Crochet Square 10 (Never Give Up!!)

Friday, May 8

OK, this Square almost didn’t get made. It seemed easy enough in the photo in the pattern book but everyone knows looks can be deceiving.

I first tried several days ago. And then again a day or two later. I still could not figure out what the instructions were telling me to do.

Finally got it on the 3rd try. So, I guess it is true when people say the 3rd time is a charm. See the first two messes in this next photo? My 1st and 2nd attempts. Making no sense whatsoever. No wonder I couldn’t get going.

I do like this stitch, even after all the problems I had learning it. It is one of those projects you can work on while waiting in the doctor’s office. Once you get the row started, you just keep going. Even changing colors was easy.

No pulling and tugging, not hard on the hands. My kind of stitch. But do be warned, if you make this, some shells appear to be on the wrong side. It may look wrong but that is how the pattern works up. Worked in a triangle, like a fan. In fact, the first few rows would make a cute fan. Maybe dangling from a key chain. This square is perfect for using up your odd lengths of left-over yarn.

I still have a bit of work to do. I want to clean up the edges by adding a couple rows of single crochet stitches. I may add this cute flower to the top or center. What do you think?

Lesson learned. Never give up.

Yarn used:
Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream 100% cotton in Cream and Hot Green (Lime).
Lion Brand 100% cotton in Orchid (Fuchsia).

Measurements: 6″

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

Crochet Square 83

Friday, May 8

This square is similar to Square 21 (which is why I made it). No sense in wasting time. Two for one. The flowers are different. This one for Square 83 was a bit tougher. It has more petals and was hard on my hands getting in and out of all the sections on the backside. I like it though. Would look great as a pin on a coat or in your hair.

Colors are Bright Navy (Sugar ‘n Cream), Rose Pink (Sugar ‘n Cream) and Natural (Lion Brand). It measures 7 1/4″. Yarn for the flower is Sugar ‘n Cream Early American Ombre in navy, light blue, rose, pink, burgundy and ecru. All 100% cotton.

Hubby asked what was I going to do with these squares. He suggested a wall hanging. I will probably use some of them for an afghan, purses and saw a cute pattern today for slippers made from granny squares.

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

Crochet Square 21

Friday, May 8

Playing catch up here. Have 3 squares finished but behind in getting them posted.

Here is Square 21. Colors are Bright Navy (Sugar ‘n Cream), Hot Pink (Sugar ‘n Cream) and Natural (Lion Brand). 100% cotton. It measures 8″. Sort of looks like the weave for rugs.

It would look great wrapped around some towels and given as a gift.

I had no problems with the pattern instructions. I did, however, change up the flower a bit. I added two extra rows of petals to make it larger. Also 2 additional rows on the outer edge.

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

Crochet Square 18

Wednesday, May 6

This one was pretty easy. Begin with the center flower shaped like a starfish. Then add the sides starting with the petal tips. Goes fast once you get going. What I like about making these squares is the directions repeat after the first side. Usually.

I have LOTS of cotton yarn so these were made from Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream 100% cotton. Hot pink & cream. Bright navy & cornflower blue. Measures 5″.

See if you can spot the mistake I make on the navy/blue square. I never noticed it until picture taking time. Proves you should stop when tired.

I thought about ripping it all out… for a nanosecond. Nope. Moving on. Made a hot pink one instead. Now I have two of Square 18.

I am learning to trust the directions and not second guess them. Just follow carefully and don’t miss a step.

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

Crochet Square 4

Tuesday, May 5

Oh my, what have I done. Is my life now going to be nothing but an endless number of crochet squares? I am hooked on making them. I may never work on any other type of craft. Just going to crochet. (Just kidding)

Anyhoo, I finished Square 4. It measures 5″. Petite and cute. I am in LOVE. Just looking at it, I want to turn it into a scarf, a handbag or an afghan.

The flower part works up fast. So fast, I forgot to take photos until I had reached the green part. The petals are like flaps. You lift up one flap to see the next one. And there is a “strap” (chain 3) in the back of each petal.

You probably can’t tell it but 7 of the petals are on the “wrong” side and one petal is on the right side. At first I thought I had made the mistake and took it apart and started over. Same result. One petal IS different and there is no way to change it due to how the pattern calls for double crocheting into the ring. The other 7 petals kind of hide it but I know it is there.

Other than that, the directions were spot on. I was kind of concerned that my end result wouldn’t look like the photo but it does. I am happy with it.

99 to go… I am calling this Project 101.

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

Crochet Square 35

Monday, May 4

One down. 100 to go. If you saw my new book, 101 Crochet Squares, then you know I plan to make all of them. Here is the 1st one finished. I am not going in order shown in the book. Just doing the ones that catch my fancy and seem easy enough. Will save the hard ones for later.

CROCHET SQUARE 35

100% cotton. Colors are brown (center), yellow (petals) and cream (sides). I used Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream and Lion Brand yarn. Once I had the pattern memorized, it was fast going.

The sunflower is created first. This is how it looks before starting to stitch the sides. There are 14 short petals and 14 long petals. I LOVE THIS FLOWER!! I will definitely add it to hats, purses, baskets, potholders, etc.

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

New Book: 101 Crochet Squares

Sunday, May 3

Lots of crochet squares in this book. 101 of them. Wonder why 101? Makes you think someone said “bet you can’t make a hundred squares” and they said bet I can!! And topped THAT…

Well, let’s see what I can do. Bet I can make all of these. Going to try it. Could take years but I figure I will learn lots by attempting them. Already started on one. Square 35. Figured that one would be an easy one to try first.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996. I scanned the color photos from the book so you could better see what I am crocheting.

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.