Friday, February 24, 2012

FO: Irish Rose Square for SIBOL

like a vintage teacup

On Wednesday afternoon I finished my Koolhaas hat but before casting on anything else I figured I'd better turn my attention to the blanket square I had promised a few weeks ago. SIBOL announced that they were collecting squares for an Irish Rose blanket and I decided that I had the perfect worsted scraps in my stash to make one. As it turns out, this square used every last inch of bordeaux red. Perfect!

It's a very interesting square to crochet because the finished project is so three dimensional. The rose petals sit atop the square in two layers. The leaves are crocheted above the square as well, but their tips are pinned down to the square to keep them organized - probably for the best since my leaves were curling up on themselves before that. The red hdc border is a modification of the original pattern for the SIBOL squares, and I think it's the perfect thing to add a bit more of the petal colour and to finish the square with a firm square edge. Presumably all the squares will be crocheted with white backgrounds and joined with white borders. I can't wait to see the entire blanket assembled.

I hesitated over the colours before deciding on these. After seeing the sample squares shown on SIBOL's website I wondered whether I should go with lighter, more pastel choices. But these colours really do put me in mind of vintage tea cups and fancy bone china sets that the ladies used to collect when I was a child; I just had to try them. Although I was prepared to make another if I was uncomfortable with how this square turned out, now that it's done I couldn't be happier. It'll be in the mail to SIBOL this weekend.

If you enjoyed this post and want to see more fun and fabulous finishes, please check the links at Tami's Amis!

14 comments:

Andria said...

I love the colours you chose, I think it looks very classic and elegant. I'm so impressed with your crochet skills!

Pumpkin said...

It really is three dimensional, it looks so beautiful! Amazing work.

Anonymous said...

I love the colors you used, very dramatic. I think the pattern would look washed out in pastels.

Unknown said...

Oh wow that square is gorgeous! It took my breath away. I love it! I haven't done a flower that complicated but it's inspiring me to try.

heather said...

My Grandma had a pillow (that she made) that was really similar to the flower here on your square. I loved the texture of it as a kid and probably drove my grandma nuts as I "picked" at it! :-)

And my friend's older son (Olivia's age) has apparently taken to his soon-to-be sister's blanket already, so I might need to make him one too! :-)

Wanderingcatstudio said...

That's a really pretty square! Stop making me want to crochet!

Alittlebitsheepish said...

It looks beautiful. Love your colour choice, a darker red says rose to me much more than pastels

Unknown said...

Makes my non-crocheting self run in fear! My hand would be so cramped after trying to crochet that I would never pick up a hook again. Lovely square.

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

I really like the colors you chose. Irish rose squares are great for that 3D effect.

bookworm-Mary said...

That is a lovely square! I think the burgundy is a perfect color for it.

Frieda said...

That's a beautiful square , lovely colours !

SarahFay said...

I think you've made a wise choice. those colors pop. Very beautiful.

autumngeisha said...

So lovely! The colors are perfectly suited to the pattern.

behind the ivy said...

That blanket square is stunning! You definitely chose the perfect colours for that beautiful rose. It's things like this that make me want to work on my crochet so that I can do more than just straight lines!