Hello, Sunshine!
A week and 2 days late on this one…This winter weather has thrown the Sunstar House into some serious chaos. The kids finally had their first full day of school for 2024 on Tuesday. They went back on January 4th! So, my schedule has revolved more around the littles than my business, but more about that next week.
Please, don’t misunderstand me. We have had plenty of fun, but cabin fever is a real thing! The kids and I had plenty of things to do each day. Most of them did not include blogging, pattern designing, or crocheting, however. I am getting back on track now. Well, I was until I had the Bug home sick yesterday. She is headed back to school today after some much needed rest and fluids. Today started with rising extra early. Thanks, brain! At least, I am able to use this time for something productive before the rest of the house begins to stir. It is still before 6 am. The body of this blog has been written, I have eaten breakfast, coffee is ready to be fresh brewed for Mr. Sunstar, and I am actually feeling like I accomplished something. WIN!
Now, on to the topic of the week: Granny Style!
I may have a yarn stash problem. I do not see it as a problem, but my available storage space says otherwise. The fact that I have a plethora of random single skeins says otherwise. The trunk of partial skeins says otherwise. To remedy this “problem,” I commenced Operation Granny Square!
What is Operation Granny Square? Well, my dear friend, I am creating an entire army of granny squares that I can use for any number of projects. Some that have already made the list include blankets, lined-bags, bucket hats, and other unique clothing items. I am anything but boring. Which means, in true ShinySunstar fashion, I am in the midst of crocheting a vast array of sizes, colors, and designs.
The versatility of granny squares makes these little beauties a staple in the crochet world. They have been around since 1891, and the first pattern was published in 1897 in Weldon’s Practical Needlework. By adjusting only the size, you can create anything from an adorable small coaster to a large cozy blanket. You can spice these designs up by changing yarn colors whenever your heart desires. I think my personal favorite way of changing colors in a granny square is by using variegated yarn. It ensures that none of my squares will be exactly the same. I like color and variety, if you had not already noticed.
Today, the term granny square seems to be an all encompassing term for crochet squares that are assembled to make something bigger. However, the original granny square initially only had clusters of two double crochet stitches worked into the chain spaces with a shell worked in the corner stitches. More often now, granny squares that resemble the over 100 year old pattern include three double crochet stitches into the clusters. With a quick Google or Pinterest search, you will find that there is an entire world of “granny squares” to be created. Some resemble the original, some start with circles, come have flower centers, and some have sun centers. I found one with a gummy bear design in the center of it!
Changing out the centers isn’t the only variation that I found in my time of working with granny squares. In 2016, I crocheted all 5 kids a blanket for their beds. I used a granny stripe pattern for one of them, and for two of them, I used a corner-to-corner style granny stripe. The second displays a diagonal stripe pattern. The last to I made crocheting the traditional corner-to-corner pattern, for those who were counting. Beyond the stripes, you can find granny triangles, pentagons, hexagons (cardigans, anyone?), and circles.
The granny square seems to have an everlasting presence in crochet due to its adaptability. I know that it will never leave my business or personal inventory. I love the simplicity of the pattern and versatility of its uses. I hope that you find as much enjoyment from these timeless squares, whether by using or creating them!
Sprinkle the World with Sparkle! -Kim
ShinySunstar Creations 