The History of the Granny Square

One of the most traditional and most recognizable forms of crochet, these squares been used to make slippers, sweaters, skirts, blankets and bags. But have you ever wondered how the ever-faithful Granny Square came about?

Information about their creation is scarce, but most sources suggest that Granny Squares were first made by the early settlers of the United States.They were known at the time as Patchwork Squares. Yarn was difficult to come by and too expensive to be wasted. It had to be used sparingly and any remnants were set aside. Mismatched scraps were worked into squares and stitched together to make blankets and rugs, similar to the origin of patchwork quilts.

This style of crochet was so strongly identified with the United States that it was called American crochet in Europe. It's unclear when or how the Patchwork Square became a Granny, but there was a resurgence in popularity in the 1970s. The hodgepodge of colour fit the hippie, wild child era perfectly.

The Granny Square was one of the first things I learned how to crochet. It is a timeless, straightforward pattern that supports an unending medley of colours – the more, the merrier!

BASIC SQUARE*
Ch 5; join with a sl st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times; join with a sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off.
Rnd 2: Join next color in any ch-2 sp; ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in sp, ch 1; * (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in ch-2 sp - corner made; ch 1; rep from * around; join to top of ch-3. Fasten off.
Rnd 3: Join next color in any ch-2 sp; ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in sp, * ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1 **, work corner in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, end at **; join. Fasten off.
Rnds 4-9: Join next color in any ch-2 sp; ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in sp, ch 1, * 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * to next corner **; work corner in next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * around, end at **; join. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

*U.S. crochet terms.

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