Granny Square Vs. Granny Alternative

 I think most if not all of us know what a granny square looks like.  Here is a 4 round pattern for the granny square.

ch 4.  join with a sl st in the first ch.

rd 1: ch 3 (this counts as a dc now and throughout) 2 dc in the ch 4 ring, ch 1, * 3 dc in ring, ch 1.  Rep from * 2 more times.  Join with a sl st in the top of the ch 3.

rd 2:  ch 3, 2 dc in the ch 1 sp, * 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch 1 sp (corner formed).  Rep 2 more times.  In the first ch 1 sp, work 3 dc, ch 1 and join in the top of the ch 3 with a sl st.

rd 3: ch 3, 2 dc in the ch 1 sp, 3 dc, ch 1 in the next ch 1 sp, * 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1 in next dc.  Rep from * around.  Finish the first corner as rd 2.

rd 4:  ch 3, 2 dc in the ch 1 sp, (3 dc, ch 1) in next 2 ch 1 sps, * 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1 in next ch 1 sp,  (3 dc, ch 1) in the next 2 ch 1 sps.  Rep from * around.  Finish the first corner.

Now let's analyze this.  The square increases on each side by 3 dc and a ch stitch on each round.  This keeps it square.  IF you find that the corners start to twist, it can be corrected in the short term by turning every other round.  In the long term, practice. practice, and more practice and some experimentation with the number of chains between each segment of 3 dc and in each corner.

Now the granny alternative.  This also makes a square but you will quickly see how it differs.

ch 4, join with a sl st in the first ch.

rd 1: ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 1, * 3 dc in ring, ch 1.  Rep * twice more and join in the top of the ch 3.

rd 2:  ch 1, sc in the ch 1 sp.  * ch 3, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, sc in the same ch 1 sp ch 3.  Rep * twice more.  End with ch 3, sc in first ch 1 sp, ch 3 join with sl st in top of first sc.

Rd 3: sl st into the ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in the same ch 3 loop, ch 1, * 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 3 loop (corner formed in the corner loop) ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch 3 loop, ch 1.  Rep from * three times more.  End with a corner in the last ch 3 loop, ch 1.  sl st in the top of the ch 3.

rd 4:  ch 1, sc in ch 1 sp, ch 3.  sc in ch 1 sp of prev rd, ch 3.  Make a corner loop in the corner.  

rd 5:  sl st into the ch 3 sp.  ch 3, 2 dc in the same ch 3 loop,  ch 1.  3 dc, ch 1 in each ch 3 loop,  3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1 for each corner.

As you can see rd 1 has 1 segment of  3 dc on each side the same as the more frequently seen granny square above. Rd 3 also has 3 segments of 3 dc on each side the same as the more frequently seen granny square above.  Rd 5 will also have 5 segments of 3 dc.  The ch 3 loops are where the increases happens.  So the math works for both.  The alternative will have less chance of twisting.

25 in '25

 I've been challenged in my knitting guild, as we all have if we choose to take it up, to finish 25 things in 2025.  It's a fabulous idea for not starting new things but to finish stuff so we can use it, wear it, gift it, love it.  Why don't you join me?

The guild even decided to make a bingo card to help some of those who don't know for sure if they will get all 25 done.  This way they only have to do 4 or 5 finished things.

My bingo card has on it to finish a mystery knit along from 2022, a queen-size afghan of 6-inch granny squares, a pair of socks, our mystery kal jar scarf, my doily skirt, a pullover sweater in bulky yarn, a coffee cozy for teaching steeking, 12 each blanket, hats, cowls, slippers, mittens for charity, the glowfrost or glowhair shawl by Stephen West, a crochet dress from 2013 interweave crochet in ella rae alpaca chunky yarn (this is done), summer flies shawl, 4 squared granny sweater by secret yarnery, roman shades for my kitchen and 15 different wreaths that are not evergreen.

Yes, this seems like a lot but I have a plan for some.  The blankets are 16 x 16 fabric swatches from a local furniture store.  I'll be crocheting them together using a dotted-line rotary cutter, worsted yarn and an H hook.  The join will be a granny join.   This keeps it flat and is quick to work.

The queen-size afghan of 6-inch granny squares needs 342 and I have so far 82.  The yarn is Caron Simply Soft in harvest red, autumn red maize, tree green, chocolate, plum, pumpkin, persimmon, taupe, and wheat.  I'm using the granny alternative since I can't find the pattern I printed out.  I'll write out the pattern in my next post.

The '22 sweater I will hand knit to the place where the division is for the arms and body.  The rest will be machine-knit.  I'm using size 8 US needles in Takumi clover bamboo.  The yarn is from Webs and is 

The Stephen West shawl is being done not according to his wants but mine.  I eliminated the mohair because I only have jewel tones.  The yarn I chose for it is Loops & Threads from Michaels a few years ago in the color sage with size 5 US takumi clover bamboo needles. At this moment I have section 1 done.  Section 2 is 3/5 done.

The Roman shades are started but I need to move from the guest room to my attic studio.

The doily skirt is me covering a silk skirt that is extremely sheer with hand-crocheted doilies.  Some were given to me.  Some were made by me.  A couple were made by family but I don't know who.  The rest were rescued from trash by purchasing from thrift stores and "antique" stores.

The dress is done.  The 4 squared granny sweater is from youTube channel secret yarnery.  I can't wait to see how it goes.  The hats slippers cowls and mittens are fast knits at a day or less for 1.

The summer flies shawls is started in cotton yarn that was hand dyed.  

I'll post pictures as things get worked on and finished.