Vintage Craft: Crochet "Granny" Blankets

A few years ago I discovered the pure joy of knitting and, while not particularly talented when it came to more complicated designs, I was able to shower friends and family all around the world with gifts of lovely soft scarves and shawls. There's something incredibly satisfying about creating something from a few balls of yarn and knowing that what you've created will delight and keep warm those people in your life you care most about.

More recently, I've learned how to crochet and have found it even simpler and more satisfying! My curent crafty passion is crocheting "granny"-styled afghan blankets. They're very simple, once you've mastered a few basic stitches (chains, double and treble crochet, generally), and it doesn't take long to make something gorgeous and completely unique. The best thing is that you can create all manner of blankets / throws using inexpensive yarn - I tend to buy a myriad of colours of acrylic 8ply for about $2AUD per ball - and sourcing free patterns online.

My favourite online craft website for crochet is Lion Brand Yarn. They have literally thousands of free patterns - for both knitting and crochet - including a lovely selection of afghans.

 

I'm already onto my second blanket and I like to imagine my future children and grandchildren snuggling up in my home-made crochet treasures, which is what I do with the blankets my nana has passed down to me.

From top: Eight Colour Afghan | Magnolia Afghan | Granny Sampler Blanket

Comments

[Honor]

Just thought i'd let you know that i've been looking through your blog for the past hour and it's firmly on my list of favourites.

I love the mix of modern vintage and makeup/hair tutorials.
It's also great to be able to follow a local blogger :)

xx

[Erin Le Clerc]

Aww, thank you! That means a lot! Look forward to hearing from you again in future, Honor :)

[Camilla]

I've got into the knitting thing too though need someone to show me how to crochet. It's so satisfying making a big blanket! Like you, I get a bunch of acrylic balls - acrylic gets criticized alot but I find it quite soft and hardwearing.

[Erin Le Clerc]

It's not difficult. Lion Brand have loads of how-to things on their website (also, YouTube has some great tutorials). In the end, though, it took some visual stitch patterns for me to figure out how to put it all together! (I think it was a 'Learn to Crochet' book from Patons (yarn maker)).

I'm glad you also love acrylic. It's easy to work with, inexpensive and - best of all - does not make me itch! :)