hexagon crochet motif for blanket

Why are they called Crochet Granny Squares?

Why are crochet granny squares called crochet granny squares?

I’ve been a little obsessed with grannies lately, and I’ve done some reading into the background of this lovely motif.

In case you’re not familiar with the motif, a granny square (sometimes!) looks like this:

Why are they called Granny squares? An investigation

There are about a million variations, but that’s the traditional one: five-ish rounds of double crochet clusters worked into chain spaces. If you’ve every picked up a crochet hook, you’ve probably at least thought about crocheting a granny.

They’re called crochet granny squares only in part because grandmothers like to crochet them. There’s a lot of other reasons as well.

Granny Squares are thrifty

You can use small amounts of yarn, and combine different colours to great effect. This is perfect for thrifty crocheters trying to use up ends… which means they’re great stashbusters too! Stash is pretty inevitable with this hobby, and granny squares are a lovely way to get the issue at least a little under control.

The possibilities are endless

Granny squares, or granny hexagons? How about granny stripes, granny triangles, or a granny poncho? Heck, you could crochet granny squares for your whole life and never run out of variations and ideas.

Granny square blanket with hexagons

We see them everywhere – and you’ve got to call them something.

Granny squares are perhaps the only crochet motif that’s recognisable as such to a non-crocheter. (Everything else tends to get lumped in as “knitting!). Granny squares are very popular as TV set dressing, in part because they break up blocks of colour. Because they’re in popular culture more than any other form of crochet, granny squares have to have a name… and we call them grannies.

Granny Squares have been traditional for a very long time!

A pattern for what is now called crochet granny square first appeared in print in 1897! Weldon’s Practical Needlework featured a pattern for the “Patchwork Square”, suggesting it is a good way to use up leftover yarn, and the patches can be sewed together into a blanket. That’s advise which is still good today.

Finally…

They’re called crochet granny squares because grannies crochet them!

 

Close your eyes and pick up your granny square. Can you feel the pattern? The chain spaces make holes you can feel with your fingers, and it’s pretty easy to count rows. For a “granny” with failing eyesight (or me, crocheting in a dimly lit bar) the ability to feel, rather than see the pattern is a real advantage.

I’ll leave you with this delightful song: granny squares!

Leave a Reply

Keep Reading: amiguru.me

Book review: Creative Crochet Projects – 12 playful projects for beginners and beyond by Stephanie Pokorny.

Book review: Creative Crochet Projects – 12 playful projects for beginners and beyond by Stephanie Pokorny.

Creative Crochet Projects is a fast, fun book of delightful patterns which are accessible to beginning crocheters (and a treat for more advanced hookers).

Say hello to Hermes

Say hello to Hermes

Blog Amigurumi Crochet Knitting Finished Objects Techniques About me – Select -BlogAmigurumiCrochetKnittingFinished ObjectsTechniquesAbout me Say hello to Hermes September 10, 2020 Finished Objects, Knitting, Reviews I was happy to be a beta knitter for the new Woolly Wormhead Hat collection. The Perceptions Hats are all stranded colourwork (hello, my fave), and each has a beautiful […]

Sew a simple face mask (comfy enough to wear every day!)

Sew a simple face mask (comfy enough to wear every day!)

Blog Amigurumi Crochet Knitting Finished Objects Techniques About me – Select -BlogAmigurumiCrochetKnittingFinished ObjectsTechniquesAbout me Sew a simple face mask (comfy enough to wear every day!) August 30, 2020 Uncategorized In the last six months, I’ve sewed a whole bunch of face masks. Most face masks fit well, but none were perfect. We picked up a […]

Best-ever vegan chocolate cake with vegan chocolate ganache & edible flowers

Best-ever vegan chocolate cake with vegan chocolate ganache & edible flowers

A cake recipe so delicious, no one will ever suspect its vegan.

Making face masks: things have changed

Making face masks: things have changed

Like a lot of us, I’m making face masks. Here’s the free pattern I used (and how they look on).