I’m continuing Granny Square Month, a 30-day celebration of granny squares, with a review of a pattern booklet by Margaret Hubert along with an excerpted pattern, so read on for details!
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. A free review copy of Granny Square Flower Garden: Instructions for Blanket with Choice of 12 Squares was provided to me by The Quarto Group. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
Book Review
Granny Square Flower Garden: Instructions for Blanket with Choice of 12 Squares is a pattern booklet by Margaret Hubert. (I’m a long-time fan of Margaret’s work, so you can also read my interview with her with a review of The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting, see pictures of a class I took with Margaret, or read my review of The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet in this post: Must-Have Beginner Crochet Books.)
The booklet opens with Crochet Basics. General Techniques includes 6 pages of written instructions with process photos for basic crochet stitches, working in the back loop, and special stitches used in the patterns. Crochet Instructions is a 3-page section that provides helpful tips for reading patterns and understanding gauge, along with a key to U.S. crochet pattern abbreviations and a guide to international stitch symbols. The 3-page Granny Square Techniques section includes written instructions and process photos for different methods for starting granny squares (i.e., chain ring, slip knot, or adjustable loop), as well as a pattern for the traditional granny square.
The booklet moves onto the instructions for 12 floral granny square patterns. Each pattern includes a large, color “flat lay” photo of the square against a white background and pattern instructions with U.S. pattern abbreviations and an international stitch symbol chart. The squares are made with vibrant colors and the photos are vibrant. Each pattern is rated intermediate. However, a dedicated beginner with the patience to refer back to the Crochet Basics section frequently for the special stitches can likely complete these squares.
The booklet ends with a stylized, full page photo of a blanket made with the squares. It then includes instructions for making the blanket with a list of materials and supplies, a border pattern, an assembly diagram, and written instructions with process photos of the chain join.
Granny Square Flower Garden: Instructions for Blanket with Choice of 12 Squares is an affordably priced booklet with several tutorials, so it would be a great gift for a patient beginner crocheter, or for a crocheter that is a bit rusty and would like a skills review. The inclusion of both pattern abbreviation and stitch symbols should please crocheters who prefer written patterns and those who like symbol charts. (Note that the border pattern for the blanket is not charted.)
Most of the square patterns are lacy. Like most pattern booklets, your enjoyment will be increased if you are interested in making the specific patterns included in the booklet. All of the squares are shown on the front cover, but the completed throw is only visible on the back cover (which you can see when you use the “Look Inside” feature on the Amazon listing, here.) The booklet lays flat so you can crochet and read the pattern at the same time. Check out the pattern writing style with the excerpted pattern shown below.
Flower Garden Square X
Crochet Pattern by Margaret Hubert
Published in Granny Square Flower Garden: Instructions for Blanket with Choice of 12 Squares.
Pattern and Photo © 2012 Creative Publishing International, Inc., a member of Quayside Publishing Group. Shared with permission from The Quarto Group.
Skill level: Intermediate
Made with 3 colors: A, B, and C.
Double crochet 2 together (dc2tog): [Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, draw yarn through, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook] twice, yo, draw through 3 loops on hook.
- With A, ch 4, join with a sl st to form a ring.
- Rnd 1: With A, ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 15 dc in ring, join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (16 dc).
- Rnd 2: With A, ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (32 dc). Fasten off A.
- Rnd 3: With right side facing, working in front loops only of sts, join B in first st, *sc in next st, ch 3, dc2tog worked across next 2 dc, ch 3, sl st in next dc, rep from * around, join with a sl st in first sl st (8 petals).
- Rnd 4: With B, sl st in next sc, ch 1, *4 sc in next ch-3 sp, (1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc) in next dc2tog, 4 sc in next ch-3 sp, rep from * around, join with a sl st in first sc. Drop B to wrong side.
- Rnd 5: With right side facing, working in remaining back loops of sts in Rnd 2, join C in first dc in Rnd 2, ch 3 (half corner made), *1 dc in each of next 7 dc**, (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) in next dc (corner), rep from * twice, rep * to ** once, 1 dc in same st as beg ch-3, ch 1, hdc in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (completes corner).
- Rnd 6: With C, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp (half corner made), *1 dc in each of next 9 dc**, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-3 sp (corner), rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (completes corner). Drop C to wrong side. Pick up B and draw through loop on hook.
- Rnd 7: With B, ch 1, starting in same st, *sc in each of next 15 dc**, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in next ch-3 sp, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with a sl st in first sc. Fasten off B. Pick up C and draw through loop on hook.
- Rnd 8: With C, ch 1, starting in same st, 1 sc in each of next 17 sc, *(2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in next ch-2 sp (corner made)**, 1 sc in each of next 19 sc, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, join with a sl st in first sc. Fasten off C.
If you enjoyed this review and pattern excerpt, buy Granny Square Flower Garden: Instructions for Blanket with Choice of 12 Squares on Amazon!
Super pretty granny square! I have bookmarked this and hope to crochet it in the future.