Wilks - Crocheting: Intermediate Crochet

Contents

Workingwith Motifs

Motifs are fun ways to create many projects. The classicGranny Square afghan is one example of using motifs. The beauty of working withmotifs is the great amount of creativity they give you. You can choose to useone design and color scheme, or mix it up and create an eclectic mix of stylesand colors.

Granny Squares

When most people think of crochet the first thing that comesto their minds is the Granny Square. This timeless motif has stood the test ofmany decades and remains one of the most popular techniques today for goodreason. You can create wonderfully creative and colorful projects using thehumble Granny Square. Granny Squares are easy to master and in this section Iwill share with you some tips on how to create the perfect Granny Square eachand every time.

As you can see in this image the artist mixes many colors andsizes to create a very interesting and unique afghan. Feel free to use as manyor as few colors in your Granny Squares as well as different sizes.

First it is important to understand the construction of theGranny Square. The squares are crocheted in the round. You have the choice ofalways having the right side facing you, or turning your work for each round.If you leave the right side facing you your square will end up a bit crooked.This is perfectly okay and how most Granny Squares end up. But by turning yourwork each round you will end up with a perfectly square motif. This is becauseof the tension and the way the stitches blend together as you work. Either wayis perfectly acceptable, it just depends on the effect you want your squares tohave.

To begin you must crochet a starting chain and join it. Thiscreates the center of the square on which all the other stitches are worked offof. Normally Granny Squares dont use magic rings, but if you want the centerto be closed feel free to use one to start off.

The first round of shells starts with a chain 3. Each timeyou begin a new round you will chain 3 and they will count as the first doublecrochet in the shell. Each shell is made of 3 double crochet. So chain 3 andwork 2 double crochet, chain 3, work 3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 doublecrochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet, chain 3 and join in the 3rdchain of the starting chain 3. This is the first round. You should have fourshells separated by chain 3 spaces.

For the second round of shells begin by chaining 3 and work 2double crochet into the chain three space of the previous row. You will have toease the two double crochet stitches into this space and the chain three willbe on the far left side of the chain three space. (This is why the square endsup a bit cockeyed.) If you turn your work you can simply chain three and thenwork 2 double crochet right into the chain three space. Chain three and crochetthree more double crochet into the same chain three space you just did thestarting chain and two double crochet. This forms the first corner.

Chain one, into the next chain three space work three doublecrochet, chain three, three double crochet. This will be your second corner.Chain one. Into the next chain three space repeat the previous stitches, chainone, and then repeat the three double crochet, chain three, three doublecrochet combination, chain one and join in the 3rd chain of thestarting chain. Now you have eight sets of shells; four sets separated by chainthree, and each corner is separated by a chain one space.

For the third round of shells begin by a chain three and twodouble crochet into the first chain one space. Chain one, crochet the firstcorner with three double crochet, chain three, three double crochet into thefirst chain three space. Chain one and crochet three double crochet into thenext chain once space. Repeat this process working a shell into each chain oncespace and two shells at each corner into the chain three spaces.

Work around the square and make it as large as you want. Youcan change colors at each round and make your squares as colorful or simple asyou desire. Just remember that each corner is comprised of three doublecrochet, chain three, three double crochet. Each side shell cluster isseparated by a chain one and it is into these chain spaces you work the shells.

Variations on the Granny Square

There are so many variations of the Granny Square that Icould write an entire book about them. In this section well cover some of themost popular variations used to create very creative and beautiful squares.

One of my favorites is the sunflower square. This square usescluster stitches. To crochet a cluster stitch insert the hook and yarn over,pull through and pull through the first two loops on the hook. Do this twice.You should now have 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all threeloops, chain one to lock the stitch. The pattern also uses a 3 stitch clusterwhich is crocheted in the same manner, but you end up with 4 loops on the hook,yarn over and pull through all 4 loops and chain one to lock the stitch.

I did a round ofblack single crochet on this square to finish it off.

To begin this square form a magic ring and crochet two andthen crochet 16 double crochet into the magic ring. You can also chain threeand join to create a circle, but I like the look of the magic ring better sinceit gives a nice tight center. Once you have your 16 double crochet join in the2nd starting chain.

Chain 2 and double crochet in the same space. Crochet a 2double crochet cluster and chain one between each double crochet of theprevious round. When you reach the end of the round slip stitch into the 2ndchain of the beginning chain 2 to join.

With the second color join at any chain one space and chainthree. Crochet a 2 double crochet cluster in the same space, chain 3 andcrochet a 3 double crochet cluster in the same space. Chain 2, 3 double crochetcluster in the next chain one space, chain 2; repeat two more times. In thenext chain one space work a 3 double crochet cluster, chain 3, 3 double crochetcluster, chain 2. Continue around the square until you reach the end of thisround. You will have four corners of two clusters separated by chain 3, andthree single clusters on each side separated by chain 2.

With the first color join in any corner and chain 3, crocheta 2 double crochet cluster, chain 3, 3 double crochet cluster, chain 2. Crochetin the same manner as the previous round but you will have the four corners andfour 3 double crochet clusters on each side of the square.

So to review the pattern, start with a magic square. You willthen have 17 double crochet in the first round (this includes the chain 2). Thesecond round consists of four corners and three 3 double crochet clusters oneach side with a chain 2 space between them. The last round has four corners,and four 3 double crochet clusters on each side with a chain 2 space betweenthem.