Granny Squares: Why Southerners Will Always Love This Classic Pattern

Amy Cipolla Barnes
·5 min read

Square in shape but not in appeal.

<p>Getty Images</p>

Getty Images

Think about the back of sit-com couches or the couch in your grandma's house. What is almost always folded neatly on the sofa back, or stacked in linen closets and hope chests? A granny square afghan.

Often brightly colored, granny squares are memorable and comforting but don’t just stop at blankets; they’re popping up in sweaters, winter headbands, wedding dresses, scarves, shorts, purses, and even at the Olympics and on pop stars.

Next time you’re watching TV and see a granny square afghan on a couch back, we hope you’ll be as inspired as we are with granny squares.

What We Love About Granny Squares

Granny squares have big nostalgia and family memory factors, but that’s not their only appeal. Here are some reasons we think granny squares are great:

  • Even beginner crocheters (including kids!) can easily start making granny squares.

  • You can work with small sections of yarn. Have small yarn balls leftover? Combine them to make a rainbow granny square afghan.

  • They aren’t overwhelming like a blanket or larger project that isn’t done until it’s done. You can work on individual granny squares until you have a stack to connect.

  • If you end up only making 2 or 3 granny squares, you can use them for small projects like coasters.

  • Granny squares only need a few things to get started: yarn, pattern, a ruler, scissors, and a crochet hook. You might already have everything you need. There are a wide range of free patterns online, too.

  • Crocheting of any kind can be a stress reliever. Constructing granny squares and watching the squares pile up as you complete them can also create a feeling of accomplishment.

  • Introduces a new generation to crocheting and granny squares.

  • Granny squares make great starter crochet projects if you want to explore more complicated options. Starting with a simple granny square pattern can create crocheting confidence.

  • Great for gift-giving! Tiny granny square afghans are wonderful for baby showers.

How Do You Make a Granny Square?

Our friends at The Spruce Crafts have some easy options on how to make granny squares and afghans. Once you get started, you can easily crochet squares and use them for individual options or larger projects. While there are a wide range of patterns and instructions, try out these free online options first.

Do You Have To Crochet Granny Squares?

While many granny squares are crocheted, you can knit them as well. You’ll simply look for knitted granny square patterns and use knitting needles instead of a crochet hook.



Crochet Vs. Knit

The benefit of crocheting smaller granny squares is in the crochet hook v. larger knitting needles—you can easily toss a hook and yarn in a bag. Knitting needles might take up more space and be harder to navigate for beginners.



<p>Getty Images</p>

Getty Images

Are All Granny Squares Brightly Colored?

Granny squares are often made with a rainbow of yarn colors, but they don’t have to be. You can plan the afghan to be in a wide range of color options from ombre squares to combinations that match your decor or are the favorite colors of a gift recipient.

But you also don’t have to re-invent the (granny) square. Making your squares in the familiar bright or pastel colors with hints of white or black works just fine.



Getting Started

If you are stumped as to what colors to start with, look for your grandmother or mother’s afghan (in their home or in family photos). Try to recreate the same pattern and colors that they used to bring those memories into your own home.



Do Granny Squares Have To Be ... Square?

While the name does imply squareness, that doesn’t mean crocheters are limited to that shape. You can create the individual pieces in shapes like hexagons, rectangles, pentagons, or even circles. The main difference is squares are easier to connect; if you choose another shape it may require measuring and a border to create a large finished project.



Size Matters

Granny squares don’t have to be the traditional palm-sized square. You can create one enormous granny square or a tiny one to hang on a keychain. The only limits are your imagination and the size of your crochet hook.



Where Can You Spot Granny Squares?

Besides your grandma’s house and antique stores, granny squares are a fixture on television in sit-coms and can be seen on couches on shows like Roseanne, Jane the Virgin, Mad Men, Taxi, and The Big Bang Theory.

Even Harry Styles loves granny squares—he’s worn a cardigan created out of the squares that inspired a myriad of Pinterest versions and a cardigan challenge.

British Olympian Tom Daley has been seen creating granny squares and has his own Youtube tutorial to guide fans in making them.

Can Granny Squares Fit Into a More Modern Home?

We say yes! If a sit-com apartment of twenty-somethings can feature granny squares, the trending decorating option can be equally at home as an accent amongst stainless steel and neutrals as in a farmhouse or granny’s house.

Related: Group Of Volunteer Knitters Completing Unfinished Projects Of People Who Died

Granny Square Pattern Books Worth Trying:

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