Let's take a look at "60 Quick Granny Squares", a new collection of patterns for creating crocheted squares to use individually as cloths and mats or in combination for homewares such as blankets and cushion covers and even for garments and accessories. Last year I reviewed a similar book for knitters, "100 Knitted Tiles", which you can see in this blog post, so I was excited to read through something similar for crocheters. With sixty new new and beautiful designs to choose from, will this comprehensive resource inspire your next crochet project? This '60 Quick Granny Squares' Crochet Book Review will help you decide.
I should start this article by mentioning that two of the square patterns in this book were designed by me. I was thrilled that they were selected but I shan't focus on my contribution here (other than to add photos) but rather consider the book as one that I'm hoping to use for personal projects in future.
First Impressions
In "60 Quick Granny Squares," the editor, Jacob Seifert, has compiled a wonderful collection for crocheters, whether they are motivated by making useful and beautiful items, trying out a range of new techniques in small projects or simply relaxing with their yarn and hook. The main focus of the book is of course the crocheted squares, and this book combines both familiar, traditional style squares and intriguing designs in a way that will inspire both new and experienced crocheters to create projects they enjoy and love to use. I find myself wanting to try every square in this book!
Content
The book starts with a handy visual index featuring a small photo of each square with it's page number. That section is going to be so handy for planning projects that combine multiple square designs. The introduction provides some background and lots of inspiration and ideas for how to use the book including tips on yarn and colour choice and ideas to make sure you are really happy with your squares and finished projects.
There is a techniques section where each skill is presented clearly with plenty of helpful illustrations for both stitches and joining methods. Featuring basic techniques such as joining a round with a slip stitch to the first stitch of the round to tips on perfect colour changes, and great visuals of different sewn joins for comparison, I know that I'll be dipping into if when trying new techniques even when I'm not making a granny square!
After this, you'll get straight on to the heart of the book: its tile patterns. The squares aren't really divided into separate categories, like difficulty or number of colours so leafing through the book brings a surprise on every page with many temptations. The tiles make use of a huge range of crochet techniques and cover all skill levels but they are all matching sized squares, worked from centre out, allowing makers to combine them easily to create projects of their own devising.
Following on from the tile patterns, the book ends with a selection of tempting projects, including homewares, toys, accessories and even garments, using a nice range of the squares included will be helpful to those who want guidance on how to start using crocheted squares in their projects and inspiring to those who want to come up with their own designs
What you won't find in this book is instruction on how to join your squares without hand sewing, e.g. by using join-as you go techniques, a sewing machine or crocheted joins. I have some resources comparing different seams for crochet pieces. Let me know in the comments if you think I should add more options for crocheted joins too or if you already have a favourite seam for granny squares!
You might also miss the key to stitch abbreviations and chart symbols if you don't look carefully, it's tucked away in the folds of the covers along with a handy measuring guide and hints for those who use UK crochet terms rather than the US terms the book is written with
60 Quick Granny Squares Crochet Book Review
"60 Quick Granny Squares" is a fantastic collection demonstrating the creative potential of the granny square. Each design is so different to the others, and the patterns have clear instructions plus charts wherever possible which helps to make crocheting enjoyable and accessible. I found myself inspired by the temptingly colourful samples to try unfamiliar techniques and am very keen to experiment with new patterns, even those using techniques I've tried before and haven't enjoyed, like crocheted colour work. It was hard to avoid starting a new project as I turned each page. These designs are going to be fantastic stash-buster, I'm sure!
The book's varied collection of square designs is going to appeal to so many crocheters. From the traditional clustered granny square to 3dmotif squares and intricate lace designs, I feel like each crocheter will find something relaxing for them to work; something to intrigue them; and something they love the look of. The versatility of the designs and the matching sizing will allows crocheters to mix and match squares to create individual projects reflecting their own artistic style. All the samples in the book are made with the same yarn, Cascade 220 Sport, which is a sport weight woollen yarn that blocks beautifully but crocheters should be able to use any other even-thickness smooth-textured yarn as long as they choose a suitable hook size to achieve a medium tension.
The book is beautifully presented with lovely clear close-up photos of each granny square on a white background, making it really easy to see what you are going to create and the amazing charts included are going to make life easy for those who, like me, love following a visual aid rather than reading instructions.
The formatting of the patterns in the book is good with a really consistent layout and important information clearly indicated. I hate losing my place in a dense wall of text when I'm trying to follow instructions and the use of a clear font, bold and capitalised text headings etc. tell me that this isn't going to happen when I work from this book. The pages are firm and smooth enough also for me to place a peel-off sticky note above the line I'm working, without worrying that I'll damage them, if I am likely to face interruptions or if I might need to refer back often to a tricky section. Another plus was how nicely the pages lie when you open the book. With craft instructional books, pages that flip over unexpectedly, mid-project can be infuriating!
The charts deserve another mention here too. They are beautifully designed, even the most intricate squares with overlapping rows and tiny non-standard picots have clear easy to follow colour coded charts that I think will tempt many who have been nervous to work from charts before. If you want to read more about how crochet charts work and how to use them, take a look at my blog post Using Crochet Charts. It includes a couple of free simple charts to try out too.
Who is going to love this book?
It probably goes without saying that blanket makers will enjoy this book. Any of its squares would look amazing repeated as a crocheted blanket and the opportunities for combining blocks are endless. I think it's handy to be able to make a blanket piece by piece plus it's a great way to be able to experiment with colours and even add variety to the techniques used in your work whilst maintaining a harmonious overall appearance.
I think the book is sure to be a big hit with crocheters who love trying new techniques but don't necessarily want to commit to a big project using a technique they're unsure if they'll enjoy. Making a small square is an ideal way to explore a technique and practice it for long enough to know if it's one you enjoy. Then, if you love it, you can make a few more of the same block to create any project you'll enjoy using or gifting and if you don't enjoy the technique, you can either partner the square you have with a few different squares in the same colourway for a sampler project with lots of visual interest; extend it with crochet so it forms the centre of a cushion cover, end of a scarf etc; or simply use it alone as a coaster, pot holder or washcloth. It's certainly not gong to be wasted! Personally, I'm looking forward to trying a colour blocked design, Quadrants. I've used. What new technique would you like to try on a small project?
Yarncrafters with lots of yarn scraps have a lot to gain too: collect your scraps together in piles of similar weights and either play around with what works for each square of a similar size that you'd like to try or maybe even consider a surprise bag where you just pull the next colour out without looking and go with it! When all the squares are complete, you may like to edge any that turn out a bit smaller than the others and then consider how to join them into your finished project. If you aren't a fan of an entirely scrappy project, adding a couple of edging rounds in the same colour to each of the squares before joining with the same yarn will provide a more coherent result and help it to match it's intended surroundings or the owner's personal tastes.
Crafters on the move: if you love to crochet on your commute or on trips for pleasure or business, and especially if you make journeys using public transport like trains and planes, I'm sure you don't need me to tell you the advantages of projects made in small pieces to be attached only when all the parts are complete that never take up too much room in your bag or luggage. You want to leave room for impulse yarn purchases when you spot something you love on your travels after all!
In conclusion, "60 Quick Granny Squares" is a fabulous addition to the bookshelf of any crochet enthusiast seeking inspiration. Whether you're crafting mainly for yourself or gifting handmade treasures to your loved ones, this book is sure to spark creativity and bring joy to your crochet endeavours. I can't wait to get started on making a few of these designs.
Book: 60 Quick Granny Squares
Editor: Jacob Seifert
Publisher: Mixed Media Resources
Yarn: Cascade 220 Sport
Comments