Have you ever just been lying in bed when inspiration struck? I’ve had plenty of crochet patterns come to me out of the blue, and this is one of them! Granny squares are a quintessential part of the crochet community, but this is not your average granny square. I only recently learned how to make a granny square at all- you can check out my Rocketship Lovey Pattern here for free on the blog or as a low-cost PDF on my Etsy and Ravelry shops to see my first ever project using a granny square.
I have been designing everything from vests and shirts, bibs, and blankets using the “sweet pea” stitch pattern. I’ve got an entire collection of items. While some may think it is repetitive to use the same stitch patterns for numerous designs, I find that it helps me as a new crochet designer to build my skills. It can be challenging using the same stitch repeat for different projects, especially when those projects take different shapes. I learn more with each pattern in the Sweet Pea Collection.
For the Sweet Pea Granny Square, the same cluster stitch pattern is used as is in the rest of the collection. Using the join and turn method of completing the rounds of the square allow the direction of the clusters to alternate. This yields a slightly different yet subtle texture and shape to the square. If you are looking for a variation on the typical granny square, this pattern is for you!
Materials
Weight 4 yarn, I used only 17 yards for one square.
5.5 mm/I crochet hook
4 stitch markers
Tapestry needle (for sewing in ends)
Scissors
Notes
When completed as written and blocked, the square is approximately 4.5″ x 4.5″
The end of row counts are written as clusters and chain spaces; (SC, HDC, DC) is one cluster.
This pattern is worked in the chain spaces only until the border.
Chain 2 spaces designate a corner. Mark these spaces with a stitch marker as indicated in the pattern.
Abbreviations
MR- Magic Ring
SC- single crochet
HDC- half double crochet
DC- double crochet
Ch- chain stitch
SM- stitch marker
st(s)- stitch(es)
Slst- slip stitch
FO- fasten off
Square
Round 1: MR, in the ring, Ch 1, *SC, HDC, DC, Ch 1* repeat from * to * 3 more times, Slst to Ch 1 at beginning of round, turn (4 clusters, 4 Ch spaces)
Round 2: Ch 1, in Ch space of previous row, *SC, HDC, DC, Ch 2 (place SM in Ch 2 space), SC, HDC, DC, Ch 1* repeat from * to * in every ch space around, Slst to Ch 1 at beginning of round, turn (8 clusters, 4 Ch 1 spaces, 4 Ch 2 spaces)
Round 3: Ch 1, in Ch 1 space of previous row, *SC, HDC, DC, Ch 1*, in Ch 2 space, **SC, HDC, DC, Ch 2 (place SM in Ch 2 space), DC, HDC, DC, Ch 1**, repeat from * to * in each Ch 1 space and repeat from ** to ** in each Ch 2 space around, Slst to Ch 1 at beginning of round, Ch 1, turn (12 clusters, 8 Ch 1 spaces, 4 Ch 2 spaces)
Round 4: Repeat Round 3 (16 clusters, 12 Ch 1 spaces, 4 Ch 2 spaces)
If you want to make your square bigger, you can continue repeating Round 3 as desired. After Round 4, I continued on to the border. Without a border, this square has more of a scalloped edge, which may be a look you prefer to a border.
Border
Round 5: SC in each stitch and Ch space around, placing 2 SC in each Ch 2 space. Slst to Ch 1 at beginning of round (32 SC)
FO, block, and weave in ends.
Without blocking, this square will not lay quite flat. Blocking is important for any crochet project to help the stitches relax into the shape you want!
I hope you enjoyed making a slightly different granny square! You can make a really big Sweet Pea granny square as a lovey or baby blanket, or you can join lots of smaller squares together to make a project like a pillow, scarf, or blanket. I would love to see what you choose to make! You can share with me on Instagram @crowchetcreations or through the hashtag #crowchetcreations. Happy making!
XO, Emily.
