Granny Square Flair
Sep 16, 2018
Have I mentioned before how awesome the global crochet community is? If I haven't, I apologise! There is such amazing talent out there when it comes to clever, attractive, creative, stylish crochet patterns - begone the ugly crochet of yesteryear (though that will always have a special place in my heart too). One of the best parts of my 'job' is the friends that I have made all around the world. People who are just as nutty about crochet as me! And these clever cookies are ever busy, designing patterns for you and me & writing books too!
This week I have the absolute pleasure of reviewing two new crochet books, the first being Granny Square Flair by the crazy talented Shelley Husband, aka Spincushions, from Australia. If you're a fan of granny squares and the myriad of uses for them, you're going to LOVE this book. Packed inside it's pages are 50 (!) different squares. There's something for everyone here - from floral to lacy, geometric and textural - squares that can be placed uniformly together, or used as a collection for a wondrous sampler blanket as shown at the end of the book. There are eleven great project patterns included, each offering a potential use for the square designs. Personal favourites are the Blossoming Flowers Blanket, the Prism Lap Blanket, the Heirloom Sampler Blanket and the Melbourne Wrap. Very cool.
I was honoured to be asked by Shelley earlier this year to contribute a square for her book. I could choose any of the patterns (no easy task) and create the square in some of my favourite colours. Being the floral fiend that I am, I couldn't go past Bulaklak - a large floral square with generous petals and a leafy background. Here is the colour combo I came up with (using gorgeous Scheepjes Catona cotton). Wouldn't this look incredible in a giant blanket?
This morning I gave two more squares a whirl - Cogs (p. 76) and the Granny Flower (p. 43). This time I used some beautiful Cascade cotton and was very happy with the results! I do love the way these designs transform with colour and colour changes. They look pretty darn fabulous in a single shade too - and I can totally see a sea green / turquoise sampler blanket in my future!
Each pattern includes clear written instructions as well as a chart - yay!
Shelley has included a nifty difficulty rating as well as great tips for colour changes, standing stitches, joining & blocking... You're in good hands!
Are your fingers itching to touch your very own copy yet? That cover is so smooth and waxy, I must admit I have spent quite a bit of time just patting it LOL! The good news is, there are quite a few options for getting your mitts on a copy. The book comes in either UK and US terms (you decide when adding to your cart) as well as digital or hard copy. You can find links for a stockist near you on Shelley's Spincushions website. You can also find images of her beautiful work on her Instagram account @spincushions.
I can see that Granny Square Flair is going to be a very useful reference when it comes time for whipping up gifts in the future. Thanks, Shelley, for sending me a copy to read & review - I love it!
Alia xx
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