Perfect Granny Square Crochet Pattern

Learn how to create a seam free, single sided Crochet Granny square for perfect results every time.

The humble Granny Square is the crochet staple of Nanna's everywhere, which is how it came to be known as a 'Granny Square'. Originally it was just called a crochet square.

The Granny Square is often the very first thing we are taught when learning to crochet, so it would follow that it would be simple to have a perfect square every time and those new to crochet often get discouraged when this is not the case.

However, to get a perfect square actually requires a bit of experience, good fundamentals and advanced row starting techniques, otherwise you are left with seams, the reverse side of stitches showing every second row or even a slight spiral effect.

This granny square is made without turning your work and has a right and a wrong side.
1

Pleating Froufy

cartridge pleats

Last year my Big Froufy Gown was such a last minute rush I was sewing on the morning of the fair. The skirt waistband was the dodgiest last minute fix. I just stitched ribbon on and relied on the bodice to cover it.

super dodgy last minute make it wearable NOW fix

This year the skirt is getting a proper waist band and cartridge pleats. It's also getting the over-skirt which means more pleats. The front is left flat and the pleats are denser at the back then at the sides. 

cartridge pleats pinned in place

To bustle the skirt I'd cut some lengths of cotton tape, laid the skirt on the table inside out and pinned a length of tape along each of the side back seams about 3 minutes before putting the skirt on. I didn't have time to see if the positioning and spacing was going to work or not.

safety pins to the rescue

In the car park at the fair I realised the hem was off the ground so I took the bottom row of pins out and hopped I didn't flash anyone. 

Now that the waist band is on I will be able to revisit the tapes to achieve a more pleasing arrangement.

if using safety pins to bustle a gown only pin on seam allowances

I wont' be making any changes to the hem or decorations. I did want to swap the pocket out but I don't think I'm going to have time to do so.

when not bustled this gown has a small train

I've got lots more in store for you however you may have to wait just a little longer. I'm behind schedule and there's only 3 days left to the Guildford Heritage Festival.

Comments

  1. PurpleSlob InRecovery1 April 2016 at 06:00

    Wow, so much work!! Just to wear at the fair??
    Cartridge pleats??
    Is the last picture the train of the gown?
    Gorgeous! Can't wait to hear all about it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle1 April 2016 at 07:04

      So much work - just to test the pattern and use up some of the synthetic fabrics in my stash - wearing it at the fair is a bonus. Cartridge pleats are an old fashioned method of pleating https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleat#Cartridge_pleats. Yes, that last pic is the train.

      Delete
  2. Jenny Evans7 April 2016 at 01:19

    Holy cow! I can't tell up and down in these pictures but somehow you're making it look great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle7 April 2016 at 10:27

      It's such a big skirt I don't really have the space to fit the whole thing into a shot, I'll have to see if I can do something about that.

      Delete

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