The granny square book, p.10
The Granny Square Book, page 10
70 | ROSETTA SQUARE
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
Made with 2 colors: A and B.
Double triple crochet (dtr): Yo (3 times), insert hook in next sp, yo, draw yarn through sp, [yo, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook] 4 times.
Single crochet 2 together (sc2tog): Insert hook in next st, yo, draw yarn through st, sk next 2 sts, insert hook in next st, yo, draw yarn through st, yo, draw yarn through 3 loops on hook.
With A, ch 8, join with a SI st to form a ring.
RND 1: With A, 12 sc in ring, join with a SI st in first sc (12 sc).
RND 2: With A, ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), (1 dc, ch 2) in each sc around, join with a SI st in the 3rd ch of beg ch-5 (12 ch-2 sps).
RND 3: With A, ch 1, 1 sc in same st, *3 sc in the next ch-2 sp**, 1 sc in the next dc, rep from * 10 times, rep from * to ** once, join with a SI st in first sc (48 sc).
RND 4: With A, ch 5 (counts as dtr), 1 dtr in each of next 3 sc, *ch 6, 1 dtr in each of next 4 sc, rep from *10 times, ch 6, join with a SI st in 5th ch of the beg ch-5 (12 ch-6 sps).
RND 5: With A, ch 1, sc2tog worked across first 4 dtr, *8 sc in next ch-6 sp**, sc2tog worked across next 4 dtr, rep from * 10 times, rep from * to ** once, join with a SI st in first st. Fasten off A.
RND 6: With right side facing, join B in top of any sc2tog, ch 4, 1 tr in same st (half corner made), *[ch 2, sk next 3 sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, ch 2, sk next 3 sc, 1 dc in next sc2tog] twice, ch 2, sk next 3 sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, ch 2, sk next 3 sc**, (2 tr, ch 3, 2 tr) in next petal (corner), rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join to a SI st in 4th ch of beg ch-4 (completes corner).
RND 7: With B, ch 1, starting in same st, 1 sc in each of st, 2 sc in each ch-2 sp, (2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in each ch-3 corner sp, join with a SI st to first sc (4 ch-3 sps). Fasten off B.
71 | WHIRLPOOL
SKILL LEVEL: easy
Made with 3 colors: A, B, and C.
With A, ch 6, join with a SI st to form a ring.
RND 1: With A, ch 6 (counts as dc, ch 3) (1 dc, ch 3) 7 times in ring, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-6 (8 ch-3 sps). Fasten off A.
RND 2: With right side facing, join B in any ch-3 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 3 dc in same sp, ch 2, (4 dc, ch 2) in each ch-3 sp around, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (8 ch-2 sps). Fasten off B.
RND 3: With right side facing, join C in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 5 dc in same sp, ch 1, *6 dc, in next ch-2 sp, ch 3**, 6 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (8 groups of 6 dc). Fasten off C.
RND 4: With right side facing, join A in any ch-3 sp, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp, *ch 3, 1 sc between the 3rd and 4th dc of next 6-dc group, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3, 1 sc between 3rd and 4th dc of next 6-dc group, ch 3**, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next ch-3 sp, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3.
RND 5: With A, ch 1, starting in same st, *1 sc in each of next 2 dc, (2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in next ch-3 sp, 1 sc in each of next 2 dc, [3 sc in next ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next sc] 3 times, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp, rep from * around, join with a SI st in first sc. Fasten off.
72 | FIESTA
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
Made with 5 colors: A, B, C, D, and E.
Popcorn (pc): Work 5 dc in same st or sp, drop loop from hook, insert hook in the first of the 5 dc just made, pick up dropped loop and draw through.
With A ch 4, join with a SI st to form a ring.
RND 1: With A, ch 4, 3 tr in ring, ch 2, [4 tr, ch 2] 3 times in ring, join with a SI st in 4th ch of beg ch-4 (4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off A.
RND 2: With right side facing, join B in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 2 sc in same sp (half corner made), *1 sc in each of next 4 dc**, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in next ch-2 sp (corner made), rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 2 sc in same sp as first half corner, ch 2, join with a SI st in first sc (4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off B.
RND 3: With right side facing, join C in any corner ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 1 dc in same sp (half corner made), *1 dc in each of next 8 sc**, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp (corner made), rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 2 dc in same sp as beg half corner, ch 3, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (4 ch-3 sps). Fasten off C.
RND 4: With right side facing, join D in any ch-3 corner sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp (half corner made), *ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 8 dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc**, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 corner sp (corner made), rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 3 dc in same sp as beg half corner, ch 3, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (completes corner) (8 ch-2 sps, 4 ch-3 sps). Fasten off D.
RND 5: With right side facing, join E in any ch-3 corner sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp (half corner made), *ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 1 pc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 pc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk next 3 dc**, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp (corner made), rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 3 dc, in same sp as first half corner, ch 3, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (completes corner) (32 ch-2 sps, 4 ch-3 sps). Fasten off E.
RND 6: With right side facing, join A in any ch-3 corner sp, ch 1, *(3 sc, ch 2, 3 sc) in ch-3 corner sp (corner made), 1 sc in each of next 3 dc, 2 sc in the next ch-2 sp, 1 sc in next pc, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp, 1 sc in each of next 4 dc, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp, 1 sc in next pc, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp, 1 sc in each of next 3 dc, rep from * 3 times, join with a SI st in first sc (4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off A.
73 | WHIMSY
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
Made with 3 colors: A, B, and C.
Triple crochet cluster (tr cluster): [Yo twice, insert hook in next sp, yo, draw yarn through, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice] twice in same sp, yo, draw yarn through 3 loops on hook.
Double triple crochet (dtr): Yo (3 times), insert hook in next st or sp, yo, draw yarn through, [yo, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook] 4 times.
Double crochet cluster (dc cluster): [Yo, insert hook in next sp, yo, draw yarn through] twice in same sp, yo, draw yarn through 3 loops on hook.
With A, ch 4, join with a SI st to form a ring.
RND 1: With A, ch 4 (counts as tr), 1 tr in ring (counts as tr cluster), ch 3, [1 tr cluster, ch 3] 7 times in ring, join with a SI st in first tr (8 clusters, 8 ch-3 sps).
RND 2: With A, SI st in first ch of the next ch-3 sp, ch 1, (1 sc, ch 5) in center ch of each ch-3 sp around, join with a SI st in first sc, (8 ch-5 sps). Fasten off a.
RND 3: With right side facing, join B in center ch of any ch-5 sp, ch 1, starting in same sc, *1 sc in in center ch of ch-5 sp, [(1 dtr, ch 1) 10 times, 1 dtr] in next ch-5 sp (fan made), rep from * 3 times, join with a SI st in first sc (4 fans). Fasten off B.
RND 4: With right side facing, join C in any sc between fans, ch 4 (counts as a tr, ch-1), *(1 dc, ch 1) in each of next 4 ch-1 sps, 1 dc cluster in next ch-1 sp, ch 3 (corner sp made), 1 dc cluster in next ch-1 sp, (1 dc, ch 1) in each of next 4 ch-1 sps**, 1 tr in next sc, ch 1, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-4 (40 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-3 sps). Fasten off C.
RND 5: With right side facing, join A in any ch-3 corner sp, ch 1, 2 sc in same sp (half corner made), *2 sc in each of next 10 ch-1 sps**, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in next ch-3 corner sp, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 2 sc in same sp as first half corner, ch 2, join with a SI st in first sc. Fasten off A.
74 | FLEUR
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
Made with 3 colors: A, B, and C.
With A, ch 6, join with a SI st to form a ring.
RND 1: With A, ch 1, [1 sc, ch 3, tr, ch 3, tr, ch 3] 4 times in ring, join with a SI st in first sc (4 petals). Fasten off A.
RND 2: With right side facing, join B in last tr made (to the left of any ch-3 sp), ch 1, 1 sc in same tr, *1 sc in top ch of next ch-3 sp, 2 dc in next sc between petals, sc in top ch of next ch-3 sp, 1 sc in next tr, 1 sc in first ch of next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next ch, 1 sc in next ch**, 1 sc in next tr, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with a SI st in first sc (4 ch-3 sps).
RND 3: With B, ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 1 dc in each of next 6 sc, *(1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) in next ch-3 sp (corner made)**, 1 dc in each of next 8 sc, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 1 dc in each of the next 2 sc, join with a SI to in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (4 ch-3 sps). Fasten off B.
RND 4: With right side facing, join C in any corner ch-3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp (half corner made), *[ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc] twice, ch 2, sk next 2 dc**, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 corner sp (corner made), rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp as first half corner, ch 3, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (completes corner) (12 ch-2 sps, 4 ch-3 sps). Fasten off C.
RND 5: With right side facing, join B in any ch-3 corner sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp (half corner made), *1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, [1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp] twice, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc**, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp (corner made), rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 3 dc in same sp as first half corner, ch 3, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (completes corner). Fasten off.
75 | SAVANNAH
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
Made with 3 colors: A, B, and C.
With A, ch 3, join with a SI st to form a ring.
RND 1: With A, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc, ch 2] 3 times in ring, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off A.
RND 2: With right side facing, join B in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, *sk next dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next dc, sk next dc**, sc in next ch-2 sp, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with a SI st in first sc (8 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off B.
RND 3: With right side facing, join C in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, *ch 1, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next sc, ch 1, sk next 3 dc**, sc in next ch-2 sp, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with a SI st in first sc (8 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off C.
RND 4: With right side facing, join A in any ch-2 corner sp, ch 1, *(1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 corner sp (corner made), 1 sc in each of next 4 dc, 1 sc in next ch-1 sp, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next ch-1 sp, 1 sc in each of next 4 dc, rep from * 3 times, join with a SI st in first sc (4 ch-2 sps).
RND 5: SI st in next ch-2 sp, ch 5, (counts as dc, ch 2), 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each of next 13 dc**, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next ch-2 sp (corner made), rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with a SI st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off.
DESIGNING WITH
GRANNY SQUARES
Granny squares are versatile building blocks, and the ways to use them are as varied as the people who crochet. Granny square blankets are always popular, and the design choices are endless. But stretch your imagination and you’ll easily see how granny squares can be used to design fashion accessories and clothes for everyone in the family.
START SMALL
If you love granny squares and would like a little touch of them, here are some ideas. All are beginner easy and make great gifts.
HEADBAND OR HATBAND
Make 5 little squares, using a lightweight yarn such as cotton, and a 4/E (3.5 mm) hook, working the first 2 rows of the #4 Classic Granny Square (page 32). Sew together in a strip. Chain 60, join in one corner of strip, work sc along one long end, ch 60, fasten off. Chain 60, join to other corner of strip, work sc along one end, ch 60, fasten off. Join yarn in center sp at one end, ch 60, fasten off. Join yarn in center sp at other end, ch 60, fasten off.
COLLAR BAND
Make eight little squares, using a lightweight yarn such as cotton and a 4/E (3.5 mm) hook, working the first 2 rows of the #4 Classic Granny Square (page 32). Sew together in a strip. Right side facing, join yarn in corner of short end, working in every other st or sp, *sc, ch 3, sc in same st/sp, rep from * along one short end, along one long end, along one short end. Fasten off. Pin on collar, being sure to center at back of neck, allowing picot edge to hang over collar. Sew in place.
MITTEN TOPPERS
Use granny squares to embellish purchased mittens. Using sport weight bamboo yarn and a 4/E (3.5 mm) hook, make two #9 Lilyan’s Lace Squares, working only the first three rows, and then fasten off. Center the squares over the button. With yarn and a tapestry needle, work a blanket stitch around each cuff, and then crochet ruffle as follows: *ch 5, sc in next st, rep from * all around cuff, fasten off.
MÖBIUS SCARF
With size 101/2/K (6.5 mm) hook, make six #14 Cone Flower Squares (page 45) using Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande for A and Haciendo for B. Sew squares together into a long rectangle. Lay scarf flat on surface; flip front to back at one end, and sew to the opposite end. Then apply edging as follows: Row 1: With A, join yarn in any ch-sp, *ch 3, sc in next sp, rep from * all around to where you began, join with a SI st to the first ch of beg ch-3. Row 2: *1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch-3 sp, rep from * all around, join with a SI st to first ch-1, fasten off.
WASHCLOTHS
Choose any square that has a more closed appearance, and crochet it in cotton or linen yarn. Add a few extra rounds until your washcloth is the size you want. Patterns used here are #67 Quartet Squares (page 102) and #10 Great Grandma’s Square (page 40).
FELTED COASTERS AND HOT PADS
Crochet any granny square with non-washable wool yarn. Then felt it by washing in hot water in your washing machine. The yarn shrinks and thickens and forms a thick, cushiony fabric that will protect your furniture. These coasters are #61 Isabella Square (page 96). Make them in a larger size to use as hot pads or trivets.
GRAPH IT OUT
Granny squares are fun to make and are usually one of the first things a crocheter learns to do. Taking the granny square out of the afghan/blanket mode and into fashion requires some ingenuity. Here are some diagrams to show some possibilities for using squares. Many of the garment projects designed for this book began as graphed sketches like these. I am sure that you will come up with more of your own ideas. By studying the illustrations, you will begin to see how to construct a garment from granny squares. The possibilities are endless. Playing with square placement is like working a jigsaw puzzle.
In order to come out with a garment that fits, you have to do some math and some gauge testing. If, for instance, you want a garment to end up being a 40" (101.6 cm) finished width, you would experiment with yarn and hook, and come up with a square that would be about 5" (12.7 cm). Then proceed to make a front and back, each being four squares across, and however many squares long that you want. You also have to use some imagination.
SQUARE-NECK PULLOVER. Leave the top two center squares open for the neck.
BOAT-NECK PULLOVER. Make the front and back identical or fill in two squares across the back neck.
V-NECK PULLOVER. Make half squares for the top center front.
DIAGONAL VEST. Make half squares for the arm openings, neck, and down the front opening. Make full squares that wrap from front to back at the sides and shoulders.
By using half squares, you could make a V-neck shaping, either pullover or V-neck cardigan. If you prefer a more shaped garment, you could work one band of the granny squares using a smaller hook. Another shaping possibility is to work some rows of single crochet at the waistband.
ADDING TO THE SIZE OF A SQUARE
You can change the size of a square quite easily. Let’s say you need a square that is 5 1/2" (14 cm), and the square that you love works out to be only 5" (12.7 cm). If working another whole row of the pattern will make the square too large, you can work one row of single crochet all around the outer edge of the square, adding the needed half inch (1.3 cm).
DIAGONAL V-NECK CARDIGAN. Make full squares that wrap from front to back at the sides and sleeves. Half squares for the center fronts and back neck.
Make a triangle shawl leaving the step edging.
Fill in with half squares along the edges.
BUTTERFLY GARDEN TWO-WAY SHAWL
The Butterfly Garden Square used for this shaped shawl is an original granny square used with permission from designer Chris Simon. Handpainted cotton yarn has subtle color variations that give the shawl a rich, organic look. I’ve designed this rectangular shawl with a bit of shaping by sewing shoulder seams and leaving armhole openings. In this configuration, the front edges drape naturally into bias folds, a popular look that can be casual or dressy.
YARN Blue Heron Yarns 100% Egyptian mercerized cotton, 8 oz (227 g)/1000 yd (914.5 m): raspberry, 2 skeins
HOOK 6/g (4 mm)
GAUGE 1 square = 6" × 6" (15 × 15 cm)
NOTIONS tapestry needle
FINISHED SIZE 18" × 72" (45.5 × 183 cm)
SKILL LEVEL Intermediate
SHAPED SHAWL
Make 36 #17 Butterfly Garden Squares (page 48). Arrange squares in a rectangle three squares wide by twelve squares long. Sew squares together with right sides facing, join from back loops of last row (page 25), following the diagram. Note that openings one and three-quarters squares deep are left four squares from each end for armholes. Join edge A to B and C to D to form shoulder seams.
PICOT EDGE
Work picots all around outside edges as follows: Join yarn in any corner st, *ch 3, sk 1 st, 1 sc in next st, rep from * all around, join with a SI st in base of beg ch-3, fasten off.
Join yarn at underarm seam, work picot edge all around armhole opening. Repeat for other opening.
BLOCKING: Fold vest in half, place on a padded surface, spray with water, pat into shape with fingers, allow to dry.
