Summer 2012 Granny "Square" Swap (sign ups closed)

[BtownChickMom]

Here's an almost 12 inch block. I'm going to take out the last row and make it dc instead so that it will be 12 inches. The lighting in here makes the colors look different--it's the bone, plum and lavender.

 

[Alethea]

That is gorgeous.

 

[HCFarms96]

Lovely square!

I went to Wally World the other day to get my yarn, and turns out the only colours there that are on the list are Lavender Blue and Cranberry... which look absolutely terrible together, in my opinion. Sooo... I still haven't got my yarn

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Hi Wishing4wings~

So nice to meet you. I'm Kim. Those are adorable crocheted animals. You do great work! You should join the swap. The deadline to sign up for this swap isn't until July 31st and then you have 2 months to complete all the swap squares after that. If not, I'm sure there will be another swap in the future. There are some wonderful tutorials on the web & you tube that teach how to do granny squares. Another thread you may want to look at is The Crochet Chat in this section. It's just a place for the crocheters can exchange ideas, get help or share what projects we are working on. I don't think it's necessary to block squares, but it can help with shape and size. I've not ever blocked any of my squares for the swap in the past.

Hi Kim, thanks for the info. I have some family obligations for the next couple of months, so think I will wait until the next swap. I'll check out the Crochet Chat and practice on some blocks to get myself up to speed. I'm a lefty with a stubborn brain, so it takes me a while to turn the patterns around!

Nice to meet you,
Lynda

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Wishing4Wings ~ Hi!!!

Those critters are CUTE!! If you can teach yourself how to do that then a granny square should be a breeze This is my first swap and I'm really enjoying it. It's giving me something to do when the weather is too hot to go outside or when work is slow. I have a habit of starting a project and then losing steam, but since I know they need to be finished by a certain date I'm just zipping right along. I'm only blocking the squares that are just shy of being 6 inches (I'm one of those people who like things to line up even, lol).

Betty ~ I'm looking forward to seeing your 12 inch blocks!

Alethea ~ I hope you're feeling better!!

Kim ~ Good luck with your next meeting. What kind of shop do you all have? We've started with the triple digit heat here, too.

Sunny ~ I hope you've been getting some rest between moves!

Kate ~ I hope that you all have stayed safe! The NM fires have quieted down now, right? I know that recovery will be a long and slow process...


Everyone stay cool and safe!

Hi BtownChickMom! I have the same tendency to lose energy during a project, and then I rush to finish if there's a deadline. My sister is still waiting for her promised scarf! (no deadline!

) The squares sound great because you can complete one in a relatively short time, which is gratifying. Sounds like everyone is really enjoying themselves, and the squares are so pretty. Hope there will be an autumn swap! (my favorite time and colors)

Best wishes! Lynda

 

[WriterofWords]

Hi Kim, thanks for the info. I have some family obligations for the next couple of months, so think I will wait until the next swap. I'll check out the Crochet Chat and practice on some blocks to get myself up to speed. I'm a lefty with a stubborn brain, so it takes me a while to turn the patterns around!

Nice to meet you,
Lynda

Hi Lynda, I'm Kate. I am ambidextrous and have students who are left handed. We read the patterns exactly the same as you would for a right handed person and it works out just the same. I thought there would be a lot of extra work involved but there wasn't.

All: So far we haven't had too much trouble close to us but that will change this weekend. The state banned fireworks in all incorporated areas, we are not incorporated so as usual we will have thousands of Texans and close by New Mexicans out here in our extremely dry desert shooting off flammable fireworks. We have already had 4 big fires due to fireworks and carelessness. Lost a paint and body shop and had fires at 2 other businesses they are saying were arson and by the same person. Wish us luck!

Crochet: I have most of my yarn I want to use, patterns for all 3 sizes, and ready to start. The last couple of weeks I've had science trainings to take and to teach. I've also been working with a student from our original club 3 years ago now. She is the Tarahumara girl, she is making washcloths and selling them 3 for $12 and the quilt guild that sponsors us has been coming out on Thurs. during the summer so the kids can keep working. I have to buy the cotton yarn for my girl, but she's doing good now and helping out the family. The guild will be picking up some too for her.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Good Morning~

Yesterday was another record breaking triple digit temp day. I think 108 or 110 degrees. Just crazy!!!! Good news it was drier instead of our usual humidity, so not as sticky outside. Bad news about being dry is fear of fires with the 4th coming up soon. I know some areas have canceled their fireworks, b/c it's just so hot & dry. This morning is a nice mild 85*, but is suppose to climb to at least 104*. Just crazy ~ crazy!!! Well, for us it is. We are suppose to get rain on Tue. I sure hope so.

No time to crochet. Yesterday DH & I went to a small family ran creamery to taste their cheese. OMG!!!! So delicious! It was all made w/ grass fed Jersey Cow milk. Then last night I went to the outdoor theater in St. Louis (The Muny) w/ a friend to see Chicago. We braved the heat, took a lil picnic and ate there before the show. It was hot, but good to spend time w/ a friend.

Today I'm going to maybe clean my stinky coop. My older chicken have been so miserable at night in the coop so I put a small fan in there last night. I need more ventilation in there. I cleaned the baby brooder a few days ago. The babies are growing. I guess they are about 3 months old now. I take them out to the grow out tractor on fresh grass every day and then carry them back to the big brooder tub in the garage every night. Musical chickens can be a such a pain in the butt, but I love them!!! I need to revamp one of my small coops to accommodate the Silkies and the other small one to maybe be a broody Mama coop. I still have one broody Cuckoo Maran (Flopie Mopsie) so I think I'll let her hatch some of my own eggs. The other 2 girls (blue Am~Emma & Cuckoo Maran~Camilia) finally gave up.

Sunny~ Hi!

I hope you are able to take a rest and relax a little after the big move. You deserve a break.

Are you still dealing w/ crazy wind? I hope is dies down for you & Betty.

Betty~ Hi!

How are things going on your lil' desert farm? I know you are always so busy. Looking forward to seeing a pic of your swap squares.

Beth~ Your square turned out fantastic! You are finding such wonderful patterns to create.

My DH & I are trying to open a wine bar/ art gallery. It's DH's dream and I'm along for the ride. The idea is to start slow as a wine cheese bar/art gallery and then expand the menu as we grow. (Hopefully we will grow) We want to also hold education workshops on the off days on Backyard chicken education, art, cooking, beekeeping etc. So far our build out has been about 95% recycled repurposed material. It's going to be a small quaint farm atmosphere...I hope. We've done a lot, but have a lot to do.

Lealonna~ Great to hear from you!

Do you have a JoAnn's, Michaels or Hobby Lobby in your area? I found some of the yarn there. It seems like JoAnn's keeps running free shipping specials as well. I found all colors, but the Royal Sparkle. I haven't had a chance to get back out to the stores to take a second peek. I'm going to check them one more time and if it doesn't show up I will order it from Caron's site.

Kate~ How are you? Did they find the arsenic in your area? Hope you are safe.

Hi Diane & Kathy!!!!

Lynda~ You're welcome! Please stop by here and the Crochet Chat to visit with us. I don't know why, but the Crochet Chat has been quiet lately. I think everyone is so busy in the summer. There are some really nice, talented, helpful crocheters on there and here. I love seeing pics of everyones projects. I am notorious for starting crocheting projects, putting them down forgetting about them and then picking them back up way later to finish them, if I finish them. Oh I have several started unfinished projects.

I like to have several of them going to bounce between, but need to be a little more focused to finish them.

I'm getting better though.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Here's a pic of the square I did the other day, but I won't be using it for the swap b/c there is a mis stitch in the center and I'm not sure if I'm crazy about the color combo.

Kate~ We must have been writing at the same time. I am so sorry about all the loss in your area from the fires. I sure hope they catch the arson. Sounds like you've been super busy like everyone else. I hope everyone stays safe in your area on the 4th.

 

[baustin]

Hi everyone,

I just took pix of the blocks I've done so far. I'm trying the one Btownchickmom posted and I don't understand the second row that says to go around the post. Maybe I'm just tired as I've been cleaning all day, you know the scrub the baseboards, corners, etc. in the bathroom. My company will be here the 9th. We are still having afternoon wind but so far not as bad as we were having. We finished the shade over the raised veggie beds. The desert sun is terrible on tomatoes and cucumbers. We covered four raised beds and four containers with a 14x19 cover and I can feel the difference when I am underneath it.

Here are the pix of the blocks completed so far. I am only enthused over one of them but still have some more patterns to try. I haven't tried a rectangle yet and 6" blocks are no problem. I hope everyone has a good weekend and are away from any fires.

 

[Alethea]

Smitty-You are an inspiration. I made a mistake at the beginning of a 12" square and didn't discover it until it was finished. I decided I could live with it. Then I remembered it is for someone else & I wasn't sure whether I should send it. Since reading your posts, I've decided to take it apart and start over. Thank you.

Betty-beautiful 12"squares. Mine are very simple so far, but maybe I'll try something more sophisticated, since I'm taking one apart anyway.