Hi folks.
Did your solid grannies work out? I bet they did. You’re clever!
Before we get started, the last part was tricky for some of you beginners – particularly the changes I suggested you make. Please don’t stress if it was all too hard. As long as you got 3 solid grannys done, you’ll be fine for the rest of the project. You can always go back and try the changes when you’re more confident.
So on to :
How you’ll go beyond the granny this month
1. You’ll read a pattern
2. You’ll learn how to finish each round in the middle of the corner. A good thing!
3. You’ll learn how to skip stitches to create holes
Now quite a few patterns we will be using have the solid granny we used last month as a base. We will be playing with different techniques to see how a small change can make a big difference to the look of a square.
This month we’ll be skipping stitches to make this square.
You’ll see instructions like this in the pattern :
I want you to first look at the beginning and end of the instructions. From now on in this project, I will be starting and ending rounds in this way. You may be used to ending with 2 ch and a ss into the first stitch. That’s fine. It works well enough for normal granny squares, but when you get into more complex patterns, being able to end in the middle of a corner is a good thing. It makes everything just that little bit neater. It also makes working into the first stitch after that first corner much easier.
So instead of ch 2 & ss to join, I will most often (but not always) be telling you to ch 1 and join with dc (sc US folks). It doesn’t look much different but it really does make a difference. Here’s what the 2 methods look like :
Then, to begin the next round, I’ll be telling you to do your st ch & then a stitch or stitches OVER the joining dc. Here’s what that looks like compared to the old way :
OK, now that’s sorted, let’s look at skipping stitches. This is the first side and corner of round 3 in pictures.
When you get to later rounds, you’ll see something new in your pattern instructions – brackets round stitch instructions this : [ch 1, skip 2 sts, tr in next 2 sts] x 3. Don’t be put off – all it is telling you is to do the bits inside those brakets the number of times after the brackets along one side. Just a shorthand way of writing it out. Hopefully, it will make sense to you.
Skipping Square Patterns
I’ve again provided an extended versions of the patterns for you if you are still learning. Just so you know, I wont be providing extended versions for much longer. You’ll be ok though. I’ll get you there.
NB : there was a small error in the Extended Version – the end of Round 2 should be “..ch 1, join with dc (sc US)..” I have fixed the downloads today 15 March 014, but if you have the earlier version, please note the change.
Skipping Square Written Pattern UK Terms By Shelley Husband 2014
Skipping Square Extended Pattern UK Terms By Shelley Husband 2014[smallpdf.com] (3)
Skipping Square Written Pattern US Terms By Shelley Husband 2014[smallpdf.com]
Skipping Square Extended Pattern US Terms By Shelley Husband 2014[smallpdf.com] (1)
Homework
1. Hook up at least 3 of the skipping squares to your size/s, play with colour if you’re using more than one colour. Just note that if you have to adjust the rounds to make a square bigger or smaller, and you end on a skipped stitches round, just put 2 border stitches in the one chain spaces along the sides
2. Try changing your hook size and adjusting the number of rounds as you need to. The same applies as the note above about the border
3. Practice the ch 1 & join with dc (sc US) in the corners with the traditional granny and/or the solid granny to see if you can get a feel the difference
4. If you’re feeling confident with the extended pattern, try the normal written pattern. I bet you can do it!
That’s it 🙂
If you need help, please just ask in the Ravelry Group, send me a message via my Facebook page, or send me a pic on Instagram and I’ll do my best to get you going.
I’ve asked about the place how often you’d like this project to be and the majority have said they’d like it faster. So I’ll still be doing 12 Parts, but they will be popping up around every 3 weeks – time/life permitting.
Next time we’ll be doing one of my favourite things – turning a circle into a square 🙂
Hi I tried blocking with steam tonight. Is the acrylic yarn suppose to get wet from the steam? I did put the iron very close to the t-pins. I felt damp but not wet is that enough to block?
Thanks
Mine does Virginia 🙂 It works for me I find. See how you go.
Mine blocked also. I like this way. Now another problem to ask about. I started blocking the smaller or tighter crochet first to 6 1/2 “. All the squares were suppose to come out to 6″ because I have the same number of rows and the same number of stitches on the last row. I have some that are about 7″. One is actually 7 1/4”. Can the larger ones be blocked back to 6 1/2″ or do I need to redo them?
Thanks
OK you wont necessarily have the same number of stitches with the different patterns. Or do you mean your blocks have the same number of stitches as the pattern? Either way, it pays to measure them before the border round as you go. If they are roughly just under 6″ you are right to add the border. If not, undo that last row and either do a smaller or bigger stitch so they are the right size or leave off a round or add a round. I’m afraid blocking is not as effective in reverse. It will help a little, but not an inch worth. It’s not an exact science. Things should be roughly the same, but due to everyone doing things differently – different tension, yarn & hook can all have an effect. It’s up to you what you do with the one’s you’ve got. Perhaps hold off til Monday as I talk about joining then and there are ways to help ease things a bit as you join.
Where do I find parts 1 & 2 to beyond the granny? Thanx
Hi Patty 🙂
Here’s the search results for Beyond the Granny where you’ll find all the links to all the patterns : https://shelleyhusbandcrochet.com/?s=beyond+the+granny