Susanna Zacke - Fun with Yarn and Fabric: More Than 50 Easy and Fun Projects to Sew, Crochet by Susanna Zacke, Sania Hedengren, Magnus Selander

We just keep on crocheting, so this is what well start with. The granny square is still our favorite, and it crops up in many of the projects in this book. A new acquaintance is the crocheted flower known as the African flower; we fell in love with it straight away. Its so much fun to crochet flowers and squares that its really hard to stopalmost impossible. Try it and youll see! So crochet for yourself, your home, your car...

Well start off by explaining how to crochet a granny square, as so much in this book is based around this popular square. These directions will be the basis for any project that features one or more granny square. Using a thin yarn and a thin crochet hook to crochet the square works just as well as using thick yarn with a thick hook.

The granny square is a brilliant concept. In the olden days it was a way to utilize yarn remnants, and the color combinations are essentially limitless. According to your preference and need, you can also vary the size of the squares. You can make one huge square or a number of small ones depending on what youre planning on using them for.

Follow our instructions and learn how to make a granny square. You wont be disappointed!

A. Work 5 chain stitches using a size 8/H hook. We used Molly as our yarn.

B. Make a closed ring by making a slip stitch in the first chain stitch.

C. Make 2 half double crochets into the circle, make 2 chain stitches and 2 half double crochets, 2 chain stitches, and repeat twice more. Attach the chain stitch with a slip stitch and cut the yarn. You should now be left with a square of chain stitches that makes a corner.

D. Switch to another color and make 2 half double crochets in one corner, make 2 chain stitches and 2 half double crochets in the same corner. To move to the next corner make 1 chain stitch. Make 2 half double crochets, 2 chain stitches, 2 half double crochets, and then 1 chain stitch to take you to the next corner. Continue in this fashion for the next 2 corners and end with a chain stitch. Attach with a slip stitch and cut the yarn.

E. Change color and crochet the next row in the same fashion. Make 2 half double crochets in one corner, make 2 chain stitches, and 2 half double crochets in the same corner. Make 1 chain stitch and then crochet 2 half double crochets in the next hole. Make 1 chain stitch. You are now in the next corner. Make 1 chain stitch and then 2 half double crochets, 2 chain stitches, and 2 half double crochets.

F. Continue for the whole round and finish off with a chain stitch. Attach with a slip stitch. If you want a larger square, continue making more rounds in the same manner.

For aesthetic reasons, we always crotchet the last round of each of the squares in the same color.

Place the squares flat and sew together using overcast stitching.