Granny squares are the future and the past. They have that retro feel but can be trendy and hip all at the same time.
A lot of us crocheters grew up with a granny crocheting grannies. And a lot us were taught the basics of crochet by those same grannies.
Time for a tribute, or “An ode to Granny and her grannies”.
From Patchwork square to Granny square
As it’s hard to come about all the information regarding the creation of the Granny square, we have to deal with limited resources.
I think it’s safe to say that overall people agree that Granny Squares were first made by the early settlers of the United States. Back in the day they were called Patchwork squares!
You can imagine that at that time it wasn’t easy obtaining yarn and it was definitely too expensive to be wasted. No longer used items were frogged, and together with scraps were made into squares and stitched together.
Its unclear how, why and when the Patchwork square became a Granny square, but I cant assume otherwise that grannies just most have loved to make them!
Did you know that the first published record of the Granny square wasn’t a written pattern, but only a small, detailed engraving? It was published by the Butterick Publishing Co. in 1891.
In 1897 a written pattern appeared in 1897 Weldon’s Practical Needlework. It featured the pattern for the “Patchwork Square”, suggesting it was a good way to use up leftover yarn 🙂
The Ode to Granny mandala
This mandala gives yet another modern twist to the old fashioned Granny square.
I dare you to use your leftovers scraps for the Ode to Granny mandala and create a colourful piece that will truly be an ode to the history of the Granny square and our grannies.
Which yarn to use?
I used Hobbii Rainbow 8/4 which is a fingering weight yarn and a 3mm hook. This way my mandala turned out around 42cm and I used a 45cm hoop.
I hope you feel free to experiment and use different colours and different yarn. I’m looking forward to seeing yours!
By the way, you’re not in any way obliged to attach the mandala to a ring. This mandala could also pass as a doily. Put her on a table outside or inside!
