I’m sharing a book review of a pattern collection highlighting the granny stitch, along with an extracted crochet mittens pattern. 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. David and Charles provided me with a free review copy of Modern Granny Stitch Crochet: Make Clothes and Accessories Using the Granny Stitch by Claudine Powley (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.
- Chat with other crocheters in the Underground Crafters Facebook group or the Underground Crafter Ravelry group.
- Tag your Granny Square Month projects with #grannysquaremonth on social media. Tag me on Bluesky as @UndergroundCrafter, Facebook as @Underground Crafter, or Instagram as @ucrafter.
- Enter the giveaway HERE by July 6, 2025 for your chance to win one of eight fabulous prizes from David & Charles, GMC Publications, Krause Publications, Landauer Publishing, and Quarto.
Book Review: Modern Granny Stitch Crochet
Modern Granny Stitch Crochet: Make Clothes and Accessories Using the Granny Stitch by Claudine Powley (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is a crochet pattern collection focused on the popular granny stitch — without incorporating it into a square or other motif. In Welcome, Claudine shares that the granny stitch is quick and easy and explains that the book takes a “fresh approach” to color combinations and shapes to create a more modern look for this classic stitch pattern.
In Tools & Materials, Claudine explores hooks and notions, discusses yarn and substitutions, and provides crochet hook size and yarn weight conversion charts. Granny Stitch Techniques provides an overview of UK and US pattern abbreviations (include a key to translating terms), tips for reading patterns and understanding international stitch symbol charts, measuring and adjusting tension (gauge), and instructions for crocheting the granny stitch flat in rows. Taking It Further explores additional aspects of the granny stitch, including shaping for neck and armhole pieces, adding rib, adjusting garment length, and changing colors with written instructions and photos.
Projects is the chapter which includes patterns. Patterns are arranged by season, with 3 each for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each pattern includes an introduction, a list of materials (including yarn, hook, and notions), pattern notes (including the yarn weight, the tension/gauge, and tips for checking tension), a full page photo of the project worn by a model and multiple smaller photos of the project and its details, a schematic, charts indicating the amount of yarn used for different sizes as well as measurements for each size, and written instructions using UK pattern abbreviations. Most patterns also include international stitch symbol charts for the main stitch pattern, for shaping, or for other details. Ten patterns use light (#3/DK/double knitting) weight yarn and 2 patterns use super fine (#1/fingering/sock/4ply) weight yarn. Inside this section, you will find the following project types:
- 3 short sleeve or sleeveless tops,
- 3 jumpers (pullovers),
- 1 vest,
- 1 cardigan,
- 1 cowl,
- 1 scarf,
- 1 set of mittens, and
- 1 beanie.
The garment patterns are available in 8 sizes from XS through 4XL, while the mittens and beanie patterns are available in 3 sizes. The cowl and scarf patterns are available in 1 size. Colors are showcased using stripes, ripples/chevrons, patchwork, and triangles.
The next section is Crochet Techniques, which provides written and illustrated instructions for basic stitches (chain, slip stitch, double crochet, half treble crochet, and treble crochet), foundation double crochet, decreases (treble crochet 2 together and double crochet 2 together), and how to crochet into the back or front loop only. Finishing Techniques includes a written explanation of blocking, written and illustrated tips for seaming with the mattress stitch and sewing garments together. The book closes with an About the Author section, acknowledgements, a list of suppliers, a note that all projects were made using metric measurements with imperial conversions provided to the nearest 1/8 or 1/4 inch, and an index.
Modern Granny Stitch Crochet: Make Clothes and Accessories Using the Granny Stitch by Claudine Powley (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is written for someone who loves the granny stitch but doesn’t want to make squares or join lots of motifs together. It is also suitable for adventurous crochet beginners who would like to make simple bt stylish garments. The book is well designed with lots of color and many photographs. Because the book is a paperback, it is challenging to read and crochet at the same time. If you’ve yet to venture into make garments and love the granny stitch, 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 Modern Granny Stitch Crochet by Claudine Powley (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon)! Read on for an excerpted crochet mittens pattern from the book.
Colour Pop Mittens
Crochet Mittens Pattern by Claudine Powley
Reprinted from Modern Granny Stitch Crochet: Make Clothes and Accessories Using the Granny Stitch by Claudine Powley (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon) with permission from David and Charles. Text and Designs © Claudine Powley 2023. Layout and Photography © David and Charles, Ltd 2023.
Notes from Underground Crafter
- This pattern uses standard UK crochet pattern abbreviations. You can find a complete list here, along with a key to the differences between US and UK pattern abbreviations.
- A helpful video tutorial for the UK tr2tog/US dc2tog decrease is available below.
- If you can’t see the video tutorial for the UK tr2tog/US dc2tog decrease above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
- A helpful video tutorial for the UK dc2tog/US sc2tog decrease is available below.
- If you can’t see the UK dc2tog/US sc2tog decrease video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
Colour Pop Mittens
Made with the softest Merino yarn, these fun granny stripe mittens feature bright pops of colour and will keep your hands snug and stylish all winter long.
You Will Need
- Hook: 4mm (G/6)
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Yarn: Scheepjes Merino Soft. 50% Superwash Merino wool, 25% Microfibre, 25% Acrylic, 50g (1¾oz) = 105m (115yd), in the following shades:
- Yarn A: Ansingh 643
- Yarn B: Munch 620
- Yarn C: Matisse 635
- Yarn D: Raphael 602
Pattern Notes
- Yarn weight: DK
- Tension: 5 x 3tr groups and 11 rows = 10cm (4in)
Yardage and Sizing
Sizing Chart
| S | M | L | |
| Hand circumference | 18.5-20cm (7.25–8in) | 20.5-22cm (8.125– 8.75in) | 22.5-24cm (8.875–9.5in) |
| Mitten circumference | 20cm (8in) | 22cm (8.75in) | 24cm (9.5in) |
| Mitten length | 23cm (9in) | 24cm (9.5in) | 25cm (9.875in) |
Yarn Quantities
| S | M | L | |
| Yarn A | 80g (3oz)/168m (183.75yd) | 90g (3.254oz)/189m (206.5yd) | 106g (3.75oz)/223m (243.875yd) |
| Yarn B | 12g (0.375oz)/25m (27.375yd) | 12g (0.375oz)/25m (27.375yd) | 14g (0.5oz)/30m (33yd) |
| Yarn C | 12g (0.375oz)/25m (27.375yd) | 12g (0.375oz)/25m (27.375yd) | 14g (0.5oz)/30m (33yd) |
| Yarn D | 12g (0.375oz)/25m (27.375yd) | 12g (0.375oz)/25m (27.375yd) | 14g (0.5oz)/30m (33yd) |
Ribbed Cuff
- Using yarn A, 24 (26, 28) ch.
- R1: 1dc in second ch from hook (1 missed ch does not count as stitch) and in each ch to end. Turn. 23 (25, 27) sts.
- R2: 1ch (does not count as st) 1dc blo in each st to end. Turn. 23 (25, 27) sts. Your cuff should measure 10 (11, 12)cm (4 [4.375, 4.75]in) wide. If it does not, then reduce/increase the amount of sts to get the correct width.
- Rep R2 until you have 40 (44, 48) rows. Bring both ends of your cuff together and line up. Sl st through both sides all the way up the width of the cuff to create a seam.
Main Mitten Body
- Set up round 1: With the seam facing out, 1ch and work 30 (33, 36) dc evenly around the top of your cuff. To do this evenly, work 3dc across the top of every 4 rows, join to top of first dc with a sl st. Do not turn.
- Set up round 2: 2ch, miss 1 st, [1dc in each of next 2 sts, 1ch, miss next st] 9 (10, 11) times, 1 dc in each of the last 2 sts, sl st into st below 2ch sp at start of previous row, do not turn.
- In the next round, you are going to work your groups of 3tr over the 1ch sp and into the top of the dc from set up round 1.
- R1: 3ch, 2tr in top of dc in row below current row, [miss 2 sts, 3tr in top of dc from row below current row] 9 (10, 11) times. Join to top of 3ch with a sl st, turn. 10 (11, 12) 3tr groups.
- R2: 3ch, 2tr in same sp, 3tr in each sp to end, join to top of 3ch with a sl st, turn.
- R3: Attach yarn B in sp joined with a sl st, 3ch, 2tr in same sp, 3tr in each sp to end, join to top of 3ch with a sl st, turn.
- R4: Rep R2
- R5 and R6: Using yarn A, rep R2.
Start Thumbhole
- R7: Attach yarn C in sp joined with a sl st, 3ch, 1tr in same sp, 3tr in next 9 (10, 11) sps, 2tr in same sp as 3ch and 1tr, do not join, turn.
- R8: 3ch, 3tr in next 10 (11, 12) sps, 1tr in top of 3ch, do not join, turn.
- R9: Using yarn A, 3ch, 1tr in same sp, 3tr in next 9 (10, 11) sps, 1tr in last sp, 1tr in top of 3ch, do not join, turn.
- R10: 3ch, 3tr in next 10 (11, 12) sps, 1tr in top of 3ch, do not join, turn.
- R11 and R12: Rep R9 and R10 using yarn D. At the end of R12, join to top of 3ch with a sl st, turn.
- R13: Attach yarn A in sp between last 1tr and 3tr group, 2ch, 1tr in same sp, (counts as tr2tog), 3tr in next 9 (10, 11) sps, tr2tog in last sp, join to top of first tr2tog with a sl st, turn.
- R14: Sl st into next sp, 3ch, 2tr in same sp, 3tr in next 9 (10, 11) sps, join to top of 3ch with a sl st, turn.
- Rep R14. 1 (2, 3) times. 15 (16, 17) rows.
Decrease Section
- Note: Try to work a little bit tighter from this point on, to bring your treble groups together.
- R1: 3ch, 2tr in same sp, 3tr in next sp, (1tr, tr2tog) in next sp, [3tr in next 2 sps, (1tr, tr2tog) in next sp] 2 (2, 3) times. Size M only: 3tr in next sp. Sizes S and M only: (1tr, tr2tog) in next sp, join to top of 3ch with a sl st, turn.
- R2: 3ch, 2tr in same sp, [(1tr, t2tog) in next sp, 3tr in next sp] 4 (4, 5) times, (1tr, tr2tog) in next sp. Size M only: (1tr, tr2tog) in last sp, join to top of 3ch with a sl st, turn.
- R3: 3ch, 2tr in same sp, [(1tr, t2tog) in next 2 sps, 3tr in next sp)] 3 times: Sizes M and (L) only: (1tr, tr2tog) in last 1 (2) sps, join to top of 3ch with a sl st, turn.
- R4: 3ch, tr2tog in same sp, (1tr, t2tog) in each sp to end, join to top of 3ch with a sl st, turn.
- R5: 2ch (counts as first htr), 1htr in same sp, 2htr in each sp to end, join to top of 2ch with a sl st, turn. 20 (22, 24) sts.
- R6: [dc2tog across next 2 sts] 10 (11, 12) times, join to top of first dc with a sl st. 10 (11, 12) sts.
- R7: [dc2tog across next 2 sts] 5 (5, 6) times: Size M only: 1dc in last st, join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn. 3 sts.
- Cut yarn leaving 15cm (6in) remaining. Thread the end through a yarn needle, weave in and out though the top of the last round of sts and pull tight to gather the top. Knot yarn through the last st to secure.
Thumb
- R1: Attach yarn A to base of thumbhole between two 2tr groups. 1ch, work 24 dc around thumbhole. To do this evenly, work 2 dc per row. Join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn. 24 sts.
- R2: 1ch, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 10 sts] 2 times, join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn. 22 sts.
- R3: 1ch, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 9 sts] 2 times, join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn. 20 sts.
- R4: 1ch, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 18 sts, join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn. 19 sts.
- R5: 1ch, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 17 sts, join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn. 18 sts.
- R6: 1ch, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 16 sts, join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn. 17 sts.
- R7: 1ch, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 15 sts, join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn. 16 sts.
- R8: 1ch, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 14 sts, join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn. 15 sts.
- R9: 1ch, 1dc in each of next 15 sts, join to top of first dc with a sl st, turn.
- R10: Rep R9 once more. Further rows can be added here if needed.
- R11: 1ch, dc2tog across next 14 sts, join to top of first dc with a sl st. 7 sts.
- Cut yarn leaving 15cm (6in) remaining. Thread the end through a yarn needle, weave in and out though the top of the last round of sts and pull tight to gather the top. Knot yarn through the last st to secure. Weave in all ends. Make the second mitten in the same way.
