One A Day Project — Granny Square Pillow

I really planned to make some samples with the yarn I’m to use before I did this post but I’m so excited about this project, I can’t wait.  I’m like a kid at Christmas.  I’m definitely going to start this weekend with my squares but I’m not in a rush to finish this project anytime soon, so updates will come periodically.

Even with my crochet inexperience (I’m a total beginner), it took about 30 mins. to get my test square done.   Since I craft for fun and stress management, I figure I can do at least one square a day — more if I’m not doing anything else.  With that, I’m totally biting the idea of this being a “One A Day” project. Carole at Gingerbread Girl started this meme about a year or so ago to help her finish large projects.  The goal is that whatever participants are working on, they’ll do at least one row, one square, one whatever per day until the project is done.  I’m not certain if I’ll join that meme group but I’ll definitely be working this project that way.  There’s a Ravelry group and very Tuesday,  a Tuesday Tallies meme on Carole’s blog to keep up with your project and what the other participants are doing.

My goal is to do a pillow first, similar to this one.  For that, I’ll need 50 squares.  I went through my stash last night and found the yarn I want to work with.  I initially bought this for another project, but I like it for this one.  I ordered a 2 more skeins of the cream today (that’s all Deramores had left), hopefully I can get more when it’s time to do the afghan.  I’m thinking that might need at maximum 150 – 200 squares.  I got my inspiration for the colour combo from Design Seeds (initially for the first project I bought the yarn for) but I think it will work superbly for the pillow and the afghan.

This is the colour card from Design Seeds that inspired me although my colour choices are more vibrant –

This is my project’s yarn colour choice. 

I can see those granny squares in my mind and I can’t wait to start them.  The yarn is mostly King Cole Smooth DK (this has wonderful sheen, if you click on the photo you’ll see it better) and the pink is James Brett Cotton On.  I can’t say enough about Deramores — they have some of the absolute best customer service I’ve experienced.  And get this — the store is a UK store.  I can go on and on about them, but maybe I should give them their own post.

Someone save me from myself — I’m supposed to be doing Christmas knitting now!!!!  LOLOL!!!

Stop Me, I’m A Monster Today!!!

Oye!!!  So I made another motif.  I actually found another granny square project I want to make —

image and project credit: wisecraft (Blair Stocker)

Yep!!!  That puppy right there!  Ain’t it beautiful?  I’m going to use it as my long term —  One A Day project.  I want to either do a throw pillow or an afghan! 

To make sure I got the tutorial down pat, I tried the motif tonight and voila!

No!  I’m not going to use those psychedelic colours.  😀  This is just practice but I’m pretty pleased with it.  So much so, I’m going to dig some yarn out to start this tomorrow. 😀  The pattern says that before joining, the motif comes out more round than square but joining really opens the pattern up.  I can’t wait!

On another note, it’s disgusting that staying in my pjs and crafting all day with some intermittent T.V watching and a three hour conversation with my mom has been my absolute best vacation day so far. 😀  Wish I could have more days like this.