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?
Carol B. says
I’m in Florida. I’ve been picking up home made afghans to send to Haiti. I found a bunch of home made, perfect condition, granny afghans at the Goodwill Outlet. The price of each…..wait for it…..$1.99. Five for $5 beats me, but this was pretty good.
I’ll wash them and get them to people who really need them. I’m knitting one, and my mother and a neighbor knit/crochet squares to be put together. It’s easier for them to accomplish small parts of the project. This began as a project on Ravelry.
CB
Barbara @Southern Lady's Vintage says
I’ve always loved granny square afghans!!
sumac sue says
How many of you have accidentally or on purpose gotten rid of a quilt or afghan, then wished you hadn’t? We managed to lose a quilt made by Wayne’s grandma, and an afghan made by my grandma, during one of our moves. I suspect they were in a box that accidentally got placed in the “take to Goodwill” pile. Both were in rather garish colors, and spent most of the time in the closet, but, still, I hate it that we no longer have them. I hope someone else is enjoying them. Maybe one of you other readers found them and love them. Hope so!
Tera says
Seems like sitcoms from the 50’s-80’s had either a granny square afghan or one of those barometers that were sort of almost tear dropped shaped hanging on the wall. I want both for my living room.
denise says
Nancy — Vera sheets, you ARE a lucky dog!! I recently found Vera place mats and passed them up because of the colorway (stupid me) went back and they weren’t there. ahhhh, of course for only $1!! I was doing the “I have to stop collecting things mantra” but I did pick up a table cloth recently, (unfortunately with spots I may not be able to get out.)
An afghan slide-show? sounds fun! fun! fun!….let me get the camera out.
pam kueber says
denise, the “I have to stop collecting things mantra.” That’s a good one as if.
Tikimama says
I’m in on the slide show! I’ll try to get some good pix later and send them to you.
In the meantime, as I was browsing Flickr, I found this photo on MiniJen’s photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mini_jen/755633356/in/set-72157600717470184/
It’s a granny square afghan at Charles Phoenix’s house! (And if you don’t know who he is, you should find out!!)
nina462 says
My Mom made me a granny square afgan too, but we cannot find it. I remember helping to map out the design…my colors were white, bright jungle green and bright orange. WOW! (I had a jungle green & white bedroom). She’s made me several more ‘sedate’ afgans in different colors & patterns, but I sure wish I could find my granny square one –
Magnarama says
(tee hee)
Magnarama says
Hey… isn’t that model on the cover of the Granny Squares pattern book the actress who played Mindy on the TV show “Mork & Mindy”?
And wasn’t her name… uh, let me think… oh, yeah — PAM?
pam kueber says
I know here name, of course: Pam Dawber. Yes, the young woman looks like her – would take more research, though. Pam was one of the top-20 names in the 50s, I believe….
Nancy says
And she’s married to handsome Mark Harmon.
nancy says
Pam- I am weak, what can I say? I did buy both & am very excited! I have been looking for ones those colors ( just got a black background one) but couldn’t find these colors in good shape.
That is a great site- also got a 50’s hair dryer for our new yellow guest bath & a set of Vera sheets!
What a fun day!
Thanks!
pam kueber says
nancy – Vera sheets? i am SO JEALOUS! congrats!