If you know how to crochet then you likely know how to make a granny square. (If you don’t here’s a tutorial on how to make a granny square.)
I’ve made small squares, medium-sized squares and a large granny square. However, I’ve always had a problem when making a large granny square; the square would end up, well, less than square. Once the square would get to, say bigger than ten rows, it would lean to one side, look crooked and just generally displeasing to this crocheter’s eye. But hurrah! I’ve figured out how to overcome this worrisome predicament.
And I’m pleased to say it’s a pretty simple solution. I’m sure I’m not the first to work it out but that’s no reason not to do a happy dance. I tried the technique on The Hodge Podge blanket. All it took was turning the blanket after each row. Instead of crocheting round and round, I crocheted a round, flipped the blanket over and started another row. You can see below where the “seam” is in the blanket, where I’ve turned it over after each row. Of course if you are making each row in one colour you won’t see the seam. I’m not worried about it on The Hodge Podge, because well, the whole point of The Hodge Podge is not to worry!
There’s an added benefit to turning after each row. There is no “front” or “back” to the blanket.
A lovely, lovely, straight granny square. Made with a pretty whack assortment of colours. Today’s message from Life Lessons Katie Learnt from Crochet – sometimes you have to turn something upside down to find the solution. And I thought it was just crochet!
I love your giant granny squares, they are so colourful. And that is a great tip too – I recently made a granny square with large squares and found the same problem – maybe I’ll try it this way next time!
Thanks!
Happy to help!
~K
Hi,
So glad To find out I’m not the only one who noticed the square became off kilter after 7 or 8 rows. I just couldn’t continue with an unsquare square but I do just love the afghan it’s so colorful. I do have a question tho — when you say “turn or flip” do you mean like turning the piece as I would if I were doing a plain old dc afghan from the front to the back? I had called Lion Brand because I bought the pattern from them and they advised me to start each new color row in a different corner of the Granny Square — didn’t work. Anxious to start once again. Thanks for your time.
Hi Gladys,
Yes, I turn the blanket over and start the new row, just like if you were doing straight rows. I do also try to start the new row in a random spot each time so the “join” isn’t in the same place for every row.
Good luck!
~K