Granny square with applique in middle

[Elizabeth Daly Atkinson]

My husband is obsessed with fishing (and the ocean) and now that i'm done for a while making christmas presents I would like to make a granny square blanket for us and in the middle of the squares put sea life : corals, fish, jellyfish, crabs, etc. In everyone's opinion would it look better to add them after I make the squares or make the square around the various animals.

 

I was inspired by this blog:

http://crochetpedia.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-work-granny-square-blanket-with.html

 

they'd been simple shapes, shells:

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNNXXcRUBWt33BTRtQ6iA594BkZxTKdBfPdT42W1FI3Ln34zoPmQ

 

starfish

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1AGSZV2pTjX-SXWLNQ7S1ht9IHGq3r1eMimxxANiQ-MMtDXVJmA

 

coral

http://www.beginner-crochet-patterns.com/images/coral1209.jpg

 

I was/am leaning toward adding them after the fact because you can make more interesting patterns in the granny square by doing so - and then the back of the blanket would be neat all on its own. Does anybody have experience with this or just an opinion on what they would prefer?

 

Thanks a bunch,

Liz

[greyhoundgrandma]

You could definitely have more variety and interesting shapes by using appliques.

[Granny Square]

The tree in the blog is awesome.  Before I clicked on that, I was thinking to say that the squares with the 'fish' should have a solid background, like the tree one. 

 

I think this would be a great idea - the only other way I can think of would be crochet around the appliques in with an Irish Crochet net sort of technique to form a square, but I think adding them after, and having a tidy back side (and reversible) ghan is a better idea--especially for a guy.

 

Just for fun, here is a knit one - obviously not granny squares, and more for a child http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/sea-creatures-throw  I kind of prefer the idea of keeping them corralled in their own squares, but this is cute too.

[judianne]

I agree with the others....I've added crocheted letters to personalize an afghan instead of working them in as is my usual way and it looked amazing! Good luck.