The Genius of the Granny Square
While in a doctor’s office waiting room I was sitting, crocheting and
thinking. I have been working on this afghan
for over a year, grabbing a few minutes here and a few minutes there. When an “elderly” lady sitting in a chair across
the lobby from me asks “Is that a Granny Square?” I answered “Yes, I have been working on it
for a while. Usually when I am waiting for something or someone.” She
then proceeds to tell me about how her mother used to crochet. “She would take the scraps that are left over
and she would make a blanket. You know it’s
not really a Granny Square if it’s not made from scraps.” This comment made me smile since I was able to
reply that “It is made from scraps.”
Now I don’t know if that is a true statement, that to be a true granny
square it needs to be made from scraps. A
Granny Squares is the first thing I was taught by a friend in high school. I just always assumed it was the name of the
stitch. I have been thinking about this
ladies comment “You know it’s not really a granny square if it’s not made from
scraps.” Maybe the name of this square
has more meaning behind it than the name of a pattern. It could also be talking about an “old timers
habit” of using what you had, not wasting, just being clever. The first thought that comes to my mind when I
look at Afghans that my Grandmother made is not, “that sure is a lot of scraps”. No, my first thought is how beautiful it is,
then I start analyzing the color combinations, contrasts in colors, all the
movement the piece of art that is an afghan demands I do.
In thinking back on those same Afghans, knowing they are made of scraps, I
thought for a second, does it make them less beautiful? My answer is no. My grandma
had to be more creative with her placement. To me that makes her more skillful because
she had to use scarce resources to make what she needed. She still managed to make it look beautiful and
functional. That’s a devious mastermind
is what I think.
In making my daughters afghan I was trying to follow this same
example. Using what I had to make what
was needed and trying to make it beautiful at the same time. A Granny Square is hard working, frugal,
sturdy and beautiful just like Grandmothers.
I really think the name fits.
