Grannies Rectangle

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert

The Grannies Rectangle

The Grannies Rectangle is a family member to the Grannies Square!  The rectangle is a variation on the square for those who would like to work the pattern in an elongated version versus a square.  This pattern, like the square, can be made to any desirable size.

The Grannies Rectangle is a combination of the traditional granny square with a solid granny square.  The rectangle can be made as small or as large as desired due to repeating rounds.
Notes:
·      Size H/5.00 mm hook
·      Ch 3 counts as a dc
·      Lg cluster = 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc
·      Sm cluster = 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc
·      Round 3 begins the Lg cluster rounds
·      In the solid granny rounds (Round 4), dc in the ch 1s instead of the ch 1 spaces
·      Rnd 4 is the solid granny round and Rnd 5 is the traditional granny round.
Ch 16
Rnd 1: In the 4th ch from your hook, [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. *Ch 1, sk 2 ch; 3 dc in next ch st**. Rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sk 2 ch. In the last ch [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. *Ch 1, sk 2 ch; 3 dc in next ch st**. Rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sl st into top of ch 3.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc into next 2 dc; sm cluster in ch 2 sp; dc in next 3 dc, sm cluster in ch 2 sp).  Dc across and sm cluster in ch 2 space.  Dc in next 3 dc and sm cluster in ch 2 sp.  Dc across and sl st into top of ch 3.  
Rnd 3: Sl st to next dc and ch 3; 2 dc in same st, ch 1. Sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1; sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1, sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1. * Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1. Rpt from * 4 times.  Sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1; sk 3st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1, sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1. * Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1. Rpt from * 3 times.  Sl st into top of ch 3.
Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc across to ch 2 sp; sm cluster in ch 2 sp.  *(Dc across and sm cluster in ch 2 sp).  Rpt from * twice. Dc across to ch 3 and sl st into top of ch 3.
Rnd 5: Sl st to next dc, ch 3 and 2 dc into same st, ch 1.  Sk 3 st, 3 dc into next st, ch 1, lg cluster in corner ch 1 sp, ch 1. *([Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1] across to next ch 1 corner sp and lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1).  Rpt from * twice.  Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1 and sl st into top of ch 3.
Repeat rounds 4 and 5 until desired size is reached and end with a solid granny round as it can serve as a border round.
 
The PDF of the pattern can be found here

This is an Original Design by Doug Speeckaert. Feel free to make and sell the finished product for profit, but remember to give credit to me, and link back to my blog http://dotscl.com/wp/

Thank You!!! Doug

A lot of hard work goes into writing patterns. Please feel free to share the link to this blog, but DO NOT copy and distribute this pattern by any other means.

Posted in crochet, crochet square, Grannies Rectangle, granny squares, granny stitch | 2 Comments

Grannies Square

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert

Grannies Square

The Grannies Square pattern is now available!

Many thanks to my testers who tested this pattern for me and shared their insights, thoughts, comments, etc.  I truly appreciate all your hard work and the time you committed to making this come full circle.

The Grannies Square is a combination of the traditional granny square with a solid granny square.  This pattern is one that shows with the use of color how a pattern can take on many different appearances/looks all with just using the same pattern.

You can find the pattern pdf here or as a Ravelry download here

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Grannies Square

The Grannies Square is a combination of the traditional granny square with a solid granny square. The square can be made as small or as large as desired due to repeating rounds.

Notes:
· Size H/5.00 mm hook
· Ch 3 counts as a dc
· Lg cluster = 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc
· Sm cluster = 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc
· Round 3 begins the Lg cluster rounds
· In the solid granny rounds (Round 4), dc in the ch 1s instead of the ch 1 spaces
· Rnd 4 is the solid granny round and Rnd 5 is the traditional granny round.

Ch 4 and sl st in first ch to make a loop

Rnd 1: Ch 3, 2 dc into loop, ch 2; *(3 dc, ch 2). Rpt from * twice and sl st into top of ch 3

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc into next 2 dc; sm cluster in ch 2 sp; *(dc in next 3 dc, sm cluster in ch 2 sp). Rpt from * twice and sl st into top of ch 3

Rnd 3: Sl st to next dc and ch 3; 2 dc in same st, ch 1. *(sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1; sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1). Rpt from * twice. Sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1; sl st into top of ch 3.

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc across to ch 2 sp; sm cluster in ch 2 sp. *(Dc across and sm cluster in ch 2 sp). Rpt from * twice. Dc across to ch 3 and sl st into top of ch 3.

Rnd 5: Sl st to next dc, ch 3 and 2 dc into same st, ch 1. Sk 3 st, 3 dc into next st, ch 1, lg cluster in corner ch 1 sp, ch 1. *([Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1] across to next ch 1 corner sp and lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1). Rpt from * twice. Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1 and sl st into top of ch 3.

Repeat rounds 4 and 5 until desired size is reached and end with a solid granny round as it can serve as a border round.

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This is an Original Design by Doug Speeckaert. Feel free to make and sell the finished product for profit, but remember to give credit to me, and link back to my blog http://dotscl.com/wp/

Thank You!!! Doug

A lot of hard work goes into writing patterns. Please feel free to share the link to this blog, but DO NOT copy and distribute this pattern by any other means.

 
 
Posted in crochet, crochet square, Grannies Square, granny squares | 2 Comments

Amy B Stitched’s New Pattern – Meandering Paw Prints Shawl

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert

I just had to share this wonderful new pattern – Meandering Paw Prints Shawl by Amy B Stitched!

Be sure to check out the pattern here.

Posted in Amy B Stitched, crochet, meandering paw prints, shawl | Leave a comment

Granny Stitch Triangle Shawl

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert
Granny Stitch Triangle Shawl

Notes:
·      Size H/5.00 mm hook 
·      14 ounces/396 g yarn of choice
·      Terms are in US terms
·      Turning ch 4 counts as a dc plus 1 ch
Ch 4 and sl st into 4thch from hook to create a loop
Row 1:    Ch 4, 3 dc, ch 1 and 1 dc into loop.  Ch 4 and turn.
Row 2:    3 dc into ch 1 space, ch 1; 3 dc, ch 1 and 1 dc into last ch 1 sp .  Ch 4 and turn.
Row 3:    3 dc into ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1 and 1 dc in last ch 1 sp.  Ch 4 and turn.
Rows 4 – 60:    The pattern repeats itself – after turning, 3 dc and ch 1 in the first ch 1 sp; 3 dc and ch 1 in each of the ch 1 spaces across.  In the last ch 1 sp, 3 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 4 and turn.
*You can keep adding rows until you reach a desired width and length of the shawl.  Fasten off and sew in any loose ends.

The pattern pdf can be found here

This is an Original Design by Doug Speeckaert. Feel free to make and sell the finished product for profit, but remember to give credit to me, and link back to my blog https://dcspeeckaert.blogspot.com/

Thank You!!! Doug

A lot of hard work goes into writing patterns. Please feel free to share the link to this blog, but DO NOT copy and distribute this pattern by any other means.

Posted in crochet, granny stitch, shawl | Leave a comment

Use of color can make a big difference

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert

The use of color in our projects can make the biggest difference in the outcome.  When using one color or combination of colors for a project, the end product can turn out one way; and when using other colors or combination of colors, the same project can take on a whole new look.

Red Heart has a great article on the use of color and how our color choices can affect our projects.  Check out their blog post of Changing Colors for Different Looks.

Posted in color; color ways | Leave a comment

Crocheting (and Knitting) For Charity

Posted on July 8, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert

It is a wonderful thing when we can take our love of our craft and be able to share it with those in need.  One positive thing that I have picked up when I decided to participate in a Crochet-A-Long is that I am learning new patterns for items such as hats and shawls that I would have not done in the past as I thought that I didn’t know of anyone who would want or need such items.

Below is a link to a charity listing from the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) that can give you some ideas for charities to crochet for:

Crochet For Charity – Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

Red Heart also has some charity suggestions for crocheters and knitters:

Red Heart Charity Suggestions

Lion Brand Yarns has a listing for 10 Charities for Knitters and Crocheters

Lion Brand Yarns

And one of my favorites – Out of the Parc Designs blog.  Lyn frequently has a blog post called Charity Idea OUTpost.  These articles are full of charity ideas that benefit people and our four-legged furry friends.  When you visit Out of the Parc Designs blog, be sure to check the archives for the OUTpost blog entries – you won’t be disappointed at what you find and how inspired you can become from them.

Out of the Parc Designs

Posted in charities, Lion Brand, Out of the Parc Designs, Red Heart | Leave a comment

Rainbow Colors for Your Crochet Projects

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert

 

UPDATE (4/27/2022)

The use of the rainbow colors for crochet projects is something that I’ve come to love.  I can remember the acronym of ROY G BIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue Indigo, Violet) from art class in high school and for some reason this has stuck in my head all these years.

Red Heart used to have a page for helping in selecting various shades of the rainbow colors for your projects and it was something to bookmark for color combination inspiration.  The original blog post from Red Heart Yarns no longer works due to Yarnspirations taking over Red Heart.  However, the blog Jen’s a Little Loopy does have some great charts for Rainbow colors in various colorways and you can find her info here.

 
 

Posted in color; color ways, crochet, rainbow, Red Heart, yarn | Leave a comment

Benefits from Crocheting

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert

I enjoy crocheting as a hobby and pastime and have personally benefited from the positive health related aspect of crocheting.  Crocheting has helped me in reducing some stress and anxiety and in the process I have created some pretty amazing (bragging, I know) pieces of work.  When my mind is racing and I need to slow it down, crocheting helps as it forces me to concentrate on what I am doing and the repetitive nature of crocheting helps me to focus.

Here are several sites that have articles, tips, etc on the health benefits of crocheting:

Posted in anxiety, crochet, health, health benefits | Leave a comment

Crochet Friends – Out of the Parc Designs

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert

As time goes on and the more that I have shared my own work through the various social networking sites, I have gained several friends in the fiber arts world.  I’ve already introduced my friend Amy from AmyBStitched and today I would like to introduce another great friend – Lyn Wilson.

Lyn is a small business owner, fantastic fiberartist and and wonderful blogger.  She owns and runs Out of the Parc Designs.  Her blogs are constantly informative and inspiring as she highlight various fiberart designers and some great charities and causes.  I’ve had the extreme pleasure and honor of being mentioned in some of her writings and that, to me, is really something special.

Please take some time and visit Lyn’s blog – you won’t be disappointed and will find a treasure of articles/entries that can provide some inspiration!

Posted in blogs, charities, Crochet friends, fiberarts, Out of the Parc Designs | 2 Comments

Crochet Friends – AmyBStitched

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Doug Speeckaert

Last June, I had the honor to collaborate on a crochet project with Amy Brewer. I found her site and pattern for her Meandering Paws scarf and the pattern really caught my interest. I had recently lost my beloved cat Snoopy and wanted to come up with something to remember him by.

After many starts, stops, errors and trials, I was able to adapt Amy’s paw print design from a scarf to and afghan. I created a Rainbow Bridge pattern using the paw print design and shared it with Amy. In a short time, the project was published by Amy on her blog/page and it was and is a success and very well received.  Even after one year later, this pattern is still used by many.

This is a project that I am very proud of and was one that was very therapeutic and enjoyable to work on and I would like to thank Amy for the opportunity to collaborate on this project with her. Many who have had their fur children cross the Rainbow Bridge have appreciated the project. On the various social media groups that I belong to, there have been over 2000 likes and shares. And to be very honest, that is a great feeling!

Meandering Paw Prints Over the Rainbow Bridge

In January of this year, Amy and I collaborated on another project called “Meandering Paw Prints Heart of Duchess.  I had the idea of using Amy’s paw print stitch in a heart formation for an afghan and after much trial and effort came up with the Heart of Duchess design in honor of one of our other cats who has passed on.  This pattern has also been met with great success and was once again a great honor to collaborate with Amy on another project.

Heart of Duchess Meandering Paw Prints

Please visit Amy’s blog, A Stitch At A Time for Amy B Stitched to see her wonderful work!

Posted in afghans, AmyBStitched, crochet, Crochet friends, Heart of Duchess, meandering paw prints, pet memorial, rainbow bridge | 2 Comments