STITCH OF THE MONTH: GRANNY STRIPE HEARTS

February’s Stitch of the Month is the classic Granny Stripe!

Granny clusters are one of the most recognisable elements in crochet, featuring in hexi cardigans, granny squares, and so much more.

To add a little extra challenge, I’ve introduced colour changes to create two bold hearts, after all, February is the month of love! I’ll walk you through two different methods for carrying your yarn, along with the pros and cons of each, so you can choose what works best for you.

And of course, with a Valentine’s theme, pinks were a must! I used Baby Pink and Fiesta from Woolcraft for this panel. They contrast beautifully and really make the design pop.

Granny Stripe Hearts

Pattern Notes

This pattern uses US terminology when referring to stitches
This pattern is for a panel with a border of 49 sts x 76 sts
When working on a wrong side (WS), carry your yarn at the front of the work
When working on a right side (RS), carry your yarn at the back of the work
There are two methods to carrying your yarn
Method 1 is easier but the carried yarn may be visible at the front
Method 2 is trickier but ensures you cannot see the yarn at the front
Always mark your first stitch

Abbreviations

sc: single crochet

ch: chain

dc: double crochet

RS: Right Side

WS: Wrong Side

sk: skip

cluster: [3dc]

cluster space: The space between 2 clusters

half cluster: [2dc]

[square brackets]: stitches worked into the same stitch or space

half cluster space: The space between a half cluster and a cluster

st(s): stitch(es)

Materials

Yarn: Woolcraft New Fashion DK in Baby Pink (2F79) and Fiesta (733)

Hook size: 3.5 mm

Additional: Scissors, darning needle

Stitches, Techniques and Terminology

Fastening Off

ch1 and cut the yarn
Pull the loop on the hook until the tail comes through
Pull the tail to tighten

Working Yarn

The yarn you are currently working with

Changing Colour

Start the final stitch
Drop the working yarn when you have two loops on the hook
Yarn over with the new colour
Pull the loop of new colour through the final two loops to complete the stitch

Carrying Yarn

Insert hook into the stitch
Place yarn to be carried over the hook
Yarn over with current yarn
Pull the working yarn under the carried yarn and back through the stitch
The yarn to be carried is now secured within the stitch and the stitch can be completed

Stacking Single Crochets

Of the two loops you have just pulled through from your previous stitch, insert your hook under the one furthest away from the hand holding your hook
Yarn over and pull through one loop (2 loops on the hook)
Yarn over and pull through two loops

Carrying Yarn (Method 1)

At the front:
- Hold yarn to be carried at the front of the work
- Yarn over
- Place yarn to be carried over the hook before you insert your hook into the stitch
- Insert hook into the stitch
- Yarn over with working yarn
- Pull the working yarn through the stitch and under the carried yarn (3 loops on your hook)

The yarn to be carried is now secured

- Yarn over and pull through two loops (2 loops on the hook)
- Yarn over and pull through the final two loops
At the back:
- Hold yarn to be carried at the back of the work
- Yarn over
- Insert hook into the stitch
- Place yarn to be carried over the hook after you insert your hook into the stitch
- Yarn over with working yarn
- Pull the working yarn under the carried yarn and back through the stitch (3 loops on your hook)

The yarn to be carried is now secured

- Yarn over and pull through two loops (2 loops on the hook)
- Yarn over and pull through the final two loops

Carrying Yarn (Method 2)
At the front:
- Hold yarn to be carried at the front of the work
Yarn over and insert hook into the stitch only
Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook)
Place yarn to be carried over the hook
Yarn over with working yarn
Pull the working yarn under the carried yarn and through two loops (2 loops on your hook)

The yarn to be carried is now secured

Yarn over and pull through the final two loops

If yarn to be carried is visible from the front, gently pull it to hide

At the back:
- Hold yarn to be carried at the back of the work
- Yarn over and insert hook into the stitch only
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook)
- Place yarn to be carried over the hook
- Yarn over with working yarn
- Pull the working yarn under the carried yarn and through two loops (2 loops on your hook)

The yarn to be carried is now secured

- Yarn over and pull through the final two loops
- If yarn to be carried is visible from the front, gently pull it to hide

Granny Stripe Hearts Written Pattern

R1. Baby Pink (RS)

ch50
sc into the second ch from the hook
stack a sc on top and mark it
dc into the same chain
(sk2, cluster) x 15
sk2, half cluster in the last ch
Turn

R2. (WS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
cluster into the half cluster space
cluster into the next cluster space x 14
cluster into the half cluster space
sk1, dc into the final st
Turn

R3. (RS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
dc into the same st
cluster into the next cluster space x 15
sk3, half cluster in the final st
Turn

R4. (WS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
cluster into the half cluster space
cluster into the next cluster space x 14
cluster into the half cluster space
sk1, dc into the final st
Turn

R5. (RS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
dc into the same st
cluster into the next cluster space x 7
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 7
sk3, half cluster in the final st
Turn

R6. (WS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
cluster into the half cluster space
cluster into the next cluster space x 6
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 2
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 6
cluster into the half cluster space
sk1, dc into the final st
Turn

R7. (RS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
dc into the same st
cluster into the next cluster space x 6
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 3
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 6
sk3, half cluster in the final st
Turn

R8. (WS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
cluster into the half cluster space
cluster into the next cluster space x 5
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 4
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 5
cluster into the half cluster space
sk1, dc into the final st
Turn

R9. (RS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
dc into the same st
cluster into the next cluster space x 5
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 5
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 5
sk3, half cluster in the final st
Turn

R10. (WS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
cluster into the half cluster space
cluster into the next cluster space x 4
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 6
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 4
cluster into the half cluster space
sk1, dc into the final st
Turn

R11. (RS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
dc into the same st
cluster into the next cluster space x 4
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 7
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 4
sk3, half cluster in the final st
Turn

R12. (WS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
cluster into the half cluster space
cluster into the next cluster space x 3
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 8
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 3
cluster into the half cluster space
sk1, dc into the final st
Turn

R13. (RS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
dc into the same st
cluster into the next cluster space x 3
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 9
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 3
sk3, half cluster in the final st
Turn

R14. (WS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
cluster into the half cluster space
cluster into the next cluster space x 3
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 8
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 3
cluster into the half cluster space
sk1, dc into the final st
Turn

R15. (RS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
dc into the same st
cluster into the next cluster space x 3
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 4
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Carry Fiesta
cluster in the next cluster space
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 4
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Do not carry Fiesta
cluster in the next cluster space x 3
sk3, half cluster in the final st
Turn

R16. (WS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
cluster into the half cluster space
cluster into the next cluster space x 3
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 3
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Carry Fiesta
cluster into the next cluster space x 2
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 3
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Carry Fiesta
cluster in the next cluster space x 3
cluster into the half cluster space
sk1, dc into the final st
Turn

R17. (RS)

sc into the first st
stack a sc on top and mark it
dc into the same st
cluster into the next cluster space x 4
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 2
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Carry Fiesta
cluster in the next cluster space x 3
- Change to Fiesta on last st
- Carry Baby Pink
cluster in the next cluster space x 2
- Change to Baby Pink on last st
- Cut Fiesta
- cluster in the next cluster space x 4
sk3, half cluster in the final st
Turn

R18 - R33. (16 rows)

Repeat R2 - R17

R34 - R37. (4 rows)

Repeat R2 - R3 twice

R38.

sc into the first st
sc into each remaining stitch (49)
Turn

Edging (RS)

Baby Pink

Top

sc into the first st
sc x 48
- You should have 49 sc on this edge
ch2 and sc back into the last st of R38
- This additional sc is the first st of the first long edge
Rotate the work 90 degrees to work down the side

First Long Edge (top to bottom)

sc where the end sts of R38 and R37 meet
sc through the middle of the end dc of R37
sc where the end sts of R37 and R36 meet
sc through the middle of the end dc of R36
Repeat this process, working your way down the edge, placing a sc through the middle of each end dc and another where two rows meet
Place a final sc into the bottom chain
- You should have 76 sc on this edge
ch2 and sc back into the chain
- This additional sc is the first st of the bottom edge
Rotate the work 90 degrees to work along the bottom

Bottom

- You will be working into the bottom of the original chain for this edge
sc into each of the remaining chains
- Do not try and work into the 50th chain
- You should have 49 sc on this edge
ch2 and sc back into the last ch
This additional sc is the first st of the second long edge
Rotate the work 90 degrees to work up the side

Second Long Edge (bottom to top)

sc through the middle of the end dc of R1
sc where the end sts of R1 and R2 meet
sc through the middle of the end dc of R2
sc where the end sts of R2 and R3 meet
Repeat this process, working your way up the edge, placing a sc through the middle of each end dc and another where two rows meet
when you reach the top of R37, place a final sc where R37 and R38 meet
You should have 76 sc on this edge
ch2 and sl st into the first st from the top edge
Fasten off

Happy Crocheting! Dont forget to tag me on my socials with your finished pieces!