Team Hooker - One pointy thing is better than two

[SoupDragon]

Quiche-tastic.

You're aiming for this shape along the row

Uu.uU

Look at the top - the curve fits against your circle, the straight edge at the bottom starts the edge of the square.

I've edited it so I hope it makes sense now - when you start on the first 'squaring round' (mine is the first cream round) the first bit looks wrong where you have the seven chain but when you finish the round you create the final corner by doing one treble into the same space where you started the chain and suddenly it looks fine

Thank you do much, sorry if I have caused trouble :( please don't apologise Pantryboy, it's great and I could never manage anything like it, I'm just sorry I couldn't work it out for myself

Please don't apologse, it was my fault for not proof reading it.
To be honest I made the picture so I could refer back to it - I'm really pleased to see someone else having a go at it.
If there is anything I haven't made clear please just ask

Think I have managed it... Hoping to upload a photo later (on phone at mo!) my DS (nearly 3) saw the circle and asked if he could have it, told him that it was for the special mummies but I would make him one of he wanted... And he said yes, so, using non-project wool I made him one, of which he was very happy with (whilst I was doing this he sat in the chair with a ball of wool and crochet hook telling me he was making daddy one!) he then took his woolly circle to bed with him for his afternoon nap!!

Technical question... How do people join their new colour? Sometimes mine seems 'lumpy?!'

I tend to slip stitch the new colour on and then crochet over the loose end. If I am feeling thorough, I'll sew the end in back the other way too (if that makes sense!)

I think it is inevitable that it will be bulkier than the rest unfortunately. It doesn't seem to notice too much when it is all done though.

Awww!

At the end of the row or round, i pull up the last loop in the new colour. Leave it round the hook so you don't lose the stitch and tie a double knot between the old yarn and the new pesky end. Cut off the old yarn and lay both pesky ends on the top of my work so i can crochet round them instead of sewing later

Does anyone have a pattern for a meerkat by any chance? My Dad hates them with a passion so I want to make him one for his Birthday

You are an evil daughter :)

Changing colours, I do the following:

For the start of a row/round I tend to make a slip knot as if starting a new piece of work then slip stitch it to the stitch I'm starting in. (That sounds more confusing than it is!). I have been known to also use the knot the new colour and old colour together then pull a loop up in the starting stitch method too. I'm not as keen on that though.

Mid-row or when doing spirals in the round, I pull the new colour through as the last part of the stitch (i.e. the final yarn over and pull through 2 loops) then do the next couple of stitches before knotting it to the other colour (I find it helps keep my tension even if I make another couple of stitches before knotting it)

Cheers! Bought him <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=meerkat+garden+ornaments&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1440&bih=775&tbm=isch&tbnid=OpJ92_Lkt-YDSM:&imgrefurl=www.caraccessoriesandparts.co.uk/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_virtuemart%26%3D69%26category_id%3D329%26lang%3Den%26page%3Dshop.product_details%26product_id%3D1734%3D0&docid=SX8SignEckoheM&imgurl=www.caraccessoriesandparts.co.uk/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Garden_Ornament__4da95b5b710f3.jpg&w=607&h=1049&ei=wQ4AULlv75PRBZHW-JMH&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=301&sig=102314645167878420855&page=2&tbnh=137&tbnw=79&start=32&ndsp=45&ved=1t:429,r:30,s:32,i:268&tx=39&ty=39" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these for Christmas

A slightly off piste question but it does relate to crochet. While helping to do a family house clearance, I have come across a big pile of granny square blankets, plus other crocheted blankets. I am going to keep a few as I remember them from my childhood, but what can I do with the rest? They are all in good condition. I know how much effort and love goes into making these and it's beyond my skill set, but it seems a shame for them to go to waste. Would they sell in charity shops? Any suggestions gratefully received.

I would expect them to sell in charity shops, I am sure people would buy them, although before giving them over maybe you should ask if they will sell as you don't want to give them to them and they just throw them away! Any friends/family want them?

Yes, being thrown away is what I am worried about Jules! Will explore friends/ family option but nobody springs immediately to mind. Am determined they'll go to a good home somehow or other!

Cakey, if might also be worth asking at local charities that support families. I know around here, the Red Cross were collecting blankets and quilts near Christmas to give to struggling families.

Might also be worth trying Women's Aid or a local refuge. They are quite often short of bedding.

Another thought, if they are in good condition, could you eBay them? Proceeds to charity maybe?

Thanks Knotty. There is also quite a lot of unopened, brand new bedding sets so will definitely look into your suggestions. Would be nice to think it could all be put to good use.

And yes, will bear eBay in mind too.

TimeforCake - we went to stay at this place Vintage Vacations on holiday last year, on the IOW, they are vintage caravans and are all full of crochet blankets and throws, the owners are very friendly, you could get in touch and see if they might like them in return for a donation to charity.

Lovely idea! Thank you Whoknows.

Timeforcake - there's also project Linus who take blankets. Sorry, can't link as on phone

Sounds ideal craftynclothy and reminds me of some of the sentiments behind our woolly hugs projects. Will definitely look into it.

I knew Team Hooker members would have brilliant suggestions!

Looking at the Project Linus UK site, I think it may be the very thing, Cakey. Your blankets would be woolly hugs