Thursday, October 29, 2009

Not Your Grandma's Granny Square

These days I'm trying to curb my habit of buying magazine. They're dropping like flies so perhaps everyone is being more selective about how they spend their "magazine cash".

As far as the crafty/cooking magazines, they must have more than one interesting project in order for me to spring for the 5 bucks (or more). I'm shocked that some of the specialty publications, for Halloween or Christmas, are running $14.00!

I'm always impressed with Interweave's Crochet magazine. Thankfully for my wallet, it's only published 4 times a year. The latest issues had something that called to me, unfortunately we were facing a $500 car repair so I slipped the issue back on the rack and called it a day.

I kept thinking about how beautiful the project was and when I found the 40% off any item coupon in the Sunday paper I returned and snatched the last copy up.

It seems I'm not alone in my love for this afghan. You remember afghans, those Brady Bunch orange, brown and yellow throws in undulating waves, or the multi-colored Granny squares.

I know many, many families that had at least ONE grandmother who crocheted like a madwoman so that each grandchild could have their own afghan on their wedding day. Likewise those baby afghans for the baby shower.

No matter if they're colorscapes from the past, they are cherished and loved because of who made them and the thought behind grandma-made afghans.

Enter the Not-Your-Grandma's-Granny-Square afghan. That's not the official name but that's how I refer to it.


Photo of Interweave Crochet project, Winter 2009.

I'm in love with this afghan. The colors are updated and the design is a modern twist on the granny square. It's a large project but I'm determined. I crochet every evening while I'm watching (listening actually) to TV with the Farmer.

It's called the Moorish Mosaic, which is the perfect name because it's reminiscent of Moorish tiles.


Love the vintage metal chair. Someone had fun styling this photo.

I love the fact that even though each motif is the same pattern, they are rendered different by the mix of colors. This color scheme is terrific but I might tweak it just a bit to fit into the decor of my bedroom.

Do you crochet? Do you have a wonderful project that's calling to you? We all need one because............. winter is approaching!

21 comments:

J'Ollie Primitives said...

Love the colors in the photo.

Magazine's advertisers are dropping the ads, leading to no cash flow for the magazine, leading to (gulp) no magazine. They really are dropping like flies, aren't they?

Since you'll be doing time at the library, patterns and ideas can be copied on their color copier for considerably less than what you'd pay for the magazine...especially if there's only one appealing project.

Nope, never got the hang of it re crocheting....but I can knit a sock or two...

chocolatechic said...

I crochet....some, I'd rather knit.

Knitting uses less yarn...or so I'm told.

I do love that afghan.

Anonymous said...

I'm on Interweave's email list and saw this a few weeks ago - and drooled. Isn't it gorgeous?

I've got so many projects going right now - both crochet and knit.

The project that is just gearing up right now is for the knitting group at church that I help lead. It's not really just a knitting group - it's a needlework group, really. Anyway, this fall we're making shawls and wraps for some sweet ladies in a local nursing home. Have to have them done by December 11th. A lot of our crafters are just learning, and I've found a great Lion Brand free pattern that is working GREAT for just this sort of thing! So fun!

Shortly before my Grammy passed away, she gifted me with some cash specifically earmarked for me to spend on knitting/crocheting supplies. I got a great book on granny squares and bought a bunch of incredible mercerized Greek cotton and started making squares... Lots of squares. I was Grammy's primary care giver during that season of her final illness and subsequent death. It was almost like she knew I'd need the therapeutic qualities of that kind of project!

Where in the world is Jefferson City, Missouri said...

I got my first blue ribbon at the fair for crocheting two poncho's for my twins who were three at the time. I did it in bright colors and lots of fringe. I love to crochet. I just did the mile a minuet afghan....quick and easy. But I've done table clothes , and doilies. Now am in to Rug Hooking and love that. I get to tear clothing apart that has been felted and cut into strips. I get all my wool from Salvation army and good will. But Good Will has become too expensive to go to any more. So mostly Salvation army.....

Dodie said...

I absolutely love that afghan. I crochet but have so many projects going I don't need another but I would love to make that one anyway.
Gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

am rethinking my magazines as well, because as well, i am finding less time to read them.

i am going to attempt crochet this winter. it will be a first for me, but oh my, that pic is so inspiring!

i'm in total and complete love with Granny Squares. Old and New.

lisa said...

I crochet, but actually attempted two afghans. One is in a bag in the closet. The other was a baby blanket. I finished the blocks, but never figured out how to attach them. I’ve made several bags and scarves however. I think on from Sew Mama Sew there is a produce bag that I’ve wanted to make. I just have to make sure I have the right yarn.

Mim said...

That's just gorgeous! Can't wait to see yours.

Jody Blue said...

I love that afgan! But here's my "issue" I hate it how afgans seem to attract every loose hair and bit of lint in the house. Especally when said house has a huge dog thats not supposed to shed but does, and 3 teenagers that hug/hold dog which spreads the shed/love everywhere. Although I have some misgivings I'm going to search for that magazine and maybe give that pattern a try. p.s. polar fleece bugs me for the same reason, but its a lost cause for me to fight, one of those teenagers has taken to sewing pajamas out of the stuff. Kind of makes me understand why grma's put plastic on their davenports and such.

Karen Deborah said...

I love it! I do crochet but don't really know how to read a pattern. That is a beautiful blanket. I would like to take a class and learn how to knit too.

Michelle said...

I don't crochet, but I do love that afghan. Beautiful

LDF said...

Oh that is pretty! I allow myself the Interweave Knits mag. Like you, I've been cutting back on buying crafty mags (They are regularly in the $10 to $12 range in Canada)but have been digging out old mags from twenty or more years ago and finding great projects to try. Yes, I am a craft pack rat!

I prefer to knit and sew, but I do every so often get a crochet urge. One winter I crocheted a king-size afghan that looks like sunburst quilt blocks. It weighs a ton, and I love it. Each different block carries memories of my kids growing up as it is made from odds and ends of other projects.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

There's an unfinished granny square afghan in my cupboard of UFO's but this one is really beautiful.

Kitty said...

I just got that magazine as a free trial issue from Interweave. The subscription is too expensive for me as I don't crochet, but I am planning to learn. A lot of my Greek family members crocheted and my Mom has shown me how, but knitting seemed easier for me. I guess it's time to pick up a hook and keep the family tradition going! The afghan is beautiful--love the colors!

I also have let most of my magazine subscriptions lapse. The expense plus the time to read them seemed to be getting scarce. Sam's Club (if you have one nearby) has a pretty good selection of magazines and they discount them a good bit.

life in red shoes said...

I am "that" grandma, the one that crochets. I am a woman obsessed.
I'm cuurently working on a rug for my kitchen...oy.

Ruta M. said...

We have a collection of crocheted rugs on the sofa that I have made over the years which we all snuggle under on cold evenings.I love the pattern you found, I just start in the middle and keep on going in a square or rectangle. Crochet is fun because it grows so quickly but I like knitting because I don't have to look at it while I knit and can watch tv instead. Except when it is a Kaffe Fasset pattern! That's a lovely way to use up all those odds and ends. Maybe one day when I have lots of time.

Stuck on Sunflowers said...

As my daughter is expecting her first baby, I am crocheting two afghans, one blue and one pink. I finished the blue, but am looking for a pink girly afghan pattern. This way I am prepared no matter what. I love to crochet, but am not very good at knitting. I love having a homemade afghan to wrap up in on a cold winter night.

Anonymous said...

I don't crochet but I do covet that afghan! WOW... the colors are perfect and the design reminds me of an old hippie skirt or shawl from the 60's or 70's.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Jenne said...

I'm working on this afghan, too! Very pretty. Having a hard time connecting the pieces, though. Have you gotten this far, and are you having a hard time, too? Thanks for your time!
Jenne

KAR said...

Oh! I LOVE this. I am not a crafty person, but my mom knits and crochets all the time. I just emailed her the link.

Pyrplgyl said...

so are you willing to share the pattern? I will make it and then you post it to your site!