Each day will be represented by a three-row granny square in the colour of the high temperature that day where I live in the city of Vancouver in Canada.
I started on January 1, 2018, and make one square every day until December 31, 2018. That will be 365 crochet granny squares in all.
Size
I want my blanket to lay on my king sized bed and run in vertical rows for each set of 18 days.
My design is to make this blanket 18 squares by 21 rows as that makes a squarer blanket than the usual 14 squares (or two weeks) by 21 rows which result in a long, narrow blanket more suited to a single or twin sized bed.
I plan to make some extra white squares at the end to square off the blanket and on this can embroider the date for the year (2018). Here I may do MMXVIII just to be different.
The Details Up To Day 9
I know it says “week one” on the title of the post but it was actually Day 9 before I got this published.
For the first week, the temperatures in Vancouver remained between 5C and 6C for the highs.
In a way, it was annoying to have to do the light blue for day after day and on into Day 9!
But, I think it will soon get a little colder as we move into late January and February is typically the coldest month.
My Progress
I like that I can do one granny square just after dinner each night while watching TV and chatting with my family. It is very doable and once the day’s square is completed that is all I have to do. So, there is a feeling of satisfaction in completing the single motif.
I do not feel the need to do more crocheting but I do have other projects on the hook that I will work at over the weekends.
I will post again when I reach week 2 and share wyouyrou just how good the blanket is coming along.
This is like a crochet along (CAL) and all the squares are the same.
Temperature blanket Day 9
Temperature Degree Colours
I have the colours already decided listed here.
Temperature blanket stash of colours.
Zero and below white
1C to 2C cream
3C to 4C taupe
5Cto 6C light blue
7C to 8C teal
9C to 10C green
11C to 12C lemon
13C to 14C yellow gold
15C to 16C orange
17C to 18C pink
19C to 20C hot pink
21C to 22C red
23C to 24C magenta
25C to 26C violet
27C to 28C purple
29C and above black
I bought the yarn (which is Vanna’s Choice [4] weight yarn) on January the first at my local yarn store (LYS) in downtown Vancouver.
I am using a 5.25mm crochet hook.
Instagram @OldEnglishCreations
Follow my daily progress and tag me with your temperature blanket images all year.
Alison is a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger. She combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.
With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.
Shawl and Wrap Shapes Wraps are rectangles and shawls are triangles. This is the general consensus. You can get semi-circle wraps as well. But in this post I'm discussing the structure of crocheted triangles. Triangles A triangle has three sides and three...
Crochet bags are fun and easy to make. There are many types of bags and most can be made in crochet. The beauty of these designs is that they usually can be made in a day or two. Start now and have a new bag each season (that’s four this year) or go ahead and craft yourself one for each month. Crochet bags do not last forever and depending on the yarns you use they can get worn, fluff or pill easily. Take care to choose natural fibres like cotton or wool or select tough acrylics.
Where to put your crochet bags when out and about
Never chuck a crochet bag (or any bag for that matter) onto the floor. Rather leave it hanging on the back of your chair
In a restaurant or coffee shop
Tuck your bag behind your back on the chair in a restaurant or coffee shop. Only place spectacular evening bags on the dining table. You can get a handy dandy portable handbag hook and dangle your bag stylishly from the table edge.
On the bus, train or subway
Always have your bag on your knee. Don’t leave it on the seat next to you (this attracts grab-and-runs). Not on the floor. If your commute is very dirty put you crochet bag into a see-though plastic bag for travelling in busy public places.
In the cloakroom
Hang it on the hook or knob behind the door. Never place your crochet bag on top of the cistern. Really? Never ever on the floor. Tuck it under your arm as you hover. At the basin, if you have to put it on the counter, place some paper towels down first. You never know what lurks in public places.
Care for your Crochet Bag
You have spent many hours making your crochet bag so you need to care for it to extend its longevity. When bags like this get dirty or stained it is hard to clean them so the best way is to protect them beforehand. Any bag you make and use says something about you. You want you crochet bags to be beautiful for a long time so take care and enjoy using your hand crafted bags.
More Patterns
These bag patterns will be coming soon. I will add them as soon as I can. The patterns are free for a few days and then cost $2 for a PDF download. Check back often to pick up your free bag patterns.
Alison is a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger. She combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.
With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.
Shawl and Wrap Shapes Wraps are rectangles and shawls are triangles. This is the general consensus. You can get semi-circle wraps as well. But in this post I'm discussing the structure of crocheted triangles. Triangles A triangle has three sides and three...
The African Violet is a delightful indoor plant that blooms in a variety of violet and purple shades.
The petals can be deep purple through to pale pink and white as well.
The edges of the petals are different colours and add interest to the shape.
The flowers are surrounded by dark green almost circular leaves. Each bloom has a small yellow center.
The basic structure of yellow, violet and green leaves is an excellent shape that lends itself to crochet.
African Violet Care
African violets like to be in bright spots but not direct sunlight.
Place them anywhere and even in the bathroom near a window.
When the flowers die off pinch them out as others will grow in their place.
They are forgiving little plants and will bloom several times a year.
Propagation
This dainty little plant can be easily grown from a leaf cutting just thrust into fresh soil and the new leaves will shoot up from the cut base of the original leaf.
Watering
The trick to watering an African violet is to use tepid water and never cold water.
Never drip water onto the leaves, but instead carefully pour water onto the soil in the pot.
Water once a week with about a half a cup of water.
If the leaves get dusty you can brush them lightly with a dry paintbrush or a pastry brush.
African Violet Hexagonal Motif
Shapes can be powerful symbols in themselves.
Many motifs in crochet are square and this one is a hexagon. Six sided shapes are found in nature where bees make honey.
The balance of six side makes the shape of a hexagon itself somewhat satisfying to see and agreeable to work with.
Use this basic six sided motif to create many items.
It can be used for a simple coaster or combined with others to make larger projects like scarves, shawls or blankets.
Note:
With the African violet flower hexagon motif I have made a small blanket to lay at the bottom of my bed.
When I have a lie down in the afternoon (to read you know) I can slip my feet underneath the light blanket to keep my toes warm in case I nod off.
African Violet Crochet Pattern Details
You will need…
You will need yarn in yellow, white and complimentary shades of violet, pinks and purples.
You may use as few as two violet colours (one main and one complimentary) or as many colours as you like in a random fashion.
Use one color for the edging and in this case I have chosen white.
Note: My bedroom is mainly light and neutral and this is why I chose white as the edging for this blanket. You can select a colour that will compliment your bedroom colour scheme and use that as the edging colour on the last round.
Stitches used in this pattern
There are four basic crochet stitches used in the African violet flower motif and one special stitch, the spike stitch.
Please note, we use the US crochet stitch terminology and not UK on all patterns on this site.
Chain (ch).
Single crochet (sc).
Double crochet (dc).
Half double crochet (hdc).
Spike stitch (sp st) see note below.
Special stitches
Spike stitch (sp st) insert your hook into the gap in the row below the current row and pull up a loop loosely (two loops on hook), yarn over pull through both loops.
African Violet Crochet Pattern
Center chain ring: With yellow. Ch 5, join with a sl st to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (as 1st dc), dc, ch 1, *dc 2 ch 1*, repeat from * to * [4] times, sl st to join at top of 1st st. Cut yarn.
Round 2: Join violet with sl st into space. Ch 2 (as 1st dc), ch 1, dc 2, * dc 2, ch1, dc 2 * repeat [4] times. Join with sl st.
Round 3: Sl st into next 2 sts (to be in space), Ch 2 (as 1st dc), dc 6 into space, * in next space dc 7 *, repeat from * to * [4] times, join with sl st. Fasten off.
Round 4: Join contrast colour. Sl st to join into the 1st st on the left of a petal. Sc6 until you get to the gap between two petals. * Sp st, sc 7 * repeat from * to * [4] times. Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Round 5: Join white. Hdc1 in every stitch until you get to the middle st of the 7 sts in the petal, in this middle st (hdc 1, ch 1, hdc 1). Continue until end making all 6 points at the top of the petals. Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Finishing
Sew in all ends by weaving up the edge of the motif.
Layout the motifs is an appealing way if you have use random colours. Take your time with the colour placement.
Pick up two motifs and with right sides facing sew them together.
“Outer loops only” sew-up method
Sew with white and a tapestry sewing needle through the outer loops only of the top row of stitches. Double stitch at the corners to keep them sharp.
This method leaves an attractive edge to each motif when laid flat.
Do not sew through both loops.
Note: Joining the hexagons by sewing them results in a firmer, smoother and less bulky seam than crocheting them together does.
Sewing may seam seem to take longer but it makes for a far superior finish.
Sewn crochet blankets will last better in the wash and after ten years they will still be joined.
I still own an acrylic crocheted blanket that I made in 1990. I use it every day and wash twice a month and the seams are only now starting to fray.
Author Bio
Alison Heathcote, a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger, combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.
With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.
More Articles
If you enjoyed this post and crochet is your thing, you may like some other crochet articles from our blog.
Designed by Alison Stapleton This is a crochet pattern for a beautiful blanket scarf. I wanted to make a soft and cozy blanket scarf for winter. A blanket scarf is the same length as a normal winter scarf, but about twice as wide. It covers your ears and neck...
As the seasons change from summer to autumn there is a slight shift in the air.
At this time of the year it is nice to have a light and skinny scarf to wear.
This it the time where for just for the odd day the weather is a bit cooler but it is not yet into full blown cold weather.
The Tower Scarf is a transitional piece and will work in every wardrobe.
The neutral off-white but buttery shade is a popular colour and works with all complexions.
The Tower Scarf is stylish and comfortable to wear.
Dress up your cooler weather jackets and tops with this quick and easy beginner’s scarf that only uses one ball of yarn.
Pattern Inspiration
The Tower is the Blackpool Tower a famous landmark.
Pattern features
This is a one ball wonder which means you can make it with just one ball of yarn.
It is also a make in a day neckwear accessory which is what it says, you can make this in one day.
There is a delicate filet crochet pattern at one end which can be either ignored if you are a beginner or you could even add it to both ends of the scarf. The filet makes it an interesting asymmetrical scarf.
Skill level
This garment is at the beginners crochet skill level as there are only two stitches the chain (ch) and the double crochet (dc). Although you can learn the filet piece as well.
This pattern is written in US crochet terminology.
What you will need:
One ball yarn in DK or worsted weight yarn.
We used Custom Woolen Mills Ltd. 100% natural wool grown and processed in Canada, in neutral.
As the mother of a teenage daughter it has become a special thing in our house to change the naming of her bathroom from boring old “bathroom” to “Daughter’s Spa”.
This came about as we once again sorted through tons of makeup and brushes and other toiletries that cluttered up her bathroom vanity top and clung precariously around the basin.
That she has her own tiny bathroom is in itself a blessing in our small apartment.
I am a keen believer in purging the clutter and making peace amongst the chaos.
This has been achieved in our daughter’s spa room.
I havecreated (am in the process of creating) several Spa Collection accessories to add to the feeling of luxury in what can often be a cluttered and frantic room.
Make a Spa Experience in your home
As you live your busy life it is important to have a sanctuary in your home.
Each spa collection will feature different patterns for crochet items that you can make. This is a process and I will get the patterns out as soon as I complete them.
As you can imagine for a creative person the mind rushes ahead but the hands follow at their own pace.
My Spa Collections and Colour
I love colour and I know it can change the way you feel and think about things.
In a way color is magic. To choose the right colour for each spa collection was hugely important to me.
The rejuvenating spa collection was inspired by the element of fire and it is uplifting and energy giving. This special collection of bath and spa accessories in made in shades of pink and white.
These colours invoke a romantic feel and provide some excitement and action by the colour selected.
Patterns in the rejuvenating spa collection:
Vanity mat
Cotton wool basket
Soap cosy
Revitalizing Spa Collection (lemon)
The revitalizing spa collection feature special items for oou personal use in lemon and white. this is the colour of creativity and ideas. this spa collection has been made to give you a lift during a busy day.
if you have a day at work and then still want to go out to another work event or on a date then the revitalizing colour of yellows and white will give you the extra lift needed to keep going.
Patterns in the revitalising spa collection:
Scrub pouf
Soap case
Wash cloth
Makeup wipes
Renewal Spa Collection (cucumber)
The renewal spa collection is created in cool cucumber and white. This is a light green pallette and offer you a chance to recharge your batteries and renew your spirits.
The renewal spa collection is inspired by the element of earth and has grounding properties. It offers you support and a chance to get back to basics.
Patterns in the renewal spa collection:
Eye mask
Floor mat
Slippers
Votive candle cover
Soap cover
Relaxing Spa Collection (Lavender)
The relaxing spa collection has shades of lavender and the scent of the lavender sachet relaxes you through its aromatherapeutic properties.
This collection can be used before bed to aid good sleep and full rest at night.
Patterns in the relaxing spa collection:
Wash cloth
Eye mask
Tissue cover
Lavender sachet
Soap bag
Reflection Spa Collection (citrus)
The reflection spa collection is created in tones of orange, tangerine with a touch of cinnamon. It is inspired by the (Chinese) element of wood.
This special collection can be used to aid reflection, or looking back over your day to seek understanding in what went down.
Many people struggle to let go of difficult or challenging experiences perhaps with colleagues, bosses or toxic family members and this color palette will aid clarity and acceptance.
Yes, maybe you were wrong but accept it and move on.
Patterns in the reflection spa collection:
Vaniity mat
Candle cover
Votive candle cover
Rugged Spa Collection for Men (platinum)
This is a more direct colour combination of platinum, silver, jet and white. There is a spark of humour with a definite clarity and sharp contrast in the colours used.
It offers a bracing feel and a masculine tone.
The rugged spa collection is designed for men who care for their body but don’t take themselves too seriously.
Patterns in the rugged spa collection:
Shower ball
Back scrubber
Exfoliating mitt
Floor mat
Springtime Spa Collection (Wedgewood blue)
The springtime spa collection is in cool and serene Wedgwood blue.
Refreshing Spa Collection (turquoise)