Box Stitch Afghans

Giant Granny Square

This is a fairly large blanket.  I had one 7 oz. skein of Red Heart Turquoise super saver and about 30 oz. of a (no label ? ) sea green/white/turquoise variegated mix yarn.  From that yarn I made the above blanket, also an earflap hat and a stroller blanket.  

I would suggest you get 1 - 07 oz. background skein color of your choice and about 14 to 20 oz. of a “no dye lot” color of your choice.   That way if you wish to go larger you will be able to get more yarn.  If you wish to go smaller you should have more than enough. 

To the best of my knowledge there are a limited number of basic crochet stitches, chain st, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, double treble......

However these limited number of stitches are used in an amazing number of combinations to create stitch patterns.  We then repeat those stitch patterns to shape our items.  I have been practicing the art of crochet for over 56 years and I have found that over the years stitch patterns as well as the items we make from those stitch patterns come in and out of fashion and that is why I maintain the idea everything old is new again.  The same basic stitches worked in the same old patterns but with new names.   I constantly find “old” stitch patterns with names that are new to me.  I tend to use the “old names” but always advise the stitch pattern may have several other new names.

It would seem what I refer to as the box stitch or block stitch in this pattern is not readily found on the web so I will showcase it here.

For the pattern above, 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 your magic ring, slip ring, slip loop, starting ring (whatever you prefer to call it)

Start with a slip loop,  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.

Round 2:  Sc in 2 chain corner space, *(ch 3, sc in same corner, chain 3, sc in next corner) around end, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.

NOTE: Color changes throughout are of your own choice  but always start on a sc /chain rnd.

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 to first dc.

To add new color:
Sc in any 2 chain corner space, *(ch 3, sc in same corner, chain 3, sc in next corner) around end, join with a slip stitch in the first sc.

Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until desired size of square is achieved and number off needed squares is completed.

If you wish to make small blocks you can stop as soon as you have the size block you want and join them in the traditional way.

Sweet Candy Sprinkles

I used the Continuous Join method to connect Granny squares, it is in two parts and I have included the links for those videos.

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.

If you would like a written version of the continuous join as you go complete with photos

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



This can be made as Granny Square blocks,  a Giant Granny Square Afghan or even a Giant Rectangle.

I used a Susan Bates I - 9 hook and worsted weight yarn

The afghan above was a stash buster so I do not know the amount of yarn required.

For a giant Granny square afghan, Start the center like a granny square, so you have 4 groups of 3 dc with ch 2 space between each group. Join do not turn,

Round 2:  Sl stitch into 2 ch corner space, sc, ch 3, sc in same place, ch 3, sc in next corner, ch 3, sc in same space around. Join to 1st sc.
Round 3:  Sl st into the ch 3 corner space, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc all in corner space, 3 dc in next 3 ch space, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next corner around. Join in the top of the ch 3.

Repeat rounds: 2 and 3 for pattern until desired size is accomplished

On each single crochet row You will be working (sc, 3 chain loop, sc) in each corner, (ch 3, single crochet,) between each 3 dc group of the previous row to the next corner, around, ending with sl st to first sc.

On each double crochet row work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, in each corner) and 3 dc in each 3 ch space across the row between corners.

I finished this one on a double crochet round for a crisp/solid edge.  If you wanted to add a different border I would probably end on a single crochet round for more flexibility of choice.

For all blankets using this stitch please see: 

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

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