Crocheted Granny Squares

Let me introduce my new addiction to you.

It’s crocheted granny squares, everybody.

 
 

This is what I am talking about.

If you come somewhere these days and find about 20 squares like these lying around you will know I must have been there.

 
 

What I like about them?

They are colorful.

They are cheerful.

And they can be easily transformed into awesome things like coasters, rugs, or purses.

And in my world those things rule.

 

So far I’ve made a few coasters and plan to make a purse.

Actually, the purse is half-finished and I can’t wait to show it to you.

 

But until then, here’s a little picture tutorial showing how to make a very simple granny square.

You’ll need 4 different colors of yarn and a hook.

 
 

1. With first color, CH 4 and join to first ch with a SL ST to form a ring.

 
 

2. CH 3 (counts as first double crochet now and throughout), 2 DC in ring, CH 1,*3 DC, CH 1 in ring three times. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first ch 3.

Finish off.

 

3. With a second color (I am using blue here) join yarn with a SL ST (or any way you prefer) to any ch 1 space.

 
 

4. CH 3, 2 DC in ring below, 1 TC, 3 DC, CH 1 in same space. *3 DC, 1 TC in ring below, 3 DC, CH 1* in each chain 1 space around. Join with a SL ST to top of first ch 3.

Finish off.

 
 

5. With third color (I am using red here) join yarn with a SL ST to any tc stitch. CH 3, 2 DC, CH 1, 3 DC, CH 1) in same stitch [this is starting the corner of your square]. *Skip next 3 dc, in ch 1 space 3 DC, CH 1. 3 DC, CH1, 3 DC in next tc. CH 1.*

Repeat  *…* two more times.

Skip next 3 dc, in ch 1 space 3 DC, CH 1. Join with a SL ST to top of first ch 3.

Finish off.

 
 

6. With the first color join with a SL ST to any corner ch 1 space. In same space CH 3, 2 DC, 1 TC, 3 DC, CH 1.

 
 

*Skip next 3 dc, in ch 1 space 3 DC, CH 1 two times. In corner ch 1 space 3 DC, 1 TC, 3 DC, CH 1. Repeat from * two more times. Skip next 3 dc and crochet 3 DC, CH 1 in two next chain 1 spaces. Join with a SL ST to the top of first ch 3.

Finish off.

 
 

7. With fourth yarn (I am using black here) join with a SL ST to corner tc stitch. In same stitch CH 3, 2 DC, CH 1, 3 DC, CH 1.

 
 

*Skip next 3 dc set, 3 DC, CH 1 in ch 1 space; repeat two more times. 3 DC, CH 1, 3 DC, CH 1 in corner tc stitch. Repeat from * two more times.

Skip next 3 dc set, 3 DC, CH 1 in ch 1 space; repeat two more times. Join with a SL ST to the top of first ch 3.

Finish off.

 

And that’s it.

 
 

Here I’ve made a square using a slightly different color scheme.

Though I haven’t strayed too far from the previous one.

 
 

I am sure that once you create your first granny square you won’t be able to stop. Just like me.

It is such a relaxing and satisfying activity.

 

Bye for now, dear friends.

Next up – Granny Square Purse.

 

Love,

Petra
 

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The Cutest Teddy Bears Ever

Days like the one I’ve had today are both great and terrible.

Great because I’ve found the most amazing and cute creatures in the whole wide universe.

And terrible… because I’ve found the most amazing and cute creatures in the whole wide universe… and I need them right now… and don’t have them right now.

 
 

Please, meet Momo.

 
 

And Happy Pinu.

 
 

They are totally, completely, undoubtedly alive.

And so lovable.

 
 

Hello Bibu!

Aren’t you just adorable?

 
 

Hi Miku!

You are super, super, super cute.

 

These heart-melting babies are handmade and produced by the very talented Aintzi.

This amazingly crafty artist runs an Etsy shop called Knitting Dreams.

That place is astonishing.

 

What do you think, my friends?

Don’t you just love those guys?

 

I am seriously considering getting one of them into my life somehow.

Either I buy one, or I make one.

 

Hm, making one would definitely be a challenge, but so worth the effort.

But then, I really love to craft.

And I’ve happened to learn that the lovely fuzzy hair, the secret of those guys’ look, is made of mohair.

I am already thinking about where to get that… so I’m getting a slight clue where this all leads…

Will keep you posted!

 

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How to Make Simple Crochet Slippers

I am an addict.

An addict for crochet slippers.

 

It all began when I saw slippers similar to these on craftgawker.

I loved them so much I couldn’t get their tempting image out of my head.

All I needed was a pattern.

But because I am terribly, terribly impatient, I found creating my own pattern quicker than looking for an official one on the web.

And since I’m no crochet guru, the pattern turned out to be really simple.

Actually, these slippers might be the simplest slippers in the universe.

Or not.

But they might.

 

This is what I did…

 
 

Round 1: 5 ch (chain stitch);  join into ring with sl st (slip stitch)

 

Round 2: 3 ch;  7 dc (double crochet stitch) into the center of the ring;  join with sl st

 
 

Round 3: 3 ch;  1 dc into first stitch;  2 dc into each next stitch; join with sl st

 
 

Round 4: 3 ch;  1 dc into first stitch;  2 dc into each next stitch

 
 

Round 5 – 13: (continue crocheting in spiral);  1 dc into each dc

 
 

Row 14: turn (!);  3 ch;  1 dc into second stitch from hook;  make 20 dc (1 dc into each next dc)

 
 

Row 15 – 21: turn;  3 ch;  1 dc into second stitch from hook;  continue 20 dc (1 dc into each next dc)

 
 

Row 22: turn;  3 ch;  1 dc into first stitch from hook;  continue 21 dc (1 dc into each next dc);  another 1 dc into last stitch

 
 

Row 23 – 25: turn;  3 ch;  1 dc into second stitch from hook;  continue 22 dc (1 dc into each next dc)

 

Row 26: turn;  3 ch;  1 dc into first stitch from hook;  continue 23 dc (1 dc into each next dc); another 1 dc into last stitch

 

Row 27 – 28: turn;  3 ch;  1 dc into second stitch from hook;  continue 24 dc (1 dc into each next dc)

 
 

Finish off.

 
 

Fold the end in half and sew it together.

Make sure it’s turned like shown in the picture  – with the seam finally facing inward.

 
 

Done.

 

Now for the edging:

Tie a yarn of the same or different color to the edge of the slipper.

 
 

That will make our first ‘stitch’.

 
 

Make 2 chain stitches.

Then make 1 single crochet into the next bigger (as I call it) ‘hole’. (Sorry. I’ve warned you that I’m no guru of crochet.)

Then make 1 chain stitch.

 
 

Continue this pattern (1 single crochet stitch; 1 chain stitch) along the edge of your slipper.

Finally, make 1 slip stitch to join with the first stitch.

Finish off.

 
 

And this is it.

 

You can adorn these slippers with colorful buttons, flowers or even crochet swirls.

I really hope you’ll find as much passion in making them as I have.

(Psst…I am already making cute pink ones. Of course, I’ll show them to you as soon as they are finished.)

 

Enjoy, dear friends.

See you soon.

 

Love,

Petra

 

(Oh, one important thing! These slippers were made to fit my feet, which are size 40 – Europe / 6.5 – UK / 9 – US. To adjust the size of these slippers to your feet you may need to change the number of rounds between the round 5 and 13 and the number or rows between the row 15 – 21 of this post. AND… I always use bulky yarn to make my slippers.)

 

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Crochet Swirls (Tutorial)

This is a little crochet swirl.

You might have seen me using it in this project.

And since I gave you a pinky swear promising I’d show you how it’s done, here it is.
 

But before I start, I’d just like to let you know that I am no crochet guru. Not by a long shot. I am kind of a psychotic, hysterical, constant trial and error experiencing person who, despite that all, loves her yarns and her hook.

Which in short means that I really hope the following sentences make at least some sense.

 
 

Here’s what you need.

Two yarns of different color – the bulkier the yarn the bulkier the swirl.

You also need one hook that will work well with your yarns, a needle and a pair of scissors.

Let’s pretend that is not a hair cutting scissors.

Please.
 
 

The whole swirl has only four rows. This is the first one:

1. Row: 43 ch (ch = chain stitch).
 
 

2. Row: 1 dc (dc = double crochet stitch) into the fourth chain stitch from the hook, 1 dc into each remaining chain stitch.
 
 

3. Row: 3 ch, 1 dc into the first stitch from the hook, 1 dc in next stitch, 2 dc into next stitch, *1 dc in next stitch, 2 dc in following stitch*, repeat *…* till the end of the row.
 
 

4. Row: with a changed yarn color, 2 ch, 1 sc (sc = single crochet stitch) in the first stitch, 1 ch, *1 sc in next stitch, 1 ch*, repeat *…*.

Finish off.

 

You have just created a funny curly strip.
 

Now twist the strip into a nice shape.

Using a needle and some yarn, sew some stitches in the middle and along the edges only to fixate the whole swirl.

I made only three stitches and that was it.

 
 

I can imagine these on scarves, slippers, headbands or as a brooch even.
 

Hopefully, I didn’t break your brain.

Enjoy, dear friends!

 

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