Knit-a-square
  • Store
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Store
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

The History of the Granny Square

5/25/2016

5 Comments

 
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.
Picture
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.

5 Comments
glo
5/26/2016 06:56:28 pm

Andrea, what a great little tidbit. Thank you! I love the picture you chose ... looks like some of the old books I have. Those grannies certainly do have a hippie 'flavor' to them, for sure. For a crocheter, they're so easy to make. But the best thing about them is that they can be so darned colourful and really add zing to a child's blanket :) xo

Reply
Anne P.
5/29/2016 07:39:11 am

This wild child loves grannies! Thanks for the interesting history, Andrea.

Reply
Christine Chiplen link
6/8/2016 08:20:16 pm

Thank you Andrea for the interesting background to the Granny square. I can see how they were (and are) a great way to use up yarn scraps.

Reply
Pam Antink
7/12/2016 09:48:55 am

As I've only recently learned to crochet a Granny square and am enjoying churning them out as there was a lot of free yarn (small balls) amongst a consignment of squares from Devon. The Granny, as you mention, is a great way to use up oddments and create delightful looking squares!

Reply
Nicole E Gustas link
3/19/2022 11:28:18 am

Hello! This is a great history of the granny square. We have some new (or old!) news to add. An older version of the granny square has been located dating back to 1885. It was designed by a Mrs. Phelps, who seems to be the originator of the pattern. Can you help us make sure she is credited for her amazing work? More info here: https://theyarnqueen.co.nz/worlds-first-granny-square-pattern/
Thank you for your great work!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2020
    February 2017
    October 2016
    May 2016
    January 2016

    RSS Feed

About

About
knit-a-square
Square Circle Forum

Support

Contact
Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.