Altering Granny Squares

Granny squares are made with dc groups and chains. The problem in repairing or replacing rounds of granny squares is that each row is worked over the chains of the rounds before. In this example, I have made a traditional granny square with 5 rounds. The 3-dc groups are separated by a ch-2 on the sides and a ch-3 in the corners. I used all light colors for ease of illustration.

To replace round 2 of the square with pink instead of blue, you will need the pink yarn, a crochet hook the same size as was used in the project, a tapestry needle, and cotton thread for retaining the stitches on round 3. I used red cotton thread.

In this case, it would be easier to just unravel down to round 2 and do it over, but if you have a very large piece, this technique will help you. You can use it to replace part of a round if you are only repairing a small section.

Begin by threading the cotton through the bottom of the dc's in round 3, being careful not to catch any of the stitches. Adjust the tension if necessary, cut the end of the cotton thread and knot the 2 ends.

Unravel the blue round. You will need to pull the chains through the dcs of round 3.

You will need a length of pink yarn long enough to complete the stitches you are replacing. Use the blue yarn you unravelled as a guide, but add extra yarn.

Start in a corner of round 1. Ch 3, 2 dc in corner, then ch 3, pulling the entire length of the yarn through the last ch. Thread the end of the yarn through the tapestry needle and pull the entire length through the bottom of the 3 dc in teh top center. You will need to pull hard to get the chains through, and the last lp will tighten. Use your needle to unloop the last knot and transfer your loop to the hook.

Work each dc group and chain with hook, then transfer to tapestry needle to pull through the dc group in the row above. When complete, join the ch 3 that was pulled through the last corner to the top of the ch-3 at the beginning of the round. The retaining thread can be removed.