by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: March 07, 2010   Last Updated: March 30, 2010

For many crocheters the granny square was the real introduction to the art of crocheting.  It is fairly simple to create and can easily be joined together to make many useful things. The number of colors and yarns that can be used are endless.  Lets begin with basic granny square pattern and put it together to make a scarf.

For this pattern we will use granny squares of two colors and alternate the colors on the scarf.  It is a beginners pattern and should work up fairly quickly.  It will be a standard four round granny square.

Instructions:
Rnd 1 : ch 4, join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring.  ch 3 (counts as 1st dc) 2 dc in ring, ch 2, *3 dc in ring ch 2 from *3 times. Join with a sl st to the top of ch 3.

Rnd 2: sl st in each of the first 2dc, and into the first 2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 3dc in the same sp, ch 1, *3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to the top of ch 3.

Rnd 3: sl st in each of the first 2 dc and into the first ch 2 sp, ch 3, 2dc, ch 3, 3dc in the same sp. ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch1, *3 dc in nect ch 2 sp. ch 1 3dc in mext ch 1 sp, ch 1. Repeat from * around .  Join with sl st to top of ch 3.

Rnd 4: sl st in each of the first 2 dc and into the first 2 ch sp. ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3 in same sp.  ch1. 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch1 twice. *3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch1, twice Repeat from * around. Join in a sl st to the top of the chain three.  Fasten off and weave ends.

These square are the building blocks of the scarf.  Make enough so laid end to end they reach the desired length.  Alternate the two colors and join with a simple whip stitch.  Add fringe.

With this same basic pattern there can be some changes made to make scarves look a little different. Alternate each row of the granny square with a different color.  Only change the color of the last row.  For an extra wide scarf go two wide.  Use a larger granny square.  Put them in blocks of two and attach to next block on the corner.  Do a crocheted edge instead of a fringe.

It doesn't take much to see that with some minor variations there are at least twenty easy ways to make a scarf from granny squares.  The other clear advantage is a square can be made on the run, in the car and then later used at home to join the others.  Granny squares are great for multitasking.  If this is something that one has never tried granny squares can be used for many things.  It is worth learning how to make them.

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