A Different Granny Square: overlay and draping!

For me crochet design is about colors, stitches and shapes. And shape is probably the first thing I decide about, then choice of the colors comes, and then a perfect combination of stitches is looked for. There are quite a few shapes used in crochet design (and with freeform crochet you can basically create any shape at all): circles, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, octagons… But in my opinion square shape is the most basic and widely used. What do we try first when we want to learn crochet? A granny square, of course! It teaches us how to crochet flat and in round, how to join rounds and how to make increases in the corners. Granny squares use basic crochet stitches, but crochet squares can be more than that!

When I started to design crochet three years ago I looked into round shapes and overlay technique. I have created several mandala’s (Dandelion, Joana’s, Spanish, Sunny, Labyrinth) which can be either enlarged into bigger circles or squared up with Dandelion Border. I’ve always thought about mandala’s as round pillows, chair pads, pillow decorations, maybe. But I was amazed by the amount of blankets people have created using overlay crochet mandalas. Look at Sophie Loves Lilla Bjorn Winter Blanket (by Emma Aldous), or Celtic Mandala Blanket (by Laura, aka @Taemombo on Ravelry), for example.

Generally pieces created in overlay crochet are quite stiff, because background is worked with single crochet stitches and long, complex stitches are added above. Unless very soft and draping yarn is used, entire blankets in overlay crochet might feel too stiff and heavy. And I was wondering how it is possible to solve this “problem”.

And I came up with an idea of square pattern which uses overlay crochet with a very draping background, and lacy parts. And this is how A Different Granny Square pattern was born. It is already available for purchase via Ravelry (HERE) and Etsy (HERE) and is offered with 30% discount through Monday, October 2, 2017 (no coupon code needed). After that date the pattern will be listed at a regular price.

A Different Granny Square consists of three parts: floral center, lacy border and overlay zig-zag border. They give you lots of possibilities to play with sizes. I believe this square is PERFECT for blankets, and I wish I have time in the future to complete one for myself. You can either crochet and join entire squares (each approx. 37cm (14.5in) large when made with DK yarn and 4mm crochet hook). Or another option is to leave out the border and only use central floral motifs which are very draping as well.

You can of course use A Different Granny Square in a variety of other ways: as decorations for pillows and chair pads (with crochet fabric stitched onto the ready foam), as trivets, and other. I have hand stitched one of the squares onto ready fabric throw from IKEA to make a pillow for my friend.

I've made squares in different color palettes and also with one colour only (off white). And all of them play differently. Lori Baran who helped me with test, made her square in solid grey, and it looks amazing!

If you are interested, I used Soft Fun yarn* (DK weight) by Scheepjes and 4mm (G) Amour Clover hook* (my favourite brand and type). For one square you will need approx. 88g of yarn which is almost 2 skeins if only one shade is used. And here are shades for grey and emerald square (you will find all information about “Fall” version of this square in the pattern): Yarn A - 2515, Yarn B - 2532, Yarn C - 2531, Yarn D - 3535, Yarn E - 2466.

The pattern is intermediate. Full version contains lots of detailed pictures so you have no chance to be lost. It doesn’t take long to finish, and finished project can make a wonderful (Christmas?..) gift.

Find A Different Granny Square pattern on Ravelry and Etsy with 30% discount through Monday, October 2 (no coupon code needed).

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