HOW TO DO A GRANNY SQUARE

 

SUE PINNER'S VERSION OF THE GRANNY SQUARE:

There are several versions of the Granny Square on the internet, some good and some not so good. The design of a granny square has holes, that do not need to be made bigger bye adding chain stitches between granny shell, unless extra stitches are required.

Starting with the granny shell first then completing the second granny shell and corner chain stitches means the join on each round moves across the side of the square...not good practice.

If you use more chain stitches than pull throughs you will have a line through your square that is ugly to look at. And also means a different start to each round, not good for a beginner.

My version is beginner friendly, easy, neat and starts and finishes in the same place every round. I also prefer a slightly padded centre circle for neatness and look.

SUE'S BEGINNERS GRANNY: US Terms, USING ONE COLOUR CONTINUED.

A finger wrap of 6 wraps, slide off finger carefully and work all stitches into circle.

ROUND 1: ALWAYS Start with a corner, ch5 [2ch as a dc, and 3ch as the corner], 3dc into circle, ch3, 3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch3, 2dc, into circle, sl st, into the 2nd ch, of the first 5ch, this completes the first round.

ROUND 2: Sl st, into the corner sp, and repeat, ch5, 3dc into first corner sp, 3dc, ch3, 3dc, into next corner sp, 3dc, ch3, 3dc into the next 2 corners, complete the round with 2dc, sl st, into the 2nd ch of first 5ch. 

ROUND 3: Sl st, into the corner sp, and repeat, with 3dc, granny shell in the side sp, 

again start in the corner, ch5, 3dc into same corner sp, 3dc into side sp, 3dc, ch3, 3dc, 3dc in the side sp, repeat for remaining sides, complete with 2dc, sl st, into 2nd ch, of first 5ch.

ROUND 4+: REPEAT ROUND 3. Each round with have another side sp to add a granny shell of 3dc in that too.

IF YOU WANT A VERY LARGE GRANNY SQUARE THROW:

Change direction every round, so that it dopant start to 'spin', crochet has a tendency to spin when worked continuously in the same direction. So by changing the directions each round, it stays perfectly Square, and also becomes double sided, no right or wrong side. Win, win.

MOSS STITCH CUSHION PATTERN, Throw, cowl and more

MOSS STITCH DIAGONAL CUSHION COVER

PATTERN LINK HERE

This is an old pattern but I can not recommend Moss Stitch enough for cushion covers. Its a firm and none stretch stitch that will give you a cushion cover that lasts years with out stretching out of shape.

Very decorative and can look so different, with just the colour combination you can achieve stripes spots or a tweed look.

Moss stitch blanket in a tweed finish, the same combination as the cushion, again its the same stitch just a different colour combination

Colour combinations give different looks but the stitch does change 

Same Moss Stitch different colour combo using space dyed yarn and a plain yarn gives something similar to a Fair Isle look

same Moss stitch below gives a striped look

 same stitch just different combination of colour combination gives you a spot

THIS LINK 

is a link to several projects using

 MOSS STITCH and showing you all the variations.

SECRET GARDEN THROW PATTERN

SECRET GARDEN THROW PATTERN HERE

PATTERN: CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOPPER

Chrysanthemum Shopper Pattern

One side and the other I used an extra few colours

Made with my version of a Suffolk Puff

A double layered circluar motif.

DK in several colours and in Black/Charcoal to finish.

4mm hook 

US Terms in black UK Terms in red brackets

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOPPER PATTERN

Make 5 rows x 5 Chrysanthemums for each side and join as you go on the Charcoal Life last round, 50motifs in total.

PATTERN:

A one finger wrap of 6 wraps

ROUND 1: 12 sc [12dc], into circle

 ROUND 2: Att, chrysanthemum colour in any stitch, 2tr [2dtr], in every st, sl st to complete. (24sts)

ROUND 3: This round is the back of the chrysanthemum and gives the double layer
crochet 1tr [1dtr] in every st but cluster every 2trtog, [2dtrtog],

 reducing the sts to the same size as the middle circle

 leave a long end, hand sew the stitches to the centre circle of the wrong side,
do not pull too tight.

 sew off end

ROUND 4: Att. Charcoal or background colour in any st, ch3, sc [dc], into next st, ch1 sc [dc], into next st repeat 3 more times, (5 x ch1 loops at sides ), in the corners ch3 and repeat for 4 sides

 Join as you go with using the 2nd ch st at the corners and the ch1 x 5 at the sides

join in 5 rows of 5 Chrysanthemums
then make the second side joining the same way but making a bag of the motifs start with a bottom corner and join the bottom row first then come up the bag joining as you go

I found that this number was a perfect size for a stool seat pad too

 ADDING THE TOP BAND AND 2 STRAPS

 ROUND 1: 2sc [2dc], in the first corner sp, 3sc [3dc], in each of the 5 ch1 sps, 2sc [2dc], in the last ch sp, in each of the 10 top edge motifs, sl st to complete. (190 sc [190dc] total)

 ROUND 2: 1sc [1dc], in every st, sl st to complete. (190sc [190dc])

 ROUND 3: Repeat round 2.....BUT miss a st at each dip of each motif, sl st to complete. (180sc [180dc])

NOTE: By missing a stitch at each dip you will keep the slightly wavy effect to the top of the bag.

STRAPS
STRAPS ROUND 1: Start in the middle of the second motif in from the right
att yarn, ch 70 (this can be lengthened if required), 

sc [dc], in st, in the middle of the 4th motif from the right.

NOTE: making sure you haven't twisted the long ch, 

sc [dc], in every st, of the next half motif, 2 complete motifs, and the next half motif, missing a st at each dip to keep the wavy effect, 

ch70 for the second strap, re-attach in the middle of the 4th motif from the right of the second side and repeat sc [dc],in every st missing a st at each dip. Until you reach the first 70ch st, sl st to complete

STRAPS ROUND 2: 1sc [1dc], in 70ch st, miss a st at the base of strap,

NOTE: Miss a st at the start and end of the strap as you do with the dips, so the change of angle lies flat .

sc in every st missing a st at dips, 1sc [1dc], in 70ch st of second strap, repeat to end, sc [dc], in every st, missing a st at each dip in motifs and at the start and end of each strap. sl st to complete sew in ends securely.

WIDEN YOUR STRAPS?
I Like the narrow straps but you could make them wider if your prefer
repeat STRAPS ROUND 2.


Alternative uses for the Chrysanthemum Motif
Throws or cushions?

FAIRY DUST...

MINI SHAWL PATTERN, WITH 2 EDGING OPTIONS AND FLOWER DECORTION

SCARF/MINI SHAWL WITH FLOWER PIN

with 2 options for the edging and a flower pin decoration 

This can be made in a day so could be that extra Christmas or Birthday present that you might need.

This one has been made in 2 colours of Marble and 2 colours of Life, 

but any 2 colours of chunky yarn could be used

Chunky yarn and

6mm hook

US Terms and UK Terms in brackets

James C Brett Marble Chunky

Stylecraft Life two strands worked as one

James C Brett Marble chunky in cols: MC 32 granny shell, MC 3 for the single dc stripe or MC 8 if you want a bigger contrast. 

They are very similar but one is slightly darker than the other
I have used this yarn a lot and it comes in a fabulous range of colours and also in DK as well,
if you prefer a slightly lighter weight scarf/mini shawl use the DK Marble and Life single strand

Scarf/mini Shawl in 2 shades of Marble
Ruffle and the centre of the flower in Life 

ROUNDS: 1,2, 4,5, 7,8, 10,11, 13,14, 16,17, 19,20, in Col.1 MC32

ROUNDS: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, in Col 2 MC3 or MC8

PATTERN
Using ch3 as the first dc at the beginning of all rounds.

Col 1, Ch5 sl st, into a circle

ROUND 1: 4dc [4tr], ch3, 4dc [4tr] into the circle.

ROUND 2: turn, ch3, 3dc [3tr], in the first stitch, 3dc [3tr], ch3, 3dc [3tr], in the point space, 4dc [4tr], in last st, Cut off and weave in ends.

ROUND3: turn col2. 2dc [2tr], in the first st, dc [tr], in the next 6sts, 

dc [tr], ch3, dc [tr], in the point space, dc [tr], in the next 6sts, 2dc [2tr],

 in lst st. Cut and weave in ends

ROUND 4: turn, col 1. 4dc [4tr], in the first st, miss 2sts, 3dc [3tr], in the next st, miss 2sts, 3dc [3tr], in the next st, miss 2 sts, 3dc [3tr], ch3, 3dc [3tr] in point,  miss 2sts, 3dc [3tr], in next st, miss 2sts, 3dc [3tr], in next st, miss 2sts, 4dc [4tr] in last st, 

ROUND 5: turn, col1. ch3, 3dc [3tr], in the first st, 3dc [3tr], in each of the side sp, 3dc [3tr], ch3, 3dc [3tr], in the point sp, 3dc [3tr], in the next 3sp, 4dc [4tr], in the last st. 

 Cut and weave in ends

ROUND 6: col.2
2dc [2tr], in the first st,

 1dc [1tr], in the next 15sts, 1dc [1tr], ch3, 1dc [1tr], in the point, 

 1dc [1tr], in the next 15sts, 2dc [2tr], in last st. (18 dc in total for each side) cut off yarn and weave in ends.

ROUND 7: turn, col 1. 4dc [4tr], in the first st, miss 2 sts, 3dc [3tr], in the next st, miss 2 sts, 3dc [3tr], in the next st, miss 2 sts....

 repeat until you get to the point, in the point space do 3dc [3tr], ch3, 3dc [3tr],

 repeat the miss 2sts, 3dc [3tr] in the next st until you get to the last st, 

4dc [4tr].

ROUND 8: turn ch3, 3dc [3tr], in the first st, 3dc [3tr], in the next 6 sp, 3dc [3tr], ch3, 3dc [3tr], in the point sp, 3dc [3tr], in the next 6 sp, 4dc [4tr],  between the last st. 

REPEAT: The 3 round pattern, 1 round of dc [tr], col2, 2 rounds of granny shells in col 1, until you have 21 rounds

ADD A RUFFLE EDGE
3dc [3tr], in each st along sides of triangle, 

with 5dc [5tr], in the longer sts, 3dc [3tr], in the shorter sts,(the top edge),

 sl st to finish, weave in ends.

 FLOWER PIN 

Ch5, sl st into a circle, 

ROUND 1: 18sc [18dc], into the circle, sl st to complete round,

ROUND 2: 20 loose sc [dc], over the top of the first round, sl st to complete round.

ROUND 3: ch3, 1tr [1dtr], in the first st, 2tr [2dtr], in the next 2sts, 1tr [1dtr], ch3 and sl st into the 4th st,
sl st into the next st and repeat for each petal, sl st to complete round.

Stitch a safety pin to the back of the flower.

 With a flower pin to hold it around your neck..

 made in James C Brett marble Chunky in two colours

Just 21 rounds plus a round of ruffles and it took me from late afternoon until just after midnight to make

ALTERNATIVE YARN COMBINATIONS

I'm using Wendy Carnival in a red and turquoise shade for the new version and will the new edging stitch for the second mini shawl soon

2ND EDGING OPTION FOR MINI SHAWL

 Multiples of 3sts for each pattern 

Ch 3, skip first 2 sts, 1dc [1tr], in next st, ch2, 3dc into hole, miss 2sts, dc [tr], in next st, ch2, 3dc into next 'hole'....

Repeat to point of shawl

dc [tr], into ch3 point, ch2, 3dc [3tr], into hole, dc [tr], into ch3 point a second time, ch2, 3dc [3tr], into hole, miss 2sts, dc [tr], into next st, 

repeat pattern on second side

Ch 3, skip first 2 sts, 1dc [1tr], in next st, ch2, 3dc into hole, miss 2sts, dc [tr], in next st, ch2, 3dc into next 'hole'....

repeat to next point

repeat double pattern in last st of 2nd side

Then repeat the pattern using the rows as the spaces instead of miss 2st spacing

continue to the end of the shawl edge.

Finish with 2dc [2tr], in last 'hole' the first ch3, replaces the last dc [tr], sl st into the first ch3 to complete.

NOTE: The last neck edge of shawl will be a little bit 'frilly' this is needed to accommodate the curve when worn