Happy Granny Square Day 2025!
Did you know that crocheters all over the world celebrate International Granny Square Day on August 15th? Yes, we do! If you read my blog, you probably already know how to crochet. And most likely you started your crochet journey with a simple granny square, as it’s the most basic shape and a symbol of crochet as a craft.
When we hear ‘granny square’ we know exactly what it means and how it looks. It consists of several rounds of double crochet stitches and chain-spaces (and I am talking US crochet terms), usually with several colors.
Being the simplest and the most basic shape, a granny square can be used for many different projects, including blankets, throws, pillows, bags, scarves, shawls, and even garments. And with the ‘granny stitch’ (not a square), you crochet anything at all. Either in one or multiple colors.
However, today, modern crochet is not only about granny squares anymore. It’s been developing rapidly in the past decade, with tens of different techniques transforming crochet into a new form of fibre art.
To celebrate Granny Square Day this year, I have teamed up with Scheepjes and designed five pillow covers with the new Softfun colour mini packs, using different crochet techniques.
I have been designing with Scheepjes yarns for more than 10 years now, and Softfun yarn has been high on my list of favourites. Mainly because of its softness and hard wear. It holds the shape very well, the stitch definition is brilliant, and crochet projects look good after years of being used and washed. Just the perfect choice for interior accessories.
I worked with Softfun mini colour packs in the past (you can check my Like a Kelim Pillow). They come with curated 12 mini balls, each with 20g of yarn. And that amount is enough to create a medium-sized project, such as a front decoration for a pillow cover.
When Scheejes approached me with an idea of creating designs for new color packs, I was thrilled and honored to join. Let me introduce five new cushion designs exclusively created with new Scheepjes mini colour packs.
You will find a QR code on every pack, bringing you to the pattern page on our website.
Important Links
The ebook with all 5 patterns is available via our website HERE.
You can find the packs at your local Scheepjes store, or via online retailers. Scheepjes yarn is also available on Amazon (*affiliate link). And can also find Softfun minis colour packs on Amazon (affiliate link).
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Each new Softfun mini colour pack comes with a theme of carefully curated colors, and you can choose from neutral earthy or ombre shades to vibrant brights: Autumn Walk, Ocean Breeze, Spring Blossom, Summer Party and Tropical Paradise.
And of course, you can use the patterns for bigger projects too, as they are easily adjustable. You can either crochet more small squares and join them together into a blanket (Spring Blossom and Summer Party designs). Or you can continue crocheting in rows/rounds until you reach the desired size (Chess Squre, Autumn Walk Square and Geometry Square designs).
As already mentioned, each mini colour pack comes with 240g of yarn in total (12 balls each with 20g), and the yarn is enough for the front panel of the cushion.
I used ready fabric pillowcases to sew my crocheted pieces onto them. Or, alternatively, you can use two packs and create a double-sided pillow, with the same or different design for each side.
The patterns use different crochet techniques: mosaic and overlay crochet. They come with full written instructions in English language (with US crochet terms), detailed progress pictures, and links to instructional video tutorials.
The ebook with all 5 patterns is available via our website HERE.
Hope you enjoy!
I continue to explore brioche crochet technique, and today I am happy to share a new design with you. Good news for those who enjoyed the Archway Square, as the new pattern is also a large brioche square which can be turned into an infinity stitch pattern. I named it Blomma, as it reminds me of the flower.
Blomma Square brioche crochet pattern is available on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE with an introductory discount of 20% which will expire on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024. The price you see now is a discounted one, and no codes are needed.
Lately, every time I start working on a new project, I say to myself it should be a beginner-friendly one. Not in the way it looks or how it is constructed, but in a way how the stitch pattern flows, and how this is reflected in the written instructions.
It means that the crochet design which looks intricate would necessarily be difficult to make. I sometimes get messages from the beginning designers asking about my own designing process. Of course, everything (and always) starts with inspiration. In a burnt-out mode, it is not easy to design something unique and appealing.
Basically, the easier the design process goes, the more chances are that the result will be great. And if you are stuck from the beginning, it often means something is wrong and creative spirit is blocked at some point. And then it is better to leave the idea aside and create something else.
I never draw sketches beforehand. Usually there is a rough idea inside my head, but I prefer to draw with yarn right away. So, the beginning of every design of mine always starts with a ball of yarn and a hook, late in the evening, in front of the TV.
Somehow the first rows or rounds with simple stitches bring in a certain mood, and slowly after each new round the idea becomes clearer. The designing process does involve lots of frogging and remaking. It would be ambitious to think that genius stitch patterns come to the world on the first try.
And when I say genius, I mean the stitch patterns which are perfect regarding maths, with perfect stitch counts and repeats, which are easy to write down. And the last is probably the most important in the crochet design, for me at least. Which makes the pattern doable for crocheters with different skill levels.
Of course, not all my crochet designs are “genius” in that way, but with every new project I am trying to get closer to this ideal and make written instructions as easy to follow as possible. Brioche crochet is one of those techniques which look extremely intricate, and not even doable.
But Archway Square proved that crafters with advanced beginner skills can handle the pattern. Basically, the required minimum level is to know how to do basic crochet stitches. And the rest is only about their placement, which is explained in the pattern.
If you did Archway Square, then no doubts that Blomma Square is right for you. And if this is your first time with brioche crochet, an introductory video is waiting for you in the pattern explaining basics of technique and showing first rounds of the pattern to bring you into the right flow. And then the pattern also contains progress pictures for all the rounds.
The Blomma Square consists of 49 rounds, and with Scheepjes Softfun yarn (DK weight) it will make a perfectly sized front decoration for a ready-made fabric pillowcase. And if you want to experiment with the infinity looks, stop the pattern after any even round, and join small squares with an invisible technique (explained in the pattern).
For my pillow, I made four squares with 30 rounds, and the final joined large square is about 60cm.
Esther Schippers, who helped me with testing, decided to make a smaller one and stopped after 24 rounds on her squares. And ta-da! Here is a totally different look.
And Laura Jackson turned her Blomma Squares into a cute and stylish handbag. Check her Ravelry project page to learn more about the colors she used and how she assembled everything.
Get your own copy of the Blomma Square pattern on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE and unlock your creativity.
Hope you enjoy!
My work has been under major influence of the Scandinavian design, with simple shapes and mute colors. And if you follow me for a while, you have probably noticed that recently I have created more monochrome patterns with delicate texture. And today’s new release is not an exception. I am happy to introduce an Embossed Daisy Collection.
This collection consists of two patterns with similar floral design: a mandala and a square. Both patterns are worked in an embossed crochet technique, which is both simple and effective.
You can grab your own copy on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE. The patterns are available with a 20% introductory discount, which is valid through Monday, May 1. No codes are needed, as patterns have been discounted already.
In embossed crochet, only usual crochet stitches are used to create highly textured fabric. And what is even more wonderful, the back side often (if not always) looks as good as the front.
My samples were made with aran weight yarn and used as a cushion. However, these patterns give many more possibilities. The Mandala will create a wonderful textured placemat or trivet. And the square, made with finer yarn and smaller hook, will become a nice block for a blanket. Both projects will look the best with solid single color.
Being in crochet for almost my entire life (at least 35 years now), I have tried many different techniques. Tunisian crochet is still on my wish list to master, but otherwise I am not aware of any crochet method I have not tried already. In fact, it is always a combination of general stitches. Like the same notes are used to create different styles of music, and the same letters are used to write the books.
Various techniques are one direction I have been thinking about crochet. But then, we have different types of crochet, I believe. Based on the level of difficulty. And then I would categorize crochet projects as intricate, mindless… and satisfying.
I just love this word “satisfying” as it gives a feeling of what crochet is when the pattern is very easy to follow, and you get aesthetic pleasure with every new row or round.
If you have tried any of the Lilla Bjorn’s patterns, you might know that they are mostly intricate. I love to create unique designs but also aim for easy-to-follow instructions with progress pictures, and sometimes video tutorials. My designs are usually multicolored, too.
Recently, I have been thinking that it would be wonderful to create more relaxing designs. Maybe not completely mindless (we have many mindless crochet projects to choose from), but easy-to-follow and truly satisfying.
With every new pattern release, I am reflecting on how it was accepted, and which trends are dominating in the crochet world right now (and no surprise, that they are changing all the time, like what is happening in the fashion or interior design).
I also follow the trends in the knitting world and try to introduce them to my crochet work as well. With my new Embossed Daisy Collection, I have tried to bring the trends and easiness together, for a quick and satisfying result.
And just a reminder, you can grab both patterns on
Ravelry HERE
and
Etsy HERE.
Hope you enjoy!
Stained glass crochet can be practiced with different colors, but black always looks the best – perfectly framing other shades and making them pop-up. White color also gives a very interesting effect.
I gave it a try and designed my own stained glass square. It has not been released for a while because I didn’t have a perfect name for it. I am so grateful for your response in my FB group, and for 800+ suggestions. Many of them referred to Stained Glass, and this is how I wanted to call the pattern from the beginning, as it is type of crochet. Some names were inspired by Cathedral windows, and orange color - sunset, volcano, sun... I LOVE them all. But I really like the one about lantern :) And decided to name my new pattern Stained Glass Lantern. Isabel Cress, Andrea Muller and Jay Bray suggested "lantern". Thank you very much! And I also liked "windala" by Bettina vag der Jagt. I might steal this name for future designs.
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The pattern is available on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
Stained glass crochet projects are wonderful stash busters. You only need enough yarn in one color for patterning and background can be made with leftovers in different shades. And of course stained glass crochet is perfect for variegated yarns – with long or short color repeats.
For my own Stained Glass Lantern blanket I used what I had in my stash: two skeins of black Colour Crafter* (1002 Ede) and two skeins of Wanderlust* (467 Amsterdam). And four skeins in total were enough for 70cm x 70cm (27.5”) baby blanket. Of course, it is possible to make it in any size. Each square requires approx. 25g of Colour Crafter and 15g of Wanderlust (with 4mm (US6/G) crochet hook*) and measures approx. 23cm (9”) after blocking.
You can find both yarns (100% acrylic and very affordable) in your local Scheepjes shops or via online retailers:
Wool Warehouse* (UK, international shipping),
Caro’s Atelier * (NL and Europe),
Knotty House* (Canada).
I like the idea of using variegated yarn as with only one skein you get a kaleidoscope effect. Amstedam shade of Wanderlust has hints of purple, red, yellow, orange and brown. And it makes each square looking different.
Stained Glass Lantern pattern is not tricky and if you are advanced beginner, you can absolutely take the challenge. Each round is worked with one colour only, and with variegated yarn there are almost no ends to weave in. Instead the yarn in carried on the back of your work from one row to the next one.
I was very curious to try the same pattern with white main color, and leftovers in different shades, and here is a pillow I made. All with different colors of Colour Crafter.
Hilde Tindlund was helping me with the test and opened her Catona box of cutie pies* especially for this project. Hilde mixed mini skeins of Catona with different shades of Stone Washed* yarn by Scheepjes, and her squares look so charming! My personal favourites are the ones made with Smokey Quartz color.
It was meant to be a pillow but I am secretly hoping Hilde will make more squares and join them together into a blanket.
And Laura Jackson (again!) used the pattern in a very creative way. She enlarged two squares by repeating several rounds, and joined them together with original squares into an asymmetric blanket. Jump to Laura’s Ravelry page HERE to read about all adjustments of the pattern she made.
And what about you? :) Do you like stained glass crochet? Have you tried it? Would you use black or white color for your own project?
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Sunny Border is an extension exclusively designed for Sunny Mandala. To square it up and to turn it into a blanket! Though the border was designed with Sunny Mandala in mind, it will perfectly fit any other crochet mandala with 248 stitches on the last round, including Dandelion Mandala, Joana’s Mandala, Spanish Mandala and Illusion Mandala.
The pattern is available on Ravelry HERE. The separate Sunny Border pattern is offered with 20% discount through Monday, May 28th, 2018. Please, use code SUNNY at the check-out.
OR save 2$ for a set of both Sunny patterns (Sunny mandala + border) – on Ravelry ONLY! To receive it, please, put both (and only these two) patterns to cart and use NO code. Previously purchased Sunny mandala will also count.
Sunny Border consists of three parts: round border with zig-zags, corners which are added with join-as-you-go method (so no seaming is involved) and final “stained glass” border. The size of the finished project depends on the yarn and hook you use. My complete square with mandala is approx. 92 cm (36”) large.
The pattern uses overlay crochet technique aimed to intermediate crocheters. If you follow me for a while, you probably know everything about overlay crochet by now. If not, here is brief information for you:
~ Overlay crochet was developed by an artist and jewelry maker Melody MacDuffee in the United States and first introduced in 2003. Melody MacDuffee started to spread her inventions and conducted lots of workshops for hundreds of crochet lovers.
~ Overlay crochet has its roots in Aran crochet. Though it may look a bit complicated and quite often is offered to advanced crocheters, in fact it uses usual crochet stitches, and only few special ones.
~ What is interesting about this technique is that with changing colors on every round it is possible to achieve an effect as if the colors are actually changed after every few stitches.
For my Sunny Border I used the same shades of Stone Washed yarn by Scheepjes as for Sunny Mandala. But any solid colors will work well for this pattern.You can check full range of Stone Washed shades on Wool Warehouse* and Black Sheep Wools* (both in UK with international shipping).
Please, have a look at the projects completed by wonderful testers (with many thanks sent their way!).
Siva Oduri decided to work with cotton threads. Isn't her square great as a pillow cover? Nina Mayer chose calm earthy colors. Hilde Tindlund also used Stone Washed yarn for her Sunny Square, in pastel palette. And Cindy Douglass chose bright sunny colors.
Laura decided to go even further, and after the test was completed she used central medallion with flower to add small squares around large square to make her blanket even larger! Check all details about Laura’s extension and colorway on her Ravelry page.
Don’t all these projects look different and unique? And this is the magic of overlay crochet! What would you use Sunny Border for? Would you make a blanket, pillow or wall hanging maybe?
Facts about Sunny Border
- Sunny Border is an extension pattern for Sunny Madnala, but also perfect for any crochet mandala with 248 stitches on the last round.
- Materials: yarn in solid colors, crochet hook, scissors and tapestry needle to weave in tails.
- Level: Intermediate
- The pattern is available on on Ravelry HERE. The separate Sunny Border pattern is offered with 20% discount through Monday, May 28th, 2018 (use code SUNNY). OR save 2$ for a set of both Sunny patterns (mandala + border)! To receive it, please, put both (and only these two) patterns to cart and use NO code.
