Last summer when I released my Frosty Forest quilt pattern, I was elbows deep in crochet yarn as I was gleefully learning to crochet by watching Lori Holt’s awesome YouTube tutorials. (For the full scoop on how I got started, check out these earlier blog post: “Oh joy! A crocheted granny square!” and “The granny square fun continues”).
My first crochet projects were granny squares, thanks to Lori’s lessons, and my quilting projects often inspired the colors I chose when practicing my new hobby. I had purchased a fair amount of Lori’s chunky thread, and I realized that I had just the right colors on hand to whip up a granny square to befriend my Frosty Forest quilt. Here’s a photo of that work, back in July.
However, after I had made that six-round granny square, I saw a teaser on Lori’s Instagram page where she showed her new chunky thread colors which would release in the winter of 2024-2025. One of those new colors, Stonewash, caught my eye. It would be the perfect dusty blue to add to my Frosty Forest granny square. So, I did the unthinkable. I waited for that thread to be released before crocheting any more rounds. The kind folks at Riley Blake sent me a sample skein of Stonewash as soon as it released, and I continued with my project. It was definitely worth the wait!
I am so tickled with how this granny square is coming along. My Frosty Forest quilt is still on display in my home, as it will be until the end of winter. And my-oh-my, it is definitely winter in Minnesota. Today’s real temp at noon is -9 degrees F, with a wind chill (feels like) temp of -28 degrees F. Thank goodness my home is filled with quilts!
The chunky thread colors you see in this granny square include Pebble, Linen, Thyme, Denim, Cloud and now Stonewash! I don’t have a prescribed order for the colors I use. Instead, when I finish a round, I just hold up the yarn next to the granny square and use the “this looks good” method for choosing my next color.
My plan is to make this granny square into a pillow and display it with my Frosty Forest quilt and Little Chapel pillow, pictured below. This quilt and pillow rest on a sofa near my office, so I can glance over at them often and they make me quite happy. Now I am envisioning the texture that a crocheted pillow will add to the seating area. Won’t that be nice?
In one of Lori’s YouTube tutorials (Granny Square Pillows Tutorial – Granny Square Along) she shows how to make a granny square pillow on the diagonal, which Lori notes is something that her grandmother taught her to do. I love that! You’ll have to watch her video to see the example. But basically, I will need to make one very large granny square, lay it face down on the diagonal, lay a pillow insert on top (not on the diagonal), and then fold the granny square points/corners to the front like an envelope. The seams are then joined with a single crochet stitch. I think that will be a fun method to try.
Friends, as much as I enjoy the challenge of designing quilt patterns and tutorials to share with you, I also enjoy simply making! I love watching the beauty of a project unfold and savoring the joy I feel as it does. I am so thankful for creative and inspiring people like Lori Holt who encourage us to try new things!
Thanks so much for stopping by! If you live in my neck of the woods, I hope you stay warm. And wherever you live, I hope you get carried away quilting . . . and crocheting!
~Taunja
That is such a pretty quilt…the colors are so soft and cozy. I loved hearing about the diagonal crochet pillow. I must try that!
Thank you Sharon! Yes, it looks so fun and actually pretty easy. Lori is a great instructor!
When I saw your Frosty Forest quilt last year, I knew I had to make it, but I was busy. And, then I saw your Little Chapel pillow, but I was in the middle of making Christmas quilts for four of my grandchildren. So, your patterns were just going to have to wait (as were the 36 UFOs I was hoping to get to). Like so many of us right now, I am doing a deep clean in my sewing room. And, I have two long-haired black cats in the house (because I can’t live without them!), so the cleaning entails completely emptying the room – even the ceiling light fixtures; the only thing left behind is the wall-to-wall carpeting. It’s a long process for an old woman with no muscles and a bad back. But, I was feeling optimistic this morning and I pulled fabric for new Valentine and St. Pat’s runner/pillows. Then I read this post, and all my well-laid plans went out the window. I already have the Frosty Forest pattern, but I will be buying Little Chapel shortly, and sourcing fabric for both of them. As for the granny square, I don’t crochet and don’t want to, but I do like the idea of granny square pillows, mug rugs, and pot holders to accompany the runner and pillow. Is it really any wonder that I have 36 UFOs?
Oh Lori! This made me snort laugh out loud. I think I better count my UFOs also and get focused. I don’t think I have 36, but I think I have too many!! I hope you enjoy the patterns. Sorry to have been the one to get you off track today! LOL!!
The colors match so nicely. Beautiful combination. The three pieces look very pretty together. You have a good eye for color, and for imagining the results.
Thanks for sharing these.
Oh thank you for your kind words, Kam! I appreciate that and you taking the time to read my ramblings!