Playing with Colour: A Granny Square to Rectangle Project

Sometimes a crochet pattern takes on a life of its own.

When I published my Granny Square to Rectangle crochet pattern, I was perfectly happy with the finished design. I’d enjoyed creating it, writing the pattern, and sharing it on the blog. What I wasn’t expecting was how much I would enjoy making more of them.

I didn’t have a particular project in mind, but I got a bit obsessed with making them in different colours.

Using Stylecraft Special DK yarn, I began experimenting with different shades to see which pairings worked together. One pairing led to another, and before long I had a growing pile of rectangles on my coffee table. As the collection grew, I found myself laying them out on the floor to see how the colours worked together and how each new combination changed the feel of the project.

One of my favourite parts of the design process is this stage where there isn’t a fixed plan. It’s simply a collection of ideas, colours, and possibilities. Some projects develop slowly and naturally, and this feels like one of those.

Before long, I had quite a collection of rectangles, each with its own personality. Looking at them together made me appreciate how much the colour choices were shaping the feel of the project.

Colour Pairings

One of the unexpected joys of this project has been discovering colour combinations that I might never have tried otherwise.

Grape & Mushroom

This was one of the first pairings I made and it immediately caught my attention. The soft neutral mushroom shade balances the richness of the grape beautifully, creating a combination that feels warm, cosy, and a little bit luxurious.

Dandelion & Lemon

This pairing is pure sunshine. The two yellow tones work surprisingly well together, creating a bright and cheerful rectangle that instantly lifts the whole collection.

Pistachio & Sage

Soft greens are always difficult to resist, and this combination feels calm, fresh, and wonderfully natural. It reminds me of new spring growth and brings a gentle balance to some of the stronger colours.

Blush & Fuchsia Purple

These colours feel playful and full of energy. The soft blush pink keeps things delicate, while the fuchsia purple adds a vibrant pop of colour. Together they create a combination that feels floral, cheerful, and impossible to ignore.

Duck Egg & Storm Blue

If I had to choose a favourite so far, this might be it. The soft duck egg shade paired with the deeper storm blue creates a combination that feels peaceful and timeless. Every time I look at these rectangles, they remind me of sitting by the sea.

Looking at the rectangles together, I’m struck by how different they all feel. Grape and Mushroom are warm and earthy, Dandelion and Lemon are sunny and cheerful, Pistachio and Sage feel fresh and natural, Blush and Fuchsia Purple have a bright floral quality, while Duck Egg and Storm Blue bring a calm, coastal feel to the collection.

It’s a reminder that sometimes the most interesting part of a project isn’t the pattern itself, but discovering how colour can change its character.

Where Will This Project Go Next?

I haven’t decided exactly what these rectangles will become yet. My thoughts are that they’ll grow into a blanket, but I’m deliberately resisting the urge to plan everything too soon.

Perhaps I’ll experiment with different layouts and arrangements first. At the moment, I’m enjoying the freedom of making one rectangle at a time without worrying too much about the finished result.

For now, I’ll keep making rectangles, keep playing with colour, and see where the idea leads. I’ll share more progress as the collection grows.

If you’d like to make your own rectangles, you can find the original Granny Square to Rectangle pattern here.