Granny square – a universal element for creativity, with which you can crochet almost everything: from socks to blankets. Patterns and master classes on making squares of different types are given further in the article.
What is a granny square
The name "granny square" comes from the tradition when every grandmother knitted warm clothes, mittens and blankets for her children and grandchildren. Often there were many small balls of yarn left over, and in order not to throw them away, a colored square was invented, where all the leftovers were used.
The original version of the square has a very simple sequence of columns and chains of loops. Over time, knitting patterns have changed and have come in many variations, some of which are far from the classic design, but continue to be called "granny square".
What to knit from granny squares
Crochet granny square (patterns for blankets are discussed further in the article) is a small crocheted square-shaped motif that serves as a basis for patchwork creativity.
These elements are combined in different sequences to create various products. The fashionable square is again at the peak of popularity. It is especially often used to create knitted patchwork blankets, as well as ethnic clothing and accessories in the boho style.
From square motifs you can create:
- stand for cups and hot dishes;
- a napkin and a potholder;
- chair or stool covers;
- decorative pillowcase;
- plaid;
- duvet cover;
- clothes (top, jacket, dress, vest, skirt, socks);
- accessories (belts, jewelry);
- bags and wallets;
- clothes for animals;
- shawl;
- gloves.
What you need for knitting in patchwork style
To knit a stylish accessory, a top or even a blanket, you can use specially selected threads, or you can collect all the leftover yarn and create a bright item from them.
A crochet hook is used for creativity. Its size depends on the thickness of the yarn. The most commonly used sizes are 3 and 4 mm. Beginners are recommended to use smooth metal hooks with a finger holder. Sometimes tools such as a pin, ruler, chalk may be useful.
It is better to choose smooth threads for knitting, without additional decoration, such as pile, wool and bouclé elements. Products made of squares knitted from threads of approximately the same texture will look harmonious. Decorative threads look beautiful in the frame of the border of elements. Thus, the fluffy border of the elements of the bedspread will create an effect of warmth and coziness.
Depending on the type of product, you can complement it with decorations made of pompons, tassels, crocheted flowers, petals and butterflies. Such decor is used in the decoration of blankets, bedspreads, pillowcases, clothes. Most often, things knitted from squares do not need decoration, since the motifs themselves are quite bright.
Symbols used in diagrams
The pattern for a classic knitted square is simple and includes 3 basic elements: a chain stitch, a double crochet and a slip stitch.
In knitting patterns, abbreviated names of elements and corresponding graphic images are accepted. Thus, an air loop is designated as "v.p." and has a graphic image in the form of an oval. A single crochet is designated as a short stick and has a corrupted name "s.b.n."
The pictures often feature long sticks crossed by 1, 2 or 3 slanted sections. These are columns with 1, 2 or 3 yarns, respectively. The connecting column is abbreviated as "s.s." and is indicated on the diagram by a bold dot.
Classic Granny Square. Master Class
A simple knitting pattern is quickly remembered, all that remains is to select beautiful color combinations. To do this, you can find ready-made solutions or experiment with color combinations. At first, you can try to knit a simple thing, such as a napkin, a small rug, a decorative belt or a purse. For large items, you will need to make about a hundred identical elements.
Pattern and order of knitting motifs
Knitted motifs may vary in size and color. The classic square can be increased indefinitely.
Thus, a 50-row motif can be turned into a large blanket. A regular small fragment consists of 4-6 rows. Each row can be done in a different color, or you can make single-color motifs. By knitting with thick threads, you can get voluminous elements with large holes.
Classic scheme:
- Knit a ring by closing a chain of 5 air loops.
- Row 2 knit into the center of the ring: chain of 3 loops, 2 double crochets, chain of 2 loops. Then repeat the following pattern of 3 double crochets and chain of 2 loops twice.
- Knit the loops of the next row into the jumpers from the chains of the previous row: 3 loops, 2 double crochets, a chain of 2 loops. Next, knit a sequence of 3 double crochets and chains of 2 loops, repeating until the end of the row.
- Make the required number of rows (usually the motif consists of 5 rows).
Methods of connecting elements
There are 4 popular ways to assemble a product from square motifs.
The description of each method is presented in the table:
| Needle stitching | Crocheting with half double crochet stitches | Connection with special half-columns | Openwork connection |
| 2 squares are placed face to face with each other. The needle is inserted either behind the front wall of the loops, or behind both at once. | Square motifs, folded with the front side, are connected with half-columns, inserting the hook behind the back wall of the loops of the last row. | Used for openwork motifs. One square is knitted completely, the second is attached to it during knitting of the last row.
This type of fastening is smooth and neat. | The last openwork rows of round motifs overlap each other using air chains. |
When connecting the parts, either an alternation of single-color and variegated motifs is chosen, or the entire product is made from identical (single-color or variegated) elements. Often the middle of the product is made from colorful squares, and the perimeter is filled with single-color knitting, creating a complete effect.
Perimeter binding
To complete the product, its edges are tied with a decorative pattern. It can be simple and consist of 1-2 rows, or complex, in the form of a wide patterned trim.
Popular strapping options:
- crab step;
- pico;
- shell;
- decorative patterned border.
Masking the ends of the threads
Crochet granny square (patterns for blankets correspond to the classic knitting formula) is a separate element, during knitting of which the threads are cut off, which leaves their free ends.
To make the product look neat, there are techniques for masking threads:
- The central thread is tied together with the ring, the rest of the thread is cut off.
- The threads remaining from the outer edge are hidden using a hook, inserting the free thread from the wrong side under the loops of the previous row.
- When changing colors, the threads are connected to each other by fixing one end to the other with a loop using a needle. This technique is done without knots and leaves no loose ends.
Interesting ideas for squares for a blanket, bedspread, rug. Schemes and description
In addition to the simple grandmother's motif, many interpretations have been created, the most popular of which are presented below.
Motive from the corner
The granny square, crocheted in this style, is interesting in its multi-colored design; its patterns are used to make duvet covers, bags, pillowcases and blankets.
Sequence of execution:
- In the central ring, consisting of 5 loops, you need to knit 1 row from a chain of 3 loops, 2 double crochets, 2 loops, 3 double crochets. Turn the knitted motif over.
- In the 2nd row, make a chain of 3 loops, 2 double crochets (in each double crochet of the previous row and in the beginning of the arch), in the arch – 2 double crochets, 2 regular loops, 2 double crochets. Then knit 3 double crochets. Turn the product over.
- Knit the element according to the given pattern to the selected size.
Spanish Motif
This element is similar to the classic square, but differs in the creation of broaches through the lower rows. The originality of this element lies in the multi-colored execution of rows with broaches.
Knitting pattern:
- Start knitting according to the standard pattern and complete 3 rows.
- Next, change the pattern: knit 3 lifting loops into the corner bridge, 3 double crochets. Knit twice: chain of 2 loops, 1 double crochet, draw through (insert the hook head into the corner bridge of the 1st row, pull out the thread and knit the resulting loop with 2 simple loops), 1 double crochet.
- Knit the corner in the classic way.
- Then repeat the same pattern, only pull it one level higher.
- Make an element of the required size.
Spiral motif
To knit such a pattern, you need to be able to knit simple columns, half-columns with a yarn over and columns with a yarn over. When knitting, threads of different colors are used simultaneously. In this version, the use of 4 colored threads is considered.
Knitting the motif in a spiral:
- Make a circle from 5 loops.
- With the starting thread, knit a sequence of 1 double crochet, half double crochet and 2 double crochets.
- Thread and secure a thread of color 2 in the middle of the center and repeat the previous pattern. Also knit with threads of colors 3 and 4.
- With the 1st color thread, knit 2 double crochets into the next 3 loops of the bottom row, leave the 4th loop of the bottom row unknitted. Repeat the sequence for all colored threads.
- Next, with threads of color 1, knit 2 double crochets in one loop of color 2, 3 double crochets in succession for each loop of the bottom row, 2 double crochets in one loop. Following the pattern, repeat for all colors.
- Knit until you reach the desired size, knitting 2 more single crochet stitches in each subsequent row.
- Finish the motif: with threads of 1 color, knit 2 double crochets in one loop, a double crochet, a half double crochet, a double crochet and a slip stitch in different loops. Repeat the same for other colors.
Square with jacquard
Jacquard pattern on fabric is a multiple repetition of identical large motifs. The same effect can be achieved by crocheting and knitting.
Crochet granny square (patterns for blankets can combine plain and colored motifs), made in jacquard style - this is a fairly dense element. Due to the combination of colors, when connecting the parts, a jacquard effect is obtained.
So, if you knit a single-color square and in the final row introduce a contrasting color into the corners, knitting with a classic pattern, then when combining elements in the product, you will get a beautiful pattern that will be repeated throughout the entire fabric. Dresses, sundresses, tunics, bedspreads, rugs are knitted in this style.
Flower motif
The flower motif can be used as a decorative element for yarn products, as the flowers inside the square can be made realistic and voluminous.
In execution, square elements with a flower in the middle vary in complexity of execution depending on what flower is used, voluminous or flat. A voluminous flower is knitted with petals in several rows. Such a motif requires more time to complete.
This easy to make square with a daisy consists of only 3 rows and is done according to the following pattern:
- Knit a chain of 6 loops and close into a ring.
- Next, knit 3 loops for lifting, 11 columns with a yarn over. Close the row with a connecting column.
- Row 2: knit as follows: chain of 3 loops, 2 half-columns, connected by a common top in one loop of the 1st row, chain of 2 loops. Continue the pattern, only replacing the chain of 3 loops with 1 double crochet.
- In the 3rd row, knit a chain of 2 loops, 2 half-columns into a bridge of air loops. Repeat the following sequence until the end of the row: 3 double crochets into a bridge, a chain of 2 loops, 3 double crochets into the same arch, 2 half-columns into the next 2 arches.
Lace
Crochet granny square (patterns for blankets can be made independently or printed) is knitted with any pattern. For small motifs, lace patterns for openwork napkins are well suited.
Such motifs are finished in a square or left round. A product made of lace details looks impressive and presentable. Color solutions can be monotonous or combine harmonious shades.
Example of a lace square pattern:
- Make an amigurumi loop and knit a chain of 2 loops and 15 double crochets into it.
- Next, knit a chain of 3 lifting loops, 1 air loop and then in each loop of the previous row knit columns with a yarn over, knitting 1 air loop between them.
- In the next row follow the pattern: chain of 3 loops, 2 double crochets into the jumper, 1 double crochet into the loop of the previous row. Knit the pattern until the end of the row.
- Row 5 sets the pattern: chain of 11 loops in the 3rd loop of the previous row, chain of 3 loops in the 3rd loop, chain of 5 loops in the 3rd loop, chain of 3 loops in the 3rd loop.
- Tying air chains. In a jumper of 10 loops, knit 3 loops, 4 double crochets, 3 loops, 5 double crochets. Next, knit 1 connecting column in the middle of a small arch of 3 loops.
- In the arch of 5 loops, knit 7 columns with a yarn over and 1 slip column into a small bridge. Finish the row with a slip column.
- In the 7th row, knit a chain of 8 loops and connect it with the 6th row at the beginning of the corner arch with a single crochet. Next, attach a chain of 3 loops at the end of the corner arch.
- Attach a chain of 5 loops with a double crochet at the beginning of the middle fan. Knit a chain of 3 loops and join in the middle of the middle fan. Knit the next chain of 3 loops with a double crochet at the end of the middle fan.
- At the beginning of the 8th row, make a lift of 3 loops and repeat the following sequence: knit 5 double crochets into large jumpers, 3 double crochets into small ones. Knit the corner element according to the standard pattern.
- Knit the edge of the motif with a border of single crochets.
Non-square square
The established name "granny square" is applied to many universal knitting units.
Such elements can be round, square, polygonal. In their manufacture, you can use threads of different colors and textures. When sewing an item, follow the classic methods of joining and tying the contour.
Any beginner craftswoman can crochet a granny square. Having studied the patterns, you can create any product. It can be a blanket, a dress, a belt or a bag. Things in the style of "knitted patchwork" are distinguished by their brightness and emphasize individual style.
Video about granny square
Crochet granny square: