Spinosa Square

I have a plan, a dream, a desire.  Call it what you will but I want to see this through till the end… if there ever is an end. I want to design different granny squares and then make one awesome blanket (or more) from all of them. So in saying that, here is the first one the ‘Spinosa Square’. I just have to make sure that I don’t run out of creativity juice, wishful thinking and I’m going to be positive.

The squares will most likely be suited to different crochet abilities, I’m going to try and aim for that anyway. That way, if you are a beginner, you’ll be able to make some too, and hopefully in the process, take your skills to the next level and learn some new stitches and techniques.

I am no professional.  Pretty much self taught, so my techniques and explanations may not be what the ‘proper’ way to do it. I do have a hard time trying to explain how to do certain stitches (not in this pattern), so I may use photos more or break each step down a fair bit.

So without further ado… let’s start with the very first square…. enjoy (and pretty please share your pieces of work with me)

Spinosa Square

Materials:

Yarn and hook of your choice. I used 8ply/dk yarn and a 4mm hook.

Stitches used US terms & abbreviations

Sc – single crochet
Dc – double crochet
Ldc -long double crochet (basically just dc into mentioned st from a previous round)
Jss – join with sl st
Sl st – slip stitch
Ch – chain
Sk – skip

Notes:

This pattern is probably not best suited for beginners.

I crocheted these squares without the use of jss or beginning each round with a ch. I think I used what’s called as a foundation or starting st, depending on what st was needed for the first st on that row. I also started anywhere as well to give it a more even feel. I have written this pattern as if you had to jss and ch at each round.

Please crochet the ldc st with a looser tension than normal. This will help with the overall look of the square and not make it tighter on the sides.

I have not mentioned any gauge measurement as each square will be different depending on the yarn and hook you use.

In my opinion, this granny square design is best suited for at least two colours. By using just one colour, the ldcs seem to vanish not giving it that ‘pop’ effect.

I used four colours in the square below let’s call them C1, C2, C3, C4 (colour one, etc) each round if using different colours, will require a colour change.

Pattern:

Round 1. Using C1–  Make magic ring, ch3 (counts as 1st dc), 11 more dc in ring, pull tight and jss (12 sts)

Round 2. Using C2 – Ch1, 2sc in same st, sc, 2sc, ch2, * (2sc, sc, 2sc, ch2)*, repeat 2 more times, jss to 1st sc (20 sts)

Round 3. Using C3 – Ch3, dc in next 2 sts, ch1, sk1, dc in next 2 sts, (dc, ch3, dc) in corner (ch2 sp from round 2), *dc in next 2 sts, ch1, sk1, dc in next 2 sts, (dc, ch3, dc) in corner*, repeat 2 more times, jss to top of ch3 (24 sts)

Round 4. Using C2 – Ch1, sc in same sp, sc, ldc into the next sc made in round 2 (where the sp is), sc in next 3 sts, (2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner, *sc in next 3 sts, ldc into next sc made in round 2, sc in next 3 sts, (2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner*, repeat 2 more times, sc in last st, jss to 1st sc (44 sts)

Round 5. Using C4 – Start by sl st to next st, Ch4 (counts as dc+ch1), sk1, dc, ch1, sk1, dc, dc in next 2 sts, (dc, ch3, dc) in corner, *dc in next 3 sts, ch1, sk1, dc, ch1, sk1, dc, ch1, sk1, dc, dc in next 2 sts, (dc, ch3, dc) in corner*, repeat 2 more times, dc in last 3 sts, ch1, jss to ch3 of ch4 made (40 sts)

Round 6. Using C2 – Ch1, sc in same sp, ldc into next sc made in round 4, sc, ldc, sc in next 4 sts, (2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner, *sc in next 4 sts, ldc, sc, ldc, sc, ldc, sc in next 4 sts, (2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner*, repeat 2 more times, sc in next 4 sts, ldc, jss to 1st sc (64 sts)

Round 7. Using C1 – Ch4, sk1, dc, ch1, sk1, dc, ch1, sk1, dc, dc in next 3 sts, (dc, ch3, dc) in corner, *dc in next 4 sts, (ch1, sk1, dc) 5 times, dc in next 3 sts, (dc, ch3, dc) in corner*, repeat 2 more times, dc in next 4 sts, ch1, sk1, dc, ch1, jss to 3rd ch of starting ch4 (56 sts)

Round 8. Using C2 – Ch1, sc in same st, (ldc, sc) 3 times, sc in next 4 sts, (2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner, *sc in next 5 sts, (ldc, sc) 5 times, sc in next 4 sts, (2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner*, repeat 2 more times, sc in next 5 sts, ldc, sc, ldc, jss to 1st sc (92 sts)

I would like to give a big thank you to all of the lovely pattern testers that gave me feedback. I have loved seeing your finished squares, and cannot wait to see more.

So as always, if you do make a square I’d love to see it!

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