Granny Squares? Help ...

LibraryCat, Have you tried looking at

at the double crochet video, then at the chain stitch video. The shellstitch video might also be helpful. What part of a granny square are youhaving trouble with? I'm sure someone here can talk you through it.HTH,Carey in MA (You're not a moron: anything's easy once you know how to do it.)

I am such an animal if you live anywhere near Stockholm, Sweden :-)

I find granny squares VERY confusing for a beginner, honestly. I had to teach them to a beginner friend of mine who for the life of her couldn't figure how to begin the new row (and there are better ways than slip stitching...). So, dear friend, you are not a moron at all, believe me.

All the best!

Anna Maria

Dear You'll-Learn-It-Eventually,

Granny squares were the first thing I learned to crochet in elementary school 32 years ago. If you can 'put up' with specific instructions, I can write them out for you. As someone else wrote in this thread, she prefers not to use the slip stitch - I too don't like using a slip stich to finish a row (ore round), I use an sc instead, not going into the chain stitch but the 'loop' formed by the chains which 'simulate' the first dc of that round. And which counts as the first chain of the 3 at the start of the next round.

Sorry if this sounds like gobble-de-goop, I'm responding online instead of in my word processor, in which I can write and edit much more clearly. Let me know if you want the specific instructions, and as someone else asked, where does the problem seem to be? - if you can answer that.

Best,

David

Thanks for the support guys. I really did feel like a moron, especially after everyone I knew told me how easy this was supposed to be and all.

Yes, I can put up with specific directions.

I have no problem chaining the first stitches to start, and doing the first round, but from there on it gets really messy, and I can't figure out how to continue on. Also, it seems that I'm not sure which direction to crochet it in. The picture directions I found showed it being crocheted counterclockwise, but when I do it, counterclockwise is awkward and I have to go clockwise. Make any sense?

Yes, they are usually crocheted in a counterclockwise direction. Are you by any chance crocheting left-handed? If that were the case, I can see why it would be awkward for you.

I don't understand how you're crocheting them clockwise. Do you not normally crochet right to left? Or are you crocheting left-handed? That's the only way I could imagine you going clockwise. I'm trying to picture how to crochet a granny square clockwise crocheting right-handed and it's not a pretty picture.

Kristen

LibraryCat513 wrote:

Hi - this is from another left-handed crocheter. As soon as you said clockwise - I knew and sympathize. If you have instructions with pictures to look at take a mirror and lay it up so you can see how you will be doing it.

If you know someone who crochets, and who will sit with you to show you how, have them sit directly in front of you and do exactly what they do. I taught everyone in my office how to tunisian crochet that way - they were all righties.

Be more than happy to look up some specific left-handed instructions for you and e-mail them to you if you wish.

Good luck!

Okay, here goes, written instructions to crochet a granny square. And please ask any questions for further clarification. I don't have an image file of any of the granny squares I have crocheted, perhaps someone can attach one and send it to the list or to you directly.

Since you wrote that you want to crochet the round clockwise instead of counter-clockwise, that suggests to me that you are possibly holding the crochet hook in your left hand and doing things in reverse so to speak. I suspect that if that's the case, no problem, if there are crochet directions anywhere that indicate directions to go, just do the opposite. I myself hold my crochet hook in my right hand and crochet a granny square in a counter- clockwise direction, but I'll give 'handed-neutral' directions below.

You already know how to get the first round. this leaves you with four clusters of 3dc and three corners of 3ch. Now what you want to do is ch3 (if you have finished the first round with a sl st), or ch2 (if you have finished the first round with sc1). This makes ("simulates") the first dc of the next cluster of dc3 in the second round.

Now is an important part: rotate the granny square you have started by 180 degrees, so that you will be crocheting stitches in the opposite direction of the first round. that is, if the side of the granny square that was facing toward you was a photograph, turn the photograph so that you are now looking at the backside of the photo.

You'll notice that the ch2 or ch3 that you just crocheted is at (very close to) the start of one of the corners. Since the ch2/ch3 is the first dc of a cluster of dc3, you need to crochet dc2 into the corner formed by the ch3 in the first round, to finish that cluster. At which point crochet ch3 (to make a new corner), then dc3 into the same corner as the previous dc2. So you've just finished a full corner, the first corner of round 2.

Now, repeat the following 3 times (finishing round 2):

ch1, dc3, ch3, dc3.

You will probably see that written as something like:

• ch1, dc3, ch3, dc3. Rep. from * 3 times., in crochet directions.

This almost finishes the second round, so you'll need to connect the yarn to the ch2/ch3 which started round 2 - again, either using a sl st or sc, your choice. (see tip below)

Once again, if you used a sl st to finishe the round, ch3; if you crocheted an sc to finishe the round, ch2. And once again, turn what you have crocheted 180 degrees to start the next round, if you are going to crochet another round.

to start round 3, you'll notice that instead of being at the start of a corner (ch3), you're along a straight edge space (ch1). dc2 to finish the first cluster of round 2, and follow the general directions below.

You'll probably notice a pattern developing now. Based on the previous round that you are crocheting into:

Into each ch1 in the previous round, you'll crochet dc3 (it's part of a straight edge);

into each ch3 corner of the previous round, you'll crochet dc3, ch3, dc3 (it's another corner);

along each straight edge, each cluster of dc3 is separated by ch1;

at each corner, each cluster of dc3 is separated by ch3.

You'll probably also notice that the number of clusters of dc3 on each straight edge is also the number of the round you are crocheting. For example, if one straight edge of the round that you are crocheting has 4 clusters of dc3, you'll know it's the fourth round in the square.

Tips: if you prefer to use a sl st to finish a round, do it into the top ch that started the round. And, make sure that when you crochet the ch2/ch3 at the start of that round, make the last of those 2 or 3 chains relatively loose, so you don't need to struggle with inserting the hook into that bleepin' chain to finish the round. *chuckle* You can accomplish this by using a larger hook, which will create larger spaces in the stitches... which also works if you want to make a long chain and then crochet something like sc into them with a smaller guage hook, for the start of a scarf or what-have-you (this is not a granny square).

To finish a granny square, you do need to use a sl st in the top of the ch2/ch3 which started that round. Once you have made the sl st, cut the yarn with several inches left hanging loose, and pull the loop on your hook so the loose yarn gets pulled through. I think this is called 'fastening off' - I'm not all that 'up' on all crochet terms, and someone else can advise you on how to secure the yarn more securely, since *oh my* I haven't really formally learned this yet. lol

Hope that helps, best to you,

David

No, no, no! Don't call yourself a moron just because you can't figure it out. You have no idea how many years I looked at and tried the "easy" step-by-step instructions for crocheting in the back of my knitting pattern books, and I could not get it at all. I finally gave up even trying after a while, even though I had actually made a couple of things (A couple of bags for Bingo Chips before they brought Dauber bingo to my small town, and a doggie sweater. I didn't have clue one what I was doing, I thought I was just playing with the yarn and hook... but something actually came out of it.). Then one day a few years later I decided to take crochet lessons and bought all the supplies. Within a couple of hours of looking in the instruction book and following the step-by-step instructions before going to the first lesson, I had made all the swatches by myself and was ahead of the group taking the lessons.

As to the granny squares... my cousin's wife cannot make granny squares even though she has been crocheting for many MANY years. Her granny squares come out "Granny Rounds". I believe, and mentioned it to her but she still can't do it... or won't.... that she just forgets to chain twice at the corners.

I'm sorry that I can't help you find a website to help you, but hopefully someone else can help with that.

Peace! Gemini

- Are you new? If so, welcome to the newsgroup. If not, please ignore my blondeness! LOL

I think that everyone on here might give slightly different instructions for how to make a granny square! I end each round with a slip stitch (only VERY recently discovered that's not the only way and I actually found it easier to do a sc as the joining, so I may change my ways there), I ch3 for the corners, I do not ch1 between the other clusters, and I do not flip my squares as I'm making them. I have flipped at one time, though! I'm a self-taught crocheter (from a book) and I've arrived at my granny-square-making on a bit of a trial-and-error path that held a lot of errors! I once made a giant granny square afghan that somehow ended up with only three corners once I was done!

Kristen

David Sky wrote:

David: Indeed! I already saw one post, I think from Gemini, who said she crochets ch2 for the corners...

Kristen: I ch3 for the corners, I do not ch1 between the other clusters,

David: Hmmm, that's how I was taught. However, in reading different crochet stitch directions recently, I found different people did slightly different things for same-named stitches.

Kristen: I once made a giant granny square afghan

David: lol! My first trial at a "granny hexagon" a couple months back ended up like a squashed pentagon or something... but it has made a great bathroom sink scrub pad! I still haven't exactly worked out how to consistantly crochet one, the third round keeps becoming too "bumpy", as if I am trying to stick too many stitches into too small a space. I've been trying with the clusters as dc2, corners ch2, between clusters ch1... any tips or hints please?

Thanks,

David

Okay, after reading the replies (and thank you David, I will try your directions shortly) I find myself baffled. I'm apparently crocheting in the way a left handed person would, but I'm right handed. I do crochet left to right, I can't seem to do it right to left. It's like I see the directions and reverse them in my head. I've tried doing it the other way, which is I'm seeimg supposed to be the right way (for a right handed person) and I can't seem to get it to work for me. Yet, if I try to crochet with my left hand (I just tried) I can't seem to even hold the hook. The granny square is the first time my crocheting this way has caused me problems, other than that I'm fine.

Now that I think about it, I knit like a left handed person too. Weird.

Hmmm, there might be one or two other things. For the granny square, do you try to crochet into the tiny holes at the top of the dc stitches, or do you try to crochet into the much larger spaces between the dc3 clusters? It should be the latter, otherwise you will end up with a mess.

Also, where do you live? - and do you know someone who can sit with you and concurrently crochet a granny square with you, and point out where you might be having problems?

Also, you said that you see the directions "in reverse" in your head, could you explain this a bit further? Can you play around with your internal images, such as flipping them over (assuming you see them as see-through, like a photo negative, or see them in an imagined mirror)? Look at the reversed image in your head while crocheting, find out how that changes your crocheting style.

David

I have to add my two cents in here about Granny Squares. They are my favorites, and I have made a Granny Square vest, poncho, scarves, afghan, curtains (!!), tablecloth - I think I like the mixing of the colors most of all. Just about all of my 6x6 exchange partners have received at least one GS from me.

I'm reading the different ways people do them, and I want to add mine to the list : I do not turn at the end of the round; I have one sc between groups on the sides; I do ch 3 at the corners; I sl st at the end of the round.

I don't think there are any rights or wrongs in granny squares - just do the same thing, the same pattern, for each round , and they should be just fine.

Rusty in CT the one with the dog

David, THANK YOU! I guess the pictures were just confusing me more than I needed to be. I followed your directions (chaining twice instead of three times) and I was finally able to make a respectable looking granny square.

I do know someone that crochets, but between our jobs and homes neither of us has the time for a sit down. I pick her brain though whenever we're at work together.

I wish I could explain the way things work in my head. It's like, I'll see things opposite of what they are, I mix up words when I'm speaking or reading, stuff like that. I have a clue of the problem, but have never been diagnosed, so I just adapt and live with it.

Anyway, thank you again. Your directions saved my sanity (but lost me my I hook, which I broke making my first granny square. Oh well, time to buy some aluminum hooks)

Gemini "- Are you new? If so, welcome to the newsgroup. If not, please ignore my blondeness! LOL "

I've been here before, when I was first learning knitting last year, but between work, and a period of time with no internet, I haven't been around in a long while, so I might as well be new. Thanks for the welcome :)

Mirjam,

And how many dc in each cluster? sorry, I posed a similar question in my previous post, "how do you crochet granny hexagons?"

thanks

David

For Hexagons i make 1 chain in corner for squares 2 chains .

mirjam

Great, congratulations! Are you pleased too?

Is there a crochet or yarn crafts club near you where you could meet someone who has a better schedule to fit with yours?

If you're interested in exploring and playing with how you use your internal images, you may find the Tips section on my mentor james Tolchard's website a helpful start,

. I can also recommend two excellent books for exploring and playing with your images, if you're interested.

Cheers,

David

I'm a little confused whether the following was Gemini or LibraryCat... I first joined a couple years ago or so, then was absent for a while, now back. Thanks for the welcome.

David