The Connors Couch: Crochet a Granny Square Blanket
Those of you who’ve followed me over the years, know how I obsessively search out knitting and crochet in TV, movies, and fashion. Well, once again, pop culture meets yarn in the re-up of ABC’s hit comedy, The Connors (formerly Rosanne.) The Connor house wouldn’t be the same without the iconic, granny square blanket. The new season — which by the way feels as smart and relevant as it did in its original, 1990’s incarnation– displays it in all its glory! Below is my view of it on the Connor couch, from where I sat on my own. (Psst … I’d love to know who made this one so I can give them proper adulation. Reach out if you’ve got the scoop!)
Recently, at SXSW (here in Austin, TX), versions of the above banket be-cozied many rickshaws promoting the show. This, of course, thrilled me to no end. However, seeing the piece on screen is the most fun of all, which inspired this post.
Hey, how about crocheting your own, Rosanne Granny Blanket? Sounds fun, right? Here’s how!
Granny Square Instructions
With Color A, Ch 6. Sl st in 1st ch to create ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3, (counts as a dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, [ch 3, 3 dc in ring] 3 times. ch 3; join with sl sl in 3rd ch of beginning ch-3. — 4 dc clusters, 4 ch-3 spaces
Cut A; Join B.
Rnd 2: With B, ch 4, (counts as dc and ch-1 sp here and throughout), *(3dc, ch 3, 3 dc) In next corner ch-3 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times, (3 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in first corner ch-3 sp: join with a sl st in 3rd chain of beginning ch-4.
Cut B; Join C.
Rnd 3: With C, sl st in next ch-1 sp. ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 2 dc in same ch-1 sp, *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next corner ch-3 sp, ch 1**, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * 3 more times, ending last rep at **; join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.
Cut C; Join D.
Rnd 4: With D, ch 4, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next corner ch-3 sp**,[ch 1, 3 dc, in next ch-1 sp] twice; rep from * 3 more times. ending last rep at**, ch 1, 2 dc in last ch-1 sp; join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.
Cut D; Join E.
Rnd 5: With E, sl st in next, ch-1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next corner ch-3 sp**, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] 3 times; rep from * 3 more times, ending last rep at **, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch-3.
Rnd 6: Ch 3 (counts as dc), *dc in next st, and every st until corner center st (this will be the center st of the corner grouping of sts), 3 dc in corner st; rep from *, ending with dc at end of rnd, join with a sl st in 3rd chain of beginning ch-3.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends. Block, if necessary.
The Conners Granny Blanket Recipe
MATERIALS
*Note: The Rosanne Granny Blanket will take approximately 3100 yards of yarn. The amounts per color, however, will vary greatly depending on how you choose to make it. The spirit of this project is to use many different colors, united by black borders. That said, here’s a general supply list!
Valley Yarns Superwash Worsted, Colors by Vickie Howell (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 98 yds), in colors: Shown: (A) Golden Girl, (B) Siracha, (C) Manic Panic, (D) Daiquiri Ice, (E) Black <—- “E” is your border color, so you’ll need the most of this. I calculated that 3, two round (as seen on the original blanket) borders can be crocheted out of 1 ball. That would mean you’d need approximately 21 balls of E.
Other Valley Yarns Superwash Worsted supplemental color suggestions: Careless Whisper, Pink, Spring Leaf, Orchid, Plum.
Size U.S. 8/5 mm Crochet Hook
Tapestry Needle
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
64″ x 64″/163 cm x 163 cm
GAUGE
1 Granny Square = 8″/20 cm
MAKE BLANKET
Crochet 64 granny squares (using pattern above), in various shades, but with the same “E” Rnds 5-6.
Sc or hand seem squares into an 8 x 8 grid.
Weave in ends.
Need help learning how to crochet a granny square? Check out my Crochet Maker 2 online class on CreativeLive!
Now, go be gaga for Granny Roseanne!
My mom saw an interview recently, with the cast. Apparently, that blanket has been used a lot. When the original show was running, everyone took naps under it.
How can you promote this classic as a ‘roseanne’? How can YOU, of all people, being half Latino, even REFER to this drumpfite? Just because the set designer decided on a granny square blanket umpteen years ago does not make it a ‘roseanne’ blanket. If hitler took a nap under an afghan would you promote that as good publicity for yarn, too? Don’t try to associate the classic with a homophobe who supports racism, misogyny, treason, and lying. The Granny Square was doing fine before this sorry excuse for a woman came along and will do fine long after all drumpfites are gone. Very disappointed in you, Vickie.
Wow so judgmental!
Joy, et al:
I’ve seen your posts on all of my social media accounts. I hear you, and respect your opinion. I in no way intended to offend you, or any other stitcher. My intent was simply, to continue to provide (free) content to fuel the love of yarn-crafts.
I can honestly say that before posting this piece, I hadn’t looked into Roseanne Bar’s politics. Historically, that has not been my practice when posting onscreen knit-spottings (or crochet, as it were in this case) or odes to yarn use in pop culture.
I’ve always embraced knitting and crochet as vehicles of opportunity, to find a common thread amongst folks who may otherwise disagree; not as a divider. I believe that craft can be the gateway for openness and communication. Although, as I stated earlier, it was not my intention for my post to be political, at this point (as pertains to this specific incident) I do invite respectful conversations here about the validity of celebrity opinion within the context of politics (I actually go back and forth on this one — I listen to political podcasts and read articles every single day, not in relation to celebrities, but rather the politicians behind the parties and pieces of legislation. I do however, understand the power of a very loud voice.) Should we as purveyors of pop culture (movies, TV, music, etc.) research the politics, religions, mental health and personal habits of the creators behind them? Let’s talk about that.
Other topics that might be relevant: Was the use of the Pussy Hat and Nasty Woman shirt on the character of “Jackie” an attempt to represent both sides of a coin, or did it read as a cartoon image of feminism? Was the issue of gender nonconformity handled in an honest and earnest way? Will anyone else be watching to see if the one person of color in the series, is given more screen time than she has thus far?
As long as our candor can be respectful, I’m happy to use yarn as the conversation starter for pertinent topics that affect our society.
With love and respect,
Vickie
I truly appreciate your stance on this. Let this be a chance to discuss, not spew more hate around.
Thanks, Marlea. I really needed to hear a nice comment today. I appreciate you taking the time! <3
WOW, very well stated, Vickie! Social media has certainly allowed people to forget their manners and say/write things they probably wouldn’t say to you face to face. Thank for you so eloquently responding to the criticism. When they go low, we go high.
Excellent response. So wonderfully articulated.
BTW I’m about as liberal as they get…. and I can’t wait to make this blanket!!
The Original Afghan had 120 squares each square was 5 rounds.