preciousowl: A last minute crochet commission = FREE Granny Square Blanket Pattern and a Knit Pair of Tin Can Knits Rye Light Socks

A few weeks ago one of my best friends from NYC, Todd from Ridgewood, Queens, asked me if I would crochet a blanket to be auctioned off to raise money for Gottscheer Hall. My friends frequently DJ and chill there. I rarely have the time or energy for commissions these days but I am willing to make exceptions for very special people and places.

I used a combination of Berroco Vintage Worsted and Biscotte DK SWM with a size G hook.

I'm actually teaching a granny square crochet class tonight and granny squares have been on my mind a lot lately.

When a granny square is large, with high contrasting colors and crocheted well, it has a very striking effect.

In between finishing the JRYC crochet shop sample (to be revealed during the crawl next month) and various other time sensitive shop samples for my upcoming classes, I frantically banged this blanket out.

I am NOT a UNC fan but if I was, I would totally crochet a blanket like this for myself.

I used to sell a variety of granny square themed items on Etsy but it's been a while since I've made or sold anything new. If I ever get the time and/or energy, I'd love to do a handmade granny square pop up someday. Someday...

I just finished typing up the pattern to teach in my class and I thought I'd share it here. There are a million (free) granny square patterns online and most of them are very easy to follow. This is the condensed version of my pattern using 6 different colors of Berroco Vintage DK yarn.

Pattern and yarn Requirements:

Size E or G crochet hook
6 different color skeins of Berroco Vintage DK yarn [52% Acrylic/ 40% Wool/ 8% Nylon, 288 yds (263m)/100g (3.5 oz)/skein] or a total of approximately 1,728 yds of DK weight yarn
ring marker(s)
scissors

Kimberlee’s sample used the following 6 skeins of Berroco Vintage DK:

Color A 2110 Fondant Color A _________________________________

Color B 2192 Chana Dal Color B _________________________________

Color C 2179 Chocolate Color C _________________________________

Color D 2176 Pumpkin Color D _________________________________

Color E 21197 Bright Blue Color E _________________________________

Color F 2102 Buttercream Color F _________________________________

Pattern:

Round 1: With color A, make a slip knot, ch 4 and ss into the first ch (next to the slip knot) to form a ring or make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as first double crochet), 11 dc around (magic) ring, close ring by joining with a ss in the top of the starting ch-3. Break yarn leaving an 8” tail. Weave in ends.

Round 2: Join color B, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space, *1 ch, skip 3 dc, (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next sp, * rep from * to * twice more, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, 2 dc into same sp as 5 ch at beg of round. Ss into next chain sp. Break yarn leaving an 8” tail. Weave in ends.

NOTE: Every time you (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) you are in the corner of your granny square. The cluster of these 8 stitches creates the 4 square edges/corners of your blanket.

Round 3:Join color C, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space, *1 ch, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next sp, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, **(3 dc, 2ch, 3dc) into next spc, * rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more, 2 dc into same sp as 5 ch, ss into 3^rd st of 5 ch. Ss into next ch sp. Break yarn leaving an 8” tail. Weave in ends.

Round 4: Join color D, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space, *(1 ch, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next sp) twice, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, ** (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next sp, * rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more, 2 dc into same sp as 5 ch, ss into 3^rd st of 5 ch. Ss into next ch sp. Break yarn leaving an 8” tail. Weave in ends.

Round 5: Join color E, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space,*(1 ch, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next sp) 3 times, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, **(3dc, 2ch, 3 dc) into next sp, * rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more, 2 dc into same sp as 5 ch, ss into 3^rd st of 5 ch. Ss into next ch sp. Break yarn leaving an 8” tail. Weave in ends.

Round 6: Join color F, 5 ch, 3 dc into same space,*(1 ch, skip 3 dc, 3 dc into next sp) 4 times, 1 ch, skip 3 dc, **(3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next sp, * rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more, 2 dc into same sp as 5, ss into 3^rd st of 5 ch. Ss into next ch sp. Break yarn leaving an 8” tail. Weave in ends.

These rows set the square pattern. Working 1 more repeat in each side edge, continue until you run out of yarn or the blanket measures your desired size. Leave at least 38gm of yarn for the border if desired.

Joining new yarn: When you need to join a new ball of yarn (of the same color), when there is only 6-8” remaining of your working yarn, tie the new yarn in a double knot to your ball of working yarn. Continue working until you get to the knot and then hold your working yarn and both tails (of the new and old yarn) together and work over all strands until the tails are “hidden” (or woven in as you go).

Border round: 5 ch, 4 dc in same sp, *(dc in each of the next 3 dc, dc in the sp). Repeat between ( and ) until you reach the corner. **(3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into the corner sp.* Repeat from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once more. 2 dc into same spa s 5 ch, ss into 3^rd st of 5 ch. Ss into next ch sp. Break yarn leaving an 8” tail. Weave in ends.

Steam or wet block with a wool wash and pin edges into a square if necessary. Air dry laying flat.

I had a little yarn leftover and I made a bonus pair of socks to contribute to the auction.

They only took a few hours to make.

I used a combination of Summer Lee sock patterns from her new book to knit a pair of vanilla kid socks.

Believe it or not, because I knit so loose, I knit these with US size 2 needles!

Xena was so pissed that I donated the socks she thought were for her, I'm now knitting her another pair with the remaining Biscotte DK and some Kindred Red Rad Sock scraps.

I also just finished a pair of socks for myself and I am pretty sure this is the 4th time I've knit these socks. The pattern is so simple to follow and the reverse stockinette bar matches the sleeve detail of the Flax Sweater.