The Grin and Bear It Granny Square It Bag
FINISHED DIMENSIONS: 19.5 x 14 x 2.75 inches (49.5 x 35.5 x 7 cm)
Supplies:
- One skein each of the cheapest, squeakiest acrylic yarn you can bear to be seen buying. To achieve grannirvana, combine colors with reckless abandon.
(We used Red Heart Super Saver in 0320 Cornmeal, 2335 Taupe, 2254 Persimmon, 0528 Medium Purple, and 0661 Frosty Green).
- Size H/8 (5.00 mm) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
Adornments (optional):
- Use pom-pom and tassel-making templates.
For extra points, recycle adornments from previously unloved knitwear.
- One large, VERY LARGE, button
Lining (optional):
- 2 yards (1.83 m) of lining fabric
- 3 large pieces of white plastic canvas
- Needle and thread
Stitches:
Ch: Chain Stitch
Sl: Slip Stitch
DC: Double Crochet
SC: Single Crochet
Granny Square:
We made two different color combinations. Feel free to mix it up as much as you want. Go overboard. It’s what granny would have wanted.
The colors work from the center out.
Square 1 color scheme is Purple (A), Brown (B), Yellow (C), then Orange (D).
Square 2 color scheme is Brown (A), Orange (B), Green (C), then Purple (D).
You will need to make 6 of each square for a total of 12 granny squares.
Row 1: With color A, ch 4. Sl in first ch to form a ring.
Row 2: Ch 3, 3 dc in ring, ch 4, (4 dc in ring, ch 4) x 3, sl
into top of ch 3 from beginning of round. Cut yarn and pull through loop.
Row 3: With color B, *4 dc in one of the ch 4 loops, ch 4, 4 dc in same ch 4 loop, ch 2* repeat from * to * in the remaining ch 4 loops from previous row. Sl into first dc. Cut yarn and pull through loop.
Row 4: With color C, *4 dc in one of the ch 4 loops, ch 4, 4 dc in same ch 4 loop, ch 2, 4 dc in next ch 2 space, ch 2* repeat from * to * around square. Sl into first dc. Cut yarn and pull through loop.
Row 5: With color D, *4 dc in one of the ch 4 loops, ch 4, 4 dc in same ch 4 loop, ch 2, (4 dc in next ch 2 space, ch 2) x 2* repeat from * to * around square. Sl into fi rst dc. Cut yarn and pull through loop.
Voilà, a finished square! After completing all 12, have a stiff drink and come to terms with the fact that you just crocheted a dozen granny squares.
Weave in ends.
Arrange and seam 4 rows of 3 squares each using the Crochet Seam technique below.
Alternate squares 1, 2, 1, then squares 2, 1, 2.
Crochet Seam:
Holding two pieces with the wrong sides facing each other, sc into rightmost stitch of both pieces at the same time. Repeat across entire edge to be seamed.
On all strips, work the following on both the top and bottom edges:
Sc across long edge with yellow yarn. 78 sc total (one stitch in every stitch).
Ch 1, turn, sc across long edge with same color.
Cut yarn, pull through loop.
Switch to brown yarn, sc across long edge with brown yarn. Cut yarn, pull through loop.
You now have 4 strips with rows of yellow and brown stripes along both long edges. It’s only a matter of time until you’re walking around town with this thing!
Use the Crochet Seam to attach two alternating strips along one of the long edges. Repeat with remaining two strips. The front and back are now complete!
Bottom (make 1):
With orange yarn, ch 79.
Sc in second ch from hook. Sc in every ch after that for a total of 78 sc.
(Ch 1, turn, sc in every sc) x 9 for a total of 10 rows of sc not counting original ch row.
Use the Crochet Seam to seam bottom between front and back along long edges.
Sides (make 2):
With yellow yarn, ch 65.
* Sc in second ch from loop, sc in all remaining ch for a total of 64 sc. Cut yarn, pull through loop.
Switch to brown yarn and work 2 rows of sc. Cut yarn pull through loop.*
Repeat * to * along other side of original ch 65 row.
Cut yarn and pull through loop.
Switch to yellow yarn, work 2 rows of sc on both brown stripes.
You should now have 10 total rows of sc,
5 stripes, alternating yellow and brown.
Use the Crochet Seam to seam sides to front back and bottom. It’s too late to turn back now. You may as well make the straps.
Straps (make 2):
Ch 76 (or preferred length) with yellow yarn.
Sc in second chain from hook and all remaining ch for a total of 75 sc.
Cut yarn, pull through loop.
Switch to brown yarn, sc in every sc.
Cut yarn, pull through loop.
Repeat with brown yarn on other side of original ch row.
Sew each strap into place so that it spans the width of the center granny square for sturdiness.
Weave in any ends.
Adornments (optional):
Make 1 large green and 2 small pom-poms.
Make 4 brown tassels with a yellow wrap.
Cut 9 strands of brown yarn about 20 inches (50.8 cm) long.
Divide into 3 groups of 3 and braid until a few inches from the end.
Separate into 3 groups of 3 strands and braid the remaining length.
Attach 1 pom-pom to each little braid.
Alternatively, go through your closet and snip every pom-pom, tassel, and dangly cord off everything you own and attach it to your brandnew eyesore
Lining:
Cut plastic canvas to the same dimensions as each front, back, side, and bottom pieces.
Cut 2 pieces of lining about 2 inches (5 cm) larger than each of the pieces.
Place a piece of lining, then the plastic canvas, then another piece of lining together. Pin and sew tightly against the edges of the plastic canvas on all sides. Repeat for all pieces.
Sew lining pieces together so that raw edges appear on the side that will be facing out. Trim raw edges so they won’t peek through to outside of bag.
Tack lining to inside of bag at bottom corners.
Sew top edge of lining to top of bag, along the yellow or brown stripes.
Now you’ve gone and done it. You have willfully and knowingly created your very own kitsch. Suppress that gag reflex-ignore that nagging urge to flee. Now go out there and show the world what you’ve got, Granny!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Am TRYING tp locate KnittyGritty promised instructions on how to Knit the Granny Square bag, and the kleenex holder , fair isle, (to my eye, “grannysquare-ish”
Please if you know how to do the ‘diy” website better than my luck. This was on direct tv Today, and diy should get it together!!
thank you and happy holidays!