Magic Ball Granny

[mamarose22]

Here is a WIP of my magic ball granny that I am making for the Linus Organization. I save all scrap yarn pieces that are about 18" or longer and make these large grannies. It's a shame to waste them. I have made quite a few afghans this way.

 

[2020kitten]

That's a really cool idea. And each afghan is truly one-of-a kind!

[Donna's crochet Designs]

My mom did something like that with her left over yarns only she tossed them all in a bag and worked with whatever she pulled out. I could never do that. I have to plan and plan and plan...however my mom's afghan did turn out great!

[Mom w/a Motif]

I never would have thought to do that with a magic ball. I have about three or four started, but they are all the same colors... I should do one like that. Thanks for sharing that idea.

 

Tina

[alibra]

That is a terrific idea...an so unique!!

[DesertCrocheter]

Super cool, but what about the knots? How do you work those in? It would take me forever to tie those dang things together, and then I'd start obsessing over making sure the right colors were next to each other... I just use leftover small lengths to tie the tags to the Project Linus blankets my mom and I make. I'd love to see a photo of this completed! Patty

[mamarose22]

Re: my magic ball granny, when I have a bunch of scraps, I start tying them together using square knots. When I have a ball that's a few inches in diameter then I start crocheting. I work over the knots, twisting and turning the ends as I work over them so they shouldn't be able to loosen up, and add more as I go along. Currently I have 2 completed ones in the trunk of my car. The organization I belong to will start meeting the 2nd week in September, and I will turn them in for donation then. I also make other afghans, but this is what I do with scraps that aren't big enough to make a full granny square.

[eebrs]

What a great idea! Not only do you make use of your scraps, but it's going to a great cause!

[Sockmad]

This would be a great way to practice the Russian join. Which is basically the same as splicing rope only much smaller! This is a really great idea the magic ball that is thanks. Your square is really pretty.

[Rock Creek Quilter]

I love the idea of your Magic Ball Granny. I want to start one, but how do you get started? What size hook and how many stitches do you start with to get the rectangle granny? Oh, I am sorry to ask so many questions, but I really am excited about starting one of these to use up my yarn scraps!

[hseger]

That's a great idea for the magic ball! I join the yarn with the Russian join so I don't have the knots. I was trying to figure out what I could do with mine.

[mamarose22]

There is a link somewhere on making rectangular grannies, but I can't find it. Perhaps one of our readers might be kind enough to supply it. However I devised my own method. Being that I usually work with worsted yarns, that's what I use for these scrap-ghans and I use a "J" hook. You can use whatever hook is appropriate for the type of yarn you are working with. I always forget how many stitches I start with, so I usually make a chain larger than what I need and then rip out the excess stitches, backwards. I Start with about 13 or 14 chains. Then do dc in the 4th ch from hook, dc in the same place. (3dc) ch 2, 3dc in the same place, ch2, 3 dc in the same place (corner made). ch1 sk 2 ch, 3dc in the next ch, ch1 sk 2ch 3dc in the next ch. ch1,sk 2ch, make (3dc, ch 2, 3dc, ch2, 3dc) in the next ch. another corner made. ch1 turn to the other side of the beginning ch. sk2 st and do 3dc innext st,continue pattern to the corner, join and then start a new row working it just like a regular granny. If I have any excess chains on the starting row, I rip it out backward. I hope this is clear enough.

[segi1974]

I would love to know how to start this also. Can you please give the directions on starting this. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing

[Ladycrochat]

Here is a link to an easy tutorial to get you started! Have fun!

http://www.onceuponapattern.com/custom/pdffiles/Granny.PDF

Here is another one with LOTS of pictures....

http://www.crochetcabana.com/tutorials/rectangle-grannies.htm

[nss]

This sounds like a fun CAL

[Rock Creek Quilter]

Thank you so much MamaRose for taking the time to provide your instructions and yes, they are very clear. And thanks Debbie, for providing the link for the tutorial. I will start this project today!

[segi1974]

Thanks a bunch for posting this for us. I am going to try this one out.

[Lov2Crochet]

It crossed my mind to do this before but didn't know how it would turn out but I love yours so far! Do you tie each piece of yarn together?

[sunnyvale_22]

that is so cool. i'm putting squares together for a friend. if i have anything left this would be great to make him another one.

[GlasgowLindsay]

What a wonderful way to use up small lengths of yarn. I must try this out as it would be such a relief from projects where I feel every move is planned out so rigidly! I also did not know that Project Linus accepted crocheted blankets...I thought it was only quilts...off to google about that and also about the Russian joining methond. Your afghan is going to be really nice and thanks for the idea!

[LovelyLovely]

That is COOL!

I gotta try that now!

[Lov2Crochet]

I always use Erin's pattern, I find it super easy.

 

http://iamtotallyobsessedwithyarn.blogspot.com/2006/01/granny-square-pattern-with-pictures.html