In case you lost your directions or missed out on a kit, we have you covered. In this series, we will be showcasing past projects, in particular those that were originally released as Surprise Craftertunity kits at the library. So get ready to grab some spare materials and start crafting!
Crazy Grannies & Joining Pieces
You might think of them as the stuff of 1970s blankets draped over couches, but Granny Squares, aka Afghan crochet (aka American crochet in Europe) are a technique for using scrap yarn that is old enough so that no one knows its origins, although proof of its existence dates back to at least the early 1890s as already a well-established pattern.
There are countless patterns out there for various different granny squares once you have the initial pattern down. Usually all you need is a basic understanding of some stitches and a few handfuls of yarn scraps. For this program, you will get two patterns and a couple of joining techniques. I will be providing you with both the diagram of the pattern and the written instructions.
Basic Granny Squares
Here is a diagram of how to do a basic granny square. The ovals are chain stitches; the lines with the breaks in them are double crochet; red dots are slip stitches; the center is a magic circle. If not, below you will find the instructions for the granny square written out below. Granny Squares can be any size you choose. They can even be any shape, depending on how many corners you make and what sort of stitches you add in.
Here are the written instructions:
Abbreviations:
sl st—slip stitch
ch—chain stitch
sc—single crochet
hdc—half-double crochet
dc—double crochet
tr—treble crochet
bo—bobble stitch
ps—puff stitch
CL—cluster stitch
sh—shell
yo—yarn over
Instructions:
Start with either a “Magic Ring” or chain 4 and join in furthest chain from hook to form a ring.
R1: CH 3 (counts as 1st DC) 2 DC in ring CH 3 (creates 1st corner) *3dc in ring, CH 3, repeat from *twice more Join in top of beginning CH with SL ST Drop 1st color (Should equal 12 sts)
R2: Join 2nd color in any CH-3 space. CH 3 (counts as 1st DC), work [2 DC, CH 3 (1st corner), 3 DC] in same CH-3 space. CH 2 (creates a space) *[3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC] in next CH-3 space (creates next corner) CH 2 Rep from * twice more (forms the other two corners when joined with the rest) Join in top of beginning CH with SL ST Drop 2nd color (Should equal 24 sts)
R3: Join 3rd color in any CH-3 space. CH 3 (counts as 1st DC), work [2 DC, CH 3, 3 DC] in same CH-3 space *CH 2, 3 DC in next CH-2 space, CH 2, [3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC] in next CH-3 space, Rep from * twice more, CH 2, 3 DC in next CH-2 space, CH 2 Join in top of beginning CH Drop 3rd color (Should equal 36 sts)
Every subsequent round: Like round 3, start with a CH 3. If the space you add is for a corner, add 3 CH for the space; if it is a space on the side, only add a 2 CH for the space.
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