Granny Square Shirt
A plain pink shirt upcycled with four colourful crochet granny squares.
Materials
- A plain cotton shirt (this one is a kids' H&M long-sleeve in dusty pink)
- Scraps of yarn in pink, yellow, green, and teal
- Light blue yarn for the joining border
- 3mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle and sewing thread in a matching colour
- Pins to hold the patch in place while sewing
The process
Granny squares are one of the most satisfying small crochet projects — quick to make and endlessly customisable. I crocheted four individual squares using a classic pattern: start with a magic ring, work clusters of three double crochets separated by chain spaces, and increase the corners on each round.
Each square uses a different center color to give them individuality, then they share the same light blue outer border which also acts as the joining edge. I used a flat slip-stitch join to connect the four squares into a 2×2 block — this method keeps the seam flat and almost invisible from the front.
Once the patch was assembled, I pinned it to the chest of the shirt, centered just below the neckline. Using a regular needle and matching sewing thread, I whip-stitched around the entire outer edge, stitching into each chain space of the border round for a secure hold.
Tips & lessons learned
- Block the granny squares before attaching — they'll lie perfectly flat and the corners won't curl.
- Use cotton yarn on cotton fabric — it washes well and won't stretch unevenly.
- Sew through the chain spaces rather than the yarn itself for a cleaner attachment.
- This works on adult shirts too — try a denim jacket for a bold look.