Who can resist the charm of a crocheted granny square? It was the catalyst that ignited my crochet journey nearly two years ago. The abundance of patterns available provides a perfect starting point, and platforms like Instagram and Pinterest offer endless opportunities.
The granny square with it's timeless appeal, is a straightforward pattern typically composed of double crochet clusters, and corners made up of clusters and 2 chain spaces. Once the pattern becomes second nature, you'll be amazed at how quickly a stack of squares accumulates.
Check out this fun video I posted to Instagram.
In my crochet journey, I've curated a list of my favorite creations, complete with links to the patterns, where available. Some patterns are free, while others can be purchased — I encourage you to support these small businesses whenever possible.
The beauty of granny squares lies in their versatility. With countless color combinations, the creative possibilities are boundless. In my studio, I have stacks awaiting to be transformed into hats, scarves, purses, pillows, sweaters/cardigans, and blankets.
This granny square vest I made for my daughter, inspired by this tutorial Granny Square vest. I used two different shades of pink and green and white yarn. I changed up the color combination and I'm really happy with how it turned out.
My first bag I made, was one of my favorite color combos.
My first sweater was based on this pattern, check it out here. I loved the edging detail, I thought it added a bit of fun to the cardigan. And I've used this little detail on some other things I've crocheted.
I added up all the hours and it took me about 16 hours to make all the granny squares. Sewing it together and adding the decorative edges went quickly and I'm so happy with the result. Below is the finished cardigan.
I've ventured into crafting granny square containers as well. Perfect for organizing jewelry and small trinkets, these containers boast a pattern of my own design. What makes them truly versatile is the ability to create varying sizes based on the number of crochet rounds you choose to complete.
Below is the African Flower granny square, this is the pattern I used to make this granny square. White it may appear intricate, it surprisingly becomes quite straightforward. Once you've mastered the fourth round, essentially you bring that stitch down to the second round.
I made this bag with the African Flower granny square it's my absolute favorite of all the bags I've made. I used a vintage purse handle and used single crochets to attach.
Crocheting bucket hats has gained popularity in fashion over the past few years, thanks to their quick creation and simplicity with granny squares. I've personally enjoyed making them using both acrylic and cotton yarn. The image below captures my initial attempt at a bucket hat, which turned out unexpectedly large for any head. However, with a stroke of creativity inspired by my friend Asia, I repurposed it by flipping it upside down and attaching it to vintage purse handles — voila! Here is the pattern I've used to make some of the bucket hats.
I've also made a granny square headband, pattern here, for a friend going to a music festival and a granny square kerchief, pattern here.
Granny squares are easily adaptable to make into crossbody bags. I made this one for my daughter. Here's the pattern. The strap is crocheted and attached by metal rings. Several more bags are in progress, patiently waiting on my sewing table for zippers and liners.
While most granny squares showcase a vibrant array of colors, there's a charming alternative — crafting them in a single color. I experimented with this idea and created a delightful bag by combining solid granny squares following this pattern. I combined all the squares and crocheted a handle.
Slightly different that the original granny square design is the Mystical Lantern. This pattern is made up of these six-sided shapes and makes a really cute vest. I have yet to finish the vest, it's in my ever-growing WIP (work in progress) pile. But I do love the color combination.
After stumbling upon some adorable dog coats made from granny squares, I cam across this pattern. Opting for a color palette of rust, dark green and off-white to complement my dog's coloring, I embarked on crocheting a cozy coat for him. The photo below captures him trying it on for size, and after adding a few more granny squares to ensure a perfect fit for his length and broad chest, I'm thrilled with the end result. Our walks are now accompanied by compliments on his stylish and cute coat!
Another use for granny squares are fingerless gloves, here's the pattern I used for the ones below. I've made quite a few of these and they definitely come in handy in the winter.
I recently finished the hexagon granny square sweater. I found the pattern here. It's basically two hexagons sewn together. I extended the sleeves and added a cuff at the wrist because the pattern sleeve ended just below the elbow. I plan on making a couple more, possibly one with cotton yarn for a coverup in the spring.
Another recent project was this granny square collar. I absolutely love it and will be making more. I used this pattern.
My next big crochet project involves making a granny square shirt for my husband. I'm going to be putting several patterns I've found together to make it so wish me luck. To visualize the final look, I made an illustration, see below. The ambitious plan involves making over 80+ granny squares. I better get started so he can wear it this summer.
If you're eager to master the art of the granny square, check out the patterns I've shared — some even come with incredibly helpful video tutorials.
I want to clarify that I don't have any affiliation with the patterns I've listed. I've purchased them and sharing the links with you to encourage support for small businesses. It's a great way to appreciate and contribute to the creativity within our crafting community.
Happy Crocheting!
All of the photos and illustrations are ©FlossieWilly
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