Book Review: Vintage Granny Squares by Emma Varnam

I remember as a kid watching my grandmother crochet granny squares. I don’t even know what she was using them for, I just remember watching her build those colorful squares of yarn stitches. It was so much fun watching the colorful squares emerge from scrap yarn.

I am far from the only one who loves a granny square. Started in the center and worked round after round to create a square (or circle, or hexagon, or any other shape), granny squares are the ultimate yarn project building block. The granny square is the star of the book Vintage Granny Squares: 20 Crochet Projects with a Retro Vibe by Emma Varnam.

All I can say is, this book is absolutely adorable, y’all. The projects are colorful, creative, and all with a fun retro vibe.

All of the projects in this book are based on a basic granny square. There are bags, blankets, accessories, even a cute top. Or how about a pair of fingerless mittens made from granny squares?

But my favorite project in the book has got to be that project basket featured on the front cover. At 9 ½” wide and 11” tall, it’s the perfect size to hold a yarn project or two.

Granny squares are the ultimate portable crochet project. Squares stack neatly and take up little space in your project bag. You can stitch up all the squares you need for the project before sewing them all together.

Granny squares are also a super fun way to use up those leftover bits of yarn, which all seem to have laying around. Why not use these scraps to stitch up a colorful and fun bag or accessory?
You’ll find some great granny square inspiration in Vintage Granny Squares: 20 Crochet Projects with a Retro Vibe.

Publisher: GMC Publications (March 4, 2025)
Language: English
Paperback: 144 pages
ISBN-10: 1784946796
ISBN-13: 978-1784946791

Next Pattern:

There is a certain kind of sewing pattern that makes you start mentally matching fabrics before you have even finished reading the description. You know the type — relaxed shapes, clever details, pockets if the sewing gods are smiling, and just enough room for you to use that fabric you bought “for something special” three years ago.

That is exactly where Matchy Matchy Sewing Club seems to have found its sweet spot.

This indie sewing pattern brand has been getting more attention lately, and it is not hard to see why. The patterns feel cheerful, wearable, and creative without looking overly complicated. They have that handmade wardrobe energy sewists love right now: loose dresses, easy tops, patchwork details, everyday pants, quilted pieces, and garments that look like they were designed for real life rather than a mannequin who has never sat down.

What makes Matchy Matchy Sewing Club especially appealing is that it does not feel intimidating. The designs have personality, but they still look achievable. They invite you to play with fabric, mix prints, use scraps, and sew clothes that feel comfortable enough for the school run, the craft room, the market, or a lazy Sunday spent pretending you are only “tidying” the fabric stash.

And really, that is a big part of the current handmade wardrobe trend. Sewists are not just looking for another plain sewing pattern. They want pieces that feel personal. They want PDF sewing patterns that are beginner-friendly but still interesting. They want garments that let fabric choices shine, especially if there is a chance to use up those beautiful leftovers we keep folding neatly and then never touching again.

Matchy Matchy Sewing Club taps into all of that beautifully.

Next Pattern:

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