YarnoverChicago: granny square

Sunday, June 17, 2012

I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover

These Granny motifs were made as part of my submission for the
CGOA Master of Advanced Stitches and Techniques Certification.

One of the staples of crochet is the granny square. In my beginner classes, the second project we do is based on the standard, traditional granny square. Crocheters like the granny square so much that we seem to compete to come up with new and different motifs.

There are untold numbers of books: A Bazillion and One Granny Squares, 5000 New Granny Square Designs, Women Who Make Too Many Granny Squares, Granny Squares and the Women who Love Them, Flower Granny Squares, Solid Granny Squares, Lacy Granny Squares, Mitered Granny Squares.... and don't even get me started about all the other crochet motifs, triangles, hexagons, pentagons, octagons, rounds, flowers, leaves............

For years I've been trying to dream up a granny square motif that no one else had done. Now, I'm not saying I've been successful. I'm sure somewhere on the planet, someone has or is coming up with my design at this very moment. But I will say that I don't recall ever having seen this particular granny square motif in any book, pamphlet, magazine or on-line.

But first, allow me to share a story with you. You know those little plastic adapters we used to use to fit 45 RPM records on the spindles of our record players? We used to call them spiders, remember? Well, if you're a baby-boomer, you remember.

Once upon a time, I had this great idea of having a jeweler cast one of those little plastic adapters in silver or gold. I thought to myself, "Self," I thought, "wouldn't that be a cute idea for a pendant or even earrings?" The Adapter Pendant, I thought I'd call it. Maybe I'd even have the word, "adapt" engraved on one of the arms. Every baby-boomer would want one. I'd be rich and famous. I'd be hawking my new jewelry design on QVC or some other television shopping channel. I'd probably be awarded the Congressional Medal of Freedom, the Pulitzer, or a Grammy.

The very next day after this idea popped into my head, I turned on the TV to watch the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame inductions, and there was Smokey Robinson, wearing a sterling spider pendant on a chain around his neck! And the next thing I knew, this humble, utilitarian little object was popping up in jewelry designs everywhere I turned.

Now I love love love Smokey Robinson. And that love was probably my only consolation for having my million-dollar jewelry design idea "stolen."

But what, you might be asking yourself, does this little anecdote, charming though it is, have to do with crochet granny squares? Funny you should ask. So, though I'm still drafting the pattern for my new granny square, and still working on one or two variations of the design, and though I only have one rather fuzzy photo of the motif at the moment, I really don't want to open next month's Crochet! magazine to find that Smokey Robinson has taken up crochet and has designed this new motif.

Therefore, without further delay, Yarnover Chicago proudly announces (drum roll please):

the Four-Leaf-Clover Granny Square.

Four Leaf Clover Square by Yarnover Chicago

Check back here or on Ravelry for some variations on this motif, and for patterns and yarn suggestions.

Post Script: Okay, I confess. I do own the earrings.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Crochet Fashion Rennaisance; This Ain't Your Granny's Square

Okay, so crochet is fun to do; it's faster than knitting; and for some people it's easier to learn. But really, isn't crochet all about doilies and shawls? I mean, you might wear a crocheted scarf or hat. It's good for stitching up a wrap for your 97-year-old granny, or a baby blanket for your niece's kid, but beyond that, no one really wears crocheted stuff anymore, do they? Who, in her right mind would be caught dead in public sporting a crocheted dress?! Can you imagine? It'd be just ghastly, Auntie Mame! Why not just put a macrame plant hanger on your head, a granny-square poncho over your shoulders and be done with it?! Unless you're time-traveling back to the '70s, what possible use could you have for crochet? The Age of Aquarius has been over for a long time, my dear!

First of all, Miss Thing (or Mr. Thing, for that matter), don't you be dissing doilies and shawls, okaaaaaaay?

Secondly, though we picture crochet as being all about motifs, granny squares and lace, you can actually make some very sleek fabric using crochet stitches. But that's a discussion for another day.

Let's consider the stereotypical image of crochet, shall we? Who on earth would even consider wearing it? Well, how 'bout Beyonce Knowles? Is she hip enough for you? Here she is in a blonde wig, sporting a uni-kini. Sure doesn't look like some aging flower child, does she? (Not, mind you, that there's anything wrong with being an aging flower child. Why, I see one in the mirror whenever I brush my teeth .... What can she be doing in there?)

For more about this image, check out x17online.com

Think Ms. Knowles might be the exception that proves the rule? Well, here are some more young celebs sporting elegant crocheted garments:

For more about this image, check out celebrityfashionista.com

Here we have Leann Rimes in an Emilio Pucci creation, Kate Bosworth in a dress from Topshop, and Selena Gomez wearing the Willow and Clay sweater. Again - not exactly aging flower children.

Crochet is enjoying a renaissance in the fashion world. You'll see it on every runway. So even if you're just a beginner, you can still enjoy wearing crocheted fashions. Following are some links for crochet fashions that you can buy right off the rack. Having them in your wardrobe will, I hope, inspire you to learn how to make them for yourself.

One caveat: unlike knitting, crochet cannot be done by machine. Any crocheted item you see has been hand-made. So if you go to a discount store and find a great crocheted sweater for, say, $25.00, it was likely made by slave labor. When you're shopping, please give some thought to the skilled craftsperson who did the work. If the garment you're purchasing costs a little more than you expect, that might mean that the person who made it is being paid a living wage. If it's amazingly cheap, maybe you can live without it.

FROM NORDSTROM'S