My favorite possession in the whole wide world? The granny square afghan that my grandmother made for me when I was about 12. Honestly, the thing is my #1 decorative influence — it’s full of color and most importantly, homemade love. Of course, I collect vintage afghans a bit… I have a few wonderful ones. The afghan above: $20 from JunqueInTheTrunque, on Etsy.
There are a gazillion possibilities for color combinations. This blue granny square afghan, $26 from VintageEye, Etsy. It’s really big, too — a great price!
This is just like my Lur Lur made!!!! Learn how to crochet your own afghan with these vintage instructions, $3.95 from AntiquesGaloreGal.
I didn’t know that they also made barkcloth that looks like Granny Squares: $35 from GiftsnCrafts, Etsy.
Oh yes, the girls in my family all had crocheted poncho’s too – I had white, Jenni had blue, and Sara had pink. I still have mine. It even has pom poms on the tie-ends. Make your own with these instructions from 1975, Granny Square Magazine, a Woman’s Day Special Edition, $5 at LoveElizabeth, Etsy.
Did your grannies and moms and aunties crochet you afghans, readers? Do you make, or collect them still?
MrsErinD says
Just a tip for washing afghans, I have very furry kitties too who just LOVE laying on the afghans, haha, so especially the vintage ones which aren’t as colorfast as the new yarn is, wash them in cold water and a gentle setting on the washer so they don’t fade or snag. Mine are acrylic so I do put them in the dryer, they dry fast, but wool probably would need dried flat so they don’t “felt” and shrink up I would assume.
Elaine says
I have one in brown, yellow and orange, with matching little pieces for the arms of the sofa. My late step-mother gave it to me in the late 70s when she changed her decor to other colors. I don’t think she made it, but whenever I open my linen closet and see it, I think of her. Because I also have a shedding dog, I don’t display the afghan. I don’t want to have to wash it too many times and wear it out. I love looking at the different colorways you show. Maybe it’s time for a granny square revival.
tera says
Awesome color combo! Handmade Grandma gifts are indeed priceless. Yours looks so well cared for, But of course!
Making these afgans are a lot of fun but can be slow going if you have a 40 hour day job. I hope to one day make one.
Loved that you shared this!
Lauren says
*smiles*
My mom had made me two afgahn-like crocheted blankets with matching pillows. SHe was big into doing crochet and made blankets and hats and scarves like crazy!! Though looking back, she didn’t really do small squares as much. If sh ewere still alive today I would request one 🙂 For now, I hang on to what she did made, and pull them out when I think the cats won’t kneed them to peices. xo
Barb Scott says
I have one much like the Fleischer one pictured! My grandma made it!
Eucritta says
I’ve got a partially-made granny-square afghan by my chair here, and yes, I grew up with them too … but for me, they’ve always just been dead easy, cheerful and cheap.
sablemable says
A family friend, who is now 96 years young still makes afghans and I have several of hers that are just beautiful. They are classic Americana!
Natalie says
My grandmother had a few of these in her house, but I never liked them. Haha. I could never understand how the blanket was going to keep me warm since there were holes in it. When she passed away, I looked over those afghans (which I am sure my mom took and has some where at home) and took a ton of her quilts. So instead of collecting retro afghans, I go for the vintage quilt. One of the ones I got from her house had old flour bags as one side. I love it.
I really like that poncho though. It’s fun!
denise says
Oh, yes, my mom was a granny square maker, I still have a full-size bed afghan (which I don’t pull out often because I don’t want my dog’s hair to attach itself, but when I do I think of it as my mom visiting from the other side.) I had many ponchos usually made for Easter (wish I still had them and the ones mom made for herself) and a hat made out of 3 grannies that when pieced together and put on the head, gave ‘cat’ ears. Oh, how I used to get teased from the kids in school, but I liked it and wore it with pride! I also have a traditional black background with colorful centers that make up flowers that I somehow got passed down to me and I have no idea who made it. It’s in pristine condition, densely crocheted and heavy. It all makes me consider picking up the crochet hook again and making some grannies for a pillow. I often find them in thrift shops and have to pick them up, inspect them and consider them becoming mine. The grannies always bring back memories.
MrsErinD says
I just bought a vintage granny square afghan from ebay 2 weeks ago!! It is the traditional black background/multicolor square just like that fleisher pic there and you have, I just love it! Had always loved that color and style and wanted one.
I also have vintage family afghans a multi green one made by Hubby’s mother and a green/gold and a green/pink made by my Great Aunt.
I am a freak for vintage afghans too, so cozy!