Crochet

Crocheting the squares together is much quicker and much neater

Thanks, Persistentdonor, I never thought of that!

I am, however, a very novice crocheter. I usually use mattress stitch to sew up knitted garments and once I get going, it doesn't seem so bad
But I will try the crochet method.

So far I've only attempted 'granny blankets', nothing as advanced as the lovely ones shown on this thread.

Callistemon you can crochet garments together rather than sewing them if you would find that less of a chore.

Same Gemini, I can’t just watch TV.
I’m currently crocheting a blanket for my baby granddaughter using up all the odds and ends, no particular colour scheme, just something to throw over her when she has a little sleep.
Just finished a huge throw for our super king size bed, lovely and warm.

I knit and crochet and have several things on the go. I can knit without looking but I have to tell the OH not to talk to me while I’m crocheting bc I’m counting in my head. Like the other poster I can’t just watch tv without doing one or the other.

I love my knitting and wouldn’t be without it. It’s helped me through some hard times and keeps my mind active better than Prozac.

Thank for her effort making a good thing

Thank you Thorntree

In fact I had tied some and slip stitched some and it didn't take long to weave in the ends, but it was like sewing up knitting - not something I enjoy.

I finished with a scalloped edge and was quite pleased with that. I found the instructions on YouTube and the instructor was a very young woman (so crocheting is not exclusive to grannies!).

I usually tie them in and then weave the ends in as I go along if that makes sense.
As others have said, I just keep going until the blanket is the size I want and then finish off with a double crochet border to give a firmer edge.
I find joining squares fiddly but do so on a small item like a baby blanket as the squares can then be of various designs which looks really attractive.

With GN being down all day today I finished my blanket. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Does anyone have any advice on how to join in new colours - do you tie them in, slip stitch them in then weave the ends in afterwards or weave in as you go?

Poppy2 do carry on if you enjoy it. Great suggestion from CatterySlave1, teach your GC too! My GC used to ask for the 'sick blanket' (sorry everyone), a colourful patchwork crocheted blanket, when they were feeling unwell as they liked to snuggle up under it. I swear it made them feel better.

lindiann Absolutely love the cat blanket!
I can't crochet and struggle with knitting - no patience as it grows too slowly - but I might have a go at an appliqued patchwork quilt with the same idea. I'm due to retire in a year so may have time to put some of these ideas into production. Photo has been added to my craft ideas file - hope you don't mind.

I do lots of crocheting and have made many blankets of varying sizes over the years from double bed ones to baby receiving blankets.
A few years ago I has nine months of chemotherapy and my crocheting was a a real diversion from the treatment and it’s problems- very therapeutic.
My DGD has just requested a throw to take to Uni next year and has chosen the colours herself. Just started it today and will probably make a matching cushion cover as well. Hopefully it will be a comfort if she is a bit homesick at first.
If you enjoy what you are doing hobby-wise ignore any negative comments, we all get pleasure in our own way.

Thank you Grannysquare. The yarn is Stylecraft Special DK. I made it for someone else who ordered it and accepted my suggested colours then when I was half way through - it's kingsize - decided that she'd rather have red, green, blue and black.
She expected me to just do another for the same price and didn't offer even the cost of the yarn, never mind my time so I said no! Some people are just amazing!

Thankyou Marilla.

One was keeping me warm as I finished the final 'round' today!

Well, nearly finished then events overtook me so have a bit more to do.

Lilypops The blankets I have from my gran were made like that. I think I'm seeing that as a sort of last resort. She made hers in her 80s. She did say that doing it not only kept you occupied but as it grew it kept you warm!

I'm only at the granny blanket stage (start in the centre, going round and round) but have just learnt how to finish off with a scalloped edge! My second attempt has been claimed by another DD, now have to finish it.
Joining squares as you go sounds like a good plan.

It's quite addictive, I can't just watch TV in the evening as I have to have something else to do as well.

Trisher, if you don't like joining up the squares , and it is a bit of a pain to do, why not just make one large square joining in different colours as you go , I have made a few throws like that and it's much quicker , and still looks as nice whether you do multi colours or just stick to a colour way of your choice , Keep it going !!

Wish I could crochet. I love Hexagons. I use them in patchwork but would love to crochet some and make a throw.

Ethelteabags

I can’t do anything too fancy, I just love mixing colours. Sometimes I make things beautifully coordinated, but I love just starting something and seeing where it goes, hence, throws of every colour combination.

Only sorry I can't show you my photo of some of my daughters beautiful crocheted throws..
That are used every day yet they are heirlooms.

Keep doing it it is something you enjoy so why should you have to stop.

Witchypoo, I might have written your post myself. I paid for a short course on crochet and shortly afterwards fell up my cellar steps, injuring a finger on my right hand. When it recovered, I'd forgotten anything I'd learnt about crochet. I think my hands were not made for it.

I love crocheting and make blankets. I don't make many squares but I like to just keep going till it gets bigger and bigger. I've make a single bed one for dgd and over the years many others. I can't do fancy stitches so can't make clothes etc.