I added some shades of brown to the palette just for a wider range of options for myself despite knowing that browns appear dark red to Kay. I wanted to combine a pattern of square motifs along with random and unique granny squares (edged in cream) and drew up a few sketches.
I usually make a large blanket with 126 squares, 9 rows by 14 rows (six rounds each) but as I wanted a pattern around the outside, I chose instead to make 135 squares, 9 rows by 15 rows (five rounds each) I then worked out how many square motifs I would need and figured out the colours and patterns to use (the red one and the yellow one are from the crochet square motifs book while the brown one is a 'squircle' from the amazing DebiY) Lastly, I figured out how many granny squares to make and set to work!
I started it in mid April and have carried on along with the other ripple blankets I've been working on. As I had most of the pattern in my head for how I wanted the squares, I actually crocheted the squares together as I went. Today, I've been putting the last few rounds of the border on and it's done! Would you like to see?
She should be up next week for dinner so we'll be giving it to her then :-)
EDIT-as requested, the square motif pattern information. The Brown Square is a Squircle, the Yellow Square is called 'Gothic Square' in Jan Eaton's 200 crochet blocks (number 94) and the Red Square is number 137 in the same book, called the 'Criss Cross'.
