Rectangle Granny – how to get started, and a couple of patterns to try it out with

Rectangle Granny – how to get started

 

Figure 1 A sample of my scarf made from Naturally Mohair 12ply, 2 balls.

Figure 2 Granny rectangle cowl made from 6 balls of Twilleys Freedom Purity

I love crocheting granny squares!  I do not, however, love weaving in hundreds of yarn ends or sewing squares together.  I recently saw a lovely granny square scarf somewhere on the Internet and wanted to whip one up one evening.  I knew that the squares would be fairly quick to crochet, but the ends would take forever.

So, I had a bit of a think, and found a couple of patterns for scarves made in one piece by making a long, narrow rectangular granny…problem solved!

Because you can’t use a ring of chains to use as a foundation, you need to find a way to make a foundation row that will accommodate the first “round” and then maintain the correct shape for subsequent rounds.  Again, I had a bit of a look, did some testing, and found that there a quite a few ways to work the foundation.  This is one way that I like.

I must point out that, being Australian, I refer to crochet stitches in the following way.  Feel free to translate into your preferred crochet-speak!

If any of the instructions are confusing, or you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'll respond as quickly as I can.

Australian	American
Chain	Chain
Double Crochet	Single Crochet
Treble	Double Crochet
Slip Stitch	Slip Stitch

Notes

For a scarf the length of the foundation chain should be close to the required length, remembering that each row will make the rectangle wider.  For a blanket, cushion, etc, you can be more relaxed with the length of the foundation.  My test started with a 4 treble foundation row and measured 20cm/8in across after 3 rows.  If I was going to do a blanket, I would work my foundation row with at least 20 tr/ch repeats.

Row 1 – Make a slip knot.  *Chain 3.  Work 1 treble in first chain.*

Repeat * *, working the treble in the first chain of each 3ch group until you have the length required. 

Figure 3 Working the foundation row 3 chain, 1 treble in first chain in group

 

Figure 4 How the foundation row should look as you make it.

Row 2 – DO NOT TURN.  This row is worked on the foundation row and is worked toward the beginning.

1^st Corner -  At this point you have just worked 3 chain.  This becomes the first stitch of the corner.  Work 2 trebles, 2 chain, 3 trebles in the centre of the first tr/chain.  Chain 1.   

Continue row - *Work 3 trebles in next hole, chain 1.* Repeat * * until you reach the last treble hole.  

2^nd and 3rd Corners -  Work 3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble,1chain TWICE in the last treble.   Working along the opposite side of the foundation row, work 3 treble in the same hole as the first 3 treble group.  Chain 1.  Repeat 3 treble/1 chain until you reach the last treble/chain corner stitch. 

4^th Corner - Work 3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble, 1 chain.  Join to first treble with a sl stitch.

Figure 5 Working the first side of Row 2.

Figure 6 Working the corners

Row 3 – If you are changing colours you should cut yarn and re-start in any chain space.  If you are using the same colour, sl st to the first chain space.

Chain 3, 2 treble, chain 1.  Continue working 3 tr/1 ch in each chain space of previous row.

Work corners – 3 tr/2ch/3tr/1ch.  Join at end with sl st.

Continue working Row 3 for as long as you like, or until the yarn runs out!

Figure 7 Continuing to work around.

Figure 8 How the rectangle looks after foundation row then 3 rows.

And to finish off...here are the patterns for the scarf and cowl!

Fluffy Granny Rectangle Scarf

Materials

2 balls of Naturally Mohair 12ply or equivalent (if you want more colours/rows you will need to adjust number of balls)

5.5mm crochet hook (US Size J)

Tapestry needle for sewing ends.

Finished Measurements

 Approx 180cm/74” long, approx. 12cm/5” wide.

Instructions

Using 1^st colour and following tutorial instructions, work foundation row so there are 60 trebles in the row, ending with a ch 3.

Work 2 rounds of rectangle in 1st colour.  Cut yarn and weave in ends.

 Using 2^nd colour, start in any 1ch space, work 3 rows of rectangle.  Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Using 1^st colour and starting in any 1ch space, ch1, work 1 row of dc (US sc).  Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Block if needed.

 Naturals Granny Rectangle Cowl

Materials

 
6 balls of Twilleys Freedom Purity 85% Wool, 15% Alpaca

1 6.5mm (US size crochet hook K)

Tapestry needle for sewing ends.

Finished Measurements
 

Approx 160cm/65” long, approx. 12cm/5” wide.

Instructions

Using 1st colour and following tutorial instructions, work foundation row so there are 44 trebles in the row, ending with a ch 3.

Work 1 round of rectangle in 1st colour.  Cut yarn and weave in ends.

 Using 2nd colour, start in any 1ch space, work 2 rows of rectangle.  Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Using 3nd colour, start in any 1ch space, work 2 rows of rectangle.  Cut yarn and weave in ends.