Make: Granny Square Blanket

I taught myself to crochet in March this year using videos from YouTube. After learning the basics of chaining, single and double crochet, I took on one of the classics - a granny square.

I used some acrylic yarn, a size 4 hook, a whole bunch of websites and more YouTube videos. Many, many hours were spent crocheting round and round and round... Until I had a finished blanket!

After finishing a crocheted project, it will often buckle or bow around the edges. In order to flatten and straighten out a piece, you can block it - wetting the knitting or crochet to relax the yarn and reshaping it whilst it's wet, so it dries in the desired shape. I did this to my blanket, to finish it off ready for use!

I couldn't have learned how to do this without help from YouTube. There are so many crafters out there posting helpful How-To videos, so I wanted to pass on the torch with my Blocking Basics video. Hope it helps any amateur blockers out there!

Make: Fingerless Gauntlets

Giving these gloves the name "gauntlets" makes them sound very military - however, I'd challenge any uniform to sit comfortably next to this much rainbow colour (except perhaps the Colour Guard, MEGALOLZ no?)

I started making these in April when we were skiing in the Alps, but have only just gotten round to finishing them. I blame Tetris. They are crocheted using a 4mm hook and some amazingly bright rainbow yarn that I've lost the label for. 

I hate wearing normal gloves, as they make my hands feel super clumsy. I doesn't help that I am, even bare-handed, quite clumsy already. So I always opt for fingerless ones when I can. Hopefully the gauntlet sleeves will also help keep the draught from getting to my wrists.

I have also taken this rainbow opportunity to use a few beads that I've had lying around for YEARS. I think I got them free with Mizz magazine when I was about 12...

Finished just in time, judging by the awful weather outside!

Make: DVD Shelf

Does this count as a proper Make? It had pieces, a pattern and I did actually "make" it... So I think it counts!

I love building flat-pack furniture... There's something very satisfying about lining up all the pieces ready to go, then fitting them all together!

My only issue with this shelf, is why are the shelves all different sizes?! Was it too difficult to take the total height and just divide by four? If I get more bothered by it, I'll get the drill out and Amend...