The Facts

• A granny square is crocheted out of wool, acrylic or cotton yarn around a center ring in five concentric sets of double crochets separated by chain stitches. The ring is made from a chain of five stitches. Next four sets of three double crochets are attached through the center ring. The second ring of the granny square is formed by crocheting a pair of three double crochets inside each space on the outside edge of the first ring. Three chain stitches form an additional space between each corner set of double crochets on the second ring. The third ring of the granny square repeats the double sets of three double crochets in each corner and adds another set of three double crochets in the space formed by the three chain stitches on the outer edge of the second ring. Three additional chain stitches lengthen the perimeter so that the fourth ring will have a pair of three double crochets at each corner followed by three chain stitches, a set of three double crochets, another three chain stitches and a second set of three double crochets. While the first four rings of a group of granny squares may be of scrap yarns in assorted colors, usually the visual unity of the project is obtained by making the fifth ring of all the granny squares out of the same color yarn. If you use a four-ply yarn and a G-size crochet hook, each granny square will measure five square inches.
  
  

Function

• The traditional use of granny squares is to make a blanket. It takes 63 five inch granny squares arranged in seven rows by nine rows to make a throw blanket. Granny squares can also be used to make place mats, bedspreads, scarves, hats, purses, belts and guitar straps. Granny squares made from rope or rug yarn can be used for floor coverings as well.
  
  

Time Frame

• A granny square can be crocheted in fewer than one half hour, so the time it takes to finish a project depends on how many granny squares you need to make. Once they are finished, it will take additional time to join the squares together, which can be done by crocheting them or by sewing them by hand on the wrong side of the piece. Finish the project by crocheting a border all around the edge. Then block it. Lay the project flat on a board or ironing board. Pin it down so that the corners are straight. Wet a cotton cloth and ring it out, then lay it on top of the granny square project. Heat an iron to the "wool" setting and gently iron over the damp cloth. Do not unpin the project until it has totally dried.
  
  

Benefits

• If you do a lot of knitting or crocheting you probably have lots of little bits of yarn left over from the various projects you've completed. Granny squares are a clever way to use these small bits of yarn. The squares don't have to be the same color and they easily combine to make pieces of clothing, blankets and bags. Since each granny square is only a few inches in size, it is a convenient craft to carry in your purse so that you can work on it whenever you find yourself having to sit and wait for an appointment.
  
  

Misconceptions

• A granny square project does not have to look like an old lady did it. The use of bold color combinations, unusual textures and very large or very small crochet hooks can modernize a granny square project. Stringing glass beads on the yarn and incorporating them into the granny square itself will produce an unusual contemporary arts look. You can create anything from granny squares that is formed from a pattern of tessalating squares. They are a versatile folksy craft that really is unlimited in its application.