Hexagon Squares

These are going to make a really fun afghan soon!  I chose a yarn that has a really lightweight texture because I wanted this to be a really airy blanket.  When my "squares" are finished and assembled, I'll post another picture!

Materials:

G Hook

Bernat Softee yarn in Soft Peach, Antique White, Mint, and Pale Blue - Amounts will vary depending on how many squares you make/size of blanket you want.

Notes: I alternated the 3 middle colors for each square for the sake of interest, but kept the borders white and plan to assemble them all with white.  The color options are up to you, so I didn't put in the names of the colors, but will just refer to the colors as Color 1, 2, 3 and 4.  You get to choose what order to put them in.  ;)  The pattern is worked from the center out, if that helps with your choices.  I would recommend tying a small knot at the end of each round to help the yarn stay in place, as I am always afraid that changing yarns a lot will make a blanket fall apart!

Begin with Color 1:

Ch 4.  Join to form a ring.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc).  11 dc in center of ring.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3. (12 st)

Drop Color 1, join Color 2:

R2: Ch 3 (counts as dc).  1 dc in same st.  2 dc in each st around.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  (24 st)

Drop Color 2, join Color 3:

R3: Insert hook between posts of next 2 st's.  Ch 3 (counts as dc).  2 dc in same st.  Ch 1.  Skip next 2 posts.  *3 dc in next sp.  Ch 1*  Repeat to end of round.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  

Drop color 3, Join Color 4 (I used white for these rounds on each square):

R4: Join between 2 clusters of 3dc from previous round.  Ch 4.  Skip 3dc cluster.  *sc in sp between clusters.  Ch 3*  Repeat around.  Join with sl st in 2nd ch of ch 4.

R5: Insert hook in sp under ch's from R4.  Sl st.  Ch 3.  2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp.  3 dc in next sp.  *3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next sp.  3 dc in next sp*  Repeat to end of round.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  Tie off and hide ends. 

Lined Granny Lovies

These are so fun!  The granny stitch makes for a fast workup, and these are easy to line with fabric!  I made these and lined them with a fat quarter.  :)  The size makes them perfect for a Lovie blanket for any little one to carry around the house.  You could easily make these larger to bigger quilts.  My husband loves crocheted blankets, and I think the next one I make for him will be lined this way!

Lined Granny Square Lovies

Materials Needed: This really depends on you.  Any yarn will do, and you just need the appropriate hook size for the yarn you choose.  I used up some leftovers of Caron Simply Soft and an H Hook.

You will also need thread and either a sewing machine or a needle and some patience.  :)

Basic Granny Square Instructions:

R1:   Ch 4.  Join with sl st in 1st ch made to form a circle.  Ch 3.  2 DC in center of circle.  Ch 1.  3 DC in circle.  Ch 1.  3 DC in circle.  Ch 1.  3 DC in circle.  Ch 1.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  Turn work.

You may change colors here if you choose.

R2:  Sl st in ch 1 sp just made.  Ch 3.  2 DC, ch 1, 3DC in same space.  Ch 1.  *3 DC, ch 1, 3 DC, ch 1* in each sp around.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3. Turn work.

You may change colors here if you choose.

R3 and beyond:  Sl st in ch 1 sp just made.  Ch 3.  2 DC in same space.  In each ch 1 space (except corners) you will made 3 DC, ch 1.  In each corner, you will make 3 DC, ch 1, 3 DC, ch 1.

Make the square as big or small as you like.  You can even make a group of smaller squares and stitch them together to make one big square or a rectangle or whatever shape you like!

To Line Blanket/Lovie:

Choose a large enough piece of fabric to line one side of the blanket while leaving a border.  I purchased a fat quarter (18" x 22") for my blanket which measured about 19 1/2" square.  Iron your fabric flat.  Trim fabric to desired size and pin to your crochet work.  Sew using thread to match the yarn color you are sewing through.  For example, I chose pink thread and sewed through the layer of fabric and the crochet work through one of the pink lines.  This way, when you look at the blanket on the crochet side, the thread isn't easily noticed.  You can hand sew this as well, but my sewing machine is much faster.  :)  I also sewed a bit in the center.  I would recommend doing that by hand if possible.  Just sew the center circle to the fabric.  I used my machine and needed more space, so I have a square in the middle of my fabric - which is fine with me as I plan to cover it with an applique.  That is a tutorial for later!  ;)