The other day, digging around in that black hole of UFOs (sewing room closet), I came across a bagful of these granny squares. Little jewels, I've dumped them on the floor and sorted through them many times since I crocheted them one college summer. It was during the waning days of hippie chic, when we were still sewing peasant blouses and caftans from Indian bedspreads but several years before quilting exploded on the scene. The last heyday of crochet.
I've decided to finally make this up into a throw but the squares each need one row of the connector color. Here's my dilemma. These are made of Wintuk, wonder fiber of the 70s. I know, I know...get the smelling salts. This is *ahem* vintage Wintuk, however. The squares have quite a nice hand, not at all like the acrylics of today, which I definitely don't want to won't use. I'm considering using something like a Cascade 220 Superwash. Any reason this would be a bad idea? (Other than finishing a Wintuk project...) All suggestions welcome.
I was going to change topics here but when I remembered that I now have a scanner, I decided to take a quick detour down memory lane.
January, 1973
Yes, it's moi, crocheting rope for a design project in college. Which, as I recall, resulted in my first fiber related injury, a wrecked wrist. Check out the dorm room...no microwaves or Rubbermaid containers in '73!!
You hippie chick, you!
Posted by: Carole | March 13, 2006 at 11:31 AM
Oh yes, oh yes! I remember the days well. So many granny squares are in my past. It would be wonderful to finish them into something fun. Who would know that GS are back!! Cascade superwash should work well!
Posted by: margene | March 13, 2006 at 11:36 AM
Those granny squares are so colorful and pretty! I'm not normally a fan of that "genre" but yours are sweet and will surely make into something really pretty -- maybe even chic! ;-)
Posted by: Anna | March 13, 2006 at 12:08 PM
The Granny squares are very pretty! I think the cascade will be a good option, maybe a cascade that was superwashed.
Posted by: isela | March 13, 2006 at 01:27 PM
Love the granny squares, they look like candy! I don't know what Cascade superwash is but I can't wait to see the finished throw.
Posted by: myra | March 13, 2006 at 02:48 PM
Oh, I just love it. You are so adorable in that picture, and yes, I see the absolute HEIGHT of '70s hi-tech in there: A hot pot. Hee. (at least I think that's what that is...and didn't we feel PRIVILEGED to have it, too?) And the ubiquitous trunk, too!
Posted by: Norma | March 13, 2006 at 03:58 PM
Oh my god, how cute are you?
Love it. And those granny squares are fab. You had the color sense way back when too.
Posted by: mamacate | March 13, 2006 at 04:23 PM
What a HOOT!!!!!! The granny squares are very groovy...but the vintage photo of you is outta sight man! I can dig it.
Posted by: schnoobie | March 13, 2006 at 05:01 PM
Those squares are truly a treasure!
Posted by: margie | March 13, 2006 at 05:16 PM
Those are the yummiest granny squares I've ever seen!
Posted by: Mariko | March 13, 2006 at 05:55 PM
Those granny squares are so wonderful! Think of how new they look all over again! So much work, all ready to be finished.
Posted by: Blair | March 13, 2006 at 05:56 PM
What an incredible stash! How big are they? I have such fond memories of (yes, I'm going to say it) making granny squares with my grandma. Really! Can't wait to see what you do with them.
Posted by: Kristin | March 13, 2006 at 06:18 PM
Oh, fabulous picture!!
Hmm, do you have access to any thrift stores? You can often find that vintage acrylic.
Posted by: Chris | March 13, 2006 at 08:20 PM
I love those squares -- I want to learn crochet to make a granny square afghan. I just love them! Great picture!
Posted by: Kathy | March 13, 2006 at 09:01 PM
Wow, crocheting rope? Very inspiring. Can't wait to see the squares all finished up! That would look nice on the bed in my room. :)
Posted by: molly | March 14, 2006 at 01:01 AM
I have had some good luck with some acrylic fibers lately. I am thinking Fun Fur would make a nice addition to the granny squares. Far out man!
Posted by: Melody Johnson | March 14, 2006 at 08:06 AM
Your granny squares are so colourful! I admit I'm still scarred from a ghastly bright orange afghan that plagued my childhood living room but I could see these coming together nicely.
You look so young in that pic - college? Of course, most people are looking young to me; I know this is a bad sign.
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 14, 2006 at 12:16 PM
Love those granny squares! They are like candies.
Posted by: Siow Chin | March 14, 2006 at 08:45 PM
Your granny squares are the best coloured ones I´ve ever seen. I am planning a granny square blanket for a long time already and you reminded me of that idea. But please could you show me how you have hidden the thousands of threads? (I am asking because my crochetted blankets always look horrible at the wrong side)And I am curious to see the first pictures of your making up.
Posted by: Krawuggl | March 15, 2006 at 08:12 AM
I see we are about the same age, I think I have a similar picture of myself in tie-dye!
I would probably do one or two of the squares in the Cascade and run them through the wash just to be sure, but I think it should work.
Posted by: VaxGirl | March 16, 2006 at 04:34 PM
IWhat lovely and bright granny squares. They remind me of the Murano beads (like the ones I have sewn on the wrist warmers I show in my blog today)
Posted by: Britt Arnhild Lindland | March 18, 2006 at 03:09 PM
I love the squares--these are really hip right now, I think "hippie chic" is much the same as today's "urban gypsy" look! I know nothing about knitting/crocheting, but have you thought of using a really MODERN color to link them together? ie, something that *wasn't* available in the '70s?? Your granny squares are in beautiful jeweltones--they don't scream '70s the way, say, ones in avocado, burnt orange, and mustard might. So if you use maybe a beautiful dark periwinkle, or a lime green, or fuschia--or something else more of the moment today--you will certainly end up with a gorgeous blanket. Of course, black is always gorgeous too!
Posted by: patricia | March 20, 2006 at 12:17 PM
I love your granny squares...don't know a thing about types of yarn though....cute picture too!
Posted by: brenda | March 20, 2006 at 02:49 PM
Granny squares, does that take me back, ha! I made a vest of them once. Your squares are much more beautiful than mine, though, wonderful in fact. If you don't make a throw, they'd make a crazy great sweater if you had enough. People would see you a mile away.
Posted by: PaMdora | March 23, 2006 at 10:29 AM
Catching up on my blogreading and just saw your fab granny squares. Go with the Cascade 220 superwash. I have an enormous Granny Square bedspread made by my great-grandmother (I guess that makes them Great Granny Squares?) in the 1940's, she mixed some real wool in with the Wintuk and other industrial strength wooly feeling synthetics and its doing vibrantly well.
And your dorm room view...deja vu for me!
Posted by: gale (she shoots sheep shots) | March 23, 2006 at 11:11 AM
wow, i do love these grannies. i've been making grannies, too. and have used recycled yarn from thrift stores. here's a link too my little hexagons of love:
http://static.flickr.com/14/93413111_7129e515b7.jpg
how does one ATTACH the grannies together? should i single crochet them together? or should i use a fat needle and sew together?
any inspriration or how-to would be appreciated.
Posted by: beth Clawson | March 24, 2006 at 07:17 AM
yes, no rubbermaid nor microwaves, but hot pots and footlockers. we even made grilled cheese with an iron.
ah yes.
ponchos the first time around with grannies.
Posted by: susan | March 25, 2006 at 01:35 PM
Your granny squares remind me of the granny square skirt I keep telling myself I'm going to crochet. This time I'm really going to do it! Especially since it's so portable and would be great for those snatches of time in the car at the bus stop! I'll have to go buy some yarn...oh darn! :)
Posted by: Joanne | March 25, 2006 at 08:47 PM
I have to ask, did you work with the GS after this, what color did you end up using to join? I love the jewel tones. It's true, they don't look dated.
Posted by: Leslie | August 21, 2009 at 02:07 PM
Would you happen to have the pattern for the squares still around??? I've been looking for one for years!
Posted by: Erica | June 18, 2011 at 01:27 PM