35 SQUARES

This afghan only requires 35 squares

Materials

about 32 oz. WW yarn for main color

Assorted colors of yarn from your stash

to make one (1) block (approximate yardage)

square center = 2 yards

rounds 2  & 3 = 7 yards

rounds 3 & 4 = 12 yards

rounds 4 & 5 = 16 yards

as always exact yardage depends upon the yarn, your tension and hook size

This afghan was made with Red Heart Super Saver yarn and a Susan Bates I-9 Hook

Finished project is about 40 X 55 inches.

Granny Square Blocks  

(these blocks measure about 7 inches square)

Start with a slip loop or chain 4 join to create ring.

Rnd 1. in ring work chain 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. 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. In each corner loop work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, work 3 dc in each ch 3 sp between corners.
Repeat rounds, 2 and 3 for desired size of Square.

For this afghan I made two identical blocks of each color and one block for the middle block.  You may notice I have about 5 different shades of green in this afghan and I did not want them to all end up in one corner so I laid the blocks out in a mirror image, moving the sets around until I was satisfied with the color combination.  I always lay my blocks out before I begin to join, then I take a photo of the layout.  Last I stack the blocks in the order in which they will be joined and I check the photo as I work to be sure I am following the pattern.

I did use the 5 chain braid continuous join to connect the squares  however you may join them in any manner you chose.

I love the Continuous Join method and You Tube has an amazing 2 part tutorial showing exactly how to do it.  Here are both links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoBG9W9rpog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_282853&feature=iv&src_vid=PoBG9W9rpog&v=foQB6X8q2a0

NEW

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

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

 For the border I worked the pattern stitch starting with the double crochet row in the existing loops around the outside.  Then I worked the single crochet row and finished with the dc row.   More rows could be added for a larger project or a lacy "V" stitch border could be added.

For all blankets using this stitch please see: 

• http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/2013/02/box-stitch.html 
• http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/2013/04/box-stitch-afghan-designs.html
• http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/2013/02/sweet-candy-sprinkles.html
• http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/2013/05/wintergreen-and-lace.html  
• https://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/2013/04/box-stitch-afghan-designs.html

Do you already have a stash of basic granny square blocks you are dreading to join?  Grab a 14 oz skein of yarn and enlarge those squares, using rounds 2 and 3 from this pattern, use the Continuous Join method to finish and see how quickly you can create a masterpiece.

48 Squares with "V" st & Picot border

This afghan was two baby afghans, made in the tradition granny square, which I still don’t know why I made because I’ve always hated baby afghans.  They seem like a waste of time to me as they stay small but babies don’t.  So I removed their borders and joined them into the young lady afghan you see on the left.  But still nobody seemed to notice her and she sat, a sad little plain granny all alone on the shelf for almost a year.  I wanted to make her happy so I decided to give her a new dress.  On the right you can see how much she loved her new outfit.  Once she got her smile, she found her forever home in less than a week.   

36 Squares ~ Shell and Pineapple border from 
Doris Chan's All Shawl Pattern on Ravelry