The Drunken Granny stitch is based on the ever popular Granny stitch except that the blocks look like they’re falling over. In this stitch guide I will show you how to crochet the Drunken Granny stitch with all the pictures that you need along with a video guide that you can follow along with too.

Keep reading for the full written stitch guide, but if you prefer to crochet along with me you can watch the video which is available in both left and right handed versions and both the written and video include the finishing row to leave a nice flat finish to the top of this stitch.

Click here for the left hand video

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I first used the Drunken Granny stitch in the FrankenScrap crochet along as one of the pieces of the quilt like blanket. You can access the whole pattern for free here.

The Drunken Granny stitch is based on the ever popular Granny stitch, it’s just instead of the stitch standing upright, it looks like it’s falling over sideways like it’s had a few too many gin and tonics. This stitch is a bit of a lacey type stitch but still makes a fairly solid fabric, so would be great used for warmer type shawls, light sweaters etc.

The Drunken Granny doesn’t make for a flat top row, so it does need a finishing row to straighten out the top edge. So be sure to check that final row when making any pattern with the Drunken Granny to make sure all is straightened out by the end. If you’re watching the video, the instructions for the finishing row are towards the end.

For the sample in the picture below I used Sirdar Cotton DK, a 100% mercerised cotton yarn that is wonderfully silky and glides over your hook. This yarn keeps it’s round shape when using it, it doesn’t flatten out so it’s great when used for stitches where you want that detail to be really clear.

This how to guide is part of Froggity Frog’s Stitch Vault collection. Have you seen all the other stitches in there? You can take a look here all the guides are free to access and maybe you will discover some new stitches to create for yourself.

The yarn I used in the pictures of this stitch guide below is Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK, a 100% cotton yarn. It’s a non mercerised cotton that is lovely and soft, but it can get a bit splitty if you frog it a couple of times. It does makes lovely cosy blankets though and is the yarn that got me hooked on cotton as my fibre of choice. I think I first got a ball of this yarn in a mystery bag I got off ebay, and it was a great yarn discovery for me and I’ve been loving using this yarn ever since.

I also used my trusty Clover Amour hooks which are perfect if you are looking for a good value ergonomic crochet hook that won’t cause your hand to ache if you are crocheting for long periods of time. I’ve tried many different crochet hooks over the years, but I always end up coming back to my trusty Clovers. They just sit so well in my hand and never let me down.

How To Crochet The Drunken Granny Stitch

Click here for the left hand video

Click here for the right hand video

Abbreviations

• Ch = Chain
• Yo = Yarn over
• Sk = Skip
• St = Stitch
• Chsp = Chain Space
• Sc = Single crochet
• Dc = Double crochet

Start by making a foundation chain in multiples of 5 plus 5 (plus 1 for your turning chain)

Row 1. In the 3rd ch from your hook make a sc (your turning chain counts as the first stitch of your row). Make a sc in each st across

Row 2. Turn, ch1. Make a dc turning ch in the first st. Next make (3dc, ch2, 1dc) all in the next st so it looks like the picture below. 

*sk the next 4 st then make (3dc, ch2, 1dc) all in the next st* repeat between *and* until you have 3 st left. To finish the row, sk the next 2 st and then make a dc in the last st – 8 Drunken Granny stitches

Row 3. Turn and ch1. Make a dc turning ch in the first st. *In the next ch2 sp make (3dc, ch2, dc) all in the same chsp* 

repeat between *and* working only in the ch 2 sps. In the last st of the row make a dc

Repeat row 3 until you have as many rows as you need, and then you will need to make a finishing row to straighten off that top edge.

Finishing Row. Turn and ch1. Make a sc in the first st. *Make a sc in the next dc then make 2sc in the ch2 sp. Sc in each of the next 2 dc. Sk the next dc* repeat until you reach the end of the row and then make a sc in the last st.

How To Add A Border To The Drunken Granny Stitch

For the Drunken Granny stitch you have both single and double crochet stitches in your rows. The first and finishing row both start and end with a single crochet, so you need to make a single stitch into the side of each of these rows. All the rows in between start and end with a double crochet, so you need to make 2 stitches into the side of those rows.

I always recommend that you make a round of single crochet stitches around your piece first before adding any border pattern that you have planned, as doing this just helps to even your stitches out and make a nice solid round to add any further stitches into.

If You Enjoyed The Drunken Granny Stitch

If you enjoyed the Drunken Granny stitch, you may also like:

• Modern Granny – another variant of the Granny stitch, but with a very different look and slightly more challenging to make.
• Slanted Shells – this stitch also has stitches that lean to one side, but the Slanted Shells makes a much denser fabric with very few holes.
• Split Bobble – similar in look to the Drunken Granny but is not as delicate and the stitches hold their shape more easily without needing blocking to look its best.

FAQs

Can the Drunken Granny stitch be made by a beginner? This is an easy 1 row repeat, perfect for a beginner looking for more variety of stitches beyond the basic stitches.

Does the Drunken Granny stitch need a lot of yarn? The Drunken Granny is a lace like stitch which means it doesn’t use as much yarn as you might expect for the area of crochet you make up.

Can the Drunken Granny stitch be made with multiple colours? Yes, I think the Drunken Granny would look fabulous when the different colours are used for each row. Using different colours would not interfere with the pattern in any way, and would make each row look like they’re interlocking together in a really eye catching way.

You can find more free crochet stitch guides here in Froggity Frog’s stitch vault. Come on over to our Facebook group – Froggity Frog’s Ribbit And Stitch and show us what you made with the Drunken Granny stitch. I’d love to see what you created with this crochet stitch. 

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