Granny Square – Hooked on Häkelmaschen

Celebrate Granny Square Day 2025 with my new pattern – Simply Petals

Today is Granny Square Day! And, this year I thought about it in time!

I am a little proud! Normally it seems that I tend to completely forget about Granny Square Day, only remembering it when I see all the lovely posts on social media.

But this year I designed another small square especially for this day – just in time!

If you’re not familiar with the Granny Square Day— what it is, what it means, and its history, I made a quick Google search about it. Here is an extract from the Google AI summary:

„Granny Square Day is an annual, global celebration of the crochet granny square, held on August 15th. It’s a day where crocheters worldwide share their granny square creations online, particularly on Instagram, to form a virtual blanket. The event was started by Susan Regalia in 2014 and later taken over by Simply Crochet Magazine. It’s a chance to showcase creativity, connect with other crocheters, and contribute to a larger, collaboration.“ (copied from Google).

I’m excited to see what beautiful creations there are this year!

My contribution is

Simply Petals

a reminiscent of stylised flower petals. It is easy to crochet and perfect for a quick, fun project.

My samples are made with DK / light worsted yarn (#3) and a 4.0 mm hook. The finished squares measure about 10 cm (4 in).

I chose just two colours, but you can, of course, use as many as you like!

My colour combination:

# 1722 – Storm Blue and
# 1842 Spearmint
(both Stylecraft Special DK)

The pattern is written in US terms and uses mainly basic stitches: chain, single crochet, double crochet and treble crochet. In addition, it incorporates back post single crochet and front post treble crochet. This makes it perfect for those who enjoy crocheting but prefer patterns without too much complexity. I also think it’s ideal for adventurous beginners with a little experience.

Each square is worked in 5 rounds and has 15 stitches per side, making it easy to combine with a simple, plain square in double crochet.

I hope you like it as much as I do!
You can download the free pattern here

Simply Petals Download

And, since it is not included in the pattern, here a few tips for beginners:

Some of the chain spaces can be difficult to identify in the following round. So it can be helpful to mark at least some of them with a stitch marker. Here my tips
Round 2 – place a stitch marker in at least one of the chain spaces that is crocheted before a single crochet. This makes it easier to identify the starting point of round 3 and the placement of the first group of double crochet. (There is no need to mark the chain spaces besides the trebles as you won’t work in these later)
Round 3 – put at least a marker in a chain space worked directly after a front post treble. This will mark the start of round 4. Note: in round 4 you will be working in all chain spaces
Round 4 – I would suggest placing a stitch marker at least in the chain spaces before and after the single crochet that is worked into the front post treble. As in round 4, all chain spaces are worked in round 5
Depending on the yarn used and your personal tension the square might look a bit wonky at the end of round 3. Just smooth it a little with your fingers, the problem should be solved after round 4
You can find explanations of how to work all the stitches used here.

I am curious about all your creations with Simply Petals!
Please use #SimplyPetals if you share them on social media.

Have fun and happy hooking 💕

Beautiful 6 Inch Squares – designed by Pam

I was just going through my emails and came across a slightly older email from Pam. It was from September last year and she was telling me that the book 60 Quick Granny Squares would be available on Amazon from the beginning of November 2024. Ugh, I had completely forgotten! Time to catch up!

60 Quick Granny Squares – The Book

I don’t normally write book reviews and I don’t want this to be one either. Actually it is more about some desings by Pam Knighton-Haener from A Yarn of Serendipity – a designer for whom I sometimes test.

Back in 2023 she was asked by a book publisher if she could design some 6 inch squares.
She said yes and five of her designs are now presented in this book.
I would like to introduce them – or rather my test versions of them. But first a word about the book

Unfortunately I don’t own it yet, so I can’t say too much about it. But I took a look at the extensive reading sample on Amazon. So I can at least give a brief summary:

In the preview I especially love the fact that all 60 designs – created by different designers – are shown there at the beginning! (A lot of books don’t offer this.)
All designs feature Cascade 220 Superwash yarn. It is a DK (#3) yarn, 100 % wool, with a yardage of 200 m / 100g. AND all designs look very beautiful!

The patterns are both, written and charted. Some of the squares are more beginner friendly, others a little more challenging.
In addition to the patterns, the book also describes various techniques and gives helpful tips. E.g. how to start a square, how to change colours, how to join the squares, and so on.
And there are some projects at the end for which the squares can be used.
A book that is definitely worth a second look!

Pam’s Designs and my test versions

As said before Pam designed five squares for this book: Shift, Sunflower Sizzle, Wriggle, Running Routes and Sol. I had the opportunity to test these designs back in 2023.

Even though the squares are actually designed for a Double Knit yarn, I used a different yarn for my tests. Two to be precise:
Drops Safran and Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4.
Both are sport weight (#2) yarns in 100 % Cotton and have a yardage of 160 m / 50 g.
Unfortunately I had not noted the hook size I was using. I assume it was a 2.75 mm hook, I’m not sure though. Due to the thinner yarn my squares turned out about 4.5 inches, which is about 11.5 cm.

For all 5 designs I used the same three colours:
Dark Taupe and Orange from Drops Safran and Apricot from Hobbii Rainbow Cotton.
A bit 70s style but I still like them!

And here the colour details …

My new versions of Running Routes, Wriggle and Shift

I lately reworked three of the squares with a different yarn. Just to see how the squares will look in 6 inch / 15 cm and – to be honest – first of all to try a new colour combination.

I used Stylecraft Special DK and a 3.75 mm hook for the new versions. They became pretty much exactly 6 inch / 15 cm tall.
The colours are completely different though – using pink and grey tones instead of brown and orange.

Here my new colour combo in Hint of Silver, Pale Rose, Parma Violet and Powder Pink:

Lovely aren’t they? I especially love the combination of Pale Rose and Parma Violet. What do you think?

To catch up completely I will now hop over to Ravelry to add my versions to the projects. I just saw that the book is also presented there. Some designers have already added their designs.

By the way Ravelry: if you take a look at Pam’s designs there you will probably notice that these 6 inch squares combine really well with her 12 inch squares. Perhaps this will lead to ideas for a new project? I’ve had something in mind for a while, but unfortunately haven’t found the time to realise it yet. Hope to manage it soon! I will let you know!

Have a lovely time 💕

Granny Square Day 2024

Some days ago, on Wednesday, it was Granny Square Day. Em …, I can’t believe it, but I missed it completely!

Blame it on the heat, or the summer flu I’m suffering from at the moment and that is making me very tired, or whatever … I don’t know!

However. Lately I’ve been experimenting a bit with colours and colour combinations using circles and Granny Squares. In this process, I also created a little Granny. So, to honour Granny Square Day, too late or not, I thought I’d share the pattern with you.

Nothing big, but quite nice, I think.

Just a Granny

“Just a Granny” is a four round Granny Square and measures about 10 cm / 4 inch- if made with a #3 (DK / worsted weight) yarn.

I made my version using only two colours as I think it shows the pattern best.
Of course you can also use more colours or a different yarn. Using a different yarn though might affect the size of the square.

The Granny requires only a small amount of yarn and I used some leftovers from my stash. For both I used Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/6. It is 100 % Cotton and has a yardage of 105 m / 50 g. I find it best to work with a 3,75 mm hook.

I made two colour variants. The first one is made with

# 49 – Peach
# 47 – Dark Old Rose

… and the second one uses

# 65 – Apricot
# 12 – Volcano Gray

Apricot and Volcano Gray is one of my favourite colour combinations. Unfortunately it looks like #65 Apricot is discontinued, at least in the 8/6 quality.

The Pattern

Like a regular granny, the pattern mostly uses double crochet, but also includes extended treble crochet, double treble crochet, and shallow back post double crochet (all US terms).
Due to these special stitches I have categorised the pattern as „beginning intermediate”. But since it is only a few stitches and rows, I think that even an adventurous beginner can do it. Of course, the placement of the stitches is explained in the pattern. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

In case you’ve never heard about a shallow back post double crochet: it is more or less worked in the same way as a normal bpdc. Only the placement of the stitch is a bit different which makes it a bit less textured. The pattern includes a link to a helpful video on how to do this stitch (made not by me but by Tamara Kelly from Moogly).

You can download the free pattern here

Happy belated Granny Square Day and have fun 💕

Happy Granny Square Day 2023

Today is Granny Square Day!

It looks like Granny Square Day has become a kind of tradition in the crochet world. Since 2014, every year on 15. August, people from all over the world post their (Granny) squares on social media, mainly on Instagram. The original idea was, that all the squares together on IG would look like a colourful Granny Square blanket. Just search for the hashtag #grannysquareday2023 and you will see what I mean.

Last year I posted Ana‘s Sweet Marigold Square. She designed it especially for the Granny Square Day and I had the pleasure to test the pattern. This year I decided to show one of my own designs.

One of my own designs sounds a bit like having a huge pool of designs to choose from – he, he.
In fact, I don‘t!
Sometimes it just comes over me and then I grab my yarn and hook and start combining stitches … I am still learning … Sometimes something emerges that I like and perhaps develop further. Sometimes I just discard everything …

This is how the small square here was “born”. Something I like and thought I could at least show on Granny Square Day. ( It is based on my very first square that I designed over a year ago, but never showed anywhere. )

So far it doesn’t have a name – and no finished pattern, only my notes. I do not yet know exactly what I will do with it.
It’s a 6″ square, maybe I’ll develop it further into an 11″ or 12” square? And combine both, the small and the big one to … ??? We will see!

First I need to write down the pattern properly and maybe take some detailed photos. And think about a name! So there is still a lot to do.

My sample is made with Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/6, a DK or Light worsted yarn. Colours are Jeans Blue (#29), Light Jeans Blue (#28) and Pearl Gray (#73).

I hope you like it!

HAPPY GRANNY SQUARE DAY!

My first traditional Granny Square

Can you imagine that I never have done a traditional Granny Square? I only noticed this in summer when I was looking for a project that could be easily done in the heat. I was thinking about finally starting the Beach Walk Blanket by Marion Mitchell. I purchased this pattern over a year ago but never started.

It is a blanket made of Granny Squares and I was caught by the colours she used which reminded me of my holidays at the North Sea. Due to all the different colours you need a huge pile of yarn. So before putting the whole yarn together I wanted to try a Granny square first to see if I like it at all.

Of course the technique of doing Granny Squares is explained in the pattern. Nevertheless, I was a bit hesitant because the work was turned after each round and I normally don’t like that. I always think that the stitches look much neater from the front side . That’s why I love mosaic crochet or working in the round without turning. So I wondered whether it is really necessary to turn the square after each round and searched the internet.

I was amazed by the result. I didn‘t know that there are so many variations of making a Granny Square! You really find a lot of different ways: starting with a chain and forming a ring or starting with a magic ring. Turning the square after each round or working in one direction only. Starting a round always in the same corner space or starting in different corner spaces Starting a round with a 3 dc group or starting in the middle of a 3 dc group. Working a ch2 in the corner spaces or working a ch3. Working a ch1 between the dc groups on the sides or not … and so on – phew!

So I had to try some of the different ways myself to see what works best for me. The results were astonishing.

Normally, when working in the round, I start each round with a standing stitch and end with an invisible join, regardless of what is written in the pattern. Surprisingly this doesn’t work for me in a Granny Square. So I start with a chain 3 and join with a slip stitch to the top of the ch3. Except for the last round, there my invisible join works perfect. Also a chain between the dc groups doesn’t work for me, neither does a ch3 in the corner spaces.
And the main point, turning the square after each round or not? Well … The reason for turning the work is to prevent the stitches from leaning to one side. And damaging the shape. This easily happens when you only work in one direction. I don’t think turning is necessary for a four round Granny or even the smaller ones. It might cause a problem with bigger ones tough – I haven’t tried it yet. Of course the look is different, depending on wether you turn your work or not. The left one in the photo below is made with turning the work after each round, the right one without.

And guess what? I never thought I would say this, but somehow I like the left one better.

So here is

My way to do a Granny Square

(US Terms)

Round 1:

In a Magic Ring: ch3 (as first dc), 2 dc, (ch2, 3 dc) 3 times, ch2 and sl to 3^rd ch of the first ch3; cut yarn, turn

Round 2:

start in any ch2 corner space, ch3 (as first dc), 2dc in same corner space
(3 dc, ch2, 3 dc ) in next corner space, repeat 3 times omitting the last 3 dc
slip stitch to the top of the ch3, cut yarn, turn

Round 3:

Start in any ch2 corner space
ch3 (as first dc), 2 dc in same corner space
*skip 3 dc, 3dc in the little space between the dc groups of previous round, skip 3 dc
3 dc, ch2, 3 dc in next corner space*
repeat from * to * 3 times, omitting the last 3 dc, slip stitch to the top of the ch3, cut yarn, turn

Round 4 and ff.

Start in any ch2 corner space
ch3 (as first dc), 2 dc in corner space,
*skip 3 dc, 3dc in the little space between the dc groups of previous round, skip 3 dc; repeat until next corner space
3 dc, ch2, 3 dc in next corner space*
repeat from * to * 3 times, omitting the last 3 dc, slip stitch to the top of the ch3, cut yarn, turn

Repeat round 4 until you reach the desired size and finish the square with an invisible join. Bring all yarn tails to one side and work them away. Depending on the join you are going to use this should either be the right or the wrong side.

Be careful – it can be addictive!