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The Granny Square Project - Part I

8/6/2012

34 Comments

 

Born of Necessity, Raised to an Icon

The Granny Square.  For many of us the name elicits memories of colorful afghans and outrageous fashions that helped define the 70s. But who is she and where did she come from?  To understand we need to take a look at the history of crochet to find where granny fits in.

A Crochet Timeline

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Early Centuries: Man creates handwork for practical purposes using materials like strands of woven fiber, cords or strips of cloth. Hunters and fishermen make knotted fishnets, openwork cooking utensils, knotted game bags and animal traps. Handwork is expanded to include decorations for ceremonial costumes, religious rites, celebrations, marriages and funerals.

1500s:  European royalty and the wealthy lavish themselves in lace made with a needle and/or bobbin.

Some believe that in Italy Nuns are doing a form of crochet called “nun’s work” or “nun’s lace” making textiles for the church.

1700s:   It is accepted by many that crochet developed from a type of Chinese needlework; an ancient form of embroidery that reached Europe in the 1700s and became known as Tambour. By the end of the 1700s Tambour evolves into what the French call “crochet in the air”.  (“Croche” is Middle French for hook).

Early 1800s:         Crochet becomes “the poor man’s lace” and experiences a surge in popularity thanks to Mlle. Riego de la Branchardiere who turns old style needle and bobbin patterns into crochet patterns. In 1824 the first pattern is published and Mlle. de la Branchardiere joins in publishing many pattern books making them available to legions of women. One of her books, Knitting, Crochet and Netting with 12 Illustrations originally published in 1846 is available today as a free e-book, as is The Ladies Work-Book.

1845-1850:          Irish workers (men, women and children) are organized into crochet cooperatives during the potato famine making fine lace for the wealthy.  They rely on the earnings to survive and emigrate from Ireland.

1845-1859:          Two million Irish immigrate to America (four million by 1890) bringing with them their vast experience with crochet.  American women who are already adept at spinning, weaving, knitting and quilting add crochet to their repertoire.

1897:     A pattern called “Patchwork Square” is printed in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, published by The Weldon Company of London. The description indicates that it is good way to use up scrap and leftover bits of yarn which can then be sewn together into an afghan, rug or baby blanket.  A look at the picture shows what we know today as the Traditional Granny Square!!

It is my belief that creative women were already making grannies, but this has come to be accepted (by many) as the first time we see the pattern in print.

Up to this time we see many patterns for lace accents, lamp mats and shades, doilies, antimacassars and even bird cage covers! But, crochet is changing, and it’s no longer just the poor man’s lace. As we enter the 1900s – 1930 we see women crocheting afghans, slumber rugs, travel rugs, sleigh rugs, tea cozies and water bottle covers, as well as the now standard dishcloths and potholders. In The Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet (also available as a free e-book), originally published in 1918 you'll find a well rounded selection of these patterns.

Following the stock market crash in 1929 and the resulting economic depression, resources and goods are limited and women are forced to find new and creative ways to meet the needs of their families. Old and worn sweaters are ripped apart and the yarn is steamed for reuse. Every bit of fiber is saved, and it is here that we see the matriarch (Granny) leading the way and turning the otherwise useless bit and scraps into squares to be stitched together making blankets and other necessary items for her family.  We don’t know who coined the name Granny Square, but we do know that what was once made out of necessity is made today because of its timeless versatility and style.

Granny becomes an Icon?

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The granny square has come so far that you can find them in the Smithsonian Museum, in the afghan that graced the back of the couch on the sit-com Rosanne (1988 – 1997). They can even be found in high fashion making their way down the catwalks as designers Henry Holland and Christopher Kane made them the focal point of their collections last year.

I venture to say that the granny square is an iconic symbol of crochet.  Most everyone (of a certain age) had a granny square afghan, or knew a family member or friend who did.  Ask anyone what crochet is and I bet they’ll think of a granny square – even if they don’t know what it’s called. I once had a knitter friend tell me that until she met me and saw all the things I made, when she thought of crochet she only thought of the granny square!

When I asked for your help in choosing my next project I had no idea what I was getting into! As I started looking at patterns I realized how diverse and plentiful they are. However, the history of crochet and in turn the granny is vague at best.  Through interviews, books and reputable websites I’ve created this timeline.  I’ve done my best to present accurate, factual information. Any mistakes or misinterpretations are mine.


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I hope that you enjoyed Part I of The Granny Square Project. A series that I'm working on as part of A Year of Projects over on Ravelry.


Now that I’ve taken a look at where granny comes from, I’m ready to see what she’s made of.  From the traditional pattern to the mulitlayered, the bobbled to the hexagon. Whatever stitch combinations you can imagine, someone has made it into a granny square! Please join me next week for Part II. Who knows what I’ll discover next!

Thanks for stopping by friends! Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Did you have a granny afghan on your couch? How about a vest or poncho? Was there a granny maker in your life? Do you know who gave granny her name or about her origin?  Please share your story with us in the comment section.

34 Comments
Mutant Supermodel link
8/6/2012 07:30:53 am

Leave it to a librarian to put together such a fantastic history! This is marvelous!

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Jayne
1/26/2019 03:35:05 pm

My grandmother made each one of my sisters and I a granny square vest in the 70's. They were beautifully made. We thought we were hot stuff back then and wore them with pride. We still have them and wouldn't part with them for the world. My mother keeps them in her cedar chest.

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Minding my Own Stitches link
8/6/2012 08:06:25 am

When I was preteen the big thing was giant granny square vests - exactly like these (http://thingsbright.com/in-which-a-crochet-granny-square-can-do-anything/granny-square-couple/) ... oooh the 70s!

The history of craft is always fascinating. When the Bata Shoe museum opened in Toronto I couldn't entirely see the point - but now that I've been I have to say it's amazing and quite engaging.

Very interesting post! Thanks!

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Robin link
8/6/2012 12:49:29 pm

My vest was red, white and blue in honor of the bicentennial, and I loved it. (We were very patriotic in 1976!)
My appreciation for history has increased the older I get. Do you think that means something??

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DeliaKnits link
8/6/2012 10:02:38 am

My Gram made us all blankets when we were kids. Then when we got married she would make us a new one to fit our full sized bed. Sadly she passed before I got married so I never got my "Granny Afgan" However, the Christmas I got engaged my Great Grandma to be gave me one! Boy did I cry. I never fully apprechiated all my Grams hard work, not until I learned to knit. Thank you for your history lesson!

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Robin link
8/6/2012 12:57:46 pm

How wonderful! I'm sure you'll always cherish it. Like my appreciation for history, my appreciation for the skill and energy anything handmade requires has multiplied over the years. Thanks for sharing!

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Marie/Underground Crafter link
8/7/2012 12:55:51 am

What a great history. I actually do have a scrappy blanket using a motif pattern (not the "original granny square") on my couch. Although my grandmother was an avid crocheter, and taught me to crochet, grannies weren't her thing. She was much more into garments and bears, so I don't have any handed down granny blanket.

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Sue link
8/7/2012 03:45:32 am

Thanks for the history lesson, always good to learn something everyday. I have just signed up for a beginner crochet class but not till Nov, but at least I've made that commitment. I so want to make a granny square

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Robin link
8/7/2012 03:19:25 pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. I'm having so much fun learning all these great bits of trivia and sharing them with you all.

I hope that your class is everything you want it to be. I bet you'll pick it up in no time. And you can wow them with your granny knowledge!!

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Pumpkin link
8/7/2012 08:02:20 am

Bravo, excellent introduction! I definitely learned something new and really made me want to try and make granny squares again even though I have failed so many times before.

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MegWesley link
8/7/2012 08:22:32 am

That is really interesting. My mom has a few granny-square blankets floating around the house. I have good memories of those because they were what I cuddled up with when I was sick. Or if I was playing a game, we would use them for tents or flying carpets. Those granny squares still look pretty new too even though they have been around for a good long time.

I am also making a blanket that will also be interspersed with mitered squares.

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Robin link
8/7/2012 03:22:44 pm

What terrific memories. I remember the blanket forts on rainy days! I never thought of flying carpets too bad, I bet you had fun.

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Kate link
8/7/2012 09:25:21 am

Interesting read, thank you! I'm writing this sprawled on a granny blanket made by my mum when I was very small. For something that's pushing 50 it's in surprisingly good shape :)

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Gossycrafts link
8/7/2012 11:51:40 am

Loved this entry! I had no idea crochet's ancestor was Chinese embroidery.

Here's a link to picture of a granny square lap blanket my grandma and I made together out of scraps from her stash a couple years ago.

http://xf8.xanga.com/54ae531645537282938977/w225585175.jpg

She taught me to crochet 9 years ago, but had never learned how to do granny squares until we made this blanket together. Grandma hadn't crocheted in the round before, so she found the centers too confusing to wrap her mind around. I made all the centers and she did the second, third and fourth rows on about a third of the squares pictured. She then stitched them all together because I had to go back to school before we finished. It was a lot of fun and gave me inspiration to work on another granny blanket out of the odds and ends of her stash.

I'm nearly finished with all the squares! (photo: http://x03.xanga.com/677e127117633282340974/w225053881.jpg)

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Robin link
8/7/2012 03:27:33 pm

How special that you were able to make a blanket together. Thanks for sending pics. I think the classic black back ground always looks good. Now you have to put them all together!

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Cathy link
8/7/2012 12:05:57 pm

When I was a baby my granny made me a granny square blanket. When I was 5 it disappeared and I was heart broken...a few years later it mysteriously returned - bigger :-D Almost 30 years after it was made, I still have it and plan to keep it that way <3

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Robin link
8/7/2012 03:29:41 pm

You must have been so surprised when it came back bigger (just like you!) How cool that you still have it today, I'm sure you'll always treasure it.

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GrammaJill link
8/7/2012 12:59:21 pm

For the beginning of the granny square story you showed a pink and white square. Could you please tell me what the name of the color pink that was used. Thanks

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Robin link
8/7/2012 03:13:48 pm

Sure thing. It's Peaches & Cream cotton in "Bright Pink" Colour # 01740. It's brilliant and I think looks sharp against the white. I just picked it up a few weeks ago so you should be able to find it. Good luck.

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Emma link
8/11/2012 10:52:02 am

That was a really interesting post, I had no idea where crochet came from so I learnt a lot there!

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Alanna link
8/19/2012 05:21:14 am

I have a wonderful shawl made of 3 large granny squares & I love it! And grannies make wonderful blankets & snuggies for Project Linus, my favorite charity. Working on one right now.

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Robin link
8/19/2012 10:49:48 am

I think a granny shawl sounds awesome! I'm a huge fan of wraps of all kinds. I've been thinking about a granny scarf, but a shawl, now there's an idea!!

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Cathy link
8/20/2012 12:04:16 am

Wow! I had no idea that crochet was possibly originated from China, now that makes sense why I took to it so easily ;) ... Congratulations on the wonderful research and thanks for sharing!

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Sara @ My Merry Messy Life link
9/19/2012 08:08:32 am

Wow, Robin, you really did your research! Very nice and an interesting read. Thanks for sharing at Hookin On Hump Day!

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goose grass link
1/1/2013 06:48:16 am

I really enjoyed reading the timeline. It's bizarre though that no one seems to know the words origin. Thank you for sharing the Granny Square Project! Happy New Year - Goose Grass.

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goose grass link
1/1/2013 07:24:37 am

PS: I copied the link to your timeline on my blog - hope that's okay.

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Mcdonalds gutscheine link
2/2/2013 03:25:42 am

Wow, Robin, you really did your research! Very nice and an interesting read. Thanks for sharing at Hookin On Hump Day!

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StoneMaven
3/24/2013 01:26:47 pm

FYI, the granny square afghan from the couch on the Rosanne show now graces the back of the sofa in Amy Farrah Fowler's apartment on Big Bang Theory!

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Robin link
3/25/2013 02:18:42 am

That's so cool! Thank you StoneMaven for sharing that bit of trivia with us!

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Sarah
12/12/2013 11:02:16 am

It's actually not the same afghan. Roseanne's is a more random pattern of 5-round squares and Amy's is made of 4-round squares. I thought the same thing at first and had to look it up and compare the two blankets.

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mlm software link
7/5/2013 07:52:10 pm

Wow! This wonderful collection make me really amazing. This will impress everyone both youngster and old.

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9/5/2013 07:49:41 pm

Found your site from another blog and wanted to see where I could find more info

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9/12/2013 02:57:08 am

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Elise link
4/5/2019 03:45:24 pm

I am in the process of researching the history of the granny square for an upcoming blog post I'm writing. I hope it will be ok to cite your article as a reference! You have created the most comprehensive and readable resource on the topic that I have found! Thanks so very much for sharing your knowledge!

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