The Granny Squares Bible Crochet Book Review

If you’ve been considering adding The Granny Squares Bible to your crochet library, you might be wondering whether it’s the ultimate guide book or one that can be skipped. With 110 crochet granny squares and motif designs packed into a single volume, it certainly promises plenty of inspiration. The real question is whether those designs, instructions, and supports are enough to make it worth the shelf space.

After spending time looking through the book, I’m sharing my honest opinions on the patterns, the supports included for makers, the skill level, and who I think will get the most value from it. If you’re trying to decide whether this granny square crochet bible deserves a place in your collection, this review will help you make an informed decision.

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Thanks to Search Press for providing me with a free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I do not guarantee a positive review of any product reviewed on my site (even if they are provided as free products).  

All opinions shared here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from purchases made through these links at no added cost to you.

About the Author

One thing that surprised me while reviewing this book was how difficult it was to find information about the author. In fact, Hiroko Aono-Billson’s name isn’t even listed on the front cover of the book.

Hiroko Aono-Billson is a designer who has created one-off soft furnishing and clothing items for companies in the United States. She’s also a potter, and interestingly, I was able to find considerably more information about her pottery work than her crochet work. If you’re curious about her creative background, you can find her pottery on Instagram under @aono_pottery.

While I always enjoy learning about the designers behind a crochet book, I found very little information available about her crochet design experience beyond what’s included in the publication itself.

Patterns Included in The Granny Square Bible

The Granny Squares Bible contains 110 square patterns and motifs spread across five chapters:

• Chapter 1: First Steps
  • This section serves as an introduction to tools, materials, and crochet basics.
    
    
• Chapter 2: Stitches
  • This chapter includes stitch tutorials and support information, along with instructions for:
    • Making a flower garland
    • Creating geometric shapes from motifs
    • A scarf project
    • These projects are illustrated rather than photographed so you can’t see what a live version will look like.
      
      
• Chapter 3: Granny Squares (59 Patterns)
  • This is the largest section of the book and contains a variety of classic granny square designs and other crocheting square motifs.
    
    
• Chapter 4: Shaped Motifs (21 Patterns)
  • This section focuses on geometric motifs and non-square shapes.
    
    
• Chapter 5: Flower Motifs (30 Patterns)
  • A collection of floral-inspired granny motifs and decorative designs.

One thing I noticed while reviewing the patterns is that many of the motifs are quite simple. Rather than highly intricate or innovative new designs, many resemble stitch swatches worked into motif form. You’ll find designs featuring basic crochet stitches, shell stitch variations, moss stitch patterns, puff stitch details, and other classic squares.

If you’re looking for highly complex square patterns or particularly unique motif designs, this may not be the book you’re hoping for. However, if you enjoy having a large collection of simple motifs available as a quick reference, there is certainly plenty to choose from.

What Are the Patterns Like to Work With?

Each pattern includes:

• Yarn weight recommendations
• Hook size information
• Color placement suggestions
• Crochet diagrams
• Stitch charts with symbol keys

I really appreciated the inclusion of the mini symbol key at the top of each pattern page. It saves a lot of page flipping and makes the charts easier to follow. The book also includes a full-page international stitch symbol chart on page 17. Most of the patterns use basic stitches and aren’t just limited to granny stitches.  That said, there were a few things that stood out to me.

The biggest surprise was the lack of stitch counts. While you can count the stitches directly from the chart if needed, stitch counts are standard in modern crochet patterns and books, so I was surprised they weren’t included.

I was also disappointed that the book doesn’t provide finished size information for the motifs. If you’re trying to plan a project around specific dimensions, you’ll need to make the motif and measure it yourself.

There are also no support photos showing the motifs being worked, which means you’ll be relying primarily on the charts and written instructions.

See a Flip-Through of The Granny Square Bible

What Skill Level is This Book For?

No official skill level is assigned to the patterns. However, based on my experience reviewing crochet books and patterns, I would classify the majority of the motifs as easy-level projects. Many of the patterns use basic crochet stitches and familiar techniques, making them approachable for crocheters who already understand the fundamentals. The use of various techniques like tunisian crochet is great but a bit difficult for those who haven’t been introduced to them before. That said, I wouldn’t recommend this book to an absolute beginner.

The support sections are helpful, but I found there were a few places where I needed to reread the instructions. There are also moments where the book assumes a level of crochet knowledge that newer crocheters may not yet have.

If you’re comfortable following stitch charts and occasionally searching online for clarification, you’ll likely be fine. If you’re still learning crochet basics and rely heavily on step-by-step photos, I’d probably start with a different book.

Supports Included for Makers

All maker support content is located in Chapters 1 and 2. Topics covered include:

• Tools and materials
• Crochet terminology
• Stitch tutorials
• Finishing techniques
• Blocking
• Joining motifs
• Different joining methods
• Illustrated crochet chart symbols
• Creating geometric shapes
• Flower garland instructions
• Scarf instructions

The tutorials include step-by-step instructions paired with illustrations rather than photographs.

Overall, I found the supports clear and easy to understand, particularly for crocheters who already have some experience. There were a few instructions that caused me to do a few re-reads or I felt had a level of assumed knowledge that was too high for an absolute beginner.

Overall

I think The Granny Squares Bible will appeal most to established crocheters who want a large collection of simple crochet granny squares and motifs in a single resource.

Personally, I found many of the designs much more basic than I expected. A significant number of the motifs resemble stitch swatches or classic granny-style variations that experienced crocheters have likely seen before. Because of that, I don’t think this is the book I’d recommend if you’re looking for highly unique, modern, or particularly challenging designs.

However, if your goal is to have a colorful reference book filled with classic squares, flower motifs, and geometric motifs that you can pull from whenever inspiration strikes, I can absolutely see the value in it.

For me, this feels less like a book of exciting new designs and more like a practical reference resource. If that’s what you’re looking for, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy having it on your shelf.

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