| Granny Squares Granny squares are widely used in crochet. We will go through step by step. This will give you pratice and confidence to tackle more complicated patterns. This pattern contains the following: chain stitch, double crochet, use of circles, slipstitch, repeats, and spaces. Use an G, or H, or I hook. Row 1: Chain 5 (chain stitch 5 times) Slip stitch in first chain (this makes a circle.) Row 2: Chain 3 (this will be considered a double crochet) DC twice in circle. (think of the circle as a space) *(Chain 2 DC three times in circle)* Repeat twice * * (do what is between the asteriks two more times. Here is what you will do. Chain 2. DC 3 times in circle. Chain 2 again and DC 3 more times.) Chain 2 Slip stitch to the top of the chain 3 (remember the chain 3 at the begining of the row? The third chain is where you need to slip stitch) I promise they will all fit. It looks and feels cramped now, but will look good later!! Row 3: Chain 4 (the first three chains are considered a double crochet, the fourth chain will be a space.) *Skip the next 3 dc, work 3 dc in next space, chain 2, work 3 dc in same space as the previous 3 dc. (to skip 3 dc, look at your previous row and count 3 dc that you would have normally stitched in, now skip those. The next thing on your previous row should be the chain 2 you did. That is your space. DC three times in that space, then chain 2, and DC three times in that same space. We are making a corner.) Chain 1* Repeat twice Skip the next 3 dc, work 3 dc in next space, chain 2, work 2 dc in same space. Slip stitch to the chain 4. (the chain is counting as a double crochet to the set of two dc making it 3 dc) Row 4: Chain 3, work 2 dc in space. (chain 3 counts as one dc. In that space you will have "3" dc) *Chain 1, work 3 dc in chain 2 space. Ch 2, DC 3 times in same ch2 space. Chain 1, work 3DC in next 1ch space.* Repeat * * twice. Ch 1, Work 3 DC in next 2 ch space, ch2, work 3 DC in same 2 ch sp. Ch 1 and slipstich to the top of the chain 3. Can you see the square now? Can you see how the pattern works? Row 5: Ch 4, work 3 DC in next ch1 sp, *ch1, work 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2 , work 3 dc in same ch2 sp, ch 1, work 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, work 3 dc in next ch-1 sp*, repeat * * twice,ch 1 work (3dc ch 2 3dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, work 2 dc in next ch sp, slipstitch to ch4. I am trying to prepare you for reading the patterns. I use different words and directions that all mean the same thing so you can get use to the terminology. Row 6: Ch3, dc twice in ch-1 sp, *ch 1, 3dc in next ch sp*, **ch 1, work 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, work 3 dc in same sp**, (Repeat * * 3 times, Repeat ** **), Repeat pattern between ( ) three times. Ch1, 3 dc in next sp, ch 1 and slipstitch to top of ch3. Was that hard? Did you see how it repeated to make the pattern? Do I need to go into more detail? E-mail and let me know ok? Cut and tie off yarn and weave in. Great!!! You just made a granny square. All other "fancier" squares are founded on this basic one. It's also a great way to use up extra yarn and make a nice afghan. |