by Carole Somerville

Created on: March 13, 2010

Crochet can be an incredibly relaxing yet productive way of whiling away the hours. Once a few basic stitches have been learned, one way to develop your crochet skills is to crochet squares that can be connected to create a blanket, scarf, poncho or in fact anything your imagination comes up with!

This is the joy of crocheting; it is very simple and easy to do and with a little imagination, beautiful and lasting articles can be created.

Crocheting squares not only helps you hone your crocheting skills but presents a chance for you to use your imagination to create something practical and functional, designed by you. Squares can be all one colour or different coloured squares might be linked in a set pattern.

Alternatively each square can be a combination of coloured yarns. You also get to choose the size of square you wish to crochet for instance you may want to crochet one large square, or a number of small ones to be linked together.

Before starting on your mitred square, you might think about choice of yarn (for instance choose a soft wool for a baby’s blanket or a heavier yarn for a car rug) and choice of stitch and patterns within the square. A single crochet will give a tight stitch, the double crochet will see the square enlarge faster, the stitch being less compact.

As long as all squares are the same size, you can experiment with different stitches; this is another reason why crocheting squares is an ideal way to learn how to crochet.

There are a number of ways to make a mitred square, the most common one being to start with a circle and to turn it into a square through making clusters of stitches separated by chains at each of the four corners.

The following gives the basic pattern for a mitred square using double crochets (dc.)

Crochet instructions for a mitred square ~

Chain 5 and slip stitch in first chain to form a ring

Round 1 ~ Chain 2, 2 dc into the centre of the ring, chain 2, 3 dc into centre of ring, chain 1, *3 dc into centre of ring, chain 2, 3 dc into centre of ring. chain 1 Repeat from * two more times. Slip stitch in top of first chain, 2 slip stitch in next 2 chains.

Round 2 ~ Chain 2, 2 dc in space, ch 2, 3 dc in same space, *chain 1, 2 dc in next sp, chain 1, 3 dc in next sp, chain 2, 3 dc in same sp, repeat from star to end of round. Chain 1 and slip stitch in next 2 chains.

Continue building rounds working 2 dc, 1 chain in each space other than the corners. For the four mitred corners, work 3 dc, 2 chain, 3 dc, 1 chain.

Continue for as many rounds as desired. Here’s a tip on how to keep each square in shape ~

The corner stitches are an essential part of forming a crochet mitred square. As you work the dcs in the corner spaces, pull the first stitches to the right for the first side of the corner, work 2 ch then pull the next 2 stitches to the left of the second side of the corner, creating a right angle.

Changing Colours on a Crochet Square ~

To change colours at beginning of each round, fasten off after the sl st to top of chains. Leave about 3 inches of yarn, wind new colour around hook for next chain. Proceed on new round with new colour while weaving end from previous colour into work as you go.

With crochet using one hook and working with one stitch at a time, this can be a pleasing way to be creative for those who find knitting with two needles and numerous stitches rather daunting. Crocheting squares is an ideal way to start learning this tremendously fulfilling skill.

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