Solid Circle in Square

Hello and Happy Wednesday!!

I recently made an afghan using squares with circles inside of them.  I was originally planning to make and keep the blanket for myself, and I wanted it to be completely solid.  No toes sticking through it while cuddling on the couch!

Well, I ended up making it into a baby afghan, because I had other projects come in and I did not want this cute afghan to be cast into the pile of "I will finish it later", since I just got done finishing all of the projects I had in that pile and I do not want to start a new one!

Here is a collage of the Lollipop Circles and Squares afghan.

I was asked for the pattern on Instagram, but did not follow a pattern since I could not find a square with a prominent circle that was completely solid.  There is a similar square by Manner's Crochet and Craft that is similar.  I almost used this square, but I didn't want the hole in the middle of the circle, and I needed a bigger square (the bigger the square the less squares I would need to join).

So, I got my hook and yarn and started to experiment.

This is how I do my version of the circle in the square, granny.

You will need:

5.5 mm crochet hook

worsted weight yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver)

scissors

needle

Abbreviations:

ch - chain

sl st = slip stitch

dc - double crochet

tr - treble crochet

Pattern:

ch 3

Row 1: 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook, sl st into first dc (12 dc)

Row 2: ch 2, 2dc in first dc and in each dc around, sl st into first dc (24 dc)

Row 3: ch 2, *1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in next dc** repeat from * to** around, sl st into first dc (36 dc)

Fasten Off

Join contrasting color with a sl st to any dc

Row 4: ch 2, 1 dc in each of the first 4 dc, *(1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc) in next dc, 1 dc in each of the next 8 dc** repeat from *to** twice, (1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc) in next dc, 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc, sl st into first dc 

Row 5: ch 2, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc, *(2 dc, 1tr) in first tr, (1tr, 2 dc) in next tr, 1 dc in each of the next 10 dc** repeat from *to** twice, (2dc, 1 tr) in first tr, (1 tr, 2 dc) in next tr, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc, sl st into first dc

Fasten off and weave in ends

Here are row by row photos.

Row 1

Row 2

Row 3

Row 4

Row 5...FINISHED!!!

~Best Wishes~

Puffing Warm Fingerless Glove Pattern

Happy Friday!!

I hope this week has treated you well.  It has been pretty good for me!  Jixer and I celebrated our first year together, Christopher moved to San Francisco to start his new job as a software engineer at Charles Schwab (Jixer and I will be moving up there towards the end of February!), and I also had lots of family time this week!

Anyways, I am excited to bring you another free crochet pattern today!  It is for a pair of fingerless gloves, and I am in love with them.  They are so warm, and look really cute.

You will need:

4.5mm crochet hook

worsted weight yarn (I am guessing about 2-3 ounces)

scissors

large needle

Abbreviations:

sl st = slip stitch

ch = chain

sp = space

yo = yarn over

hdc = half double crochet

PS = puff stitch

How to do the puff stitch:

Insert hook into space indicated, yo and pull yarn up 1/2"

yo, insert hook into same space, yo, pull up yarn 1/2"

yo, insert hook into same space, yo, pull up yarn 1/2"

yo and pull yarn through all 6 loops on hook

Pattern:

ch 24

sl st into first ch to form ring

Row 1: ch 1, 1 hdc in first ch and in each ch across (24 hdc)

Row 2: ch 1, 1 hdc in first hdc, *ch 1, skip next hdc, 1 hdc in next hdc** repeat around from *to**, sl st into first hdc (12 hdc and 12 ch 1 spaces)

Row 3: sl st into first ch 1 space, ch 2, *PS in ch 1 space, ch 1** repeat around from *to**, sl st into first PS (12 Ps and 12 ch 1 spaces)

Row 4: sl st into first ch 1 space, ch 1, *1 hdc in ch 1 sp, ch 1** repeat around from *to**, sl st into first hdc (12 hdc and 12 ch 1 spaces)

Rows 5-9: repeat rows 3 and 4

Row 10:sl st into first ch 1 space, ch 1, *1 hdc in ch 1 sp, ch 1** repeat from *to** once, in next chain 1 sp (hdc, ch 1, hdc), ch 1, *1 hdc in next ch 1 space, ch 1** repeat from *to** 8 times, 1 hdc in space between last PS and ch 2 (do not ch 1 after this hdc), sl st into first hdc (13 hdc and 13 ch 1 spaces)

Row 11: sl st into first ch 1 space, ch 2, *PS in ch 1 space, ch 1** repeat around from *to**, sl st into first PS (13 PS and 13 ch 1 spaces)

Row 12: ch 1, 1 hdc in space between ch 2 and 1st PS, ch 1, *1hdc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1** repeat from *to** around, sl st into first hdc (13 hdc and 13 chain 1 spaces)

Row 13: repeat row 11, BUT do not crochet 13th PS, after 12th PS, ch 2 and sl st into first PS --this creates the hole for the thumb-- (12 PS, 11 ch 1 spaces, and 1 ch2 space)

Row 14: repeat row 12, with the 12th and 13th hdc being worked into ch 2 space created by the thumb hole

Row 15-18: repeat rows 11 and 12

Row 19: ch 1, 1 hdc in first hdc, *1hdc in ch 1 sp, 1 hdc in next hdc** repeat from *to** around, sl st into first hdc (26 hdc)

Here is a photo of where the hdc between the PS should be worked

The great thing about this pattern is that you don't need to make any adjustments to make them fit the right or left hand.  Just make two identical gloves and they will fit either hand!

Here is what your Puffing Warm Fingerless Gloves can look like if you do all of the 'hdc-ch1' rows in a different color.  I am in love with these!

I really hope that you all enjoy this pattern!  

Please, feel free to use it for personal uses, and sell the items made using this pattern.  All I ask is that you give me credit for the pattern when selling or if somebody asks you for the pattern.

~Best Wishes~

Alison