CROCHET CHAT: Patchwork Crochet Blanket Progress

This blanket. A great idea of using up my Tilda yarn stash. With great enthusiasm I started to make granny squares in 2018. The squares were easy. Didn't need much thought. Just relaxing and smooth random color play directly out of the basket. Colored 3-row granny squares mixed up with creamy white squares. Pure bliss! But the joining...

I wanted a snug join. I wanted squares on a bias. It took a while to figure out how to proceed (read more about that here). In the end I sewed strips of squares together with slip stitch and then added one row to another in the same manner. It was incredibly time consuming. My enthusiasm faded and the WiP was put away in the closet. For a loooong time. I just recently took it out as my goal is to finish all my UFOs this year to start fresh with a new crochet journey once I'm done.

When finishing the main piece I had to decide on how to make the border. I was choosing between just adding triangles or making it a bit wider using squares on the bias AND triangles to make a straight edge. I went with the latter and I'm now in the final stage of adding triangles to my border. I'm enjoying it even if the progress is slow. I still need to make a couple of big triangles for the corners, small triangles didn't work...  and then decide on an edging. Any ideas? Simple or lacy? Maybe just a few double crochet rows of colored stripes alternated by creamy white... Shall I use special stitches? Make it wide or narrow?  What would you do?

Kärlek
Annette

FOLLOW  My Rose Valley HERE:

Instagram rambles

INSTAGRAM POST SHARED FROM @MYROSEVALLEY

Once upon a time I just shared. Then something happened and I started to think, plan, analyze and I became very analytical and I tried to be more strategic in my use of social media... I got burnt out. I took a step back, a step forward... not knowing what to do or not to do. But I’ve come to understand that when I am overthinking things I loose my authenticity. I miss organic me. Simple and spontaneous me. Saying this, I think I’m just simply gonna stop thinking so darn much and just share whatever I want to share and whenever I want to. It doesn’t have to be once a day or once a week. At 8am or 9pm. Algorithms on Instagram has ruined that effect and joy we had many years ago of sharing morning coffees around the world anyway, so who cares? So, I will post whenever I want to from now on. It might be daily, multiple times a day or with big gaps in between. Just so you know...

I started this crochet project on our trip to France during October break. It is a slow growing project. A very lovable project which requires no major efforts more than choosing color combination every 12 rows or so... very suitable for me right now and perfect for binge watching The Staircase on Netflix. I love the neutral color theme which gives me some kind of creative relaxation for my head. The same effect as if you de-clutter a basket full of stuff. It takes away stress and makes you feel liberated. I find myself going back to neutrals after the last colorful leaves drop to the ground in autumn. Soon after that I’m struck by a phase of red and white for Christmas and then when the new year arrives I’m back into pastels. It is funny how we have these color cycles that we follow. Subconsciously or not. Can you relate?

NOTE: If you follow me on @myrosevalley on Instagram, you might have read this post already. I won't share all my Instagram posts here, but some of them that feel special I will share here on my blog simply because my blog is my original home in Cyber World. And sometimes, when my words come flowing on Instagram, I feel I want to share them here too. I hope you don't mind.

Kärlek
Annette

FOLLOW  My Rose Valley HERE:

Last minute Easter crochet

Pattern: Crochet Egg Cups by  Yarn Plaza

Pattern: Flower & Bird Wreath by Petra Herrmann.

Pattern: Easter Egg Cozy by me.

Pattern: Valentine's Sweet Heart by Attic24.

Pattern: Darling Crochet Flower by me.

Pattern: Little Chirpy Chicks by Moji-Moji Design.

Pattern: Baby Bunny by Crochet Objet.

Pattern: Crochet Egg Cosies by Annemariesbreiblog.

Easter really sneaked up on me this year. I'm not prepared. Are you? Maybe it is because today is the last day of school before Easter break and tomorrow it is Good Friday... Oooops!

My Easter traditions are very simple and there has been years when I've totally forgotten about the decorations and all that... It seems like Easter is that type of holiday that ALWAYS sneaks up on me from nowhere. A day or two before Good Friday I realize I want to paint eggs, organize an egg hunt for the kids and prettify my home in pastels and with flowers.

We are going away on a road trip to Provence, France next week so the flower part I've skipped this year. No need to buy spring flowers when going away for 10 days. I'll get to it when I get back. But I will dress some twigs and small branches put in a vase, preferably with feathers. I will take out my Easter Egg Cozy that I made last year in the last minute. And I would love to make some Crochet Egg Cups and Egg Hats, just because they are so darn cute!!! Maybe hook up a Darling Crochet Flower garland and a doily for a daffodils in a pot. Yes, daffodils for sure. Maybe I can find some that already are in full bloom and enjoy them over the weekend just. You know, just to get the feel of it.

However, I am out in the last minute and I don't have that much time, do I? Therefor I surfed the internet this morning for inspiration and patterns and there were SOOOOOO MANY. I've collected a few inspirational pictures and links in this post for those of you who are just like me: "Is Easter tomorrow??? Really??? But I haven't prepared anything." Lets make some Last Minute Easter Crochet, shall we? I guess the bunny will take more than just a couple of hours, but it is so cute I just have to share it anyway. Please share with me on Instagram @myrosevalley. I will share there too.

Happy Easter Crochet Makings!

Kärlek
Annette

FOLLOW  My Rose Valley HERE:

Feeling like a million bucks!

Photo: Freerangestock

Mr Pain, I can beat you!!! I will not allow you to abuse my body anymore. I will not have you dominate my life, limit my actions or ability to move and do the things I love to do. No longer will I be a slave to your manipulation. You might be there, but you don't own me. I own you. I'm in charge.

Today I proved to myself that I am in control. That I can live without you. It took me 3 months of hard work, determination and perseverance. Going to the gym, stretching and facing the fear of you every single day. Often you've been there, right up my face. Staring at me with your angry eyes. Making me feel small, scared and helpless. Wanting to give up. But I stood up to you. I took a deep breath and held my head up high. Pushed you to the side and did it anyway. I faced the fear. Held on to the steering wheel navigating towards my set goals.

Today I did the skipping rope. And not just that. I did double unders. And not just that. I was fierce. I mean, like a machine did I put hundreds of double unders behind me! I felt so strong. Nothing could stop me. I finished today's gym challenge with huge margin before all the others. And I cried. Of happiness. Of relief. Of exhaustion. That I can do this. I defeated you Mr Pain.

#idefeatedyou

#feelingstrong

#beingkindtomyself

#feelinglikeamillionbucks

Kärlek
Annette

FOLLOW  My Rose Valley HERE:

Crochet patchwork inspiration

@attysloveforcrochet

Left: @gremlincrochet     Right: @brightredcherries

@aliciapaulson

Left: @attysloveforcrochet    Right: @indiblue_makes

@attysloveforcrochet

Left: @carryoncrochet     Right: @lecosedinonnamariella

My own crochet patchwork WiP.

Hi my lovelies. Today I want to share a post full of colorful crochet inspiration. At times I can see a wave of trends sweep over my Instagram feed: there was the V-stitch blanket wave, multi stitch blanket wave, woven stitch wave, embroidery on crochet fabric wave etc. For a while now  I've spotted these wonderful, beautiful, extraordinary crochet patchwork projects on Instagram. I guess technically every granny square blanket is considered a patchwork as it is made from blocks sewn together, but when I talk about crochet patchwork I refer to the creations that are more of a fusion between a classic patchwork block design and crochet. If you are a quilter you know exactly what I'm talking about (Ohio star blocks, Jack's chain blocks, Tumbling blocks, Pinwheel blocks). When you mix these two fiber arts together - WHIZZZ! - you will get a fabulous fun CROCHET PATCHWORK creation.

The technique has been around forever but as I'm working on my own little patchwork crochet project for the moment, I've discovered I'm not alone in this fun creative journey. You know the phenomenon of buying a purple car and suddenly there are purple cars everywhere, although you never saw them before? Just like that, kind of.

I've collected some of my favorite inspiration sources here today. Find more inspiration searching hashtags like #crochetpatchwork #patchworkcrochet #crochetquilts on Instagram. And visit the ladies I've featured above. They all got wonderful feeds. Now I'll pour myself a cup of coffee and continue playing with my pieces. Can't wait to get started with the joining process. So excited. Are you tempted yet? I'm having so much fun with my project. It is the most fun I've had in ages to be honest. You should give it a try.

Note: All pictures are from Instagram feeds of the mentioned owner in the captions.

Kärlek
Annette

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A typical My Rose Valley Colour Palette

It is all about colours. Always. It is the choice of colours that makes our hearts skip. Our blood run like crazy through our bodies. Producing dopamine for our fragile brains and making us feel... HAPPY! That is why crochet is such a beautiful craft, hobby, art, activity, therapy and medicine. Is there anything more fun than taking out a box or basket of yarn and just sort through it? Wind up balls, sort into brights and pastels, naturals, autumn, spring and Christmas??? Lets do purples and pinks. Greens and blues. Yellow and pinks. Oh yes, throw in some orange too. 

Every combination soothes a different soul. And we all have our own favorite palette of colors. Mine is something close to the above. It depends on the season, but most often I return to a light, fresh and crisp palette, the palette I used for both my Swedish Scrappy Happy V-stitch Blanket and My Circle In Square Blanket.

As I know many of you work with the popular acrylic yarn Special DK from Stylecraft when making blankets and throws, I decided to put together a colour chart in this yarn for the Circle In Square Blanket. I've done my best to match most of the colours used and all you need to do is add scraps of similar shades from your already existing stash of acrylic yarn.

I had so much fun putting together this colour chart, because that is also playing with colors. And playing with layout programs and graphic design is also a great source of HAPPY for me, so why not? I hope the typical My Rose Valley colour palette can inspire you for a new make. And I'm curious to know what your favorite palette is? Where in the wheel of colour are you the most happy?

Kärlek
Annette

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