Crochet Animal Squares

The designs in Animal Granny Squares are conceived as modular pieces that can be combined to create all kinds of textile projects. The possibilities are wide-ranging: they can be used to make themed blankets, cushions with animal motifs, decorative panels for children’s rooms, or even customised garments if used as appliqués. The uniform size of each square (15 x 15 cm) makes them easy to assemble, and the variety of motifs allows for playful combinations by colours, habitats, or styles.

In addition to larger projects, these granny squares can also be used individually to create bags, bookmarks, coasters, or ornaments. The book’s instructions encourage reinterpretation of each design, making it easy to transform the animals into brooches, wall hangings, or even soft toys. This versatility makes the book a very practical resource for those seeking constant inspiration in their crochet work.

The patterns in Animal Granny Squares are aimed mainly at intermediate crocheters, but can also be tackled by anyone who already knows the basic stitches. The structure of the projects is clear and repetitive, allowing the steps to be followed with relative ease once the logic of granny squares is understood. Some designs are more detailed than others, but all share a simple and well-explained foundation.

The book includes step-by-step written instructions and visual diagrams to help visualise the process. This makes it an excellent tool for those who want to improve their technical level through creative projects. The author also encourages adaptation of the designs, allowing crocheters to adjust the difficulty according to their experience. With patience and practice, even less experienced readers can enjoy the process and achieve highly satisfying results.

Unlike other books focused on classic crochet patterns, Animal Granny Squares stands out for its originality and playful style. Each square represents a different animal, with charming expressions and an aesthetic designed to appeal to both adults and children. Leonie Morgan’s approach moves away from traditional crochet, offering a more modern, colourful, and emotional vision of the craft.

Another distinguishing feature is the book’s ability to inspire personalisation. It’s not just about following patterns, but about playing with them, modifying them, and creating unique compositions. The structure of the book encourages creativity: motifs can be mixed, colours changed, and projects built to be truly unique. It’s a work that connects with crocheters who seek freedom, style, and fun in their craft.

Each project in Animal Granny Squares is designed to be worked with medium-weight yarns and a 3.5 mm crochet hook, though they can be adapted to other materials depending on preference. Cotton or cotton-acrylic blends are the most common choices, as they provide good stitch definition and a wide range of colours. The book does not impose specific brands, so readers can use the yarns available locally.

In addition to yarn and hook, some designs require small accessories such as tapestry needles for sewing pieces, safety eyes for characters, or stitch markers. The approach is accessible and economical: many of the squares can be made with leftover yarn from other projects. This makes the book ideal for creatively and playfully using up scraps.

Yes, Animal Granny Squares is perfect for projects related to childhood or education. The designs represent easily recognisable animals, making them a useful visual tool for teaching about the animal world. Blankets, panels, or sensory books made with these patterns can help children in colour learning, animal recognition, or tactile development. They can also be adapted as decorative elements in schools, libraries, or children’s rooms.

The friendly look of each animal, along with their safe structure (without dangerous parts if appropriate yarns are used), makes them suitable for babies and young children. Crocheters working in educational settings or with families will find in this book an endless source of ideas for creating textile materials that are didactic, affectionate, and durable.