And then it was done

Leslie Stahlhut

Despite my most concerted efforts, the granny square rectangle blanket is done.

When I got up yesterday, I was in the middle of the first of what I believed were the final four rounds of the granny rectangle blanket.

I had chosen the colors for what were to be the last four rounds, I knew in what order I would use them, and I had a darling border planned.

So when I finally got to the crochet part of my day, I really thought that it was just a matter of time — the time it would take to finish the last four rounds, the time it would take to weave in the ends, the time it would take to block the finished granny rectangle, and then the time it would take to crochet the border.

But then as I finished crocheting what was to have been the third to last round of the blanket with Red Heart Super Saver blue, I realized that the blanket was done:

A blue crochet edge
The final round of my granny rectangle crochet blanket

There were not going to be two more rounds, because anything I added would simply detract from the perfect blue ending.

To be sure, there was work left to do. There were ends to weave in, dog and cat hair to lift off, and the entire piece needed to be blocked and then laid out to dry, but for all practical purposes, it was all done but the details.

I was a little disappointed.

The whole time I had been working on the rectangle, I had dreamed of a crochet elephant border I had come across, and while it looked fine if you looked at just one small section:

crochet elephants on parade
Teeny tiny elephants on parade

but the overview made it clear that on this scale, this particular elephant edging did not work for the overall design:

very tiny crochet elephants
Putting the “ant” in elephant

So with just a small bit of regret, I frogged the elephants I had crocheted, gave up on the idea of them for this project, wove in the ends, trimmed them, and then gave the blanket a good soak in soapy water:

blocking the granny rectangle in soapy warm water once it was done
Blocking the granny rectangle in soapy warm water once it was done

followed by an equally good soak in warm water and vinegar, followed by a spin and rinse in the washer, and then I got this photo:

granny rectangle blanket
An overview of the finished granny rectangle blanket

and this one as well:

crochet granny rectangle
Another view of the completed granny rectangle

Then, I set it out on a bed under a fan to dry, and this is how it looked just as the sun set:

Putting a granny rectangle blanket to bed when it was done
Putting a granny rectangle blanket to bed when it was done

Now that this piece has been “put to bed” both literally and figuratively, I bid adieu to this piece and look forward to whatever crochet adventure lies ahead.

5 thoughts on “And then it was done”

  1. Lovely colors, lovely work! Im thinking of making one of these myself. I just finished a 60’s Boho psychedelic chevron afghan this week & know exactly how you feel. When it’s done, you know it…. nothing else needs to be added but to take few pics & enjoy the ending to all your hard work. Feeling satisfied. ???

  3. I’m glad that it’s finished. It turned out beautifully. And I am getting a vicarious thrill in your completing the project since, of late, that’s not something I’m accomplishing. Many starts, few finishes.

    I’m sad that it’s finished. I’ve really enjoyed watching you work thru this one. And with the peaceful and calm blues of your color palette, reading about your challenges and progress while seeing the pictorial would put me in a sort of Zen state of mind. l will miss that.

    So… okay… what’s next? ?

  4. Gorgeous! Love it! Why did you add vinegar? I do love the elephant edging, but agree the blanket did not need it. But it would look terrific on a pillow!!! think about it!

  5. Sorry to see the elephants didn’t make the cut but I can see they are best left to a more whimsical project. Finished piece looks perfect!

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