Tuesday 4 June 2019

Granny circles - how to make them and what to use them for - Lullaby Lodge tutorial

This week we will be learning how to make these gorgeous, colourful, granny circles.   I will also be showing you the maths for increasing your circles, so that you can make them any size you like.  There is something about any kind of crochet made with granny clusters, that just makes me feel so happy and homey and of course a little colourful, crochet, hooky, will always brighten up any dreary day.


Granny Circles

Materials

Yarn
Darning needle

Hook

Use a hook recommended on your yarn ball band

Abbreviations / Terms

US terms are used through out (UK terms)
dc - double crochet (treble crochet)
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
st(s) - stitch(s)
sp(s) - space(s)
gcl - granny cluster
cl-inc - granny cluster increase

Special stitches:  Granny cluster - 3dc in same sp.  Granny cluster increase - 4dc in same sp.

Other notes: Fasten off and join new colour after each round.  If you wish to make your granny circles in a solid colour simply sl st into the next sp instead of joining a new colour.

Ch4 and join with sl st to form ring.

Round 1 ch3 (counts as dc), 11dc into ring, join with sl st to top ch3.  (12dc)


Round 2 join new colour in any sp between stitches.  Ch3, dc in same sp, [2dc in next sp] repeat around, join with sl st to top ch3.  (24dc)


Round 3 join new colour in any sp between groups of sts, ch3, 2dc in same sp, gcl in next sp and every sp around, join with sl st to top ch3.  (12gcl)


Round 4 join new colour in any sp, ch3, 3dc in same sp, [gcl in next sp, cl-inc in next sp] repeat around ending with gcl in last sp, join with sl st to top ch3.  (6gcl, 6cl-inc)


Round 5 join new colour in any sp after gcl, ch3, 2dc in same sp, [gcl in sp in middle of cl-inc, gcl in next 2 sps] repeat around ending with gcl in sp in middle of cl-inc, gcl in last sp, join with sl st to top ch3.  (18gcl)

Round 6 repeat round 4.

Round 7 repeat round 5.

Round 8 join new colour in any sp, ch3, 3dc in same sp, [gcl in next 2 sps, cl-inc in next sp] repeat around ending with gcl in last sp, join with sl st to top ch3.

Round 9 join new colour in any sp, ch3, 2dc in same sp, gcl in every sp and glc in every sp in middle of cl-inc.


Rounds 8 & 9 form pattern, however the number of sps in round 8 must be increased by 1 each time.  For example where is says [gcl in next 2 sps, cl-inc in next sp] the number 2 must be increased by 1 each round so round 10 would be [gcl in next 3 sps, cl-inc in next sp].  Oh and don't forget to weave in all those pesky ends.



Pin it!


Following this formula you can make your granny circles any size you like.  What can you use them for I hear you say?  There are so many projects that can utilise granny circles.  Made with cotton yarn they would make great coasters, table mats or mandalas.  You could use mega chunky yarn and make a gorgeous rug.  I have used a granny circle as the base for a beach bag pattern I am currently designing.



What would you use yours for?  Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to follow (in the sidebar) and subscribe for more posts like this.

Happy hooking!
Catherine
x



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16 comments:

  1. I love granny circles and always have a couple in use! I have made three different stool covers in different colours and patterns and I change them according to how I feel or the season! I have also made a couple of small table toppers. I put them on top of a full length cloth on a small round table. I use smaller circles to put a mug on and slightly bigger ones for vases!
    Thanks for telling us how to increase the size harmoniously!

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    Replies
    1. I love the idea of a stool cover, I have seen a few on Pinterest and they look fabulous...

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  2. Hi there - love the look - by "Special stitches: Granny cluster - 3d in same sp." Did you mean: Special stitches: Granny cluster - 3dc in same sp. ???

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    1. Oh thank you so much for spotting the typo...

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  3. Circles are something magical, aren't they. Well, I love them and I couldn't do without. Thank you for the tutorial!

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    1. Thanks Marjan. They look particularly good as your granny baubles...

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    2. Hi can you please tell me how to make a granny crochet circle kitchen towel holder. Thanks Mrs Portia

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    3. I'm afraid I don't have a pattern for this. Pinterest is a great place to start looking though, maybe you will find what you are searching for there...

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  4. Thank you for this great pattern! I'm already five rows in and loving it. I'll be using this pattern to make hopefully tons of blankets for shelter animals through Comfort For Critters.

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    Replies
    1. What a lovely idea, that is such a sweet thing to do.

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  5. How would your make this into a square for an afghan

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    1. Hi Lavina, that would really depend on how big you were making your circles. You can have a look at this tutorial for circle squares to get an idea, but it will take some trial and error to work it out...

      https://lullabylodge.blogspot.com/2019/05/how-to-turn-your-circles-into-granny.html

      Good luck with your squares.

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  6. Hi I'm a granny squares maker. I don't no how to make the granny go crochet circle yet but thank you. I'm learn now. Mrs portia

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    Replies
    1. Hi Bama Girl, thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I hope you enjoy the tutorial.

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  7. This is so great, I love the pattern, thank you for sharing it!! Can I ask a quick question, if I wanted to make it bigger like you said, is it only rows 8 & 9 that need repeating or do you repeat from an earlier row? I'm hoping for a blanket sized piece and I'm worried it won't sit as flat and nicely as the first 9 rows do... any advice would be awesome, thank you!!

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to comment, I have not made anything as big as a blanket but it should stay flat if you follow the increasing guide. You can usually see straight away if you are getting too many stitches in a round (the edges will start to look ruffled) if this happens just skip a round of increases. Hope that helps and good luck with your blanket.

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