Free Pattern – Merry-go-round square
This is the third of four 5 inch squares I made as homework for a crochet retreat. It’s much easier than it looks, with alternating accent rows on top of a background of dc stitches. The accent rows are worked in the front loop, so they stand up on top of the background, creating an interesting texture. Since the color changes with every row, you can carry the colors as you go, leaving fewer ends to weave in when you’re done!
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Merry-go-round Square
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Materials:
- Worsted Weight Yarn: 20 yds of color A & 15 yds of color B. Picture shows ivory as color A, and red as color B
- Size H / 8 (5 mm) hook or size needed to achieve gauge
- Yarn or tapestry needle
Difficulty:
Intermediate – Worked in the round. Working in front loop only.
Sizes:
5″ square
Gauge:
13 dc x 7 rows = 4″ square. The actual square is small enough and works up quickly enough, that there’s no reason to do a separate gauge swatch. The finished square should be 5 inches.
Abbreviations used:
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- csdc = chainless starting double crochet (can substitute ch 3 if you prefer).
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sp(s) = space(s)
- rnd = round
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
Recommended Resources:
Instructions:
Note: All odd numbered (RS) rounds are worked with A, and all even numbered (WS) rounds are worked with B.
Rnd 1 (RS): With A, make a magic cirlcle, or ch 4 and join to form a circle. In circle, ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc, pull magic circle closed, join with sl st to first st, changing to B. (12 dc)
Rnd 2: With B, ch 1, turn, working in front loops only, (sl st, ch 1) in each st around to last st, sl st in last st, join with sl st to first ch, changing to A.
Rnd 3: With A, turn, working in unused (front) loops from Rnd 1, (csdc, dc) in first st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st to first st, changing to B. (24 dc)
Rnd 4: Repeat rnd 2
Rnd 5: With A, turn, working in unused (front) loops from Rnd 3, csdc in first st, (2dc in next st, dc in next st) 11 times, 2dc in last st, join with sl st to first st, changing to B. (36 dc)
Rnd 6: Repeat rnd 2
Rnd 7: With A, ch 4 (counts as tr), turn, working in unused (front) loops from Rnd 5, (tr, ch 2, 2tr) in same st, *dc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next st,** (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st, repeat from * 3 more times, ending at ** on last repeat, join with sl st to first st, changing to B. (48 sts and 4 ch sps)
Rnd 8: With B, ch1, turn, working in front loops only, *(sl st, ch 1) in each st to ch sp, sl st in next 2 chs, ch 1, repeat from * 3 more times, (sl st, ch 1) in next st, sl st in last st, join with sl st to first st, changing to A. Fasten off B.
Rnd 9: With A, ch 1, turn, *working in unused (front) loops from Rnd 7, sc in each st to next corner sp, (2sc, ch 2, 2sc) in ch sp (covering the sl sts from the previous rnd), repeat from * 3 more times, working in unused loops from rnd 7, sc in each st to end, join with sl st to first st, fasten off. (64 sts and 4 ch sps)
I hope you enjoy the pattern; big thanks to Shelley Johnson Jones for testing it for me!
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