More Ways to Crochet

The granny square is very versatile, you can make it small, you can make it big, you can string them together to come up with a throw or you can just go on and on until you have one huge granny square to keep the whole family warm this winter.

Lately, I've been crocheting grannies to serve as coasters and pot holders.

The basic granny square goes like this:

Create a foundation ring by working ch6, joining the last chain to the first ch with a sl st.

Round 1: Work into the ring ch3, 3dc, ch2. Next *crochet (3dc, ch2)*. Repeat from * to * 2 more times, joining the last stich to the beginning of the round with a sl st to the top of the first ch3.

You should have 4 clusters in this round. The trick to coming up with a reversible square is to turn over your work as you complete each round.

Round 2: Turn over work, sl st into space created by the gap when you finished the previous row. Crochet [ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc] into this space. *Skip to the next gap and crochet [3dc, ch2, 3dc] into this space*. Repeat * to * two more times, joining the last stitch of this round by working a sl st to the top of the 1st ch3.

This round should have 8 squares.

Round 3: Turn over your work (for that clean look). sl st into gap created when you finished the last row. [Ch3, 2dc, ] in this gap. *Skip to the next gap and crochet [3dc, ch2, 3dc], skip to the next gap and crochet 3dc into that space*. Repeat * to * two more times, joining last stitch to first ch3 with a sl st.

You should have 12 clusters in this round.

Round 4: Turn over your work, sl st into gap created when you finished the last row. Work [ch3, 2dc] into this gap. *Skip to next gap and crochet 3dc into that space. Skip to the next gap and crochet 3dc.* Repeate * to * two more times. Skip to next gap and crochet [3dc, ch2, 3d]. Last, skip to next gap and crochet 3dc. again, join the last st to the top of the first ch3 with a sl st.

At this point, you can either stop and do a sl st and snip yarn leaving a tiny bit that you can pull and tighten through the sl st you just crated. Weave remaining yarn through your work towards the center, snip the loose end.

Or, trim this granny square by working dc all around, crocheting 3dc in the corner gaps to maintain shape before joining with other granny squares to complete a project.

To work on a bigger granny square, just add more rounds. Remember to turn over your work as you finish each round, a tip I found at Martha Stewart's web site

BP = back post

BPdc = back post double crochet

BPsc = back post single crochet

BPtr = back post treble crochet

ch = chain(s)

ch- = refers to chain or space previously made
(i.e>, ch-1 space)
ch-sp = chain space previously made

dc = double crochet (UK: tr-treble)

dc2tog = double crochet 2 stitches together

dtr = double treble (UK: trtr-triple treble)

FP = front post

FPdc = front post double crochet

FPsc = front post single crochet

FPtr = front post treble crochet

grp(s) = group(s)

hdc - half double crochet (UK: htr-half treble)

lp(s) = loop(s)

sc = single crochet (UK: dc-double crochet)

sc2tog = single crochet 2 sts together

sk = skip(ped)

sl st = slip stitch (UK: sc-single crochet)

sp(s) = space(s)

t-ch = turning chain

tr = treble (UK: dtr-double treble)

trtr = triple treble (UK: qtr-quadruple treble)