The humble granny square, a 1970s staple for pillows, clothing, wall decor, and more, was once relegated to dusty thrift shop corners. It gets its due this season, with several books dedicated to the crochet world’s most versatile pattern.
100 Essential Crochet Motifs
Ward published her first crochet design in Inside Crochet in 2011 and has since built up a pattern-selling business, the Missing Yarn. Her new book showcases a variety of shapes at three levels of difficulty. The easiest patterns include the traditional granny square; the openwork circle and African violet hexagon are more challenging; and the ribbed pentagon and Josie’s little flower, a 3D poppy motif named after the author’s late mother, are among the most complicated.
Crocheted Squares
More than 88,000 Instagram followers look to Eastwood’s account for her amigurumi-style dolls and other crochet projects, many inspired by holidays and other calendar milestones. This manual’s 35 patterns continue in that seasonal vein, starting with a basic square and incorporating daffodils for spring, balloons for birthdays, a candle for Diwali, and more.
The Granny Squares Bible
Drawing on more than 30 years of design
experience, artist Aono-Bilson walks readers through the necessary materials, tools, and patterns for 110 crocheted squares, geometric motifs, and flowers. She offers instruction in basic single and double crochet techniques as well as more advanced puff and popcorn stitching, and explains how to connect the squares to create blankets, scarves, and pillows.
Granny Stitch Blankets
Baca’s previous books have covered crocheted cardigans, shawls, and other wearables as well as market totes, dishcloths, pillows, and place mats. She devotes her latest entirely to blankets, with 10 projects, many of them stash-busters, all beginning with the granny square stitch.
Patchwork Granny Square Blankets
Gibney’s Made by Anita Instagram account highlights the crochet patterns and tutorials that have helped
garner her more than 121,000 followers. In her first book, she guides readers through basic crochet techniques, then leads them through foundational quilt block designs such as nine patch and Ohio star. These ultimately build up to 10 blanket projects, including one for the playroom and one for sitting around a campfire.
