The Genius of the Granny Squares

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.