Hey there! I am so excited that you wanted to learn more about the Not Your Granny’s Tee crochet pattern! This pattern is breezy, lightweight and so much fun! Perfect to add to your summer wardrobe and can easily be layered for winter fashion as well. I couldn’t have imagined it turning out better, and hope you enjoy making one for yourself!
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If you like crocheting granny squares, and would like to try another crochet pattern, the Granny Square Cardigan may be a great option for you!
The Yarn
To make this tee shirt, I went with ZZ Twist from Lion Brand Yarn in their taupe colorway. I knew right out the gate that I wanted to use a yarn that had nice drape and was not overly bulky or furry and this one fit the bill. After using it last year for my Sea and Shells Beach Dress, I already knew that it worked perfectly for summer. It is also affordable and comes in so many pretty summer colors! This yarn also has a lot of nice stretch, so if you are torn between two sizes for yourself and don’t mind a closer fit, the smaller of two sizes should work perfectly!
If you don’t have easy access to this yarn, or want an alternate type of yarn that you already have on hand; I would recommend another Z-Twist style yarn, or another smooth acrylic or cotton yarn. A DK lightweight acrylic or cotton yarn would also probably work well for this, but may come out a bit smaller than the pattern mentions so keep that in mind when choosing a size and testing your gauge.
THE STORY BEHIND THE: NOT YOUR GRANNY’S TEE
I tend to draw inspiration for my crochet patterns from the world all around me. Sometimes it’s as simple as needing a kitchen towel… so I make one. Other times it might be that I see a crochet stitch on Pinterest and immediately think it would make for the perfect beanie. Other times still, I look in my closet and think, “I really love this top, I wonder if I could replicate something similar with crochet.”
That was the case with this top. Last year as I was planning out my crochet patterns for our blog, I was looking at one of my favorite lace tank tops and thought, “I bet if you put a lot of granny squares together, you could achieve a similar effect”.
Problem was that a lot of the granny square patterns that I came across were the classic, tight-stitch squares. I wanted something with a lot of detail, gapping and flow. So I did what any challenge-driven crochet designer does. I designed my own. Never having designed a granny square before, there was a bit of a learning curve, but I absolutely love how it turned out!
You can see the step-by-step picture tutorial and original pattern on our blog (idea: these granny squares make great coasters too!).
After designing the granny squares, this tank top was actually quite easy to design. The biggest hurdle was sizing, which is why there are only 3 sizes available. If you are looking to adjust the sizes- you could start by adjusting the hook size. Going down a size would provide a closer stitch and tighter fit, while going up with give a looser stitch and fit. Overall though, I based the sizes to fit with a 1” positive ease of the larger of two sizes mentioned. For example, a Medium/Large size will result in a 1” positive ease of a standard Large. I tend to like looser fitting clothing, and think this tee works well as such. So while there is a bit of a difference in size from size to size, I hope you’ll still find the fit to be flattering on any body type.
Regardless of what size you decide to make, I know you will love this crochet tee! It is a great and fun design that will be perfect to wear year round! I enjoy styling mine with a white tank top underneath for summer, and with a cardigan over it for cooler days. It looks fabulous with shorts, slacks and skirts alike. It would even make a wonderful swimsuit cover up for beach days!
I hope you decide to add this fun pattern to your wardrobe and enjoy every step of making it!
Since you like the Not Your Granny’s Tee, perhaps these might interest you too?
How Long Does It Take To Crochet That?
How long it takes to crochet something varies depending on your skill & how fast you crochet. But that isn’t a helpful answer is it?
Well, I’ve developed a yarn calculator to help you get the answer to this question.
It will help you calculate exactly how much time you’ll spend crocheting a project.
All you need to know is how much yarn you will use on the project in either meters, yards or skeins. Then crochet your test square & time it.
Calculate how long it takes to crochet that.
NOT YOUR GRANNY’S TEE- THE FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Pattern Options
Probably the easiest way to make this tee is as written in the pattern. However, I think that multi colored granny squares would look beautiful. I also think that it would look great worn backwards (with the granny square details in back), or with the front panel and back panels matching and having granny squares on either side. Isn’t that one of the greatest things about slow fashion? You can crochet something completely customizable and unique to fit your own style and ideas!
GRAB THE PDF ON ETSY
GRAB THE PDF ON RAVELRY
About The Pattern
Beautiful granny squares come together with a mesh top and back panel to bring you this beautiful lace-like tee; perfect for spring or summer and is even great as a layering piece for winter! Once you get the hang of making the granny squares, the back panel and assembly come together relatively quick to bring you a tee in just a few short weeks.
Project Level
While the stitches used are basic, the granny squares may be a little difficult if this is your first time crocheting.
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Materials Needed
Crochet Hook
Yarn
Yarn used:
Lion Brand’s ZZ Twist yarn (I used Taupe Colorway)
Yarn amount used:
1 skein = 3.5 oz / 100 g / 225 m / 784 yards
- Approximately 3 skeins for XS/S, 4 skeins for M/L and 5 skeins for XL/XXL
Yarn characteristics:
- 4 medium yarn, aran weight/ Z-Twist style
- 100% acrylic
Other Materials Needed
- Embroidery needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
Gauge
Measured with (dc, sc), ch 2, sk 2 pattern crocheted in rows:
18 stitches & 10 rows per 10 cm / 4”
Measured with 1 granny squared, pattern crocheted:
1 square= 9 X 9 cm /3.5” X 3.5”
Notes
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms (more details).
- All measurements given are unblocked.
- Note that measurements are given as exact as possible. But crochet tension & technique might give variations in the result, that changes from person to person.
- Read pattern instructions carefully before beginning to make sure you understand everything. It might save you hours!
- Make a swatch that measure at least 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the stitch the gauge is given for. If your swatch matches the gauge, you’re good to go. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your hook. Go up in crochet hook size if your stitches are smaller & go down in crochet hook size if your stitches are bigger (more details).
- Check yarn info if you want to find an alternative or test your yarn against the gauge (more details).
- This pattern is made in 3 sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL, with each size offering approximately a 1” positive ease of the larger of the two sizes (i.e. the XS/S has a 1” positive ease of a typical Small).
- This pattern is written in the XS/S size with (M/L, XL/XXL) in parentheses, size adjustments are suggested under the heading “Size & Measurements”.
- I highly recommend checking out the picture tutorial of the Perfect Petal Granny Square before or while you make them. I’m confident that it will help to make the pattern instructions more clear.
- If you prefer, you could make 2 of the front panels (instead of one front & one back panel as listed in the pattern), allowing you to have a matching front and back
- Completed pieces will include: granny squares joined together to make a large square, a top panel seamed to the top of the granny squares vertically (as opposed to horizontally) and a back panel which will be seamed in place vertically (as opposed to typical horizontal-fashion) leaving holes for the arms and neck.
- When joining the granny squares, I joined every square in one row first (so 5, 6 and 7 across at once), then joined the rows together (as opposed to only joining 2 squares at a time)
Size & Measurements
Width: 17.5″
Height: 20″
Size Adjustments
- M/L= 21″ wide, 21” long
- XL/XXL= 24.5” wide, 21.5” long
Abbreviations
- ch = chain(s)
- ch sp = refers to chain or space previously made, with 2 ch
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch (es)
- Fo= fasten off
We try our best to include all crochet abbreviations in the list above for the crochet pattern, but sometimes we may forget one or two.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Techniques You Will Need
Mattress stitch:
The Mattress Stitch is used to seam the pieces of this tee together. I recommend this tutorial if you are unfamiliar with this technique.
Not Your Granny’s Tee Pattern Instructions
Perfect Petal Granny Square (make 25, 30, 35):
Foundation: Ch 6, sl st into your 1st ch (farthest from your hook)
Round 1: ch 1, sc 12 into the loop created (rather then into stitches), sl st into 1st sc
Round 2: ch 2, dc into 1st sc, *ch 1, sk 1, dc 2 into next, repeat from * around, ch 1, sl st into top of ch 2
Round 3: ch 2, *dc 5 into “v” created by your 2 dc from previous round, sc into the ch 1 space from previous round (located right after your “v”), repeat from * around, sl st into 1st dc
Round 4: sl st 2 (to get to the top of your “petal”), *ch 7, sk 5, sc, repeat from * around, sc into 2nd sl st of this round (at the top of your 1st “petal”)
Round 5: *ch 3, sk 3, sc (into 4th st of ch 7 from previous round), ch 3, sk 3, sc, repeat from * around, sc into 1st st
Round 6: ch 2,* dc 5 into ch 3 sp from previous round, ch 4, dc 5 into same ch 3 sp, ch 2, sk 3, sc, ch 2, sk 3, sc, repeat from * around right before corner, then ss into top of ch 2, fo and cut yarn
Mesh Back Panel:
Row 1: ch 94 (97, 100), starting in 4th ch from your hook *(dc, sc), ch 2, sk 2, rep from * across, turn
Row 2: ch 3, sk first sc, work (dc, sc) in first dc; *ch 2, sk 3, repeat from * across.
Row 3- 43 (53, 62): repeat row 2, fo and cut yarn
Mesh Top Panel:
Row 1: ch 10 (16, 19), starting in 4th ch from your hook *(dc, sc), ch 2, sk 2, rep from * across, turn
Row 2: ch 3, sk first sc, work (dc, sc) in first dc; *ch 2, sk 3, repeat from * across.
Row 3- 43 (53, 62): repeat row 2, fo leaving long tail for assembly
Finishing
When you’re finished crocheting you have 27 (32, 37) parts:
1.- 25 (30, 35) granny squares
2.- Back Panel
3.- Top Panel
Join the granny squares together to create a large square panel. Every size will be 5 squares tall by 5 (6, 7) wide.
The Top and Back Panels will be joined with the rows as your width and the stitches (foundation row) as the length. Using the mattress stitch, seam the top panel to the 5 (6, 7) granny squares running width-wise.
Line up the front and back, placing stitch markers in the 4 corners. Measure approximately 4” (5.5”, 7”) in on either side of the top and place stitch markers.
Measure from the top down approximately 8” (8.75”, 9.5”) on either side and place stitch markers.
Seam up sides and top from one stitch marker to the other using the mattress stitch.
Last thing to do is weave in all the ends, and steam block for neater lay of the granny squares.
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My crochet patterns can be used to sell handmade pieces. You are required to credit Joy of Motion/Janne Kleivset as the designer by linking back to My website: https://joyofmotioncrochet.com. You can not use my pictures when selling your handmade items. Finally, you can not resell, reprint or share any parts of my patterns as your own.
