how to satisfy the granny square addiction

OK so you love that Cath Kidston blanket and you notice that everyone is madly crocheting granny squares to make their own versions. You can't move around in cyberspce without being hit by 'grannies' from all angles. You want to make one too but you know that you'll go mad if you have to crochet a hundred of those damn little squares. So what's a girl to do?

Well, that's what I was thinking until this morning when I remembered that I'd seen a neat little idea in a Japanese craft book aeons ago for granny square pincushions. OK, so a pincushion won't cover me and keep me warm but crocheting a couple of these today has satisfied my urge to a) jump on the bandwagon and b) to be able to say to my grandchildren that I too made some granny sqaures that time round in 2007 when they came back into fashion!

So if you feel like me and want to just crochet a few squares go ahead and then come back to see what to do next.

Firstly, you need to decide what the actual pincushion bit is going to be made of. I chose - no guesses here - blanket. Measure your granny square and then cut out two pieces of blanket the same size:

Put 'em together and sew up the sides with blanket stitch leaving a gap for the filling. I stuffed mine with sheeps wool - then you need to sew up the hole:

Pin your granny on the top - ouch sorry gran:

and sew it to the sides of the pincushion:

and it's done:

I made another one with a contrasting base - boy am I adventurous:

I took photos of them out on the patio and the hen was eying me suspiciously:

 

Well, if this hasn't satisfied your urge to crochet granny squares try this - granny squares potholders and if you still want to make some more you'd better go out and buy lots of wool and start on that blanket. But I've warned you.................

Comments

[Simone]

Hi Simmy! I am so impatient that your idea of a granny pincushion would satisfy my need to create something and be in vogue without having to do the whole blanket thing! I love your hen. What breed is she? I have two hybrids - Peppercorn and Rolo!

[Evelyn Lum]

Love those pincushions. You always have such good ideas! ... and I love those flowers you crocheted too.

[Evelyn Lum]

Oh, I wanted to tell you about this 'Krazy Daisy' site on Ebay. She has lots of beautiful crochet items. I go to her for ideas ... oops!

[Celaine]

awesome idea! cause i know those grannies would drive me nuts and then i'd have another UFO hidden in a box somewhere!

[Bitter Betty]

Hellloooo Simmy!
Thanks for the visit this morning.. Glad i made you laugh with my goofing around. You made me laugh too with your friendly crochet warnings! Maybe I will crochet when I get done with my modeling career.
hehehe.

[Marie]

What a lovely idea for a pin cushion! I'm going to have to make one myself! Love the hen! I would so love to have my own hens here...but I think the Mrs. up at the big house would not like it at all!

[Natalie]

Good morning. I came here by way of Turkey Feathers. I was contentedly enjoying all your crafty goodness and then I scrolled down to your lovely hen... well, it just made me all fluttery and melancholy. I had a pretty hen just like yours and I miss her terribly. I will have to come back and peek around in hopes of catching a glimpse of yours. Thank you.

[Alex]

Oh, there is another stage in between the pincushions and the blanket: The apron!
To get over with the granny squares without the danger of getting lost in a huge blanket project I made a granny apron last year. Not such an instant cure as a pincushion or potholder but still a quick way to satisfy one's granny addiction.
Ah, and I crocheted a few rippled rows, too, feels so good to be through with it ;-)
Lovely pincushions!

[Eva]

Lovely pincusions! I love the granny square as a way to experiment with color and fiber, but I will NEVER make an entire blanket again - not even a baby granny square afghan. Bleh.

A pillow might be possible...

[Stephanie S]

Thank you, SO cute! I'm sharing on my blog today =)