EyeLoveKnots

Crochet Solid Granny Square – Free Pattern – Yarn Bee Soft Secret Yarn Review


 Last week, I went out Christmas shopping with my boyfriend, Chad, and his brother, Lucas. After lots of wandering around and brainstorming, we decided that something handmade would be the best gift for their mom.

 
Last year, I went with them down to visit their parents for Christmas. They have a large family on both their mom and dad’s side, and since they both live in different areas, our holiday got split between the two.
 
For Christmas Day, we spent it with their mom’s side of the family, and WOW! Big family, big tree, lots of gifts and mmm… delicious food!
 
This year, I will be working all day on Christmas, so I will not be going with them to visit, but I am looking forward to seeing his mom’s pictures from the occasion.
 
Back to last week. I’m sure you can guess what these granny squares will turn into – a nice, cozy blanket! 
 
I really love the traditional granny square pattern, but for this one, I was thinking more like the Square Washcloths I made back in October using the free pattern from Corina of Stitch11.
The only thing I wasn’t about with this pattern was the joining method. 
Following the pattern, your joins are done in the middle of one of the sides of the washcloth, creating a seam. I wanted squares that looked seamless. After a little thought, I concluded that in order to achieve this, the join would have to be done in a chain space, or corner, without the need to slip stitch over stitches to get to the other chain space. 
 
This tutorial will be split into two posts, one for the Solid Granny Square, and then one for Joining the Granny Squares.
 
Before I begin on the pattern, this basic granny square pattern is great for lots of different things! 
 
~ You can use thread or perhaps a sock weight yarn, and attach the square to the front of a card or make some jewelry with them.
 
~ You can use it with cotton yarn to make a set of coasters. You could even add a larger one as a placemat, or trivet.
 
~ With cotton yarn and it larger, it will also make a great washcloth.
 
~ Making it larger and using worsted weight or chunky weight yarn, it would make a nice pillow.
 
~ You could join the squares to make a scarf, or table runner.
 
~ With a smaller weight yarn, you could make these into a belt, or headband.
 
The possibilities are truly endless. If you would like to see a tutorial for creating any of these items using the granny square/s before I get around to it, feel free to leave me a comment below 🙂
 
Enjoy!
 
Materials:
     – Worsted Weight Yarn – I used Yarn Bee‘s Soft Secret in Mushrooom, Smoke & Bitter Sweet.
     – H8/5mm Hook
     – Tapestry Needle for Weaving in Ends – I like to use a #18, or 20
 
Materials Notes:
     *This pattern will work with any yarn and hook size!
 
     The Soft Secret yarn is a lighter worsted weight yarn. Using a heavier yarn such as Red Heart’s Super Saver or With Love yarns, Bernat’s Super Value yarn, Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn, or Caron’s One Pound will work great for this pattern, but the squares will work up larger.
 
Yarn Review:
     I have used this yarn for one other project (not ready to be released), and I really like it. It is VERY soft, and it is shiny. When I saw the skeins on the shelves, they had a shine to them and I thought once I started working with it, it would disappear but it stays throughout.
     This yarn has a lot of stretch to it – about 4″ worth compared to the 2″ from a yarn such as Red Heart’s With Love or Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn.
     I would recommend using a crochet hook with a more shallow mouth – I used Susan Bates brand – otherwise, you will experience splitting issues.
     I also experienced lots of pilling within the skein. 
 
Time Spent:
     I worked up the 4.5″ square in 9.5 minutes, and with the additional row in roughly 13.5 minutes plus weaving time.
 
Measurements:
     Each of my squares measures 5.5″, but if you desire 4.5″ squares, simply leave off Round 5.
 
Gauge:
*Any size hook, and yarn will work well for this pattern. Gauge isn’t too important if you are pursuing a different size, or using different materials.
 
Using an H8/5mm Hook & Yarn Bee Soft Secret – 4″ x 4″
     Chain 20. DC into the 3rd stitch, and in each stitch across. (18 DC)
     R2 – 8: Chain 2, turn. DC into the 2nd stitch, and in each stitch. 
     Fasten Off.
 
Abbreviations:
     R… – Indicates Which Row/Round
     DC – Double Crochet
     … (…) – Indicates Stitch Count
 
Pattern Notes:
     I have not figured out the whole magic ring thing yet, but feel free to begin with that instead of the beginning chain 5 and join to form the ring.
 
The chain 5 beginning each round counts as a double crochet, and a chain 3.
 
Joining at the end of each round will be done in the 2nd chain of the beginning chain 5.


01.31.15 UPDATE: I changed the way Rounds 4 and 5 were written. When I originally worked up this pattern, I had only had the individual squares done. Once I added the border, I discovered this change was necessary.
 
Pattern:


 R1 (Shown Above): Chain 5. Join to form a ring. Chain 5, 2 DC into the ring, chain 3, (3 DC into the ring, chain 3) three times. Join. (12 DC)

 

 
R2 (Shown Above): Slip stitch over one, into the chain space. Chain 5, 2 DC into the same chain space, DC into each of the next 3 DC’s, (2 DC into the next chain space, chain 3, 2 DC into the same chain space, DC into each of the next 3 DC’s) three times. DC into the next chain space. Join. (28 DC)
 
R3: Slip stitch over one, into the chain space. Chain 5, 2 DC into the same chain space, DC into each of the next 7 DC’s, (2 DC into the next chain space, chain 3, 2 DC into the same chain space, DC into each of the next 7 DC’s) three times. DC into the next chain space. Join. (44 DC)
 
R4:  Slip stitch over one, into the chain space. Chain 2, DC into the same chain space, chain 3, 2 DC into the same chain space, DC into each of the next 11 DC’s, (2 DC into the next chain space, chain 3, 2 DC into the same chain space, DC into each of the next 11 DC’s) three times. Invisible Join to 1st DC. (60 DC)

 

*If you want 4.5″ squares, simply fasten off here. If you would like 5.5″ squares, continue on to Round 5.


 Here I changed colors to Bitter Sweet.

To attach, Pull yarn through using your yarn hook and work the first half of a knot.
Insert your hook, and pull up a loop.
Work your first chain 1 to secure the color change.
Continue on with the pattern.
In this case, you will begin with a chain 5.
*01.31.15 UPDATE: Chain 2, 
not the 5 as seen in the above photo.


R5: [Slip stitch over one, into the chain space – if no color change]. Chain 2, DC into the same chain space, chain 3, 2 DC into the same chain space, DC into each of the next 15 DC’s, (2 DC into the next chain space, chain 3, 2 DC into the same chain space, DC into each of the next 15 DC’s) three times. Invisible Join to 1st DC. (76 DC)


 Fasten Off. 

 
Instead of slip stitching to join at the end of Round 5, I cut my yarn at the end of the last Double Crochet, and worked an invisible join into the first double crochet.

After fastening off your yarn,
Pull up on your last loop so the yarn comes out completely.
Thread your yarn needle.
Here I am using a #18 Tapesty Needle by DMC.
Insert your needle into the center of the 2nd chain of the beginning chain 5.

01.31.15 UPDATE: Insert your needle under both loops of the first DC, not into the beginning chain as shown in the above photo.
When you pull your needle and yarn through,
this is what the first half will look like –
just like the first half of any of the other stitches.
Take your needle and insert into the center of the previous stitch.
You will notice that the beginning of the join is also coming out of this stitch.
When I insert my needle the second time,
I also like to slide it underneath stitches on the backside –
it’s a nice smooth transition into the weaving process.

Now, Weave in Your Ends. 

Turn your work over so that wrong side/back side is facing you.
Thread your needle with your tail piece.
Slide your needle underneath some stitches.
Pull your needle out and the yarn through.
Going backwards, slide your needle underneath some more stitches.
Pull your needle out and the yarn through, and repeat one more time.
Once you are comfortable with the security of your tail piece
(I recommend at least three times) then, cut your tail piece.
Don’t cut your piece too short – as you tug on the square,
the small piece that seems to be sticking out now,
will get pulled in underneath some of the stitches.
Pretend both hands are on the square in the respective spots.
After you are finished weaving, you will want to tug on the area that you just finished weaving around so that any stitches that got scrunched up from pulling on the yarn to get the tail piece though, gets straightened out. 
Otherwise, your finished piece can look bunched up.
 
What are you going to make with your squares?
 
What color squares will you make?
 
Please feel free to make and sell projects made from this solid granny pattern, but please DO NOT claim this pattern as your own nor should you sell my pattern, and DO NOT re-publish my photos as your own. DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, link to it instead.
 

*If you would like a PDF version of this post, you may get one through my Etsy shop for a small fee. This fee is to compensate for the view/s lost once you no longer need to return to the blog for the information, as you will have your own copy. Plus! It helps fund supplies for new projects to share with you!

Shop EyeLoveKnots – Crochet Solid Granny Square.

Linking Up To…
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Comments

  1. Lilly's Mom says

    Hello, I just discovered your blog and I too love to crochet and love my cat! This is such a great tutorial you put together. By using one color yarn, the design of the granny square really shows. I hope you had a great Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year.

    Reply

  2. Southern Couture says

    This brings back so many memories of my great grandmother and all the stuff she used to make. You are so talented. Thanks for sharing at Motivational Monday.

    Bethany from The Southern Couture

    Reply

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