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Adorable Granny Square Scarf + 10 More Uses for Granny Squares

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When it comes to crochet, I simply can’t get enough granny square patterns. I love them. Granny squares are the perfect way to add unique designs to virtually any crochet project. With the right colors, they can make your project decadent and elegant or stylish and kitschy, which makes them incredibly useful and versatile. While most crafters tend to use granny squares for afghans, I like to experiment. It’s fun to see how many different projects you can use them with.

Adorable Granny Square Crochet Scarf Pattern

I recently discovered this Adorable Granny Square Crochet Scarf Pattern from Red Heart Yarn, and it incorporates a new granny square design in a phenomenal way. With this pattern, the granny square is used to build a crochet scarf that’s beautiful and very eye-catching. The scarf is so ornate that you would think it was made by a leading fashion designer. That’s the beauty of it. Even more beautiful is the fact that this crochet scarf pattern is easy to duplicate. With just a handful of materials, you could use this crochet scarf pattern to make a piece so stunning that you’ll have family and friends asking you where you bought that magnificent scarf.

Love it yet? Find the printable pattern on FaveCrafts!

10 More Cute Granny Square Patterns:

  1. Nouveau Chic Granny Throw
  2. Flower Granny Poncho
  3. Granny Square Sweater Crochet Pattern
  4. Autumn Granny Afghan
  5. Granny Square Crochet Shorts – wait WHUUU?!
  6. Multi-Color Granny Slippers
  7. Granny Square Cabin Rug
  8. Southern Cross Afghan
  9. Granny Square Crochet Purse
  10. Granny Square Scarf

I’ve shown you one of my favorite granny square projects. What’s your favorite way to use your granny squares?

Top 10 Crochet Afghan Patterns of December

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For the last month, we’ve been counting down the top 10 crochet afghan patterns from December and updating the list every single week. What you see below is the most accurate, definitive list of popular patterns. In December, leaders loved everything from granny squares to baby blankets. Before you kick off 2012, take a look back at the month’s best crochet afghan patterns.

  1. 10 Free Patterns for Crochet Afghans
  2. Crochet One Skein Throw
  3. Thick Twist Basketweave
  4. Arcade Stitch Baby Blanket
  5. Hugs ‘n Kisses Square
  6. 18 Modern Granny Squares
  7. Super Easy Granny Afghan
  8. One Skein Baby Blanket
  9. 6 Hours or Less Throw
  10. Aunt Dot’s Afghan

Find all ten of these fabulous crochet afghan patterns in our Top 10 of December collection.

Which of these top patterns is your favorite?

Meet the Editor: Julia

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Hello! My name is Julia and I’m the editor of two super cool websites, AllFreeChristmasCrafts and AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns. I also bring you the weekly craft business newsletter from FaveCrafts, Creative Income, and work with the wonderful Tiffany Windsor to produce the bi-weekly newsletter, Cool2Craft.

I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, and attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I studied advertising and English. I love movies and television; in fact, I’m one of those people that always have a full DVR to catch up on and list of movies to see on the weekend. I’ve also loved reading for, well, as long as I can remember and always carry a book in my bag. I’m a total fitness nut and love exploring Chicago in my free time! About a year ago, I moved into my first apartment, so I’m adjusting to domestic life on my own. My newest goal is to learn how to bake (I’m constantly collecting recipes and ideas, but I have yet to make anything). I learned how to crochet earlier this year but I still have so much to learn!

I love so many projects on our sites and I’m constantly inspired to make something amazing! Here are some of my all-time favorite DIY craft ideas that you should definitely check out this holiday season!

 

Holiday Craft Tutorials:

 

Knitting Tutorials:

 

Sewing Tutorials:

 

Beaded Jewelry Tutorials:

 

FaveCrafts Tutorials:

 

Crochet Projects:

 

Quilt Projects:

 

 

Meet and Make: Kristen Mangus

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Today’s Meet and Make designer is Kristen Mangus.

Kristen is an interior designer, crafter, loom knitter, and the face behind GoodKnitKisses.

Let’s meet Kristen!

12 Fun Facts About Kristen Mangus:

  1. I’m random singing girl.  Try me, you’ll always be entertained.
  2. I’m transparent & long-winded. Just ask and I’ll write you book on it or leave an enormous voicemail.
  3. I am not a morning person; simply cannot get to bed before midnight most days. Most of my You Tube videos are shot & edited between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m.
  4. Truly I love to help people by making YouTube videos or finding the best way for them to express their own creativity. Many who craft choose to create for people in need; but I think it is their own therapy as well.  I like to help those who help others and give back!
  5. My kids are now 1, 3, and 5 years old.  All of their birthdays are in August!
  6. I love boxing and shooting games at the arcade. I will kick your patootie! Did I mention I’m super competitive and love games?
  7. Besides crafts, loom knitting & Design, I enjoy meeting with friends, movies and swimming.
  8. I was a Music Major for a time studying Opera & Musical Theater. I secretly want to sing for Disney or be on Broadway.  Sometimes you can catch me in a small role at a local theater like you will this Christmas. My day job is an Interior Designer.
  9. Some of my favorite movies have got to be Princess Bride, Back to the Future, Sound of Music & White Christmas. Did I mention I sing them randomly?
  10. Although I love crafting and being creative I have plans to scrapbook and never do; but I keep adding to the memory box for it all the same. One of my next blogs will be digital scrapbooking and getting my mess cleaned up!
  11. I would love to write a children’s story, loom book, have a songwriter use my lyrics, or invent something super cool that much of the proceeds go to a favorite charity like my church’s many local and worldwide ministries or Autism Speaks, which I support every year.
  12. Currently I am juicing.  Sometimes I’ll blog my diet journey and some tasty recipes along the way.

Here’s Kristen’s Project: Granny Round

Granny Square Rounds

Hello friends! Are you ready to make a Granny Round?!

Granny Round by Kristen at GoodKnitKisses
For Green Round loom or Knifty Knitter 36 peg
Skill Level: Easy, Quick Knit

Uses: Stitch circles together for a funky blanket, use as a base to a cylinder bag, large coaster for large mugs or small plant or a potholder. Many uses! MAKES 1 Solid Circle 6 ½” wide in 3 strands #4 Medium Worsted

Materials:

  • 3 balls of color (any) medium worsted weight yarn OR 1 strand of Super Bulky #6 yarn.  Note: if using for potholder use cotton (great for scrap yarn!)
  • Loom knitting hook
  • Crochet hook (J or K)
  • Round 36 peg loom (I used the Knifty Knitter or KK in green for adults)

We will use the E-wrap or Twisted Knit Stitch (also called TBL through the back loop) for all stitches plus 1 row of purl. Feel free to change the stitches and make it your own. I’m keeping it basic but adding the banding for fun and non-curl.

SPECIAL NOTE: Keep your stitches loose.  When wrapping before decrease be loose with your stitches especially if using more than one strand, as it can become too tight to pick off the peg and move.

Abbreviations:
KO = Knit off
EW = E-wrap
P = Purl

CAST ON:
1. Cast on to KK with all 3 strands in the E-wrap method or crochet cast on. Place your slipknot on peg 1 and let the tail fall inside the loom. (Weave this in last to edge of circle. Cast on wraps all pegs one time all the way around the loom and then wrap around again. Knit off (KO) which is lifting the bottom 3 loops over the top 3 loops (the 3 strands together at one time over the newly wrapped 3 together or 1 over 1 if using the super bulky yarn). Your cast on row is round 1 or row 1.

MAIN CIRCLE BODY:
2. Row 2: P
3. Rows 3-5: EW

DECREASE & CAST OFF:
4. We are going to divide our loom visually into 6 sections (6 pegs in each section for a 36 peg loom). In round 1 of this section we will move the 2nd peg loop over to the 1st peg. Do not KO at this time. Move to the next section and do this again. Repeat 5 more times. Now KO. Wrap all remaining pegs again & KO. This completes hat Row 6. (You should have 30 pegs remaining).
5. Now take peg 4 over to peg 3 and wait to KO. Repeat for all sections. KO all 6 pegs. Wrap all remaining pegs & KO. This complete Row 7. (You should have 24 pegs remaining).
6. Now take peg 6 over to peg 5 and wait to KO. Repeat for all sections. KO all 6 pegs. Wrap all remaining pegs & KO. This complete Row 8. (You should have 18 pegs remaining).
7. CAST OFF with draw string method. I don’t use a tapestry needle here but you can. Leave the balls of yarn attached & wrap the loom 2 times all the way around. Cut off the strands from the balls of yarn.
8. Start to the left of the peg where the working yarn is coming out of; Leaving the yarn attached take your working yarn under the loop on the peg & with your loom tool reach under the loop & scoop out the working yarns (like a purl) continue pulling all the extra yarn through the loop. LEAVE the loop on the peg. WEAVING IN THE LOOSE YARNS TO MAKE A

DRAWSTRING.
9. Move to the next loop to the left and pull the working yarns through again and leave loop on the peg. Continue until ALL pegs have the working strands woven through, including the beginning loom the strands came out of.
10. Take all loops off of the loom & pull the drawstring. Feed the extra through the top & turn your circle upside down. Using a crochet hook loop the extra through a few spots tying off to secure. Weave the excess.
11. Weave in all loose strands from end (or any color changes made).

CONNECTING THE PIECES (OPTIONAL): Once you make several granny rounds, you can connect them to create a funky afghan.  Here’s how!

12. Single crochet to join rounds together in an accent yarn. Rounds are 6-7 1/2″ depending on materials and stitch. Change row 4 to purl for a flatter garter look; this technique works well for single circles used as coasters (see below).

Granny Round as a Coaster
©2011 GoodKnit Kisses.

For additional instruction, check out Kristen’s free video tutorial on how to make a Granny Round:

 

 

Circle Center Granny Squares Free Pattern

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The 2nd highest rated video in my collection is The Circle Center Granny Squares. Essentially, the granny square starts off being circular but ends up being a square. This has been used on several different patterns which include the Bumble Berry Afghan and Colour Burst Afghan Tutorials.

I think people get bored of the same old granny squares. This allows you have to some creativity but produce really nice ideas. I think Granny Squares are timeless as all that needs to change are the colours and not necessary the pattern. These and many more are featured at AllFreeCrochet.

PLAY NOW

Circle Center Granny Squares

 

Top Crochet Afghan Patterns for June

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Welcome to the world of crochet afghan patterns. Every week, AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns publishes its newsletter, Laying It All Out. This month, we featured all kinds of cool patterns – from fun florals to patriotic projects. Without further ado, here are the top five links our readers loved last month.

Trends: simple patterns, advanced patterns, floral motifs, stripes

5.  All-American Denim Stripes

This month, we set our spotlight on patriotic patterns. This afghan is versatile – it’s not all about stars and stripes or big motifs. Instead, it’s understated but still pretty. Interestingly, we asked our Facebook fans if they found patriotic patterns to be inappropriate. See what they had to say about this controversial topic.

4. Prairie Star Afghan

This pattern has been featured numerous time – it keeps coming back because it’s so popular! Even though the Prairie Star Afghan is an advanced pattern, it’s not impossible by any standard. Crocheters with a little experience and a lot of determination will find this to be the perfect summer project.

3. 16 Simple Crochet Afghan Patterns

This is the first of two pattern collections in the top five for this month. When you think simple, you might not think crochet afghan projects. Generally, these patterns take time and care to complete. But these patterns are called “simple”, “easy” and “beginner” for a reason. This list is filled with all types of patterns – from vintage afghans to granny squares.

2. Tulip Square

There’s so much more than meets the eyes when it comes to this square. When I hear Tulip Square, I immediately picture a big tulip motif in the center of a square. But this patterns is different – it features a tulip motif that runs throughout the square. This is an advanced pattern that offers so much. It’s sophisticated and pretty without being over the top.

1. 11 Free Afghan Crochet Patterns for Beginners

Behold – our most popular link from June! This collection made a huge splash this month. I totally get it – beginner patterns are not only great for new crocheters, it’s also a great way to hone your skills. Experienced crocheters can practice what they know and create something quick without a ton of hassle – what could be better? If you’re looking for projects like the World’s Easiest Crocheted Afghan (which is pictures above), you’ll love this pattern collection. There’s a reason this link is so popular – it’s filled with easy-to-complete patterns you can start on now.

Honorable Mentions:

  1. 19 Advanced Crochet Patterns
  2. 15 Fast Crochet Afghan Patterns
  3. Modern Flower Afghan

How do you choose a crochet afghan pattern?


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