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Post by catlady88 on May 5, 2009 0:06:27 GMT
I was reading and looking at the last ezine pictures and noticed a child with a blanket wrapped around him (it was crocheted squares I'm sure) and was just wondering about all the holes in the squares. Will the blankets with holes in them be used for the children who live inside? I don't imagine these would be very warm if worn outside?! I believe in the forum earlier there was some discussion about this and sort of discouraged holes in the squares due to the warmth for the children. This is also the main reason I double up my yarn so it will be extra warm for the children. Just thought I'd bring this to someone's attention and wondered if it is worth discussing a little more?!
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Post by frances on May 5, 2009 7:11:52 GMT
This is something I've been wondering about too
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jeanne
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jeanne on May 5, 2009 11:42:45 GMT
I agree that the standard "Granny square" crochet is full of gaps. It's designed that way, for only mild warmth not the kind of warmth we want to send the kids. In my opinion anyways. I find there are crochet square patterns out there that leave minimal gaps and only when you turn a corner on the square. These squares use half double or double crochet. Even so, with a square I use a brushed yarn which even fills in the tiny corner gaps. I agree we need to keep these little ones as warm as possible. I saw that photo too and I thought I noticed that those 'gappy' squares were used on the border of the blanket not in it's centre. At least I hope that's so, as I agree they are not very warm. They're quick to crochet up but not really helpful for keeping kids warm. It's fairly easy to do a hdc or dc square. Start with chain 3, ss together, hdc 12 into ring, ss together, ch 2, hdc in first 3 stitches, ch 1(to turn corner), hdc in next 3 stitches, ch 1(repeat to complete four sides of square, ss together, ch 2, go on to next round. If your crochet tension is tight you might need to do ch2 for the corner turns to make the square lie flat. Double crochet is the same pattern except being abit taller it's a tad gappier but with a brushed yarn it's fine. To increase on later rounds you add a dc or hdc to each stitch before and after the corner chains. I did try one starting out in a round and just crocheting around and around, that leaves no gaps but wow you've got to have your wits about you on the last round where you're using a combo of dc, hdc and sc to change a circle to a square, lol. A small addendum. I also mentioned this idea over in crochet help. If you're doing a crochet square and have corner gaps you want to fill, take a doubled over length of bright or contrasting colour yarn and weave it through those gaps from top corner left to bottom corner right and then another from top corner right to bottom corner left. That would also fill up that sometimes pesky center hole, give you a much warmer square and fancy up those drabber coloured squares instantly. Just secure the wool after it's woven through. A great way to use up the very last bits of yarn in the brighter colours.
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andrea
Junior Member
Posts: 53
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Post by andrea on May 5, 2009 16:09:57 GMT
I've been sticking to single crochet for that very reason. Plus I find sc faster. And boy, are those squares warm!
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Post by missscotland on May 5, 2009 22:45:44 GMT
A blanket can still offer warmth with holes in it, have you ever noticed the baby blankets in our high street shops? You dont want a tightly knitted blanket wrapped round a baby, heat needs to escape. Such blankets could be used as summer blankets and thicker heavier ones for winter.
Keep up the good work! Mo
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jeanne
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jeanne on May 6, 2009 14:58:07 GMT
If I may add....it has been the repeated use of the words "warmth" and "warm" on this site, referring to the blankets and squares that are needed, that has made me presume the less holes the better. However, as we haven't heard the official preference I suppose the choice is still "open". (pardon the pun )
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