October Granny Squares Throw

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This throw was a delight to make. It is based on the traditional granny square and is wonderfully easy to make.

In essence this throw is made up of 16 granny squares. Each granny square has 11 rounds and I joined the squares using the join-as-you-go method whilst adding the 11th round. I then added a simple border which was 7 rounds of treble clusters. I added tassels in each of the four corners to finish the throw off and give it a bohemian vibe.

I used Stylecraft Special DK (100% Acrylic) and used a size 3.5mm hook (my favourite hook for this yarn – but you can use what ever hook size suits your tension to achieve gauge). You could easily adapt this pattern to whatever yarn you choose.

Equipment

Yarn – 1-2 (100g – 200g) balls each of the following: Stylecraft Special DK Tomato, Mustard, Silver, Grey and Cream. (I used 2 of Tomato, Grey and Silver and found that one was enough of the Mustard and Cream but I was quite close to needing to break into the second ball of the Mustard and Cream so I recommend you have these on standby). You can purchase this yarn here.

LoveCrafts

Hook -to suit tension to achieve gauge (I used a 3.5mm hook).

Scissors

Needle to darn ends

Finished Size

Approximately 98cm x 98cm (excluding tassels).

Gauge

10 rounds in pattern = 19cm x 19cm, adjust hook size as necessary

Abbreviations/Crochet terminology:

UK terms are used throughout.

Ss        slip stitch

Tr         treble crochet

Ch        chain

* *       Instructions between asterisks will be repeated as specified in the instructions

Notes on the Granny Square

The pattern is based on the traditional Granny Square.  This Granny Square uses groups of treble crochet to form ‘treble clusters’. Each treble cluster is worked in the space formed by gap between treble clusters from the round below (except in the corners, where the treble clusters are worked in the chain 1 space).  It is a really simple technique and suitable for a beginner.  

This pattern has one chain stitch in each corner.  The pattern also suggests you turn the work over after each round and start a new round in a different corner. I find this helps to keep the square even and it also makes the work reversible.

Instructions:

You will need to make a total of 16 granny squares. There are two different squares to make – so that means you will need to make 8 of each.

Round 1 (Yarn colours are for Square A):

  • Using Tomato yarn Chain 4, ss into the first chain to form a ring (or make a magic circle).
  • Chain 3 (counts as 1tr), 2tr into the ring, ch1, 3tr, ch1, 3tr, ch1, 3tr, ch1.
  • ss into the top of the starting chain 3 to close the round. Fasten off yarn. Weave in ends.

Round 2:

  • Turn work over. Using Mustard colour yarn. Pull up a loop in any chain 1 space (try to start each round in a different corner).
  • Ch3 (counts as 1tr), 2tr into same space.
  • *3tr in next chain 1 space, ch1, 3 tr into same space*
  • Repeat from *to* until you reach the space where you started the round, 3tr into space, ch1, ss into top of starting chain 3 to close the round. Fasten off yarn. Weave in ends.

Round 3:

  • Turn work over. Using Cream colour yarn. Pull up a loop in any chain 1 space.
  • Ch3 (counts as 1tr), 2tr into same space.
  • *3tr in next space formed by the gap between the two treble clusters from the round below, in the chain 1 corner space work 3tr ch1, 3 tr*.
  • Repeat from *to* until you reach the starting space, work 3tr, ch1 and ss into the top of the starting chain 3 to close the round. Fasten off yarn. Weave in ends.

Round 4 and subsequent rounds:

  • Turn work over. Using Tomato colour yarn (for round 4 – see table below for colour order of subsequent rounds). Pull up a loop in any chain 1 space.
  • Ch3 (counts as 1tr), 2tr into same space.
  • *3tr in spaces formed by the gap between the treble clusters from the round below, in the chain 1 corner space work 3tr ch1, 3tr*.
  • Repeat from *to* until you reach the starting space, work 3tr, ch1 and ss into the top of the starting chain 3 to close the round. Fasten off yarn. Weave in ends.
Square A after 5 rounds.

Continue to add rounds using the following colour order.

RoundSquare ASquare B
1TomatoGrey
2MustardSilver
3CreamCream
4TomatoGrey
5GreyTomato
6SilverMustard
7MustardSilver
8CreamCream
9TomatoGrey
10SilverMustard
Colour order of Square A and Square B rounds 1-10.

Continue to make 8 of each square up to round 10.

Square A after 10 rounds
Square A and Square B up to round 10.

Joining the Squares

You should now have 16 squares (8 of Square A and 8 of Square B). Arrange these on a large flat space. Arrange them in a 4 by 4 formation in an alternate arrangement (so that each of Square A is next to Square B) as follows:

ABAB
BABA
ABAB
BABA

I used the join-as-you-go method. If you prefer to sew your squares together then continue to crochet the 11th round on each square according the the colour listed in the table below.

RoundSquare ASquare B
11GreyTomato
Colour order of 11th round

The join-as-you-go joining method means that as round 11 is added a slip stitch is made to the adjacent square in between each group of trebles. There is a tutorial here on how to join using this method. Here is my summary:

  • Start with a Square A and complete the whole of the 11th round in Grey yarn.
  • Take a Square B and complete one side of the square using Tomato yarn.
  • Instead of working a chain 1 when you get to the first corner, ss into the corner of the Square A you just completed.
  • Work 3tr in the corner space on Square B, then ss into the first space between the treble clusters on Square A.
  • Continue working along the side of Square B with treble clusters, adding a ss to Square A at the corresponding points.
  • When you reach the corner space of Square B, work 3tr in the corner space, ss into Square A and then 3tr in the corner space of Square B. Continue working down the side of Square B with treble clusters to finish round 11 (3tr, 1ch, 3tr in each corner).

Continue to add two further squares along your strip. You will then need to add more squares along a second row. You will notice that when you come to adding the second square of the second row that you need to slip stitch along two sides. When arriving at the central corner (where four squares meet) I like to ss into the square across the diagonal.

Continue adding all of the 16 squares, so that you now have one joined up piece of work.

Border

The border is 7 rows of treble clusters.

Border Round 1:

  • Using Silver yarn, pull up a loop in any of the corner chain 1 spaces, chain 3 (counts as 1 treble), 2 tr in same space.
  • Work 3tr in each space formed between the trebles of the row below. When you arrive at the join between two squares work 3tr in the slip stitch from the round below (ensuring that you pull up the trebles a little so that they are the same height as the rest of the trebles along).
  • Continue with 3 trebles (treble cluster) in each space all the way around the blanket, working 3tr, ch1, 3tr in each corner.
  • When you arrive back in the starting space work 3tr, ch1 and then ss into the top of the chain 3 formed at the start.

Border Round 2: Turn work over. Work a round of treble clusters with Cream yarn, working 3tr, ch1, 3tr in each corner.

Border Round 3: Turn work over. Work a round of treble clusters with Mustard yarn, working 3tr, ch1, 3tr in each corner.

Border Round 4: Turn work over. Work a round of treble clusters with Tomato yarn, working 3tr, ch1, 3tr in each corner.

Border Round 5-7: Turn work over. Work 3 rounds of treble clusters with Grey yarn (turning the work over after each round and slipstitch back into the chain 1 space that was just formed in closing the previous round and working back along the row). Again working 3tr, ch1, 3tr in each corner. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finally….I added tassels at each corner. I used Grey yarn for this. These are really simple to make. There are loads of tutorials for this on the internet.

Excluding the tassels, the finished work measures approximately 98cm x 98cm – a small throw, perfect for the sofa or lap blanket.

That’s it! You can adapt this pattern for other colour combinations, and other sizes.