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!
The shawl season has started! At least in our part of the world. The days are getting warmer but still not warm enough to hide winter clothes. And honestly – you can wear a nice shawl anytime of the year! Today, I am happy to announce that a new make-a-long will start next week here on my blog. We will be making an Everblue Shawl!
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Photo credit: evakobz; Sample maker: Loele van den Bergh |
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Some of you have probably recognized this design. It was released exclusively as a part of a Limited Edition mystery kit by Scheepjes back in 2021. You even might be a lucky owner of the kit with a limited color of Scheepjes Whirl. Those kits were a huge success! But if you were not lucky enough to put your hands on one of those, you can now make the shawl with a stand-alone pattern, and any colors of your choice.
The idea of the mystery Scheepjes kit was to create a project to occupy busy crafter’s hands at a Crimbo Limbo time between Christmas day and New Year’s Day. I happily accepted this commission, as it ideally fell in line with my own aesthetics and design taste.
The main color (which is not available any more, but you have lots of other gradient shades of Whirl yarn to choose from) was a rich and soft green ombre, which we combined with a dark chocolate color to create an image of an evergreen tree with the pine cones. I was aiming to bring the similar cone pattern to the shawl’s body as well, and created an infinity lace fabric with mesh triangles.
And the good news is that this pattern design is easily adjustable into a square if you wish to create a blanket instead of a shawl.
After a very popular Scheepjes make-a-long with this shawl, I decided to bring the memories back and release it as a stand-along pattern. It will be a free one released as a make-a-long starting next Wednesday, March 29th, 2023. And then every Wednesday, a new portion of the instructions will be added here to my blog.
However, if you are not patient to wait and prefer to keep your pattern library as easy-to-print ads-free pdfs, you can purchase a complete pattern for the Everblue Shawl on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE. The files come with both UK and US crochet terms and include materials list, full written instructions and two charts – for the shawl’s body and mosaic panel.
The official support for this make-a-long will be handled in my Facebook group HERE. You can share your progress pictures there and ask questions. If you are not a member yet, make sure to join the fun and do not forget to answer a simple question upon a sign-up. Without this answer, your request will be denied.
If you want to get ready ahead of time, you will need fingering yarn and 2.5mm and 3mm crochet hooks. Scheepjes Whirl yarn is the best option for this pattern. Choose one Whirl cake and then two Whirlettes cakes. The best result will be if you choose a Whirlette which ideally matches one of the Whirl’s tails (either inside or outside), and then another contrast Whirlette for the mosaic patterning.
If you are curious about this exact sample (kindly made for me by wonderful
Loele van der Bergh), the colors are: Whirl 755 Blueberry Bambam (one cake),
Whirlette 860 Ice (one cake) and Whirlette 868 Bilberry (one cake).
You can find both yarns in your nearest Scheepjes local store, or order via online retailers: Wool Warehouse* (UK, international shipping), Caro’s Atelier* (NL, Europe), Taemombo* (US, Canada).
See you next Wednesday!
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EDIT (timline):
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| photo credit: Practical Publishing |
Celestia blanket is about hexagon motifs, each with a new mosaic stitch pattern. I’ve been experimenting with different shapes and hexies is one of my favourite, too. So, Celestia is a mix of several loves of mine which met together in one blanket.
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| photo credit: @evakobz |
We decided to bring the blanket in two colourways – both with Scheepjes yarns. The original version was designed with 100% premium acrylic Colour Crafter yarn, and we used gentle pastel shades together with bright icy white.
To be honest, in the beginning I was a bit sceptical about this color scheme, as pinks and baby blues are absolutely out of my comfort designing zone. But when all motifs were finished and joined together, I fell in love! And so fell in love ALL my friends who saw the blanket before it was shipped to a publisher. It looks very soft, and gentle, and fragile. A true Celestia look, whatever it means :)
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| photo credit: @evakobz |
For the second colorway I was asked me to pick yarn and colors myself, and because I am a big fan of Scheepjes Metropolis, I chose this yarn. In dramatic graphite gray for the main color and rainbow splash for a contrast.
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| photo credit: @evakobz |
This sample was a bit of a challenge, as I didn’t make it myself. Several lovely ladies kindly agreed to help me test the pattern, each of them made motifs with one contrast color, and Jenny joined them and added a tiny lace border. So I haven’t seen the finished blanket until the very end. I was hoping the colors would play together nicely, but the final result turned out even better than I expected! Love it, too.
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| photo credit: @evakobz |
Despite difference in weight (DK for Colour Crafter and fingering for Metropolis), I decided to use the same hook size (4 mm) and gauge for both blankets. And they are exactly the same size – approx. 125 cm x 165 cm.
Mosaic crochet uses very basic crochet stitches, but sometimes their placement might be tricky. Celestia blanket pattern comes with full row-by-row written instructions and charts. If you want additional support while working on Celestia, be sure to join my Facebook group.
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| photo credit: @evakobz |
As already mentioned, Celestia blanket was exclusively designed for Crochet Now magazine, and now it is also available as a stand-alone pattern via website HERE and Ravelry HERE!
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| Photo credit: Practical Publishing |
There are still some ready kits available for the Celestia Blanket. If you want to purchase on, I would be very grateful if you use one of the links below. They are affiliate and I might be compensated with a tiny amount from each sale while you will not pay anything extra: Wool Warehouse (UK, international shipping), Taemombo (US & Canada).
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| photo credit: @evakobz |
Because international shipping is still limited at the moment with COVID restrictions, please, also check with your local Scheepjes stockists to see if they carry yarns and colors. Find a complete list of materials below.
Colour Crafter* version:
7x Barneveld (1005)
2x Texel (1019)
2x Den Bosch (1241)
2x Coevorden (1823)
1x Assen (1065)
1x Wolvega (1099)
Metropolis* version:
11x Miami (069)
3x Marseille (019)
3x Lima (055)
3x Abu Dhabi (032)
2x Quebec (077)
2x Tehran (036)
Can’t wait to see your beautiful creations! If you share them online, please use hashtag #Celestiablanket and #designedbylillabjorn.
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If you prefer to have complete written instructions together with
charts, pattern notes and photo-tutorial, then you can purchase a
ready-to-print pdf file for a small fee on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
Second Mosaic Border
Each of four Stripes is worked with new color for A and B (see colour key).
Stripe 5
Row 1 – WS: With WS facing (previously completed stripe is on the left side for righties (right side for lefties), attach Yarn A with ss in the corner of Stripe 2, ch1 (does not count as a st), 1sc in same st as join, 12sc evenly along the short edge of Stripe 2, 59sc along the long edge of Stripe 1 in FL, ch11, ch1 changing to Yarn B, turn – 72 sc and 12 ch
Row 2 – RS: With Yarn B, ch1, treating every ch as a st, 1sc in second ch from hook, 1sc in next st, [ch3, sk 3 sts, 1sc] to last st, 1sc to end, turn 
Row 3 – WS: Ch1, 2sc, [ch3, sk sp, 1sc] to last st, 1sc to end changing to Yarn A, turn
Row 4: With Yarn A, ch1, 1sc, [ch1, sk 1 st, 3mdc] to last 2 sts, ch1, sk 1 st, 1sc to end, turn
Row 5: Ch1, 1sc, [ch1, sk sp, 3sc] to last sp and sc, ch1, sk sp, 1sc to end changing to Yarn B, turn
Row 6: With Yarn B, ch1, 1sc, 1mdc, 1sc, [ch1, sk 1 st, 1sc, 1mdc, 1sc] to end, turn
Row 7: Ch1, 3sc, [ch1, sk sp, 3sc] to end changing to Yarn A in last st, turn
Row 8: With Yarn A, ch1, 1sc, [ch1, sk 1 st, 1sc, 1mdc, 1sc] to last 2 sts, ch1, sk 1 st, 1sc to end, turn
Row 9: Ch1, 1sc, [ch1, sk sp, 3sc] to last sp and sc, ch1, sk sp, 1sc to end changing to Yarn B, turn
Row 10: With Yarn B, ch1, 1sc, 1mdc, [ch1, sk 1 st, 1sc, ch1, sk 1 st, 1mdc] to last st, 1sc to end, turn
Row 11: Ch1, 2sc, [ch1, sk sp, 1sc] to last st, 1sc to end changing to Yarn A, turn
Row 12: With Yarn A, ch1, 2sc, 1mdc, [ch1, sk 1 st, 1mdc, 1sc, 1mdc] to end working 1sc instead of last mdc, turn
Row 13: Ch1, 3sc, [ch1, sk sp, 3sc] to end changing to Yarn B in last st, turn (cut A)
Row 14: With Yarn B, ch1, 3sc, [1mdc, 3sc] to end. Fasten off.
Stripe 6
Row 1 – WS: With WS facing (previously completed stripe is on the left side for righties (right side for lefties), attach Yarn A with ss in the corner, ch1, 1sc in same st as join, 12sc evenly along the short edge of Stripe from first border, 59sc along the long edge of next Stripe in FL, 11sc along the short edge of previously made Stripe changing to Yarn B in last st – 83 sc
Rep Rows 2-14 from Stripe 5
Stripe 7: Rep instructions for Stripe 6
Stripe 8: Rep instructions for Stripe 6 joining it with the “hanging” edge of Stripe 5 as-you-go in the same way as for Stripe 4 as foll:
After Row 2 skip 1 ch on edge and work 1ss in each of next 2 ch; then work 2ss after row 4, 1ss after Row 6, 2ss after Row 8, 1ss after Row 10, 2ss after Row 12 and join Row 14 with ss in last ch.
CHART
FINISHING
Border
Check color key for each round.
With RS facing, attach yarn for Round 1 with ss in first st of any stripe. Change to a smaller hook or work tighter.
Round 1 – RS: Ch1 (does not count as a st), *ch2, 1sc in same corner st, 83sc (BL) along the side of the stripe, 11sc evenly along short side of the next stripe working last sc in the corner; rep from * three more times, ss to beg sp – 95 sc per side
Round 2: Ch1 changing yarn, *ch2, 1sc in same corner sp, 1sc (BL) in each st to next corner, 1sc in next corner sp; rep from * three more times, ss to beg sp (cut yarn) – 97 sts per side
Round 3: Ch1 changing yarn, *ch2, 1sc in same corner sp, [1sc (BL), 1dc (FL) in st of same color below next st of round 2, skip 1 st behind dc] to one st left before next corner, 1sc (BL), 1sc in corner sp; rep from * three more times, ss to beg sp (cut yarn) – 99 sts per side (48 dc and 51 sc)
Round 4: Ch1 changing yarn, *ch2, 1sc in same corner sp, [3sc (BL), 1SPsc] to 3 sts left before next corner, 3sc (BL), 1sc in next corner sp; rep from * three more times, ss to beg sp. Fasten off – 101 sts per side
Surface slip stitches
Work surface slip stitches along all seams as shown in the picture (be careful not to pull fabric). If surface crochet with slip stitching is new to you, please check THIS tutorial.
Weave in all tails. Block square to measurements. Sew it by hand onto fabric pillowcase (HERE is video tutorial).
Purchase a ready-to-print copy of the pattern with ALL parts on Ravelry and Etsy.
Welcome to the PART 2 of the small Like a Kelim pillow make-a-long. Today we will be adding the first mosaic border around the central square which was completed last week. The border consists of the four stripes, each with the same stitch pattern but different colors. For exact placement of the colors, please check the color key. It was published last week together with the first part of the pattern.
If you prefer to have complete written instructions together with charts, pattern notes and photo-tutorial, then you can purchase a ready-to-print pdf file for a small fee on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
First Mosaic Border
Each of four Stripes is worked with new color for A and B (see color key).
Stripe 1
Row 1 – WS: With WS facing, attach Yarn A with ss in the corner sp of the central square, ch1 (does not count as a st – here and throughout), 1sc in same sp, 43sc along the side in FL, 1sc in next corner sp, ch14, ch1 changing to Yarn B, turn – 45 sc and 15 ch
Row 2 – RS: With Yarn B, treating every ch as a st, 1sc in second ch from hook, ch2, sk 2 ch, 1sc, [ch3, sk 3 sts (treating very ch as a st), 1sc] to 3 last sts, ch2, sk 2 sts, 1sc to end, turn
Row 3 – WS: Ch1, 1sc, ch2, sk sp, 1sc, [ch3, sk sp, 1sc] to last sp and sc, ch2, sk sp, 1sc to end changing back to Yarn A (make sure float does not pull along the edge), turn
Row 4 – RS: With Yarn A, 1sc, 1mdc in each of 2 skipped ch below, [ch1, sk 1 st, 3mdc] x13, ch1, sk 1 st, 2mdc, 1sc to end, turn
Row 5: Ch1, 3sc, [ch1, sk sp, 3sc] to end changing to Yarn B in last st, turn
Row 6: With Yarn B, ch1, 1sc, [ch1, sk 1 st, 1sc, 1mdc, 1sc] to last 2 sts, ch1, sk 1 st, 1sc to end, turn
Row 7: Ch1, 1sc, [ch1, sk sp, 3sc] to last sp and sc, ch1, sk sp, 1sc to end changing to Yarn A, turn
Row 8: With Yarn A, ch1, 1sc, 1mdc, [ch1, sk 1 st, 1sc, ch1, sk 1 st, 1mdc] to last st, 1sc to end, turn
Row 9: Ch1, 2sc, [ch1, sk sp, 1sc] to last st, 1sc to end changing to Yarn B, turn
Row 10: With Yarn B, ch1, 2sc, 1mdc, [ch1, sk 1 st, 1mdc, 1sc, 1mdc] to end working 1sc instead of last mdc, turn
Row 11: Ch1, 3sc, [ch1, sk sp, 3sc] to end changing to Yarn A in last st, turn
Row 12: With Yarn A. Rep Row 6
Row 13: Rep Row 7 changing to Yarn B in last st
Row 14: With Yarn B, ch1, 1sc, 1mdc, [ch3, sk 3 sts, 1mdc] to last st, 1sc to end, turn
Row 15: Ch1, 2sc, [ch3, sk sp, 1sc] to last st, 1sc to end changing to Yarn A (cut Yarn B), turn
Row 16: With Yarn A, ch1, 2sc, [3mdc, 1sc] to last st, 1sc to end. Fasten off.
Stripe 2
Row 1 – WS: With WS facing (previously completed stripe is on the left side for righties (right side for lefties), attach Yarn A with ss in the corner sp of the central square, ch1 (does not count as a st – here and throughout), 1sc in same sp, 43sc along the square’s side in FL, 1sc in next corner sp, 14 sc evenly along the short edge of Stripe 1 changing to Yarn B in last st, turn – 59 sc
Rep Rows 2-16 from Stripe 1
Stripe 3: Rep instructions for Stripe 2
Stripe 4: Rep instructions for Stripe 2 joining it with the “hanging” edge of Stripe 1 as-you-go as foll:
After completing Row 2, work ss in first ch on the hanging edge, turn and continue with Row 3 on WS. After rows 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14, ss in next two ch on the hanging edge, turn and continue with next row on WS. Join Row 16 with ss in last ch on the hanging edge.
And here is the chart for you to follow if you prefer it better than written instructions.
Purchase a ready-to-print copy of the pattern with ALL parts on Ravelry and Etsy.
See you next week!
