I'm getting really excited by the prospect of crocheting my first granny square blanket. (Sad, but I don't get out much). I've sorted out a bag of Aran wool and am going to make a start as soon as I have finished a couple of current projects.
One thing I have learned about crochet is that it is less of an exact art than knitting. Crochet is more adaptable and forgiving than knitting. For decades I have followed knitting patterns and ended up with the expected result. I've been looking at granny square patterns and the corners seem to vary from 2 to 3 chain stitches. On forums, however, some crocheters say they chain only 1 stitch and some say they chain zero stitches. No wonder I am confused!!!!
I would really love to hear what you lovely crocheters do. Please vote in the poll which can be found at the top of my right hand sidebar. Please vote according to what YOU normally do.
If you would like to leave a comment at the end of this blog to explain why you chain 0,1,2, or 3 stitches, that would be great as well.
The poll is open until March 24th by which time I will probably be reaching for my hook. I will publish the poll results on March 25th.
I chain 2 at corners and non in between groups, BUT it's a personal thing, it has to do with tension. If I do 1 and 3, it ends up being too loose and kind of stretchy. If you crochet very tightly, you may need to use chains in between and 3 or even more in the corners. give each combination a go and see how square they are afterwards.
ReplyDeletep.s., I voted 2 but it's read it as 3?
ReplyDeleteThanks for voting. I tested it by voting 2 and it showed up correctly. I think it will let you change your vote. But don't worry. I just want a rough idea of what people do.
DeleteI voted "2"! I think more than that looks too loose. I also don't put chains between my side clusters.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense. I don't want this blanket to be too loose.
DeleteIt totally depends on your tension Una, and just to confuse things my tension varies, I would normally chain two for corners, but the huge blanket I'm making right now, I'm only making a 1 chain, but that's joining as you go. You will know yourself when you get started, there is no rule just do what you think looks best. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's useful, because this will be a big blanket and I want it to be fairly solid.
DeleteI don't crochet, but have fun with it.
ReplyDeleteHi Una, no vote from as I have never made a granny square in my life ... I'm sure I will one day, but that day has not arrived for me yet lol. I think Linda's comment is about right, crochet is more about looking and adjusting to what you feel looks right as regards turning chains xx
ReplyDeleteI never wanted to make a granny square until I recently had to add some rows to small squares to fit them into a blanket. It became addictive once I got the hang of it.
DeleteI do 2. I simply thin chain 2 makes good /distinct corners. Granny squares are really fun to make. can't wait to your project...:)
ReplyDeleteAll the best!!
I can't wait to get started, but I really must finish a couple of projects first. I don't sleep well if I have too many unfinished projects!
DeleteHey Una! I hope you have fun with your blanket. I LOVE doing granny squares, mostly because they work up so quickly.
ReplyDeleteOn my squares I normally chain 2 on the corners. But like most have said it has a lot to do with tension. My most common stitches are double crochet and half-double crochet so chain 2 (for me) works perfectly. But if I do a single or Treble crochet then chain 1 is better. And I rarely chain between the clusters, only when I do a Single crochet square. I'd say the best way too see what suits YOU and your tension best is to work up a square of each option and see which one you like the best. :D it will also give you a little more practice and then you won't have any doubt about if the other ways might have looked better.
Good luck with your progress!
I'm glad I asked this question because I hadn't even thought about not chaining between the clusters!
DeleteI chain 2 :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. it seems like most people agree with you.
DeleteI am primarily a knitter but recent completed a shawl like item for my daughter that had arms. I made the same observation - crochet is forgiving, and not as precise. In fact one of my friends who is a crocheter and helped me with the project said to thing of the instructions as "guidelines." And even following the guidelines to the letter - doesn't always produce exactly the same project as the picture. I finished the project but I discovered that I am happy with instructions over guidelines. So I am more of a knitter than a crocheter. I like things to turn out like the picture. :-) BUT for blankets and lace work you cannot beat crochet! It produces a lovely fabric.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with the granny square blanket. I may make a crochet blanket at some point as well.
I think vrochet is much quicker for blankets and scarves. But I think I prefer knitting if I am making something where the fit is crucial.
DeleteHermoso!
ReplyDeleteI hardly ever make granny squares, but I think 2 is a good choice. As somebody above has said, try a few squares different ways and see what works best for you. Chaining 1 and 3 will give you a very open square, and chaining 0 or 1 and 2 will give you a slightly denser square.
ReplyDeleteCrochet is MUCH more forgiving than knitting - which is why I crochet so much! :)
I'm coming around to the idea of making some sample squares. I originally intended to plough straight into the blanket. But more haste less speed....
DeleteGreat that you are trying a granny blanket...just a warning: it might be addictive ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do 2ch in the corner...but I suggest you try, because it depends on how tight or loose you crochet.
Oh..... interesting. I didn't realize that what I do is different from most other people. I chain 2 after each cluster of 3 or 4 stitches and I chain 3 stitches at each corner.
ReplyDeleteMy aran weight granny blanket grew really fast Una. I really hope you enjoy making yours.
Even planning it is enjoyable. I know I will love making it.
DeleteI voted "1" but honestly I don't remember -- the last time I made a granny square blanket was several years ago, and I don't recall the pattern. I'd just whatever the pattern indicated, and it may well be true that patterns vary on that point. It also depends on how "open" you want the corners to look. I'd guess I'd want enough to make the square lie flat. Two might work better. I think 3 is too many.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm going to try with 1 and 2. I'm not keen on big open corners especially as I will be using Aran wool for this blanket.
Delete