Sweet Candy Sprinkles

UPDATED

This little bit of fluff is my latest “Stash Buster”

It was made with Lion Brand, Bernat, Red Heart and Caron Baby weight Yarn

and a Susan Bates US size I-9 hook. 

You may use the yarn brand and yarn weight of your choice and your choice of colors.  

I do not know the exact amount of yarn needed for the squares because I created and accumulated the squares one at a time as suitable yarn became available.  I would estimate  20 to 30 ounces of yarn from my stash..  If I were to buy new yarn, I would choose about 3 or 4 colors of “NO DYE LOT” yarn and buy one (5 to 7 oz) skein of each because you should easily be able to get more if you need it.  This afghan only requires 20 squares.

I used Caron Simply Soft Baby yarn for the joining and border,  you will need about two 6 oz skeins to complete both the joining and border.   

First of all, you may have noted this is not the standard granny square.  It is done in an old stitch pattern I call a “block stitch" or "box stitch” and this stitch pattern probably has several more different newer names.  I like this stitch because it is easy to do, and unlike the standard granny square the finished block has none of the granny square "holes", and is more flexible than the standard granny so it gives a more fluid feel or flow to the afghan.
   

To make the squares:  Work in rounds, do not turn.  Start the same as a regular granny square.  You can start with your chain 4, sl st in first chain to form a ring or use the magic ring, slip ring, adjustable loop or (whatever you prefer to call it)  I always start with an adjustable loop.

Rnd 1:  In loop work Ch 4, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, join to 2nd st of starting 4 ch.   You should have 4 groups of 3 double crochet with a chain 2 space between each group.

Rnd 2. Color changes are always made on single crochet rounds.  Sc in any 2 chain corner space, *(ch 3, sc in same corner, chain 3, sc in next corner) *repeat around ending, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.

Rnd 3. Sl st in corner loop, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, in corner, work 3 dc in each ch 3 sp between corners, in each corner loop work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc. around. join.

Rnd 4:  Sc in 2 chain corner space, *(ch 3, sc in same corner, chain 3, sc between each of the 3 dc clusters, to corner)  repeat around ending, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.

Repeat rounds, 3 and 4, another three times (or for desired size of Square) ending on a double crochet round.   The center square counts as 1, followed by 4 sets of rounds 3 (dc) & 4 (sc), ending on a dc round for a total of 9 rounds counting the center.  ( 4 dc rounds)  Make 20 squares.

On this afghan I decided to try the "Continuous join".  I never tried it before thinking it would be too confusing and that I would not have patience enough to do it.

I find the “Continuous Join” is so simple and fast, Oh, you can bet I am never, ever going back to the old way.  I am a believer.  I found the most wonderful tutorial but it is in two parts.  If you have not used the continuous join you really, really need to try it.  I have posted the links below.

Part 1 Continuous Join       Part 2 Continuous Join

This is an “off site” link and is NOT one of mine.  I cannot provide a PDF copy.  It is a written version of the continuous join, for the join as you go crowd, complete with photos.

http://babylovebrand.net/2013/08/27/continuous-join-as-you-go-again/

If you don’t wish to try the continuous join, you can join your squares using your favorite method of choice or the basic 5 chain flat braid join but I hope you will try the continuous join as it is really amazing and so much faster.

For this afghan my squares were between 7 and 7 1/2 inches square, I worked 5 rows with 4 blocks on each row.  If you have used the continuous join method when you get the last square attached do not end off but continue around the outside edge of the afghan as the tutorial directs.

Border:    If you used a different method to join the squares, work Round 2 of the pattern for the squares around the entire afghan so you will have the sc, chain 3 row around the outside.  Continue to work in rounds.

Round 1  On right side, 3 dc in each 3 chain space, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in each corner, working as for round 3 of the squares. join.

Special stitches:

“V stitch” = 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc all in same space.  (double click photo to enlarge)

Tutorial V stitch   

Round 2  Skip 3 dc, by slip stitching to first sp between 3 dc clusters, ch 4, dc in same space, (counts as first “V” st,) work a “V” stitch between each 3 dc cluster to corner and (“V” st, chain 3,  “V” st)  in each corner ch 2 space, around, join to 3rd chain of beginning chain 4.

Round 3: Sl st into center of the “V” stitch, ch 4, dc in same space, (counts as first “V” st,)  “V” st in center of next “V st” to corner, working ( “V” st, chain 3,  “V” st ) in each corner, around, join to first “V” st. 

Repeat Round 3 to make your border the width you like, always working (“V” st, ch 3, “V” st) in the center 3 chain space of each corner so it will lay flat.

This afghan border has 3 rounds of “V” stitches and 1 round of “V” st with Picot to finish.

Special Stitches: Picot stitch:  Double crochet, chain 3, slip st in first chain, dc in same stitch = "V" st with picot. Tutorial  "V" st with Picot

Final round:  Work "V" st with picot st, in the center of each “V” st around, working  (dc, picot, dc, picot, dc, picot, dc)  in the center 3 chain space of each corner.

For all blankets using this stitch please see: 

http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/2013/04/35-squares.html

http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/2013/02/box-stitch.html 

http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/2013/04/box-stitch-afghan-designs.html

http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/2013/05/wintergreen-and-lace.html