Wow, that’s all I have to say! This was by far the biggest project I have completed to date. But there’s another following close behind it. I’ve never been one for big projects, normally I get bored and the larger projects go unfinished for what seems like ages! And this summer… yes I’m crazy… summer, I’ve decided to make TWO blankets! I always found these ‘graphgans’ interesting but it wasn’t until Lily Girl Creations was having a sale that I decided to see what the graphgan patterns were like. I was so intimidated by the idea, I figured even if I never made the item, at least I would know what a graph pattern looked like.
I have to say that after reading Sarah’s (Owner of Lily Girl Creations) pattern, I was excited and relieved! She made instructions that were easy to follow. And the best part was she personalized my blanket for me!!
So my journey set out!!
And I was quickly in one HUGE mess!!
And then I started to listen to those in the crochet group I’m in and their experiences with these blankets. I learned very quickly that there is an easier way than multiple strands hanging every which direction – which quickly got me to hate the project I started!!
One lady from a group, and I wish I could remember who it was to give her credit but she had shown hers with bobbins of yarn twisted around to keep the strands all straight!!
GENIUS!!!!
Worked so much better than what I originally started doing and I encourage EVERYONE to buy then PROIR to starting one!! To the lady that posted that picture… if you’re reading this and you know you posted a picture like I described…. THANK YOU!!! You are probably 100% the reason why I completed this!!
I also found myself with ends on both sides of my work. I’m not sure if this is a no-no but by then end I was keeping them all on one side.
Once I got to the bow, I felt a huge relief! Those eyelashes were a PAIN IN THE…. I timed myself for one of those rows…. 9 minutes for just one row with eyelashes!! Now don’t get me wrong, I have two small children that constantly pull me away from projects no matter how intense I am so bare that in mind! I’m sure it could be done faster!
But the bow was also light at the end of the tunnel. It didn’t seem like much left after working that face and I got more anxious to complete it!
I also like to admit I HATE, with the utmost passion, weaving in ends… and as you can see…
There are A LOT of ends!! I decided in the beginning that I would weave in the ends once I was 1/3 of the way through… and the above picture shows just that! I won’t be doing it that way again! For my next ones, I think I’ll plan on weaving every few rows!
I also ran across another problem… blocking! I have never blocked anything before and really had no clue how! Quick research said I should do ‘cold blocking,’ basically taking damp cloth and laying it over the pinned down item, and letting them dry. I asked my fans from Facebook what their suggestions were, wanting to hear it from someone who’s actually done the process. I found many do not block at all!!
Rose K. on the other hand, decided to share what she read on another blog, though she couldn’t recall who did the post. She said to steam block by hovering a iron over the piece without touching it. So I set out on another mission – learning to steam block! I took excess yarn and made up a quick granny square and decided to test my blocking. It was a good thing I did, I ended up touching the piece and ruining the yarn! After that, I was too afraid to ruin the finished project, it got wrapped and given unblocked! Thank you Rose for sharing your information with me! I love hearing tip, trick and new things from others!
In the end, I had a completed gift that was hard to part with! The time and money that goes into these is insane and I look at all the blanket makers in a new light! After all the frustration, it was well worth it. My only true regret is not being able to see my precious niece open her gift.
I am still ambitious about making these and plan to make one for each of my boys and niece’s and nephew. One special to them along with the personalized touch of adding their name! Keep a look out, I’ve already started my next one and this time, I’ll be posting the progress on my FB page before the blog post!
Until next time,
Happy Crocheting!!!
Crystal
Once I got to the bow, I felt a huge relief! Those eyelashes were a PAIN IN THE…. I timed myself for one of those rows…. 9 minutes for just one row with eyelashes!! Now don’t get me wrong, I have two small children that constantly pull me away from projects no matter how intense I am so bare that in mind! I’m sure it could be done faster!
Totally Love it! It turned out awesome and now I wish I would of put my daughters name on the one I made her!
Thank you!! Looks like you’ll have to make another?? 🙂
Very pretty!! Great job.
You can also steam block using a piece of material over your crochet piece.
I think we all feel the same way you did with ur first graphgan. But in the end its an epic piece of Art. You did an awesome job. Also bobbins are a must when creating a graphgan of any size. Hook on!
Wow you did an amazing job on this piece . When you are working with so many colors it can sure get frustrating, but I love to work with alot of colors putting patterns in sweaters , etc. When it comes to steam blocking I don’t think I would do it again , I did it with one of my item I made and I found that it flatted the piece and did not like it at all so no more blocking for me . Again wonderful job !!!
This is beautiful! I’m getting ready to start my first and I’m so nervous! I’m doing two and then doing a portrait that I can’t wait to start but it makes me want to run and hide too! I’m hoping one doesn’t take me forever so I can start the others. Thank you for sharing. You have made me a little braver by reading this.