Tuesday, July 28, 2009

My First Afghan -- Free Crochet Pattern -- Granny Square

I'm sure everyone has seen or used a Granny Stitch pattern crocheted square. But this is my twist, my colors and my first afghan! :) This afghan is being donated to Give A Stitch. This Fall we plan to donate a bunch of afghans we have made to a local charity. I have just a few more squares to make before I'll crochet them together and finish it off. Because I'm donating it and want it to last and be able to be loved, washed and lived in, I'm using Lion Brand Yarn Vanna's Choice. Lots of great colors to choose from and it crochets wonderfully! It will be very durable.
Here are some of the Granny Squares I've already crocheted. I made a heart into a square with no pattern to include in my afghan. I'm halfway there!


My First Afghan – Free Crochet Pattern
Granny Square

5 different colors of Lion Brand Yarn Vanna's Choice for squares
(3 skeins each) (I used Sapphire, Brick, Mustard, Purple, and Fern)

3-4 skeins of black for border and binding

J-hook (6mm)

Finished size: Approximately 58" w x 72" l
(Twenty 12" squares with 2" border)

Crochet 12" squares from each color and skein creating 15 solid colored blocks. Use left over yarn to create 5 multi-colored squares. These twenty squares will make a 4 square by 5 square afghan.


Start off...the Granny Square...

CH6. Join with a SL ST to form a ring.

Row 1: CH3, 2DC, CH1, (3DC, CH1) 3 times, SL ST to join to the 3rd chain stitch from foundation loop.

Row 2: Work 3 SL STs in the next 3DC so that your crochet hook is adjacent to the space formed by the closest set of chain STs. CH3, 2DC in space, CH1 to form corner, 3DC in same space, CH1, (3DC in next space, CH1 to form corner, 3DC in same space, CH1) 3 times, SL ST to join to the 3rd chain stitch you crocheted at the beginning of the round. You should have the beginning of a square now.

Row 3: Work 3 SL STs in the next 3DC so that your crochet hook is adjacent to the corner space. CH3, 2DC in space, CH1 to form corner, 3DC in same space, CH1, (3DC in next space, CH1, 3DC in next space, CH1 to form corner, 3DC in same space, CH1) 3 times, 3DC in next space, CH1, SL ST to join to the 3rd chain stitch you crocheted at the beginning of the round.

Continue adding rows until your square measures 12" square. Each subsequent round will follow the same basic procedures used in the preceding rounds. You'll start with 3 chain stitches substituting for the first double crochet. In the corners, you will work 2 sets of 3 double crochet stitches separated by 1 chain stitch. Otherwise, you will work 3 double crochet stitches in each space, separated by 1 chain stitch on either side.

Final row: CH1, SC round completed square -- with 3SCs in each corner.

Weave in all loose ends. You may also want to block the granny square.

Note: When working crochet in rounds, 3 chain stitches are often used as a substitute for the first double crochet stitch in a round; that is the case here. In the first round, the double crochet stitches are worked inside the ring. In subsequent rounds, the double crochet stitches are worked inside the spaces previously formed by chain stitches.

After all twenty squares are finished, lay them out to arrange in what order you want them in the afghan making sure you don't have two of the same color in a row OR column.

DC around each square in black. Working row by row, start crocheting blocks together.

Row 1: With RIGHT sides togther, SC to join the two squares. Take the third square and with right sides together, join it to the first two squares. Repeat with the fourth square.

Repeat Row 1 for the other 4 rows of squares.

You now have five rows of four blocks crocheted together. Next, crochet the rows together.

With right sides together, clip or pin the two rows of squares together before crocheting. Take note to try to line up squares. Now, SC the two rows together. Repeat for the remaining three rows being sure to put right sides together and clip to secure while crocheting.

Once all rows are crocheted together, SC around completed afghan. Weave in all ends.

No comments:

Post a Comment