The twenty-five rectangles I made finally made it to Donna at Crochetville! They’re for the Soften the World Simply Soft Sweepstakes Caron is holding. You can see a picture of my rectangles and the 1000+ rectangles other Crochetvillers have contributed on the 2 for 1 – Warm Up America and Crochetville! thread. I crocheted every last bit of Simply Soft in my stash, including two unused skeins in navy and remnants from the Cable and Divine Hats.
I used Donna’s 7×9″ Rectangle Granny pattern for the majority of the rectangles. I thought about using a bunch of different stitches, but finding the gauge for each pattern was taking too much time. Grannies work up fast and once I figured out the perfect hook size the rest was easy.
To get the right gauge I actually left out Row 8 of the pattern. My gauge was still too large with a size F hook and I hate using the size E hook with worsted weight yarn. My yarns splits, the handle is too thin and I generally can’t crochet as quickly. Also, since I can’t stand weaving in lots of ends with a granny-style stitch, all the little yarn balls that I couldn’t stretch to a whole rectangle were made up in plain double crochet.
I’m glad I tried Donna’s granny pattern because I learned a new way to join granny-style rounds. For the last corner, you chain one and single crochet to join the round. The single crochet ends in the middle of the last corner and from there you make half a corner and continue around. It’s difficult to explain, but simple to use and there’s no slip stitches involved!
Anyway, I crocheted twenty-six rectangles total. Twenty-five went to Donna and the last rectangle was sent out in my name for the individuals category. The deadline for individual square entries is May 1, 2008 with a prize of twelve skeins of Caron SS. Crochetville is still accepting rectangles through the mail until April 29, 2008 for their effort to win the $300 cash prize. All the squares collected for the contest will be donated to the Warm Up America charity.
*That’s cool* a random fact
Granny Smith Apples are named after Mary Ann Sherwood (1799-1870), who never saw her apples become a commercial apple variety.
Nice rectangles! I did a few myself but not nearly as many as you!
Neat fact! Granny Smith’s are the only kind my husband will eat. I’m a McIntosh kinda girl.
That’s a reallly nice contest! I may try to make something and send it out also…Don’t you just love Caron SS?! Thanks for the heads up!
Wow, you made a lot of granny squares! Very impressive.
Good job on the rectangles! I didn’t send any…I’m on a yarn diet and didn’t have any Caron SS in my stash, lol. All my acrylic is RHSS or novelty yarn! I started to make and send anyway, but you really can tell the difference between RHSS and Caron SS.
WOW you way ahead of me. Great job. :)
Wow. How nice of you to use all your Caron SS in your stash. But then again…… now you have more room for more! heh
This is such a wonderful thing you all are doing! Bravo to you and the other ladies!!
I LOVE SS and use it as much as I can for sure!
Great job on all the rectangles! You are so kind and generous to donate your time and talents. What a great cause! They have tons of them. Kuddos to you and all those involved!
What a generous gesture!
Those squares look cosy and I love the photos too.
You have so much more crochet time than I do! I wish I could get as much done. It comes in waves for me.
Good luck on your entry! They look gorgeous.
Your photography is exceptional. I love all your projects. I just gave you the arte y pico award. Good luck with your contest.