Granny Squares, Purses, and More

Welcome to The Secret Yarnery Crochet Blog Episode 7! I’m Christa, and today I’m sharing what happened in the world of crochet this past week, including class projects, some troubleshooting, and a few creative ideas that I’ve been working on. Let’s dive into the details and don’t forget to check out the video below to see everything in action.

 

Crochet Class Explosion

This week, my weekly crochet class grew from just eight participants the previous week to over twenty! Talk about a full house! I’ve found myself juggling both the veterans and some new faces, which always brings some creative chaos. One of the challenges I’ve had is making sure that the newer members don’t have to be retrained with every meeting—we want consistency in quality and work over time. That’s why focusing on improving their technique is so important, especially when it comes to joining granny squares.

I noticed an issue where some of the ladies were joining their squares using single crochet instead of a slip stitch. If you’re familiar with granny squares, you know this creates lumps and unevenness. We want clean, corner-to-corner joins for a more polished look. But hey, crochet is a learning curve, right?

What to Do with Unconventional Granny Squares?

Even with some technique hiccups, there’s no such thing as wasted effort! I found a fun and practical way to repurpose some of the crazier-looking granny squares: Cute little handbags for girls. These bags are as simple as taking two squares, joining them with single crochet, and adding a chain as a handle. They’re a great way to put those “crazy” squares to use! I experimented with a thicker handle as well but found that a thinner chain looks more delicate and girly, which was the consensus during class too. Everyone loved the simpler skinny handle since it saves both time and yarn.

Stitching Like a Boss: Some Winning Granny Squares

While we’re working on improving quality overall, I’ve got a few ladies in class who crochet like absolute pros! They’ve been turning out beautifully uniform granny squares that are spot-on with color choices, strong stitches, and neat joins. I gave them more neutral, adaptable colors like grays and blues to work with this week, setting them up to create versatile pieces. I’m toying with ideas for these squares—perhaps messenger bags for a craft fair or even clothing items!

If you’re looking for inspiration for other easy crochet projects, check out this beginner-friendly guide, perfect for beginners who’s starting with small, manageable items.

Crazy Granny Blanket? Why Not!

One of my stars in class, my house mom from the orphanage, took some extra yarn and made over 100 granny squares using random colors. They look wild and vibrant, but they’re all the same size! With a little creativity, I’m thinking of turning them into a colorful granny blanket or two, maybe even raffling them off at the next local event. Even the most random squares have potential when you think outside the box!

Making a Granny Square Vest for Our Mannequin “Scary-ella”

Our quirky mannequin, affectionately known as “Scary-ella,” has inspired a new project! I’ve decided to make her a granny square vest, utilizing some neutral tones my class created. The intricate plan includes a tailored slit on the side for a bit of flair. You know, she’s not your average 6′ 2” mannequin, so making something to fit her has been quite the challenge. I’m using a mix of green, gray, and blue squares for this vest, which I’ll complete with a border to tie it all together.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of using eclectic colors in your crochet projects, take a peek at Exploring the World of Crochet and Life in Kenya with Christa, where I talk about how color choice impacts a variety of crochet items.

Holiday Craft Fair Prep: Crochet Balls and Puppets

Another whimsical item we’ve been working on is a range of crochet balls. These are simple, fun projects—a bunch of them were just finished last week using all sorts of fun colors. They’re great for kids’ play and even a creative holiday gift!

In a funny twist, what started as a cat toy idea recently morphed into making crocheted puppets. By adding arms, legs, and a little personality, we turned those basic shapes into playful toys that kids can enjoy. You can imagine, these puppets are going to be a hit at the craft fair.

Looking to start working on some easy crochet gifts? Check out some of the written patterns we have available to give you even more ideas: Written Patterns.

Driving to Craft Days in Kenya

Before I wrap things up, I captured a bit of the drive from my neighborhood to the beautiful Brackenhurst Conference Center where we meet for our classes. If you’re curious about Kenya and its landscapes, you’ll love the footage I’ve included in this episode. Stay tuned for the video and take a relaxed visual tour, starting from our gated community all the way to Brackenhurst!

What’s Next?

This coming week, my class will be working on something new—bunting made from granny triangles! I have colors already picked out, and each lady will be working on creating their pieces at home. This will be a fun addition to our lineup for the craft fair, and I’ll be assembling all their efforts into beautiful bunting banners. I’ll also make sure to keep control over the final touches to ensure everything looks just right!

Got any suggestions on what we should crochet next? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, and tell me if you’d love to see more of our community’s projects coming to life.

Don’t forget to watch the full crochet podcast above where I give a deeper look at all these projects and more. Let’s keep the creativity going and stay hooked!