Granny Square Fashion for Girls

While some folks consider Granny Squares quaint and old fashioned, they can actually make for a delightful and stylish fashion statements.  In the past I have used Granny squares for cowls, fingerless gloves, hats, and headbands.  This time I thought I would try my hand at sleeveless vests for my three granddaughters, aged 2 1/2. 4 1/2 and almost 6.   The granny square can be an accent or form the body of an outfit.  Color, line, and contrast create an artistic statement.

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Although many Granny Square Vests are composed entirely of small squares, I do not have the patience to work with many tiny pieces, join them together, and weave in the ends. Therefore I decided to accent only the bottom of this pastel pink tied vest with Granny Squares along the bottom the garment.  By sewing a different pink button in the center of each square, I added detail and texture while using up 9 of my single leftover buttons from other projects.  Vests are great for providing warmth without long sweater sleeves interfering with activity.  I love the look of layered fashion.

A granny Square can also be a pocket.  The You Tube Video Crochet #4 How to Crochet A Round Yoke. enabled me to make a seamless one piece vest.  This vest was made for my 4 1/2 year old granddaughter in blue with blue and white Granny Square pockets.  I chose to place one of the pockets higher on one side and at the bottom on the left.  My granddaughter selected the daisy buttons for the vest closing and the center of the squares .Although the yoke was made for a young girl,  it is easy to make the vest smaller or larger by following the steps on the video. Her teachers enjoy seeing her come to school with her fanciful sweater vests.

Squaring the Big Circle Tutorial from signalwithanowl.blogspot.com or from Pinterest mak=de it possible for meet tun a flower in a circle into a pieces that form the front and back of a 4 shade vest.  I measured my granddaughter's chest, divided by 2 and 1/12 to get the correct size square for front and back.I made a shoulder piece by crocheting cluster stitches to 10 stitches to each side of the front piece.  Then I crocheted the straps to the back piece.  I marked the place where I wanted the armhole and added one row of cluster stitches to the body of each side of front and back.  Then I matched the pieces and crocheted from the armhole to the bottom to attach on each side. To get a better proportion I added 3 rows of clusters all around at the bottom of the sweater.  I picked up the gray in the Granny Squares for the straps, sides, and bottom rows.

For my 2 /2 year old grand daughter, I wanted a vest that was bright and playful.  The peach, yellow and aqua from my stash were just perfect.  I was so glad that I had a vest ready for her because once she saw older sister pose, she wanted to wear a sweater in a picture, too.  In this sweater, I made a square off armhole about halfway down the side of the sweater.  Instead of crocheting clusters for the straps and sides,I made double crochet stitches.  One row of aqua single crochet stitches at the neck, armholes, and bottom brought out all of the stitches in the Granny Square. What a darling model!

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As long as I have the correct measurement, I know that I can continue to crochet a garment from a photo of an adult sweater that I can modify for a child.  As I scanned the internet I came across a photo of a Granny Square surrounded by a contrast in black.  I knew that it would be just right for my four year old.  i followed steps similar to those I use for some of my other vests.  With the black extra rows, it was hard to tell where I made the additions, and everything fit together seamlessly.   The finishing touch was two rows of HDC around the neckline, armholes, and bottoms,  How dramatic.

I have at least one more idea for a off-square mitered look, but I ran out of time and want to publish this article.  I made a baby blanket with this base several years ago, and now I want try ti on a garment. This leaves me an idea for a future post.

How do you like use granny squares in creating fashion pieces.  If you would like see some of my earlier creations, see: http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/what-can-you-do-with-a-granny-square