Mix and Match Granny Squares. Stitches

In Mix and Match granny squares – Stitches the stars aren’t flowers or “typical motifs”, but stitch patterns for granny squares: textures, raised stitches, lines, geometric effects and variations that completely change the look of the square. It’s a very useful approach if you already make granny squares and you fancy giving them a more modern, more graphic or more “textured” feel (with density and structure), without relying on a long pattern.

The interesting thing is that you can use these squares as a base module for loads of ideas: from a sampler blanket to panels for cushions, bags or modular jackets. What’s more, by working with textured, stitch-based granny squares, it’s easy to choose combinations with contrast (some denser and others more open) and create visual rhythm without the project feeling chaotic.

Mix and Match granny squares – Stitches works mainly as a tool for designing and deciding: you choose a square for its texture, try it, compare it with others, and build your combination. If what you want is a book that says “make this exact blanket in these colours”, this format is different: it gives you resources to create your own project from modules, with the freedom to repeat, alternate or make a completely personal composition.

Put practically: it’s ideal if you like improvising with intention, if you have leftover yarn you want to use up well, or if you fancy making a unique piece without spending hours hunting for compatible patterns. If you’re thinking of buying Mix and Match granny squares – Stitches, see it as an “idea box” for designing quickly and for unblocking yourself when inspiration runs low.

You don’t need to be a chart expert from day one, but it does help to be curious about learning, because the heart of Mix and Match granny squares – Stitches is the granny square charts. The good part is that this kind of product is often more beginner-friendly than a traditional pattern: you see the square, you see the chart, and you start matching “what I see” with “what I crochet”, which speeds up learning a lot.

To keep it simple, the best approach is to crochet one square as a swatch without obsessing over perfection: focus on understanding repeats, row/round changes and stitches that repeat in bands. From there, you can use very basic aids (markers, counting repeats, noting where you stopped) and within a few cards you’ll be reading the stitch charts for granny squares confidently, without relying on endless instructions.

Mix and Match granny squares – Stitches is a great fit for intermediate level, especially if you already have the crochet basics down (chain, double crochet, and keeping an even tension). At that level, this boxed set gives you a quality boost because it teaches you to “design with stitches”: you choose texture, observe how it’s built and, above all, learn to repeat a pattern consistently.

Even so, a beginner can still get a lot out of it if they use it strategically: start with the simplest squares, crochet them slowly, and repeat the same design two or three times to internalise the logic. The advantage is that the stitch patterns for granny squares here don’t feel abstract, because there’s always a clear visual reference of the finished result. That reduces frustration and makes learning more enjoyable.

The key to enjoying Mix and Match granny squares – Stitches is choosing a yarn that shows the stitch definition clearly, because texture matters more here than in a classic granny. A cotton or a wool with good stitch definition usually shows raised details and lines better; by contrast, a very fluffy yarn can hide some of the effect. If your goal is to show off textured, stitch-based granny squares, think stitch definition before ultra softness.

As for the hook, what works best is a medium, steady tension: if you crochet too tightly, the raised stitches lose their effect and the square can distort; if it’s too loose, the motif loses presence. The ideal is to crochet one square as a swatch and adjust half a size up or down until the fabric lies “flat” and the stitch pattern reads well. That way you get real value from the stitch patterns for granny squares without fighting your materials.

First, it helps to understand that when you mix different textures, it’s normal for some squares to “grow” more or shrink depending on how each stitch pattern behaves. That’s why, in Mix and Match granny squares – Stitches, finishing matters so much: it’s not just about crocheting the motif, but preparing the square so it fits with the rest. It really helps to keep the same base yarn and a consistent tension across all the cards you plan to combine.

Then the pro trick is to even things out with a border: a simple, stable edging can correct small differences and create a clean perimeter for joining. Also, once you get into the habit of finishing the same way every time, assembly stops being a headache. If what you want is clean, tidy borders and joins for granny squares that are easy to sew or crochet together, this approach saves time, means less unpicking, and the final result looks much more uniform.