While knitting is truly my first fiber crush, I have to admit I have been drawn to crochet lately.
Mainly modular–I am not a big fan of traditional crochet fabric. Modular is the perfect way to stash bust or combine those precious skeins of yarn. There are some pretty awesome books on the many many different patterns of module crochet. I am fond of the good old granny square.
Being a child of the 70s I have some pretty vivd memories of acrylic afghans in harvest gold, avocado and rust orange.
But granny squares re-imagined in colors I love is a whole other thing altogether.
Check this out…
I know he is quite the handsome cat…I mean the afghan…
If you have been by my booth at SAFF or Stitches South You probably have seen this sample. It is a bit of a stash buster for me. It will one day be afghan size, a work in progress I have used as a sample in my booth. The squares are 3 rounds and about 4inches wide. Here is the pattern I used.
So here are some tips for working with granny squares:
The more colors you use, the better.
Don’t limit yourself to 3, 5, or even 12 colors. For some serious depth try using as many colors as you can. Think how quilters pick colors. They rarely use solid fabrics.
Use a neutral for connecting the squares.
A white, black of even chocolate brown can frame each square nicely. Or opt for no frame. connect the squares as you work.
Go for just a 2 round square.
Mini squares are also super versatile. Gives your piece a mosaic look.
Don't limit yourself to afghans.
Make a garment. Apply the 4-6 rectangle sweater theory I wrote about here.
Or try these patterns...
That are adaptations of the granny square stitch.
Do you love granny squares too? Have a favorite modular crochet pattern to share, or project you want to show off? Leave me a comment below, post it on the Facebook page or shoot me an email
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Fiber artist Stacey Budge-Kamison AKA UrbanGypZ lives and works in Cary NC. She can also be found knitting in public, hammering out her latest e-course at local cafés and spinning yarns in her booth at her favorite arts festivals. A designer at heart, Stacey has decided that her mission is to help fellow knitters, crocheters, weavers and felters embrace their own style and creativity by exploring fiber art as it is a part of their everyday life and helping them embrace the title of artist no matter where they are in their journey. 
I am new to crochet. Is the diagram the pattern for the granny square??? don’t know how to translate the picture into crochet stitches.
Yes. Here is a resource on how to read. https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/11/making-sense-of-crochet-diagrams/