Made and named in memory of my grandmother-in-law, Laveda (‘Grams’), who was an avid crocheter and particularly loved granny square motifs. After she passed, the family let me have a bunch of her yarn, and I used it to make this shawl, so I can think of her while I’m crafting. I recently wore it to a fiber expo; several people asked about it, loved the story behind it, and suggested in pretty strong terms that I should make the pattern available. 

Yarn: I used worsted-weight acrylic (some colors medium-worsted, some a bit heavier, almost aran), because that’s what Grams used, but this should work with any worsted yarn. It sits high at the back of the neck and has some weight to it, so I don’t recommend anything scratchy unless you plan to only wear it over turtlenecks.

Hook: Whatever the manufacturer recommends for your yarn. I honestly can’t remember what I used, maybe an H?

Other notions: Scissors, yarn needle for weaving in ends, cardboard for making tassels.

Finished dimensions: Not including tassels, 50.5” on each side of the square, 32.5” from center-back neck to back corner.

TIPS:
• Change color at the end of the row by pulling up the new color as the last ‘pull through 2’ of the last dc.
• Weave in half of your ends as you go by working the starting tail of each new color along with the live yarn (your starting ch3 and maybe first dc of each row will be a little plumper because of this double strand, but it’s totally worth it.)
• I had some trouble with my edge sts being tighter (and therefore shorter) than the rest of the sts, so the front points were curving in toward the center. I solved this by starting each row with a ch4 instead of a ch3 and ending each row with a trc instead of a dc. YMMV—I’m a tense crafter, so this adjustment may not be necessary for others.

1: Ch 4. In fourth ch from hook, 2dc, ch1, 3dc. Ch1, turn.
2-3: Ch3 (as first dc) then 2dc in first st, ch 1, 3dc in ch1 sp, ch1, 3dc-ch1-3dc in corner ch1 sp, ch 1, 3dc in ch1 sp, ch1, 3dc in last st. Ch1, turn.
4: Ch3, 2dc, ch1, 3dc in first st, ch1, 3dc then ch1 in each ch1 sp, 3dc-ch1-3dc at the corner, ch1, 3dc then ch1 in each ch1 sp, 3dc-ch1-3dc in last st. Ch1, turn.
5-33 (or whenever you feel yours is done): In first st every row: ch3, 2dc, ch1. In every ch1 space along the sides: 3dc, ch1. In the ch1 space at each of the three corners: 3dc, ch1, 3dc, ch1. In the last st every row: 3dc.

On the last round, ch2 at each corner/point instead of ch1.

Bind off and weave in ends. Make five tassels and attach one at each corner (back and sides) and each point (front).

You can use the tassels on the front points to fasten the shawl—just slip one tassel through the ch2 space nearest another tassel.

Suggested styles:
• Attach each front tassel to its side tassel to make loose sleeves.
• Attach the front tassels to each other behind you to make slightly snugger sleeves.
• Wrap the front points across your waist and then attach them to each other behind you to make a snug wrap.