I AM SO EXCITED!!
On August 15, 2020, Simply Crochet Magazine will be hosting the annual Granny Square Day and I am SO proud to announce that I am one of this year's ambassadors for the event! I am so excited to celebrate Granny Square Day and showcase how versatile, unique and skillful this craft can be!
I know, I know... crocheting is NOT just for "grandmas", we all know that by know. However, typically a square worked in the round is considered to be a "granny square". It's super fun and special to create a wide variety of styles of granny squares OR vary up the colors in each square - or both! - to create a special and unique textile design. In celebration for this year's event, I have decided to put together THREE different granny square designs that all vary in style so that there is something for everyone at every skill level!
But before we get started on the FREE crochet granny square designs, let's learn a little bit more about this inspiring event connecting people from all over the world!
CROCHET GOES VIRTUAL!
Hook, snap and share your square to be part of an infinite
Insta-blanket: it’s #GrannySquareDay2020
You can check out the full blog post with even more information from Simply Crochet Magazine here!
Granny Square Day is a celebration hosted on Instagram supported by Simply Crochet Magazine, where the crochet community from around the world come together to make crochet granny squares and share them on Instagram, using the hashtag #grannysquareday2020 resulting in the biggest virtual crochet blanket in the world!
“We’ve always been huge fans of Granny Square Day – there’s something so appealing about the idea of creating a virtual patchwork blanket with the help of the worldwide crochet community. It’s an event that brings people together and one we look forward to every year. The best part is that anyone can take part in Granny Square Day, from absolute beginners to hook- happy experts - I’ve already made my square ready for August 15!” - Sara Huntington, Simply Crochet Editor
The grassroots event was created in 2014 by US crochet whizz Susan Regalia, who realized that Instagram’s iconic grid format could be used to replicate the patchwork arrangement of the classic granny square blanket online. Others soon caught on to the concept and so Granny Square Day was born – bringing the worldwide crochet community together in a celebration of design and color. “A blanket is a gift of comfort and love,” says Susan. “When any of us view or contribute some of these granny squares, it’s as though we join in a giant world hug with each other!” While Susan knew her day had proven popular, she hadn’t anticipated the snowballing popularity of the event, which had over 6,000 posts in 2017. It was this avalanche that led to her handing over the reins to Simply Crochet the following year, to ensure Granny Square Day could continue to reach its potential and its mission to unite crocheter’s the world over. “Simply Crochet has the biggest presence on Instagram when it comes to crochet magazines and online followers, and this is a day that crafters all over the world love to celebrate. I knew Granny Square Day deserved the legitimacy that they could give it,” says Susan. Simply Crochet Editor Sara Huntington comments: “We’re honored to continue Susan’s vision and support the day with loads of free patterns, video tutorials and the help of our Granny Square Day ambassadors, too!”
In 2019 we built on its previous success to make it bigger and better; with step-by-step-tutorials and videos, free patterns for squares and what to do with them, along with special stickers and gifs that resulted in over 8,500 posts on Instagram. We believe that this celebration of crafting is more important than ever, so this year we are aiming to get as many people as possible involved to bring some more color into the world. Read on to find out more about our exciting plans and how you can get involved!
What Simply Crochet will be doing!
• A book of 100 motifs designed by our favorite Simply Crochet contributors will be included with issue 100 (on sale 30th July) so everyone can have a go at making a motif and taking part in Granny Square day 2020.
• Creating new videos and tutorials on how to make easy square motifs and step-by-step instructions on how to create your own virtual blankets from your IG feed.
• Offering video hints and tips on making motifs via Instagram stories from many of our regular contributors.
• Creating a new hashtag #grannysquaremakes2020 to showcase your wonderful, complete granny square projects and keeping the #grannysquareday2020 focused on showcasing crochet squares which make up the virtual blanket!
• Releasing free downloads of some of our iconic granny square patterns every Wednesday from the 15th of July to the 12th of August on our website www.gathered.how/simplycrochet
• Sharing squares made by the Simply Crochet team and reposting our favorite squares made by the public on Instagram.
• Releasing special Granny Square Day stickers/gifs on Instagram.
• Offering special discounts on the Simply Crochet Ravelry store.
Be sure to check out Simply Crochet Magazine's blog post where they have resources for several more granny square pattern designs!
If you want to get your hands on some great motifs to post on Granny Square Day, subscribe to Simply Crochet today and you’ll get a FREE download of their 100 Granny Squares & Motifs pattern booklet so you can join in the fun.
Plus you’ll save on the shop price too - if you’re in the UK, you can try 6 issues for just £9.99! There's fab discounts for overseas subscribers too so make sure you check them out. Plus you'll receive a fab gift every issue, and get every copy delivered direct to your door. Visit Simply Crochet to order!
T&Cs: Offer ends 31st August 2020. Subscribers must provide a valid email address in order to receive the Granny Square Day download. For full terms and conditions, visit www.buysubscriptions.com/our-services/terms-and-conditions
Let's get started on the three designs that I put together:
Granny Square Day 2020 Designs - by Jessica Carey / The Hook Nook
1. 'Classic' Granny Square
Yarn used: The Hook Nook Small Stuff, Foggy Morning - size H/5mm crohet hook (easy)
- CH 2
- (3 DC, CH 3) in first CH, repeat ( ) three more times, Sl St to first DC.
- Sl St into next st, Sl St into CH-3 sp, CH 1, (3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC, CH 1) in CH-3 sp. Repeat ( ) in all four corners. Sl St to first DC.
- Sl St into next st, Sl St into CH-3 sp, CH 1, [(3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC) in CH-3 sp, CH 1, 3 DC in CH-1 sp, CH 1] Repeat [ ] around. Sl St to first DC.
- Repeat Step 4 until your piece measures approximately 5”.
- CH 1, SC in each st and 5 SC in each corner around. Sl St to first SC. Finish off, weave in ends.
Here is another way to read this same pattern with UK terminology and a different style:
Ch2.
Round 1 (RS) 3tr in second ch from hook, ch2, (3tr in same ch, ch2) 3 times, ss to beg dc. [12 sts, 4 ch-2 sps]
Round 2 (RS) Ss to ch-2 sp, ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), (3tr, ch3, 3tr, ch1) in each ch-2 sp around, ss to top of beg tr. [24 sts, 4 ch-3 sps, 4 ch-1 sps]
Round 3 Ss into ch-3 sp, ch1, (3tr, ch3, 3tr) in ch-3 sp, ch1, 3tr in ch-1 sp, ch1; rep from * three times more, ss to top of beg tr. [36 sts, 4 ch-3 sps, 8 ch-1 sps]
Round 4 Ss into ch-3 sp, ch1, (3tr, ch3, 3tr) in ch-3 sp, ch1, (3tr, ch1) in each ch-1 sp to corner; rep from * three times more, ss to top of beg tr. [48 sts, 4 ch-3 sps, 12 ch-1 sps]
Repeat Round 4 to required size.
Next Round Ch1, dc in each st and ch-1 sp to next ch-3 corner sp, 5dc in ch-3 sp; rep from * around, ss to top of beg dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
2. Simple & Clean Granny Square
Yarn used: The Hook Nook Main Squeeze, Multigrain - size I/5.5mm crochet hook (easy)
- CH 2
- 8 HDC in first CH, Sl St to first HDC. (8)
- CH 1, HDCINC in each st around. (16)
- CH 1, (HDCINC, HDC) in next two sts. Repeat ( ) around. (24)
- CH 1, (HDCINC, 2 HDC) in next three sts. Repeat ( ) around. (32)
- CH 1, [(DC, HDC, 3 SC, HDC, DC) in next 7 sts, CH 3, sk next st] Repeat [ ] around. Sl St to first DC.
- CH 1, [HDC in next 7 sts, (2 HDC, CH 3, 2 HDC) in CH-3 sp] Repeat [ ] around. Sl St to first HDC.
- CH 1, SC in first 9 sts, (5 SC in CH-3 sp, SC in next 10 sts) Repeat ( ) around. 5 SC in CH-3 sp, SC in next st, Sl St to first SC. Finish off, weave in ends.
Here is another way to read this same pattern with UK terminology and a different style:
Ch2.
Round 1 (RS) 8htr in second ch from hook, ss to top of beg htr. [8 sts]
Round 2 Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), 2htr in each st around, ss to top of beg htr. [16 sts]
Round 3 Ch1, (2htr in next st, htr in next st) 8 times, ss to top of beg htr. [24 sts]
Round 4 Ch1, (2htr in next st, htr in next 2 sts) 8 times, ss to top of beg htr. [32 sts]
Round 5 Ch1, *dc in next 3 sts, htr in next st, tr in next st, ch3, skip 1 st, tr in next st, htr in next st; rep from * three times more, ss to top of beg dc. [28 sts, 4 ch-3 sps]
Round 6 Ch1, *htr in each st to ch-3 sp, (2htr, ch3, 2htr) in ch-3 sp; rep from * around, ss to top of beg htr. [44 sts, 4 ch-3 sps]
Round 7 Ch1, *dc in each st to ch-3 sp, 5dc in ch-3 sp; rep from * around, ss to top of beg dc. [64 sts]
3. Floret Granny Square
Yarn used: The Hook Nook Yummy/Luxe/Tweed - Little Black Dress (Color A), Latte Foam (Color B), Cookies & Cream (Color C) - size J/6mm crochet hook (intermediate)
- Using Color A, CH 2.
- 8 HDC in first CH, Sl St to first HDC. (8)
- CH 1, [(Sl St, 3 HDC, Sl St) into next st] Repeat [ ] around. Sl St into first Sl St. Finish off, weave in ends.
- Using Color B, attach yarn to BLO of first st of previous round using Sl St, (CH 3, Sl St to BLO of next st). Repeat ( ) around. Sl St to first Sl St.
- Turn piece to work in opposite direction, CH 1, [(Sl St, 5 DC, Sl St) into CH-3 sp]. Repeat [ ] around. Sl St into first CH-3 sp. Finish off, weave in ends.
- Using Color C, attach yarn to st post of previous round using Sl St, (CH 5, Sl St to next st post). Repeat ( ) around. Sl St to first post.
- Turn piece to work in opposite direction, CH 1, 3 SC in each CH-5 sp, Sl St to first SC.
- CH 2, [(DC, HDC, 2 SC, HDC, DC) in next 6 sts, CH 3, (DC, 2HDC, 2 SC) in next 6 sts]. Repeat [ ] around. CH 3, Sl St to first SC.
- CH 1, [HDC in each st across, (HDC, CH 3, HDC) in corner] Repeat [ ] around. Sl St to first HDC.
- Repeat Step 9. Finish off, weave in ends.
- Using Color A, attach yarn to last CH-3 sp created with Color C using Sl St, CH 1, [(HDC, CH 3, HDC) in corner, HDC in each st across] Repeat [ ] around. Sl St to first HDC.
- CH 1, [(SC in first four sts, CH 5, Sl St to st post of center st from four rows below, CH 5, SC in last 3 sts of row), 5 SC in each corner] Repeat [ ] around. Finish off, weave in ends.
Here is another way to read this same pattern with UK terminology and a different style:
Using Yarn A, ch2.
Round 1 (RS) 8htr in second ch from hook, ss to top of beg htr. [8 sts]
Round 2 Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), (ss, 3htr, ss) in each st around, ss into beg ss, turn. [24 sts]
With WS facing, join Yarn B in fl of first ss on any petal.
Round 3 (WS) *Ch3, skip 3 sts, ss in fl of next ss on same petal, ss in fl of next ss on next petal; rep from * seven times more, ss in base of beg ch-3, turn. [8 ch-3 sps]
Round 4 (RS) Ch1, ss into ch-3 sp, (5tr, ss) in same sp, (ss, 5tr, ss) in next 7 ch-3 sps, ss in beg ss, turn. [40 sts]
Join Yarn C around post of centre tr of any 5-tr group.
Round 5 *Ch5, ss around centre tr of next 5-tr group; rep from * seven times more, ss around same post as begin ss, turn. [8 ch-5 sps]
Round 6 Ch1, 3dc in each ch-5 sp around, ss to beg dc, do not turn. [24 sts]
Round 7 Ch2 (does not count as a st), *tr in next st, htr in next st, dc in next 2 sts, htr in next st, tr in next st, ch3; rep from * three times more, ss to top of beg tr. [24 sts, 4 ch-3 sps]
Rounds 8-9 Ch1, *htr in each st to ch-3 sp, (htr, ch3, htr) in ch-sp; rep from * around, ss to top of beg htr. [40 sts, 4 ch-3 sps]
Join Yarn A in any ch-3 sp.
Round 10 As Round 8. [48 sts, 4 ch-3 sps]
Round 11 Ch1, *dc in next 4 sts, ch5, ss around post of tr directly below from Round 4, ch5, skip 4 sts on current round, dc in next 4 sts, 5dc in ch-3 sp; rep from * three times more, ss to beg dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Don't forget:
- Create YOUR crochet or knit granny square(s) by August 15, 2020
- Post a cropped image of your granny square online and use hashtag #grannysquareday2020 on August 15, 2020
- Click the hashtag link on your preferred social media channel and watch the worldwide textile come to life!
- Visit Simply Crochet Magazine's social channels for all kinds of celebrations!
xo,
Jessica
GRANNY SQUARE FROM THN DREAM TEAM MEMBER - BRIANNA IAROPOLI
Instagram (@life.and.yarn) / Facebook (lifeandyarndesigns)
Supply List
Scissors
#4 Worsted 1.1 oz or 58 yards
One Skein makes 3 squares!
Gauge
14 sts x 8 rows in hdc.
Key
- Chain Stitch - ch / Slip Stitch - Sl St / Stitch(es) - st(s) / Single Crochet - sc
Half Double Crochet- hdc / Double Crochet - dc - Puff Stitch – PS – (Yarn over, insert hook into stitch or space and pull up a loop) 4 times in same stitch or space, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.
Pattern Notes
- One Size– 7-1/2” x 7-1/2” square
- * Designates a repeat.
- Ch 3 in corners does not count as stitch.
- Skill Level: Easy Intermediate
Pattern
Round 1
Ch 4, *1 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 1, repeat from * 6 more times, sl st to 3rd ch of starting ch-4 (counts as 1st dc) [8 dc, ch-1 sps]
Round 2
Ch 1, sc in 1st ch-sp, *7 dc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * 2 more times, 7 dc in next ch-1 sp, sl st to st sc st. [4 7-dc shells, 4 sc]
Round 3
Ch 4, (dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) same st as join, *ch 5, skip 7-dc, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in next sc, repeat from * 2 more times, ch 2, dc (counts as 3 chs) into 3rd ch of ch-4.
[16 dc, 4 ch-5 sps, 4 ch-3 sps. 8 ch-1 sps]
Round 4
Ch 2, 2 hdc around joining dc *2 hdc in next ch-1 sp, (2 hdc, ch 3, 2 hdc) in ch-3 corner, 2 hdc in next ch-1 sp, 2 hdc in ch-5 sp, work 1 hdc over ch-5 and into center dc of 7dc cluster, 2 hdc in ch-5 sp, repeat from * 2 more times, 2 hdc in next ch-1 sp, (2 hdc, ch 3, 2 hdc) in ch-3 corner, 2 hdc in next ch-1 sp, 2 hdc in ch-2 sp, work 1 hdc over ch-5 and into center dc of 7dc cluster, sl st to ch 2, [13 total sts each side]
Round 5
Ch 2, starting in the next hdc not the join st *[1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1] to 1 st before corner, 1 hdc in last st before corner, (2 hdc, ch 3, 2 hdc) in ch-3 corner, sk first hdc; repeat from * around, [1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1] to beginning of round, sl st to first hdc.
Round 6
Sl st to ch-1, ch 2, (PS, ch 1, skip 1) to ch-3 space, *(2 hdc, ch 3, 2 hdc) in ch-3 corner, (ch 1, sk 1, PS) to ch-3 corner, ch 1, repeat from * around, (ch 1, sk 1, PS) to beginning of round, ch 1, sl st to ch-2.
Round 7
Ch 2, *(1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1) to last st on side, 1 hdc in last st, (2 hdc, ch 3, 2 hdc) in ch-3 corner, sk first hdc on next side, repeat from * around, work (1 hdc, ch 1, sk 1) to beginning of round, sl st to ch-2.
Round 8
Ch 1, 2 sc in each ch-1 sp on each side skipping hdc between ch-1 sps, 1 sc in each hdc immediately before and after corners, 5 sc in each ch-3 corner space, sl st to beg ch 1. Finish off.
GRANNY SQUARE FROM THN DREAM TEAM MEMBER - CHENOA WILCOX
Instagram (@jellyKNITTING) / Facebook (jellyKNITTING)
Supplies:
- 5mm crochet hook
- 3 colors of THN Small Stuff or similar yarn - I used the colors Green Thumb, Minimalist, and Warm Sunshine, but you can use any three that suit your fancy!
- Darning needle (for sewing in ends)
Abbreviations and Required Skills:
- Stitch/stitches (st/sts)
- Chain (ch)
- Slip stitch (slst)
- Yarn over (yo)
- Double crochet (dc)
- Double crochet cluster (cl)
- Triple/treble crochet (trc)
Before you jump in, you need to know how to make the cl st!
To work a cl, you will start to work a dc st, but stop before your final yo, leaving an extra loop on your hook. Once you have worked the indicated number of incomplete dc sts (number of loops on your hook should be equal to the number of incomplete dc sts plus 1 for your starting loop), you will finish the cluster by yo and pulling through all loops.
This pattern is worked over a total of 4 rounds. Gauge doesn’t matter as long as your stitches are comfortable. If you use a 5 mm crochet hook and the recommended yarn, your finished square will be just a bit smaller than 4 inches wide.
Your first round is the center of your flower:
Round 1 - ch 3. Slst to the first ch to form a loop. Ch 3 (counts as your first dc), then dc 11 times into the center of your loop. Slst to the top st of your ch 3 to close round. You should have 12 dc sts, including your ch 3. Break yarn and fasten off.
Your second round is the petals, worked using the cluster stitch described above:
Round 2 - join with petal color between dc sts from previous round. Ch 2, work a 3-st cl in the same space, then ch 1. In the next space between dc sts from the previous round, work a 4-st cl and ch 1 after closing. Continue to work 4-st cl sts with a ch 1 after closing between each dc st from the previous round, until you have completed a total of 12 cl sts and 12 ch sts. Slst to the top of the first cl to close your round. Break yarn and fasten off.
Your third and fourth rounds are the background:
Round 3 - join with background color in the ch space between to cl sts. Ch 3 (counts as a dc). Work 3 dc sts into the following ch space between clusters. Work 3 dc sts into each ch space around until you reach your starting space. Dc only twice in the same space as your starting ch 3 (for a total of 3 sts including starting ch), then slst to the top of your starting ch to close the round. You will work round 4 in the spaces between these "sets" of 3 dc sts.
Round 4 - ch 3 (counts as your first dc), then dc 2 more times in the same space between dc groups from the previous round, ch 1. Into the next space between dc sets from the previous round, work the following to form your corner: 3 trc, ch 3, 3 trc, ch 1. Work 3 dc followed by ch 1 in each of the next two spaces to form your edge. Work a second corner in the next space. Work a second edge over the next 2 spaces. Work a third corner and a third edge over the next three spaces. Work a fourth corner in the next space. Now, work 3 dc into the final space, ch 1, and slst to the top of your starting ch to close your round. Break yarn and fasten off.
How to join-as-you-go: when working round 4, you can join your squares as you go to avoid seaming later! When you do this, you use a slst to replace a ch st. To start, you will work until the ch 3 in your first corner, ch 1, then slst to the corner of an already completed square instead of doing your second ch (make sure the right sides are both facing the same way!), then ch 1 and complete your corner. As you work the side, slst the side of the square you are working on to the complimentary ch space on the other square instead of working a ch 1 between sets of 3 dc. On your second corner, again slst your corners together instead of the second ch of your ch 3. As your piece grows, you’ll end up joining along more than one side. Be careful to always make sure the side you want facing “out” is facing the same direction on each of your squares!
