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.






6 comments:

  1. Just an FYI, I think there is a mistake in your round 1 directions.

    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)

    If I am reading this right, you are saying "3 dc, tc, 3 dc, tc, 3 dc, tc, 3 dc, tc, 2 dc"

    Adding that up, that makes 18 stitches. And a slightly oddly shaped hexagon. I think the '2 dc' was a mistaken add on.

    ReplyDelete
  2. mabear [Norma in New Zealand]April 29, 2013 at 6:31 AM

    I notice that the instructions you're quoting are in the tutorial section, but not in the written instructions which say to work 3 dc on the last [4th] side.
    My interpretation of the instructions is that the initial ch 4 will stand in place of the tc before the 1st 3 dc. The instructions inside the asterisks should say to "work" [not 'repeat'] that section 3 times, which means the row would end with 3 dc and complete the set-up row. This also tallies with the 16 sts stated as being the required number of sts.
    Hope this helps to clarify things!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you so much for the great Square. I looked so long for something like this. I can't thank you enough. The instructions are right on. Thanks Linda

    ReplyDelete
  4. Can the rounds keep going on and on and on until it reaches full blanket size

    ReplyDelete
  5. I only make pot holders, dish cloths and things that will be near the stove out of cotton yarn. I would think that yarn with acrylic in it would not be good around the heat.

    ReplyDelete