill… I just haven’t been inspired to write about it all recently. I’ll try to get some more posts done soon – I have lots of lovely things to share.
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Jo
/ May 15, 2020Lovely! And it does remind me of stained glass windows 🌸😊👏👏👏
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020Then, job done.
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Kathryn
/ May 15, 2020I absolutely love this. You have elevated the granny blanket form to art. Send pics to Grayson Perry!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020I wonder what Grayson would think.
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nanacathy2
/ May 15, 2020It does look just like stained glass- what an achievment from scraps.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020I actually didn’t expect it to turn out quite as good as it did.
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thecontentedcrafter
/ May 15, 2020Oh wow! That makes scraps absolutely unscrappy – You have done a wonderful job. Love it!!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020It’s something I’ve had in mind for a while and I’d put it off because I didn’t have any suitable black wool. In the end I realised that I would need to invest in a little new yarn to use up a lot of scrap, and I think it has been worth it. It really did turn out better than expected, though.
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tialys
/ May 15, 2020I love the stained glass look of your blanket. Even though I crochet myself I have a similar one I bought at a charity stall a few years ago and treasure it because I wouldn’t want to do all that joining of tiny squares myself.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020I crocheted them together, which was much more fun than sewing them… plus I was a very good girl and dealt with all the ends in batches as I went along, so I only have a few black ends to weave in once the final border is completed.
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Kim
/ May 15, 2020It’s beautiful, and I get the stained glass window vibe. It should be gloriously warm too 😍
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020I’m actually rather taken aback that it worked as well as it did considering the colours were completely random and represent pretty much all of my 4-ply scraps.
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Going Batty in Wales
/ May 15, 2020It was well worth buying that black yarn. It really sets off the colours and adds to the stained glass window effect. It really is gorgeous! Are you going to keep it or is it one of your charity makes?
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020I think I am going to keep it as I like it so much.
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Going Batty in Wales
/ May 16, 2020Hurray! I was hoping you would say that!
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Quimper Hitty
/ May 15, 2020So many sock yarn leftovers, turned into a garden of loveliness – wonderful!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020It took a while, but I think it was worth it.
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polesparadise
/ May 15, 2020Wow! That’s beautiful.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020We need more beauty in the word… particularly beauty made from things others would consider to be waste.
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Joanne S
/ May 15, 2020I agree with the others before me, it does look like jewel stained glass and it has set a new standard for granny squares. 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 15, 2020Thank you.
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onesmallstitch
/ May 16, 2020wow! it is stunning, love how the black made the colours stand out.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ May 16, 2020I’m always interested to see the difference adding a contrasting colour makes – this worked exactly how I had hoped
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Nice Piece of Work
/ May 17, 2020WOW !!!
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lynnefisher
/ May 17, 2020Love the black as a framing colour, and the whole looks fabulous and coordinated!
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