So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything… I’ve been living in my very own caravan now, and no longer have access to a computer. And I still don’t. What I do have now though is the motivation to post a new pattern!
So, what pattern are we talking about? Well, it is the square I used to make the forest rose gypsy top, available in my etsy store!
It is a beautiful square with a floral mandala at the center. I’ve gone quite crazy designing it and I really don’t know how I came up with the techniques I used. So now, I share it with you so you may make something amazing with these squares too!
So, let’s get started!
Materials:
I used a 3 mm crochet hook, and some cotton yarn in the colors green, red and yellow. I will show which color corresponds with which round by adding (g) for green, (r) for red and (y) for yellow at the start of each round.
Abbreviations:
St/sts: stitch/stitches
Sk: skip
Ch: chain
Slst: slip stitch
Sp: space
Sc: single crochet
Hdc: half double crochet
Dc: double crochet
Bpsc: back post single crochet
Fphdc: front post half double crochet
Fpdc: front post double crochet
R: round
Special hints:
I will be working some stitches in between other stitches, so instead of going in the top of the stitch, really insert your hook in between the posts of the stitches.
I’ll also be working the joining slst into the first stitch, so really into the “v” at the top of the stitch. I only specify at the end, because there I think it matters the most, but you’ll be able to see on the photos where else I’ve done it. This isn’t necessary but I think it looks much better this way.
Other hints throughout the pattern will be in italics, and in both bold and italics when it’s really important.
Instructions:
To start (y), ch 4 and join to the 1st ch with a slst to make a loop.
R1 (y): ch 1, and work 8 sc in loop. Join to 1st sc with a slst.
R2 (y): ch 1, and sc in same st. [Ch 3, sc in next st] 8 times, omitting last sc. Join to 1st sc with a slst.Fasten off and secure ends.
R3 (g): join with standing sc in ch-3 sp. Ch 3, sc in same sp. [(Sc, ch3, sc) in next sp] 7 times. Join to 1st sc with a slst.
Now, in this next round you’ll be picking up a new color. do not fasten off color g! You’ll be picking it up again later, and this makes for very few ends to work away. After introducing color r, you can tie the loose ends together with a square knot, to keep them from unraveling.
R4 (r): ch 1, picking up color r. [(Sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) in next ch-3 sp.] 8 times. Join to 1st sc with a slst.
In this next round you’ll be working into both round 4 and round 3. Pay attention to where your stitches should go and you’ll be fine!
R5 (g): ch 1, picking up color g. [Sk next sc. Bpsc in next 3 sts (r 4), 2 dc in between next 2 scs (r 3)] 8 times. Join to 1st bpsc with a slst.
R6 (r): ch 1, picking up color r. [Sc through the back loop of the dc from r4 and through the 2nd bpsc from r5. 5 dc in between next 2 dc (r5)] 8 times, join to first sc with a slst.
R7 (r): ch 1, sc in same st. [Ch 3, 5 dc in next sc, ch 3, sc in next sc] 4 times, omitting last sc. Join to 1st sc with a slst.
So, these next few rounds may be a bit tricky and confusing. You’ll first be working into r6, in front of the ch-3 spaces, and around the posts of the dcs from r5. I suggest folding back the shells from r7 to make things easier. Then you’ll work into r8 and r7, and over the chains, securing everything in place.
R8 (g): ch 1, picking up color g. You may fasten off color r now, as you won’t be needing it any longer. [Fpdc in 1st dc (r5). Sc in between 1st and 2nd dc (r6), and in between 2nd and 3rd dc. Ch 1. Sc in between 3rd and 4th dc, and in between 4th and 5th dc. Fpdc in next dc (r5)] 8 times. Join to 1st fpdc with a slst.
Okay, brace yourself because this is by far the most complex round in this entire pattern! Pay attention, look at the photos for guidance and you should be okay!
R9 (g): ch1. [Working over the chains, sc in next 2 sts and in ch-1 sp (r8). Sc in ch-3 sp (r7). Sc in between 1st and 2nd dc, and in between 2nd and 3rd dc. Ch 2. Sc in between 3rd and 4th dc, and in between 4th and 5th dc. Sc in ch-3 sp. Working over the chains, sc in ch-1 sp (r8). Sk next st, sc in next 2 sts. Fphdc in next 2 dcs together] 4 times. Join to 1st sc with a slst.
R10 (y): ch 1, picking up color y. Sc in same st. [Sc in next 5 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, sc in next 8 sts] 4 times, omitting last sc. Join to 1st sc by working a slst into the st.
R11 (g): ch1, picking up color g. Sc in next st, ch1 (counts as dc). 2 dc in same st. [Skip next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp. Sk next 3 sts, 3 dc in next st (sk next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st) 2 times] 4 times, omitting last 3 dc group. Join to top of starring dc (so in the ch1 after the sc) with a slst. Fasten off and secure all ends.
Tie a little square knot in the yellow ends, so they won’t unravel, and weave in all ends.
There you go! You’ve now made a beautiful square which you can use for many different projects! Think of a blanket, a bag, or a top like the one I made!
Have fun crocheting and I’ll be back another day!
🌹
Forest Elf Crochet 