Vintage Granny Squares Book Review with Crochet Beach Bag Pattern

I’m sharing a book review of a collection of retro granny square project patterns, along with a crochet beach bag pattern (available through June 8, 2026). As part of the Third Edition of Granny Square Month, you can also enter for your chance to win my review copy!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. GMC Publications provided me with a free review copy of Vintage Granny Squares: 20 Crochet Projects with a Retro Vibe by Emma Varnam (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon). 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.

This post is part of the Third Edition of Granny Square Month, a 30-day celebration of crochet motifs, granny stripes, and granny stitches. To follow along with Granny Square Month:

  • Sign up for Crochet Along updates and the Underground Crafter newsletter to get regular updates, including an email as each post goes live. When you sign up, you’ll also get access to my subscriber vault which includes exclusive free PDF patterns, a coupon code for your choice of any crochet or knitting pattern or ebook from my Ravelry shop, and coupon codes from other indie designers and crafts businesses.

Book Review: Vintage Granny Squares

Vintage Granny Squares: 20 Crochet Projects with a Retro Vibe by Emma Varnam (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is a collection of retro-inspired granny square project patterns. Long-time readers of my blog know that I’m a fan of Emma’s work, and I have previously reviewed several of her books including:

Vintage Granny Squares opens with an introduction from Emma where she shares her love of vintage crochet and how a beautiful project can both distract and sooth you. The book continues with a visual gallery featuring all 20 projects with large photographs. The Getting Started section begins with What You’ll Need, which provides information on crochet hooks, yarn, and tapestry and beading needles, as well as a crochet hook size conversion chart. In Crochet Techniques, you’ll find written and illustrated instructions for holding your hook and your yarn; making a slip knot; basic crochet stitches in UK terms (chain, slip stitch, double crochet, half treble, treble crochet, and double treble); working in rows and spirals; starting with a joined ring or a magic ring; increasing; decreasing with dc2tog; crocheting in the back loop; making a classic granny square; and raised treble front and back stitches (also known as post stitches in the US); as well as information about the differences between US and UK pattern abbreviations and yarn weights, a UK pattern abbreviation glossary, and tips for crocheting into chain spaces. Finishing Touches shares written and illustrated instructions for seaming with the whipstitch, slip stitch, or double crochet; weaving in ends; and using a pom pom maker; and written tips for counting stitches and rows, managing ends, blocking, and making tassels.

The next section is The Projects. Each pattern opens with an introduction, several full-page photos of the project or its details, and the written pattern. Each pattern includes the finished size; a list of yarns (including brand and colors), hook, and other notions used; the tension (gauge); and detailed written instructions using UK crochet abbreviations. All patterns start with the basic square used in that project. There is a good variety of projects including 3 bags, a basket, 6 blankets, bunting and a garland, a cushion, a hat, mittens, a potholder, a scarf, a shrug and a top, and a tea cozy. Most of the projects (12 in total) are made with light (#3/double knitting/DK) weight yarn, but there are also 4 patterns made with medium (#4/worsted/aran) weight yarn, 3 patterns made with fine (#2/sport/4ply) weight yarns, and one project made with bulky (#5/chunky) weight yarn. The book ends with resources for buying yarns, acknowledgements from the author, and an index.

Vintage Granny Squares: 20 Crochet Projects with a Retro Vibe by Emma Varnam (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is a vibrant collection of colorful motif projects starting with granny squares. As Emma notes in the introduction, you can use the same colors she does or get creative, working through stash yarn or upcycling yarn from older projects. The book has plenty of pictures — including those with the home decor projects “in action” within the home — to inspire you. The patterns use basic crochet skills and are accessible to newer crocheters with basic skills, or enjoyable for more experienced crocheters looking for either mindless or mindful projects requiring less focus. The book is a paperback but includes front and back flaps, so it’s easy to keep your place while crocheting. If you love crochet motifs but are looking for something different to make, or if you love the cozy vibe of retro crochet, this may be the book for you! Don’t forget to stop by the main Granny Square Month blog post by July 6, 2025 to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Vintage Granny Squares: 20 Crochet Projects with a Retro Vibe by Emma Varnam (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon)! Read on for an excerpted crochet beach bag pattern from the book.

Beach Bag

Crochet Beach Bag Pattern by Emma Varnam

Reprinted from Vintage Granny Squares: 20 Crochet Projects with a Retro Vibe by Emma Varnam with permission from GMC Publications Ltd. Text © Emma Varnam 2024. Copyright in the Work © GMC Publications Ltd 2024.

Notes from Underground Crafter

  • This pattern uses standard UK crochet pattern abbreviations. You can find a master list, along with differences between US and UK pattern terminology, here.
  • You can find a video tutorial for a slip stitch join below.
  • If you can’t see the video for seaming with the slip stitch above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • A helpful video tutorial for the UK dc3tog/US sc3tog decrease is available below.
  • If you can’t see the decrease video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • Fiber Flux has a helpful video tutorial for identifying the back loop in crochet here.

This fun-looking bag has all the joyful appeal of boho chic. Surprisingly spacious, it is ideal to store your towel and costume on a trip to the beach.

Finished size

  • 14in (36cm) wide and 14in (36cm) long, including handles

You will need

  • Stylecraft Naturals Organic DK (available at LoveCrafts | Wool Warehouse UK), 100% cotton (115yd/105m per 50g ball):
  • 1 x 7179 Flamingo (A)
  • 1 x 7170 Poppy (B)
  • 1 x 7181 Carrot (C)
  • 1 x 7175 Citronelle (D)
  • 1 x 7191 Jade (E)
  • 1 x 7198 Azure (F)
  • 1 x 7185 Amethyst (G)
  • 4mm (UK8:USG/6) crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle

Tension

  • This is not essential but each square is approximately 6 x 6in (15 x 15cm) using a 4mm hook.

Basic square

  • Round 1: Using 4mm hook and A, ch 4 sts, join with a sl st to form a ring.
  • Round 2: Ch 3 (this counts as the first tr), 11 tr into ring, sl st into 3rd ch at the beg of round (12 sts). Fasten off.
  • Round 3: Attach yarn B between any two treble sts, 3 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into same sp, *2 tr between next 2 sts; rep from * to end, join with a sl st into 3rd of 3 ch. Fasten off.
  • Round 4: Attach yarn C in sp between any 2 tr groups, 3 ch (counts as the first tr), 2 tr into same sp, *3 tr between next 2 tr groups; rep from * to end, join with a sl st into 3rd of 3 ch. Fasten off.
  • Round 5: Attach yarn D in between any 3 tr groups, 3 ch (counts as the first tr), (2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr) into sp, *1 ch (3 htr, 1 ch in sp between next two 3 tr groups) twice, (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr) between next two 3 tr groups; rep from * twice, 1 ch (3 htr, 1 ch in sp between next two 3 tr groups) twice, join with a sl st into 3rd of 3 ch.
  • Round 6: Change to E, attach yarn to any 3 ch sp, (3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sps, *(3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sps; rep from * twice more, sl st in 3 ch (20 tr clusters).
  • Round 7: Change to F, attach yarn to any 3 ch sp, (3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 4 ch sps, *(3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 4 ch sps; rep from * twice more, sl st in 3 ch (24 tr clusters).
  • Fasten off and weave in ends.
  • Round 8: Sl st across to corner chain sp, 1 ch, (2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc) into sp, 1 dc into each st and 1 dc into every 1 ch, (2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc) into every 3 ch sp, sl st into 1 ch at beg of round (108 sts).
  • Complete eight squares using a combination of different colours.

Joining the squares

  • Weave in ends and block each of your squares. Using the diagram below as a guide, join the squares together using yarn A, by placing a sl st in the back loop of each st in each square.
  • In the diagram you join the edges of the squares together so that points meet where the letter is the same; sew the edges together where colours match.

Top side edging

  • Round 1: Using 4mm hook and E, attach yarn to a top corner of a square at the edge of the bag with a sl st: this is shown as * on the diagram. (3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in ch sp, miss 3 sts, 3 tr in next ch sp, 1 ch, *(miss 3 sts, 3 tr, 1 ch) 4 times, miss 5 sts, 1 dtr in corner of base square, miss 5 sts, 3 tr in next ch sp, 1 ch, (miss 3 sts, 3 tr, 1 ch) 4 times, miss 3 sts, (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in corner ch sp; rep from * around, sl st into top of 3 ch. Fasten off.
  • Round 2: Join next colour into corner ch sp, (3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in ch sp, *(miss 3 tr group, 3 tr in ch sp, 1 ch) 5 times, miss 3 tr group, 1 dtr in dtr, (miss 3 tr group, 3 tr in ch sp, 1 ch) 5 times, miss 3 tr group, (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in corner ch sp, rep from * around, sl st into top of 3 ch.
  • Rep round 2, 3 more times, using different colours.
  • Round 6: Attach yarn to top 3 ch sp, 1 ch, *(1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc) in ch sp, 22 dc, dc3tog (working over last st, dtr, and next st), 22 dc; rep from * 3 times, do not fasten off but work in continuous spirals until 5 rounds have been completed. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Bag handle (make 2)

  • The handles are worked with RS facing at all times. Do not turn the work but start each new row to the right of the crochet and work through the back loop only.
  • Row 1: With RS facing and using 4mm hook and A, ch 41 sts. Do not turn.
  • Rows 2–6: Change yarn, 1 ch, 1 dc tbl at base of ch, 1 dc tbl to end. Fasten off (40 sts).
  • Row 7: Change to yarn A, sl st in each st to end. Fasten off and weave in ends.
  • You can create extra strength to your handles by sewing spare ribbon to the underside of the handles.

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