Sunday, December 30, 2012

KAS Solid Granny Square


I wanted to make a truly solid granny square pattern for the charity blanket squares that I crochet for Knit A Square. My prior pattern, Gramma Cookie's Solid Granny Square, has holes at the corners, and I wanted to devise a square with no holes; the "KAS Solid Granny Square" was born.

It can be crocheted either half double crochet/double crochet, or double crochet/treble crochet.

This pattern is in U.S. terms.

Hook size: U.S. size H
Yarn weight: Worsted or Aran, approx. 60 yards.

Round 1: In a Magic ring, ch 4, *3 dc in ring, tc in ring,* repeat three times, 3 dc in ring, sl st to the top of beg ch 4 to close the first round. Pull starting yarn tight to close the magic ring, and crochet over it as you continue to build your square. (16 sts)

Round 2: Ch 4, 2 dc in same st, *dc in each dc on the first side, (2 dc, tc, 2 dc) in corner tc.* Repeat for each side. In last corner, 2 dc in base st of the ch4 to finish the corner. Sl st to top of beg ch 4 to close the round. (32 sts)

Round 3: Repeat round 2 (48 sts)

Round 4: Repeat round 2 (64 sts)

Round 5: Repeat round 2 (80 sts)

Round 6: Repeat round 2 (96 sts)

Round 7: Repeat round 2 (112 sts)

If I'm using Red Heart Super Saver yarn, seven rounds makes an 8" square, which is the required size for Knit A Square.

If I'm using thinner yarn such as Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn!, I may need to work an eighth round in single stitch, to reach the 8" square size.

Round 8 [If Needed for size]: Ch1, 2 sc in same st, *sc in each dc on the first side, (3 sc) in corner tc.* Repeat for each side. In last corner, 1 sc in base st of the ch1 to finish the corner. Sl st to top of beg ch 1 to close the round. (124 sts)

Knit A Square requests that you weave in the beginning tail (if you haven't crocheted over it on the first row), and also leave a 20" long tail at the end, which will be used to sew the squares together into blankets.

With Photos:

Round 1: In a Magic ring, ch 4, *3 dc in ring, tc in ring,* repeat three times, 2 dc in ring, sl st to the top of beg ch 4 to close the first round. Pull starting yarn tight to close the magic ring, and crochet over it as you continue to build your square. (16 sts)


 
Here, the dpn is showing where to slip stitch into the top chain of the beginning chain 4 to close the round.











 
 


Round 2: Ch 4, 2 dc in same st, *dc in each dc on the first side, (2 dc, tc, 2 dc) in corner tc.* Repeat for each side. In last corner, 2 dc in base st of the ch4 to finish the corner. Sl st to top of beg ch 4 to close the round. (32 sts)
 
Here I have made the Ch 4, 2 dc in same stitch to start the first corner:
 
 
Double chain in each double chain on the first side - 3 dcs. The dpn shows the top of the treble crochet in the row below, which is where we make the five stitches for the next corner:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Two double chains, one treble chain, two double chains to make the corner: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Now continuing the double chain in each double chain below, and the double chains/treble chain/double chains for the corners, continue around to the first chain 4 in the first corner, where we started.





 
 
 
 
 
Round 3: Repeat round 2 (48 sts)

Third round completed.
 
 
 
Round 4: Repeat round 2 (64 sts)

This round, we add in another color to make a striped square. Simply tie a new color around the main color strand before closing the round, drop the main color, and work the slip stitch with the new color. Chain 4 to start the corner, and off you go.
 
 
















If I plan on carrying the main color up to alternate rows of color, I twist the yarns as I make the final double crochet in the corner, so that there aren't any large loops loose on the back of the square, that could get caught on something.

 

I'm switching back to solid blue for the next round, so pull through the blue yarn when making the slip stitch to close the round.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


Round 5: Repeat round 2 (80 sts)













 



Round 6: Repeat round 2 (96 sts)

















Round 7: Repeat round 2 (112 sts)

















If I'm using Red Heart Super Saver yarn, seven rounds makes an 8" square, which is the required size for Knit A Square.

If I'm using thinner yarn such as Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn!, I may need to work an eighth round in single stitch, to reach the 8" square size.


Round 8 [If Needed for size]: Ch1, 2 sc in same st, *sc in each dc on the first side, (3 sc) in corner tc.* Repeat for each side. In last corner, 1 sc in base st of the ch1 to finish the corner. Sl st to top of beg ch 1 to close the round. (124 sts)

Here I've added a row of sc:













 
Knit A Square requests that you weave in the beginning tail (if you haven't crocheted over it on the first row), and also leave a 20" long tail at the end, which will be used to sew the squares together into blankets.






Thursday, December 20, 2012

Utter sadness for Newtown

As a mom of three, with our youngest being a first grader, I am devastated over the shootings in Newtown. I can't even fathom what the parents are going through right now.

I'm knitting some toys to send on to the school, and crocheting squares for Knit A Square in the children's memory. I wish I could do more.

Please pray for the children and adults lost, and especially for the family and friends left behind.