Book Review and Giveaway: Granny Squares by Gohr, Sturm, and Wilder
Every Tuesday during National Crochet Month 2013, I’ll be reviewing crochet books. Today’s post features a giveaway of my review copy of Granny Squares by Gohr, Sturm, and Wilder, courtesy of Trafalgar Square Books.
My regular readers know I have a soft spot in my heart for the granny square. When I first learned to read patterns, a little over 10 years ago, the granny was one of the first I learned and it was certainly the first pattern where I could claim mastery. To this day, I find great comfort and relaxation in following motif patterns.
Granny Squares: Over 25 Creative Ways to Crochet the Classic Pattern
The book opens with a short preface by Stephanie, Melanie, and Barbara. The first section, Focus on Granny Squares, contains 21 square motif patterns. (Actually, 23, but two are simple variations in colors.) Each pattern includes a pattern written with US crochet abbreviations and a chart in international stitch symbols. The square samples are mostly in vibrant colors, or in on-trend pastels like pink and grey. The layout seems to focus primarily on limiting the number of pages in this section. There is very little white space and as soon as a pattern finishes, the next one starts right up, often in the same column. I was comfortable with this but a reader with poor eyesight might have difficultly following some of the patterns. I would recommend that a newbie pattern reader use highlighter tape or cover up parts of the page that aren’t in use to avoid confusion.
The next chapter is Timeless Projects from Granny Squares, which includes instructions for making 26 projects from the motif patterns in the previous chapter. There are 17 home decor projects, 4 bags/cases, and 5 women’s accessories. Many of the project pages share tips on sizing. Unlike the previous section, each project has its own page or pages, as necesary. Besides a beautiful and bright picture of the finished project, the instructions for each project include a detailed materials list. As you might expect, the yarns used are German, but the description provides information about fiber content and put up so you can find a sutiable substitute.
The final section, Technical Information, includes a list of abbreviations (along with translation from US to UK abbreviations). This section also shares written instructions (and sometimes progress photos) of various techniques and stitches used in the book, such as beginning with a chain ring or magic ring, basic stitches (dc, hdc, tr, and relief double crochet), decreasing, and techniques for joining squares.
Overall, Granny Squares is an attractive book that would appeal to a granny newbie or advanced beginner crocheter that likes working with modular projects and color work. A granny square pro will probably want more patterns (or increasing complexity in designs) and a larger selection of tips and tricks. The inclusion of the stitch symbols makes this a great book if you are a visual learner or are learning to read stitch symbols. Although this would probably be considered a booklet (at only 80 pages), the hardcover binding makes it feel more substantial and durable. The book fits easily in my project bag, so I think it would be an ideal book for a crocheter who does a lot of work on the go. Overall, I would give this book 4 stars if you’ve been wanting to dive into granny squares. If you already have a sizeable collection of granny patterns, I would give the book 3 stars.
Giveaway
As I mentioned earlier, I’m hosting a giveaway for my review copy of Granny Squares: Over 25 Creative Ways to Crochet the Classic Pattern
This giveaway is open to all readers. Enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, March 24, 2013.
To enter:
Leave a comment telling me about granny squares. Are you a granny square newbie, pro, or somewhere in between? Do you like to make one large square or lots of little ones that you join together? Where do you find your granny inspiration?For additional entries, like Underground Crafter on Facebook, follow Underground Crafter on Twitter, join the Underground Crafter group on Ravelry, and/or share a link to this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. (And then, leave a comment here, on Facebook, on Twitter, or in the Ravelry group letting me know what you did!)One winner will be chosen at random.
Good luck!
am new at crochet
and if I can learn to do Granny squares it will help me complete a quilt that is currently only in my mind 
well did a few knitted squares 
but not exactly what I want….
I’m rediscovering my love of the GS. It’s been years since I did them, and now I’m obsessed!
I love making granny square projects! I guess I am an in-between expert! I have done lots of projects but most were basic granny’s. I actually love to work on squares during the warmer months and then see them together later! Granny’s are my go to project to use up my yarn stash!
I learned to crochet with the granny square. My grandmother taught me to crochet. For years all I made was large granny square afghans.
I’ve always joined smaller grannies together but I’m now toying with doing one large square to bust my stash of leftovers.
I’ve done a few simple granny squares, but love the one on the cover of this book! The one thing I am bad at is putting colors together; I usually use what I see in a book, picture, or something in person as a guide. I was never good at matching things, I always kept it to earthy tones that I knew went together! I do like granny squares though, impressive how much variety you can get in just one square!
The first thing I ever crocheted was a traditional granny sq., when I was 14, now at 53, I have found a new love for them. Mostly, they are great to travel with, you can take your grannies anywhere, my favorite is the scrap granny, I have made grans from squares, to hexs, huge large ones, and yo-yo smalls, but my biggest problem- is sewing them together. I do like the patchwork look, you dont have to be specific. But, sewing them together really is a killer for me. Just made a tradional one with the colors of sand and sea, with cream as the trim. WOW. It is really beautiful. Posted the colors on redheart fb page, but gave away the blanket. I do love hexs and sqs. thought. But sort of scared of patterns not written for american crochet. Like you site.
Your sand and sea afghan sounds beautiful, pam!
I’m still a newbie crocheter. I’ve made a few granny squares from written patterns, but have yet to do anything using stitch symbols. Sounds like this would be great book to expand my skills into reading stitch symbols.
I feel in love with granny squares with the afghan my granny crochet and kept on the back of her couch. It had different colors of roses in the center of the squares and the background was black. I thought it was the most beautiful blanket I ever saw. My granny passed away in 1967 when I was 10. I still can remember it.
To date I really only know how to crochet the most basic granny squares. I just made four of them yesterday to start making a case for my iPad. I love the boho/mid-century appeal of basic granny squares, but I would love to learn to make other, more delicate styles too.
I’ve been crocheting since I was a young teen and am now in my mid-40′s–I’d say that I’m advanced as far as crochet squares. Such a pretty book! Thanks for a chance at winning. I already “like” Underground Crafter on facebook, have followed Underground Crafter on Twitter, have joined the group on facebook and will (right after this past) share the giveaway on facebook. thanks!
Would LOVE to win this!
Thanks for the giveaway. As far a granny squares go, I’d say I’m intermediate to advanced. I haven’t really experimented with any fancy cable stitches or anything, but I can do all basic stitches.
I’ve been crocheting for a few years now, and made myself a basic scrap granny square blanket last year (small squares, all outlined in white). I love the end result. I’d love to learn to make other styles of squares too!
Until recently, I have always done the traditional gs and joined them. The latest one I did was a rectangular granny and the only joining was where I changed color or needed to switch to a new skein. It was fun, but I love the variety of colors in a smaller-square granny. My inspiration sometimes comes from the decor of the room I am making it for, but more often, if it is a gift I use the recipient’s favorite colors as my inspiration. Grannys are an art form that are finally coming back in style – it’s about time!
Hi,I have been planning to make a blanket for my daughter out of granny squares! I have been searching for free patterns online. I thought it was incredibly timely that you were previewing this book at the same time! I guess it was telling me that this blanket definatly was meant to be despite my apprehesion. It looks and sounds like a wonderful book. Please enter me into the drawing. Thank you!
One of the first projects I made was a granny square scarf. It is made in two shades of green. Very pretty.
I’m a granny square newbie. I have made a scarf from my Gran but apart from that I haven’t made any and would love to!
I’m a follower on facebook crochet addictuk
I’m a follower on twitter @crochetaddictuk
I’m a member of the ravelry group crochetaddictuk
I’ve been crocheting since I was 5, and the first thing I remember making after lonnnngg chains is grannies. My mom had to make the centers, and I would crochet the next rows. It was a big accomplishment when I advanced to making the centers! I’ve done basic pieced grannies, sunflower “quilt”, grannie sampler, among others. But none in years. I’m so glad they are back in style. My grandma can’t find the granny square book of my mother’s, so that did not get passed to me yet. I’ve been in to crocheting shawls lately, and want to do one with granny squares…..
Lisa (NewportMermaid on Ravelry)
I have never made an “official” granny square. I’ve made several afghan squares in various sizes – mainly to try new techniques, so I’ve never put them together into an afghan. Most of my inspiration has come from Ravelry – joining “block a month” forums or testing squares for others.
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