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Modular crocheting, better known as the granny square
technique, is as popular as ever these days. In fact, the granny
square pattern has been around for so many years – probably since
pioneer
times in the 1800’s - and yet it’s never gone out of style. It’s
a classic. At this web site, we prefer to call this type of
crochet - “PATCHWORK CROCHET”.
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Triangular motif design from
the illustrated eBooklet:
Granny Square and Beyond
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Diagonal stripe design from
Granny Square and Beyond
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Crocheting many components in one specific pattern and then
sewing them all together to form a larger piece of fabric – like
an afghan – is a very practical method of crochet.
The squares are so portable and the project can be worked on
anywhere. There’s no need to carry around the entire project,
just a hook and enough yarn to make a square or two at a time.
Plus, it’s just easier to learn one particular crochet pattern
and keep repeating it, as many times as needed.
From the design point of view, multiple components sewn together
into one larger piece almost always results in a beautiful,
very striking overall pattern for the finished product, as
can be seen from all the crocheted patchwork patterns shown
on this page.
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Color choice is key in creating an exciting patchwork crochet
finished project. While bright colors are most often used in this type of
modular crocheting, any of the motif patterns can very effectively be crocheted
in shades of neutral
colors - to achieve a much more elegant, eclectic look that blends well with
sofas and other furnishing colors popular today. It's also possible to
crochet the very same motifs in much finer yarn – like sport-weight or baby
yarn - and of course baby colors, to create beautiful and unusual
baby gifts.
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Above and below is the same motif as on the right,
but using different color combinations. Depending on
color used, any patchwork pattern can be made to look
"baby", "country" or even "urban chic".
For instance,
try crocheting this pattern in shades of beige and grey -
you'd get a sophisticated look.
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This pattern appeared on cover
of the book - "Illustrated Patchwork Crochet"
Grandmother's Flower Garden motif
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The square referred to as “ the traditional granny square” is
made up of “rounds” , each of these crochet rounds is usually done in a
different color yarn. In fact, there is a very simple crochet stitch
pattern used in this traditional granny square, made up of
3-stitch units. However, nowadays when we refer to the “granny
square technique”, we also mean a great assortment of other
square-motif patterns, some having flowers in the middle,
some with very intricate multi-dimensional stitches, like the
“popcorn”, the “cluster” and the “puff” stitch. Some motifs are
not square at all, but triangular, rectangular, hexagonal,
octagonal, or round. Strips can also be considered Patchwork Crochet.
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Above: Starting from left - this is the "Classic Granny Square",
the square that started it all.
The center and right patterns are two different kinds of
floral motifs.
To access the patterns above see the following pages:
Granny Square and Beyond
and Medley of Grannies
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There is a great variety of these motif crochet patterns in existence
today, and many books and Internet sites offer instructions.
This particular site – PatchworkCrochet.com - contains
a wealth of motif patterns too. But what makes this site so different
is that it offers step by step “how-to”
illustrations, showing visually how the stitches are done.
Every single crochet pattern on this web site is fully
illustrated, row by row, and also written in plain English.
Most other
crochet instructions are written in traditional abbreviated format.
Often words alone cannot properly describe complicated
crochet concepts. So many crocheters get
frustrated following traditional crochet instructions
and give up on the craft.
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This web
site’s aim is to enable new and experienced crocheters to
learn and grow in the craft of crochet, through visual instruction.
Unlike visual instructional videos, illustrated patterns
can be printed and carried along with the project.
Beginners visiting this site can learn basic
motif patterns, and advanced crocheters can be challenged
with more complex techniques and stitches....And
EVERYTHING is FULLY ILLUSTRATED, like the stitch diagram on the
right!
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See the special $9.99 offer for 140 pages of illustrated
crochet reference patterns.
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Go back to site's Home Page
See collection of fully illustrated crochet patterns
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