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The Spring Square – a modern variation of the Granny Square

The Spring Square -a modern variation of the Granny Square

The Spring Square is a modern variation of the Granny Square. The stitches used are half treble crochet stitches (UK terms).

The square is simple to make. You can have fun creating different effects with different colour combinations. You can use this Spring Square just as you would a Granny Square, to make up different projects such as coasters, blankets…etc.

The advantage of the Spring Square is that it does not have the holes that a traditional Granny Square has.

The squares below are all from this one square pattern. Each square requires approximately 7g of DK yarn, but this might be a perfect project to use up your odds and ends.

Materials 

Crochet Hook:  4mm or size needed to achieve gauge 

Yarn: DK weight yarn, each square requires approximately 7g of DK yarn
I used Stylecraft Special DK.

Notions: Scissors, needle for sewing in ends

Finished Size: A square with 7 rounds should measure approximately 10cm x 10cm, this will depend on your tension

Crochet Level

Suitable for beginners

Gauge

7 rounds = 10cm x 10cm (4in x 4in), adjust hook size as necessary 

Abbreviations/Crochet terminology

Pattern is written in UK terms. 

ss

Slip stitch

htr

Half treble crochet

ch

Chain

st(s)

Stitch(es)

beg-ch

Beginning chain

*to*

Instructions between asterisks will be repeated as specified

htr cluster

A cluster of 2 half treble crochet stitches worked in the same space

[ ]

Repeat pattern stated number of times

( )

Instructions to be worked into the same stitch or space

Stitch Guide/US Conversion Guide

UK term

US term

Description

Half Treble Crochet (htr)

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining three loops to leave 1 loop on the hook

Slip Stitch (ss)

Slip Stitch (ss)

Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch and through loop 

Chain (ch)

Chain (ch)

Yarn over hook, pull through loop

Notes on the pattern

This is a really simple pattern, based on a 2 rounds repeat. The pattern uses the htr stitch worked in groups of 2 (htr cluster) and is similar to the v-stitch.

It differs from the traditional v-stitch as it worked in half treble crochet stitches rather than treble crochet stitches and there is no chain stitch between the two stitches. This gives a tighter and less holey structure to the work.

Each htr cluster is worked in the middle of the corresponding htr cluster of the round below, giving an appearance of a stack of V’s (see photo below – Fig 1).

Fig 1

Note: In each of the corners I worked 1 chain stitch. However, you can insert 2 or 3 chain stitches if you prefer. Do what works best for you.

Instructions for the Spring Square

Foundation Round. Make a magic ring or ch4 and ss into 1st chain to form a ring

Round 1. Ch2 (counts as 1 htr), 1htr into the ring, ch1, 2htr, ch1, 2htr, ch1, 2 htr, ch1, ss into beg-ch. Fig 2.

  • Fig 2

  • Fig 3

Round 2. Turn over. Ss back into the ch1 space you just formed. Ch2 (counts a 1htr) (Fig 3). Work 2htr in between the 2htr in the row below (placement indicated by needle in Fig 4) (Fig 5). *Work (1htr, ch1, 1htr) in the corner space (placement indicated by needle in Fig 6), work 2htr in between the 2htr from the row below.* Continue from *to* until you reach the corner where you started, work 1htr, ch1 and ss in beg-ch. Fig 7.

  • Fig 4

  • Fig 5

  • Fig 6
  • Fig 7

Round 3. Turn over. Ss back into the ch1 corner space you just formed. Ch2 (counts as 1htr), work 1 htr into same corner space (Fig 8). Work 2htr in between the 2htr in the row below (placement indicated by needle in Fig 9). *Work (2htr, ch1, 2htr) in the corner space, work 2htr in between the 2htr from the row below.* Continue from *to* until you reach the corner where you started, work 2htr, ch1 and ss in beg-ch. Fig 10.

  • Fig 8
  • Fig 9
  • Fig 10

Round 4. Turn over. Ss back into the ch1 space you just formed. Ch2 (counts a 1htr). Work 2htr in between each of the 2htr clusters in the row below (placement indicated by needle in Fig 11). *Work [1htr, ch1, 1htr] in the corner space, work 2htr in between each of the 2htr clusters from the row below.* Continue from *to* until you reach the corner where you started, work 1htr, ch1 and ss in beg-ch. Fig 12.

  • Fig 11
  • Fig 12

Round 5. Turn over. Ss back into the ch1 corner space you just formed. Ch2 (counts as 1htr), work 1 htr into same corner space. Work 2htr in between each of the 2htr clusters in the row below (Fig 13). *Work (2htr, ch1, 2htr) in the corner space, work 2htr in between each of the 2htr from the row below.* Continue from *to* until you reach the corner where you started, work 2htr, ch1 and ss in beg-ch. Fig 14.

  • Fig 13
  • Fig 14

Round 6. Repeat round 4. Fig 15.

  • Fig 15
  • Fig 16

Round 7. Repeat round 5. Fig 16.

If you want to add any additional rounds – continue adding rounds 4 and 5.

You can have fun with using different colours and combinations.

Fig 17. Single colour

Fig 18. 2 rounds colour A, 1 round colour B, 2 rounds colour C, 2 rounds colour D

Fig 19. New colour for each round

Fig 20. 4 rounds colour A, 3 rounds colour B

  • Fig 17
  • Fig 18
  • Fig 19
  • Fig 20

You can make as many or as few squares as you like and use them in many different projects.

You can use this pattern to make coasters.

The Spring Square -a modern variation of the Granny Square

Or a blanket……….

……..see here for more on this.