I’ve had a lovely couple of weeks experimenting with ideas using my old favourites; crochet granny squares. I love that by changing colours and yarns you can create something unique with each new square. So I thought I would share how I turned a crochet granny square into the easiest crochet shrug / bolero…

Experiments in Granny Squares

I’ve been playing with ideas using granny squares in preparation for my forthcoming coffee and crochet sessions. The sessions are very informal and for all levels of crocheters so I thought it would be nice to show those with some experience what else could be achieved with the simple granny square.

I’ve created two lovely projects each one using one big square. The first was this super cute shrug for Lulu. She is such a snuggle bunny and loves cosying up so I made this for her to wear over her onesies in the evenings. It was such an enjoyable make and it gives me such pleasure to see her wearing something I’ve made. It’s funny because I often think that it’s just us adults who really appreciate homemade items but once I had finished Lulu’s shrug she tried it on and I asked her if she liked it, she replied ‘of course I do it’s handmade.’ I was so surprised by her response I said ‘really?’ to which Oli quickly added ‘who wouldn’t love something handmade for them?’ Well I can’t even tell you how happy that made me, the fact that my 6 and 9 year old already appreciated the value of a handmade gift just made me so proud.

Anyway, I had a lot of lovely feedback on Instagram on Lulu’s crochet shrug so as promised I am going to put the details below. I’m calling this a recipe rather than a pattern because if you can crochet a granny square you are three quarters there already. I think this recipe would easily make a shrug/bolero for an adult; you would just have to make a very large square and try it on as you go for size. For Lulu’s every now and then I would fold the square and pin the arm holes so I could hold it up against her back and measure the size.

Crochet Granny Square Shrug Recipe

UK Terms

Hook: 5mm (shop my favourites here)

Yarn: Stylecraft Aran

Gauge not important for this project

Work a basic granny square Lulu’s (6 years) was made up of 22 rounds. I work my crochet squares as follows but feel free to make them the way you would normally.

Rnd 1: 4ch, join with a sl st to make a ring, 3ch (counts as tr), 2tr into ring, 2ch, *3tr into ring, 2 tr; repeat from * twice more, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch-3, turn. (4 groups of 3tr)

Rnd 2: attach new colour to any ch-2 corner space, 3ch (counts as tr), 2tr, 2ch, 3tr into same sp, *3tr, 2ch, 3tr; into each ch-2sp around, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch-3, fasten off. Turn.

Rnd 3: attach new colour to any ch-2 corner space, 3ch (counts as tr), 2tr, 2ch, 3tr into same sp, *3tr into next sp (between clusters), (3tr, 2ch, 3tr) into next corner space; repeat around, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch-3.

Repeat as round 3, working (3tr, 2ch, 3tr) into each corner space and 3tr into each space between clusters, switching colour after each round. Continue until square is desired size. Fasten off and weave in ends. Fold square in half. You now want to sew up each of the two short ends half way, leaving holes for arms (closest to the fold) using a whip stitch. You should now have a very simple shrug.

To finish the arms crochet around the armholes working 3tr into each chain space (granny style). I worked 3 rounds for Lulu’s but keep going until the sleeves are as long as you want. Finally crochet around the opening of the shrug; again working 3trs into each chain space, I worked 2 rounds here. And that is it. I’ve added a few photos of the construction, but it really is so simple that once you’ve folded that granny square in half you will see what to do. As always any queries email me and I’ll do my best to help.

I only thought to take these photos after I’d already finished – sorry – but I think it gives you and idea.

Oh and while I’m here if you are local to Wiltshire I will be at Chippenham Town Hall on Weds 13th April and Weds 27th April 11am – 1pm. If you would like to have a go at crochet or even if you just fancy popping in with a current project for a coffee and a chat it would be lovely to see you. 

Bye for now. Em x

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