Animal Granny Squares

In this book you'll find 40 crochet animal block pattern designs, which combine different crochet stitches and techniques for blankets, decorations, homeware and more.

* Machine Knitting Monthly, September 2023 *

For those who love a motif-based project, this charming book features 40 characterful appliqué-style crochet squares, with animal designs ranging in complexity from a simple ladybird or rabbit to those with embellishments such as a lion's mane or a koala's fluffy ears, or those with added textures such as bobble stitch detailing on a bumblebee, Use the squares to construct your own unique blankets and accessories, or make Leonie's four suggested projects.

* Inside Crochet, Issue 160 *

This is a great crochet book of colourful animal granny squares. The 40 different animal squares can be mixed and matched to make cushions, blankets etc for the nursery or used as patches for clothing, some suggestions and patterns for a cushion, wall hanging and scarf are included at the back. The patterns use some embellishments to create textures and colours to make the animals stand out. All the stitch guides and techniques are explained and illustrated at the back so suitable for beginners to advanced crocheters. This is a great value book and can be used so many ways.

* Jackie from Half Yard Sewing Club *

This lovely book contains 40 patterns to make animal crocheted blocks, that can be used as the base to create larger projects. The animal designs are fun and suitable for beginners, new to crochet, and those with more experience. The skill level for each block is indicated by paw prints. Each block has clear instructions, accompanied by a lovely photograph. There are also instructions for four lovely, larger projects, including a pretty Unicorn Wall Hanging. At the back of the book is a section on ‘Stitches and Techniques’, which contains all the information you need from materials and notions and basic stitches through to joining the Granny squares together. There is also a useful Crochet Terminology conversion chart, identifying the differences between English and American Terminology. I can imagine children being delighted to receive gifts made from these blocks. All in all, this is a lovely book.

* Jayne from Half Yard Sewing Club *

A cute book of 40 animal granny squares to crochet using charts or instructions. Each animal is clearly printed with its own skill level pawprint and a coloured box with yarn and the crochet hook required. The instructions are a little small but easy to follow. A quality printed book with colourful pictures of the block. There is a helpful section at the back of the book for stitches and techniques with some ideas of how to use your blocks. A super array of animals to make.

* Sandra from Half Yard Sewing Club *

If you do crochet you will love this book. It has 40 Granny Squares, 6 inches square, each with an animal or insect on with some consisting of tails, fluffy manes, waggy tails etc. These squares would make into a great throw, blanket for a child, quilt, cushion cover and many more home ideas. Each square has a full pattern plus corresponding charts along with skill level. There is full instruction on all stitches used and the photography is clear and easy to follow. A delightful book and well worth the money at £12.99. The book makes you smile. It would make a wonderful Christmas present.

* Blodwen from Half Yard Sewing Club *

If you’re looking for a creative project for a young person then Animal Granny Squares by Leonie Morgan is a great option. The book offers 40 crochet blocks with animal motifs to make into anything you can imagine such as scarves, cushions, bags or blankets to name a few. As Leonie states, the book is a resource of granny square patterns that can be combined to make larger projects.

For each granny square pattern there is a skill level, info on materials and tools to complete it, a written pattern along with a chart of the pattern, the actual block size, a large photo of the finished square and a bit of narrative on how to enhance or modify the pattern.

With 40 to chose from there is such a great selection for a example a gecko, a brown bear, a gorgeous jellyfish, a cat, a snake, a seahorse, a lion and many many more all with a skill level of 1 or 2 paw prints (Leonie’s rating) there are only a handful with 3 paw prints (advanced level) the Red Panda, Hedgehog, Wolf and the Bumblebee so quite a lot are very do-able. The patterns are colourful using tapestry and intarsia crochet techniques to incorporate different coloured yarns.

Leonie also provides a few patterns for larger projects such as the cat cushion and wall hanging. The Chapter on Stitches & Techniques is a good resource because the explanations are clear, really helpful if you are not used to reading crochet chart patterns. It covers materials & notions, how to start and finish a block, basic stitches, stitch variation, special stitches, colourwork, reading charts & patterns, tension & blocking, how to join the granny squares and embroidery and embellishments.

The book itself is a handy size, not too big. The font is clear and easy to read and the photos, drawings and charts are a good size. The pages are matt so no glare when reading the charts and patterns. Great value for money.

* Jules from Half Yard Sewing Cl