The Granny Square Project - Part IV

Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful;
they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.

- Luther Burbank, American Botanist 1849-1926

Granny Flowers growing free in the wild!!

Is it a Granny Square or Motif?

A simple question. Yet for some reason I have struggled with understanding the difference. Since I've been working on making granny squares with flowers in them it seemed like it was time to find the answer. The internet offered me page after page of patterns for squares, hexagons, circles, flowers, leaves and more. It showed me options for Irish crochet and Japanese crochet. I was catching on, but still needed more. I left the computer behind and hit the books.  My old reliable dictionary told me a motif is a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper (or a crocheted fabric!). The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches finally brought it all together for me.  A granny square is a type or style of motif. A flower is a motif. A flower in a square is a granny square motif!! All granny squares are motifs, but not all motifs are granny squares.  Motifs can be used on their own, as embellishments or appliques, or joined together to create a fabric. The planets have aligned and the angels are signing. I understand!!

Now that I'm comfortable with the correct terminology, lets take a look at what's been going on here at Crochet Nirvana and The Granny Square Project.  So far I have journeyed back in time for a little history. I have experimented with the traditional pattern, and I have expanded my knowledge of basic color theory.  For this installment I decided to explore some of the ways to create flowers.

Blooming in Color

Petite Flower

Variation Adrienne Square

Flower Garden Square XII

Granny squares are incredibly versatile.  Because they are worked in the round they easily  lend themselves to creating images that resemble flowers.  In a solid color the design is subdued, but clearly visible. When you start adding color, they jump right out at you.  I love that you can use bold and vivid colors as effectively as those that represent what the flower "really" looks like.  When I first started on this segment I was trying to use the colors in the pattern, but quickly realized that it was more fun to mix and match from the stash.  There were surprises along the way.  Like teal and orange - they're complimentary on the wheel but to me  it just seemed wrong, until I tried it!

All of the squares are made with Herrschner's Worsted Acrylic and my trusty H hook.  The patterns are all from The Granny Square Book which is proving to be a reliable and rich resource for me.  I like that they all have a chart to compliment the written instructions.  Using both has helped build my confidence in working from a diagram, something I've shied away from.  The only shortcoming I've found is that there are no dimensions on any of the squares.  I realize that hook and yarn size make a difference, but it would be nice to know based on the materials that were used.  As it turns out I have many different sized grannies.  I was hoping to make a sampler blanket with them, but that seems unlikely.  Unless any of you have a suggestion.  Please don't be shy - tips and pattern ideas are always welcome!!

Three Dimensional Flowers Add Texture to the Garden

Square VI

Square III

Square V

Square VII

This bunch of flowers were interesting and educational.  I was surprised by how easy it is to create three dimensional designs.  For the most part, you use basic stitches like sc, dc, tr and chains.  Working them into "clusters" or "groups" produces petals that are puffy, pointy or loopy!  In Square VII the unique petals are created by wrapping the yarn over the hook 10 times and pulling through a loop to make the bullion stitch.  I was intimidated  at first, but I persevered. It was awesome to watch the flowers bloom!

I've found that I can crochet all kinds of things when I take my time.  If I over think, or try to anticipate what's next I mess up.  Sometimes the instructions are confusing and don't make sense.  When that happens I don't let it stop me from trying.  I remind myself to have faith and only work one stitch at a time.  Usually that does the trick and as the stitches come together the pattern becomes clear.

What's in a name?
That which we call a rose would by any other name smell as sweet.

- William Shakespear, Romeo and Juliet

Irish Rose

Rose of Sharon

Picot Rose

Roses have been in existence for 32 million years, and have been used for many reasons throughout history.  In Victorian times the language of flowers (floriography), was a means of communication using various flowers and floral arrangements  to send coded messages.  This allowed people to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken. They were most commonly communicated through "Tussie-mussies"'  or small, round bouquets of herbs and flowers with ­symbolic meanings.

In crochet, roses are perhaps the most popular flower motif.  And like their organic namesake there are numerous varieties available.  We don't think of them as having the same kind of meaning, but giving a gift of a blanket covered in blossoms would  surely show your love and affection for the recipient!

Picot, Irish and Sharon - My 3 Roses

I chose these three patterns because they each utilize a different technique.  I think the Irish Rose looks the most realistic.  I was frustrated with my inability to make the square straight.  I'm certain that I followed the pattern exactly (stitches were counted repeatedly!), but it just doesn't seem right.  I imagine with a different fiber and blocking the situation could be rectified, but there must be another solution.  I've had this happen with other squares.  Does anyone know why? I'd love to be hear your tricks for making squares square.  The Rose of Sharon was a snap to make.  I didn't realize I was such a fan of the popcorn stitch, but it turns out I am! This would make an excellent pot holder/hot plate if done in wool or something that doesn't melt!  The Picot Rose is John's favorite. Not because it looks like a rose (it doesn't!) but  because of the colors. This one was also a treat to make.  The long corner stitches were a mistake, but if I didn't tell you I bet you wouldn't have known!!

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Sowing the Seed of Inspiration

For the past two weeks I have been happily stitching away growing a wonderful garden of granny square flowers.  With every one that I finished I felt the satisfaction of creating a piece of crochet art.  As I was selecting colors I tried to examine all my options, and use new combinations.  Some I loved and others not so much, but I was willing to take chances regardless of the result. I moved outside my comfort zone.

This installment has had a tremendously positive impact on my stitching skills.  I understand more about how they work individually and when you group them together.  Crochet (and I imagine knitting) is a craft driven by math. We count stitches, elements are worked in multiples, even the way pattens are written resembles an algebraic equation. And when you think about it all motifs are geometric in design.  Math like this makes sense to me.  It's orderly.

With my improved understanding and confidence I have been inspired to try something new.  I'm going to design my own granny square flower.  Until this week I was completely content to let someone else tell me what to do. But this is different.  Not only can I see what I want to make, but I know what to do (I think!) to make it happen. I'm so excited!  I can't wait to get started - and to share the whole thing with you next time!!

The Granny Square Project is a series chronicling my exploration into the world of granny squares that I'm doing as a member of the Come Blog-A-Long group on Ravelry.   We’re all working on different things as part of A Year of Projects and come together once a week to share our stories.  Please stop by to learn more about YoP and to see what everyone has been up to.

If you’re interested in reading the other installment in the series I’ve placed buttons on my sidebar for easy browsing.



Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a stroll through Granny's garden with me. I'm having a fantastic time with this and I hope you are too!  In addition to sharing with my friends at YoP I'll be linking up with these other wonderful bloggers.  Be sure to stop by to see some amazing talent!

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Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Do you have a suggestion for what I can do with all my different sized squares?  What about a tip on how to make an unruly square - square? or Maybe you have a hint for a first time motif designer?! 
Don't be shy! I love hearing from you!