Granny square Shopper

Today I’m sharing a throwback to a bag I designed years ago, long before we really started questioning our relationship with plastic. Back then in the UK, plastic bags were handed out freely, and with that came a kind of carelessness. We didn’t think twice about using them once and throwing them away. Looking back now, it’s clear that the impact of that mindset is something future generations will continue to deal with.

I wanted to create something that felt like a small, positive step in the other direction. Something practical, but also full of joy. I took a simple calico linen bag, removed the original handles, and began sewing on granny squares. I added yellow leather handles to lift it, and just like that, a cheerful, functional shopper was born.

It’s a bag I still use often, and every time I do, it makes me smile. It feels good knowing I’m making a small difference in my own way, while carrying something that reflects my love of colour and craft.

Lately, I’ve found myself drawn back to simpler projects. Big pieces have felt overwhelming, and instead I’ve been working more and more with squares. I know granny squares can sometimes be seen as basic or even boring, but for me they are anything but. They are portable, they make use of my yarn stash, and they allow me to create in a way that feels calm and manageable.

In a world that often feels chaotic and heavy, especially with everything going on around us, crochet becomes more than just making. It becomes a quiet space. A rhythm. A kind of refuge. Each square is a small moment of focus, a way to ground myself, and in its own way, a form of peace.

Pattern is available Ravelry