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It’s the pattern that launched crochet’s most popular motif: the Mrs. Phelps Granny Square! In 1885, the magazine Prairie Farmer Magazine published this iconic pattern, along with a letter from the designer, Mrs. Phelps. Mrs. Phelps wrote of her interest in the “crazy work” trend (the same one that gave us crazy quilts) and said this design was an attempt to bring the style to crochet. It is the first documented instance of this motif, as well as one of the earliest instances of worsted weight, rather than lace weight, yarn being used for crochet.

The main difference between the Mrs. Phelps Granny Square pattern and the modern granny square pattern is the border, which is denser and, dare we say, a little more stylish. This border is a nod to the thick border used on crazy quilt squares at the time.

This free pattern contains the instructions from the original pattern. The Yarn Queen’s own Ruth Walden translated the instructions into both UK and US terminology so that you can recreate this piece of textile history in your own home.

The pattern also includes an overview of the history of this motif. If you want to learn more about this iconic motif, read our article on The World’s First Granny Square Pattern.

A note on yarns, substitutions and colour choices
You can use whatever colours you like, but Mrs. Phelps intended for the border colour of every square to be black, to follow the trend at the time for quilts of different colours bound together with black fabric.

We have used a dark blue for the instruction photos so you can actually see what we have done!

You can use scraps of different colours, or choose a specific palette and make all your squares the same, or coordinated in colours. Meterage depends entirely on how many squares you are making.

We have used DK yarn, but you can use whatever weight yarn you like. Adjust your hook accordingly.

Skill notes
If you are an adventurous beginner, you are ready to make this pattern!

This pattern is written using both UK and US terminology. If you are unsure which terminology you usually use, ask yourself if you ever use a single crochet (SC) stitch. If so, follow the US terminology. If not, follow the UK terminology.

This pattern uses these techniques:

• Chain
• Single crochet (US) / double crochet (UK)
• Double crochet (US) / treble (UK)
• Slip stitch
• Joining new colours

Method
The square is worked in concentric rows, starting from the middle and working out.

The inner row is a circle of double crochet (US) / treble (UK) stitches, and the square is formed and maintained on subsequent rows by working groups of double crochet (US) / treble (UK) to give corners before a border is added.

Squares are then joined together to form a blanket or throw.

Materials
DK yarn in 4 colours – quantity as required for amount of squares you intend to make.

We used DK yarn and a 4 mm hook; however you can use whatever weight yarn you like, and matching hook. Suitable for busting scraps.

Abbreviations
US
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
UK
dc – double crochet
tr – treble

Note
Mrs. Phelps’s original instructions appear in italics above the modern instructions.