Granny Square Hippie Jacket Pattern

This Granny Square Hippie Jacket is made up of:
Four rectangular panels - back, left front, right front and hood;  and
Two square panels - left and right sleeves

Yarn:
Elle Pullskein DK, Stylecraft Special DK, Elle Charity Variegated DK  (approximately 800g in total)

Hooks:
4.00mm and 3.50mm

Terms:
US

Extras:
2 large buttons

Sizes:
M-L (S)

Square Sizes:
14cm x 14cm = 7 rounds (12cm x 12cm = 6 rounds) 

Back Panel

The Back Panel is 4 squares wide and 5 squares long

M-L size = 56cm x 70cm
S size = 48cm x 60cm

Front Panel

Both Front Panels are 2 squares wide and 5 squares long

M-L size = 28cm x 70cm
S size = 24cm x 60cm

Note:   I have given my jacket a "v" neck by substituting a Half  Granny on neck edge of each front panel.    I have indicated the joins for either a granny square (for a more closed neckline) or a half granny (for a v-neckline)
 

Sleeves

Both Sleeves are 3 squares wide x 3 squares long

M-L size = 42cm x 42cm
S size = 36cm x 36cm

Hood

The Hood is 3 squares wide x 2 squares long

M-L size = 42cm x 28cm
S size = 36cm x 24cm

(Somebody had asked for square patterns - there are a few on my blog if you would rather follow a pattern for your squares:   RAINBOWS AND DAISIES SQUARE;   CIRCLES IN SQUARES;  EIGHT PETAL GRANNY SQUARE;)

Should you choose to make a V-neck as I have done here is a quick pattern for a
SOLID HALF GRANNY: 

Row 1:  4ch:   into first chain 2dc;   3ch, 2dc, 1ch, 1dc

Row 2:  4ch turn, 2dc into 1ch sp;  1dc between each dc on previous row;  2dc, 3ch, 2dc into 3ch sp (point formed) 1dc between each dc on previous row;   2dc into 1ch sp; 1dc

Row 3:  4ch turn, 2dc into 1ch sp;   1dc between each dc on previous row;  2dc, 3ch, 2dc into point;  1dc between each dc on previous row;  2dc into 1ch sp, 1dc

Rows 4 - 7 (M-L);   4 -6 (S) - Repeat Row 3

Start by joining your 64 squares (for a closed neck) or 62 squares and 2 triangles (for a v-neck) to form the panels as in the diagrams above.

Now join the panels as per the diagrams:

First join the left and right front panels to the back.

Next join the sleeves - half to the front panel and half to the back panel for each sleeve.
Form the sleeve by joining along the open "bottom" end of the square
close the side seams of the jacket by joining left front panel to left back panel and right front panel to right back panel.

Edging

With the outside (right side) of the jacket facing work three rows of double crochet using the 4.00mm hook.
With the inside (wrong side) of the jacket facing work one row of half double crochet using the 3.50mm hook. 

Row 1:   1dc into top of each dc.   When reaching a join - 1dc into corner 1dc into join stitch 1dc into corner, into the two corners (left and right front bottom) 2dc, 3ch, 2dc
Row 2 :  1dc into each dc;  2dc, 3ch, 2dc into each corner
Row 3:    repeat row 2

Note:  If you are making a v-neck crochet 2dc into each post on the diagonal of the half granny 

Row 4:  With the inside (wrong side) of the jacket facing work one row of half double crochet using the 3.50mm hook - 1hdc into each dc, into corners 3hdc.

Around the sleeves work 5 rows of single crochet using the 4.00mm hook and alternating right side / wrong side 

Tip:  If your tension is inclined to be a bit loose or uneven use the smaller hook for the entire edging - this will give you a neater finish.

Fastenings:

Make 3:
Ch 4, ss to join 
Row 1:  3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 9 dc into circle (10 dc), ss into top of 3ch to join
Row 2:  2ch, 1hdc into top of  dc;  *2dc into top of  dc* rep *to* 4 times (10hdc);  12ch;  2dc into top of  dc* rep *to* 5 times (10 hdc) - 20 hdc with a 12ch loop in between

Make 3:
Ch 4, ss to join 
Row 1:  3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 9 dc into circle (10 dc), ss into top of 3ch to join 
Row 2:  2ch, 1hdc into top of  dc;  *2dc into top of  dc* rep *to* 9 times (20hdc) 

Note:  I only used two fastenings.

Work the loop fastening onto the right front panel edging of the jacket (space them as you are comfortable)

Work the circle fastenings onto the left front panel edging of the jacket (in line with the loop fastenings)

Work your buttons onto the circle fastenings!

Weave in all ends securely and you are DONE!!!

EDIT

Just a few additional things I thought of:

I never actually wear the hood - mine just keeps my neck warm and I like the way it looks.   If you actually wear the hood you may want to make it a bit roomier by crocheting a few extra rows along the width before you work it on to your jacket.

I have also had a lot of ladies asking me how to make the pattern bigger:

For an XL make your squares 16cm x 16cm
For an XXL make your squares 17cm x 17cm
For an XXXL make your squares 18cm x 18cm

Do not do this for the sleeves - otherwise you are going to sit with ridiculously long sleeves.

Increase your sleeves by crocheting the extra rows down the sides of your joined squares:

For an XL - 6 rows on either side
For an XXL - 12 rows on either side
For an XXXL - 18 rows on either side

Granny Square Hippie Jacket

A few days ago a small heap of granny squares had once again accumulated - leftover squares from other finished projects, colour tryouts or shelved projects
 

A small heap of yarn left over from other projects had also accumulated.   This quickly became more granny squares.

I spotted a gorgeous granny square coat while blog hopping and became a bit obsessed with the idea of making myself one.    Not finding a suitable pattern I decided to challenge my brain and make my own pattern (cheated a bit by using a knitted coat as a template to figure out the sizing and shaping).

Once I had the math figured out the rest was a breeze.     The panels quickly started taking shape:

The front and back panels were joined - then the sleeves:

Next the hoodie was joined to the neckline and a few rows of edging done:

View of the back

Added a few more rows of edging, worked in what felt like a million threads, added some buttons and fastening detail, gave it a wash and tumble dry, and WOOOOHOOO!!!

I am busy finishing up a few details for the pattern, which I will post sometime tomorrow!!

Edit:    The pattern can be found HERE

Circles in Squares: Baby Groovyghan CAL(4)

I have never really viewed squares constructed of basic circles, solid squares or traditional grannies as being a "pattern" since the construction of the basic circles and squares comes down to nothing more than a bit of simple mathematics, colour change and stitch grouping.

A basic three round circle is constructed in multiples of twelve:   
1st round = 12
2nd round = 24
3rd round = 36

Your basic circle can easily be squared or made into a hexagon.   Multiples of twelve can be divided by FOUR (square) and SIX (hexagon)

Variation of your stitches, row colours etc is what adds the element of interest to the basic circle.

This week I am going to concentrate on changing the appearance of the BASIC "SOLID" CIRCLE:

Pattern Terms:  US

Yarn:  Mirage 4ply

Hook Size:  3.50mm
 
Foundation:  4ch, ss to join

Row 1:  3 ch into same place as ss (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc into circle (12 dc), ss into top of 3ch to join

Row 2:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into top of  same dc;  *2dc into top of  dc* rep *to* 11 times= 24dc

Row 3:  3ch (counts as 1dc). 1dc into top of same dc, 1dc into top of next dc*2dc into top of next dc, 1dc into next top of next dc *Rep *to* 11 times = 36dc;   ss into top of 3ch

The exact same circle - but the possibilities are endless!!!!

Squaring your basic 3 round circle is also not complicated - once again a bit of basic math:

36 stitches - 4 corners = 32 stitches

32 stitches - 4 sides = 8 stitches

Simple!   What does that mean?   In plain english you will have 8 stitches on each side between your corners!

Using different heights of stitches on your corner squares your circle (for a three round granny 2 height variations is enough to square the circle - on a bigger circle it gets a bit more complicated!)

My gran taught me an easy formula for STITCH HEIGHTS - this is also the formula I use when starting a row:

ss = 0 (0 chain0
sc = 1 (1 chain)
hdc = 2 (2 chain)
dc = 3 (3 chain)
tr - 4 (4 chain)

We are going to use a combination of hdc(2) and dc(3) to square this circle for our Baby Groovyghan, working as follows: 

Row 4:  Join 2nd Colour into top of dc and work as follows:  2ch, 1hdc into top of next 7 dc (8hdc);   *2dc, 3ch, 2dc into top of next dc;  1hdc into top of each of next 8dc* *to* 3 times; 2dc, 3ch, 2dc into top of last dc; ss into top of 2ch to join.

Row 5:  3ch; 1dc into top of each of next 7dc;  1dc into top of each of 2 cnr dc;  2dc, 3ch, 2dc into cnr 2ch; *1dc into each of next 2dc;   1dc into each of next 8dc; 1dc into each of next 2dc;   2dc, 3ch, 2dc into cnr 2ch* *to* 3 times;  1dc into each of next 2dc;  ss into top of 3ch. break off yarn

Row 6:  Join 3rd colour into top of any dc, 3ch;   1dc into top of each dc;   into corner 3ch make 2dc, 3ch, 2dc 

Play around with colours, alternating your row to get different effects - don't worry about having a heap of tryout squares!    Grannies are super versatile and you will always find some use for them!

Make 8 squares in the colour and row combinations of your choice and join them together.    This will for the 3rd row of squares for your Baby Groovyghan!

Next week we will crochet another band of stripes and join your Circles in Squares Grannies to the rest of the blanket.  

Have fun experimenting!!!

The First Stripes: Baby Groovyghan CAL (3)

At this stage of the CAL we have two rows of squares.   One row of 8 x  RAINBOWS AND DAISIES SQUARES;  and one row of  8 x RAINBOW HALF GRANNIES SQUARES

We are going to be working "bottom" to "top", your "bottom" row being your Rainbows and Daisies Squares.

If you are a seasoned crocheter you will not have any trouble joining the completed striped rows to the next row of squares in an even manner.    I do find, however, that the more inexperienced crocheters struggle to get an even finish here - so I am going to teach you a little "trick".

We are going to crochet 10 rows of stripes - 5 onto the top of the row of Rainbow Daisies and 5 onto the bottom of the row of Rainbow Half Grannies - and then we will join stripe to stripe!

Crochet 5 Stripes onto the top of the row of Rainbows and Daisies as follows:

Row 1:   Join your white yarn (or whatever colour you are using as your border colour) into the corner 3ch of the first square in the row; 1dc into the top of each dc, when you reach a corner on a block 1dc into corner, 1dc into loop of  join, 1dc into corner on next block.   Repeat this to the end of the row of blocks.  1dc into the last corner 3ch.

Row 2 - 5:   In the colour of your choice join yarn into first dc of previous row;  3ch (counts as first dc), 1dc into top of each dc;  repeat  to end 

Crochet 5 Stripes onto the bottom of the row of Rainbow Half Grannies as follows:

Row 1:   Join your white yarn (or whatever colour you are using as your border colour) into the corner 3ch of the first square in the row; 1dc into the top of each hdc, when you reach a corner on a block 1dc into corner, 1dc into loop of  join, 1dc into corner on next block.   Repeat this to the end of the row of blocks.  1dc into the last corner 3ch.

Row 2 - 5:   In the colour of your choice join yarn into first dc of previous row;  3ch (counts as first dc), 1dc into top of each dc; 1dc into the 1ch over each join;  repeat to end

NOTE:  Rows 1, 3 and 5 are worked on the right side of your work;   Rows 2 and 4 are worked on the wrong side of your work.

Your two sections should now look like this (ignore the bottom part of the Rainbows and Daisies Section - I am working ahead there).   The rows are quite straight but the photo was taken on an uneven surface.

Now work the two sections together using the VISIBLE JOIN

Your Baby Groovyghan is now starting to take shape - with a lovely even stripe between your rows of squares:

I need to go and contemplate the next square (something easy but interesting)....... Part 4 will be posted by next week Wednesday!

Happy hooking until then!

The "Funny Bird" Scrappy Poncho

A few days back I had a bee in my bonnet (again!!).   I wanted to figure out a cowl for my "PACHA" PONCHO pattern.

I did not want to change the look of the already finished "Pacha" Poncho, nor have to make another 42 squares before I got to try out my idea. 

LIGHTBULB!!  Gathered up all the grannies I had leftover from finished projects, colour tryouts and squares made from small scraps.

Laid them out on my craft table - darn it!   A few short.    Another quick look through my existing projects delivered a few more squares.  Changed the layout a bit - and started assembling them:

Joined the squares together with my VISIBLE JOIN

Worked the neck of the "Pacha" poncho with a few minor changes.    Switched from a 4mm hook to a 5.5mm hook for the cowl - 15 rows of "v" 1ch, for a light and lacey (but still warm) fabric.

This Poncho was already a bit over the top - the Pacha fringe would have been way too much, so I simplified it somewhat and this is the result:

I quite like it!!

Triangle Shawl: Forever in Blue Jeans

When one of my lovely new friends invited me to join her group for a Crochet / Knit challenge I (eventually) decided that this was the perfect opportunity to make myself (another!) Triangle Shawl.

The challenge was " The Olympics begin Feb 7. Pick a project that you feel you can realistically finish by the end of the Olympics on Feb 23." 

No problem - right?!  But I got off to a bit of a bumpy start.    I first thought about making a Poncho but then ended up frogging all the squares I had made on the 7th because I could not decide on my colours. The next morning I put together a colour combo I was happy with:

  
A lovely mix of  blues, grey, cream and brown in Stylecraft and Elle Classic Wool.  There was not enough yarn for a poncho - it would have to be a Triangle Shawl.

It started out looking so dreary that I almost gave up on it:

I was already quite behind with the challenge so I just kept on going, and as it grew row by row, and colour change by colour change I started to LOVE this project.

Then disaster struck - my shawl was not nearly big enough and I ran out of yarn!   

The crisis was averted when I found a ball of the Oyster (greyish brown) set aside for another project which I had not yet started - not ideal but better than having a skimpy shawl! 

The outcome was a lot less blue than I wanted - but hey.... A few more rows and I was ready to add the edging  (also had to make do and edge in grey - with the last bit of brown thrown in for a bit of definition

Quite happy with the end result!

I have started writing up and testing the pattern which will be available in my Ravelry Shop within the next few days!

Rainbow Half Grannies Square Pattern: Baby Groovyghan CAL(2)

In Part 1 of the Baby Groovyghan CAL we made 8 RAINBOWS AND DAISIES SQUARES

The squares were assembled into a strip using the VISIBLE JOIN

Your blanket should be looking something like this:

The second square we will be making is the Rainbow Half Granny Square.  

RAINBOW HALF GRANNY SQUARE:

Foundation:  ch4

Round 1:  into fourth ch from hook 2dc, 2ch, 3dc

Round 2:  3ch turn;   2dc into sp between first two dc;   3dc, 3ch, 3dc into 2ch sp,  3dc into sp between last 2dc

Round 3 and 4:   3ch turn, 2dc into sp between first two dc,  3dc into sp between clusters; 3dc, 3ch, 3dc into 3ch sp (corner);  3dc into sp between clusters;  3dc into sp between last 2dc.

Break off yarn at the end of Round 4.

NOTE:   Row 4 is the "right side" of the granny - you need to remember this when we start joining.

Make 16 half grannies and then proceed as follows:

Put two triangles on top of one another, right sides facing inward, and join along the bottom edge with the VISIBLE JOIN

 Join your half grannies 2 by 2 until you have eight of these little parcels

Fold them open and smooth them flat - do not panic! - at this point they are more "diamond" shaped than square - we will compensate for this in Round 5!

 
Round 5:  Join your white yarn (or whatever colour you are using as your border colour) in any sp between 3dc clusters;  3ch, 2dc;  3dc into sp between every 3dc cluster;   3dc, 3ch, 3dc into corner

Over join work as follows:   into sp between last 2dc crochet 1dc;   2tr through loop of visible join, 3ch, 2tr through loop of visible join;  1dc into sp between first 2dc on second triangle

repeat to complete the square;   ss into top of 3ch to join

Round 6:  2ch, 1hdc into top of each dc;    2hdc, 3ch, 2hdc into each corner (there should be 20hdc on each side of your square)

Arrange your 8 squares in a row (use the 1st row as a visual placement guide) and work them together with the visible join

You should now have two rows of 8 squares each which look something like this:

I am going to neaten up my two rows by working in the ends (lots and lots of ends).    I will post the next part of the CAL by latest Wednesday next week - we will be adding 10 rows of stripes to the Rainbows & Daisies row - then joining to the Rainbow Half Grannies row, and then adding ten stripes to that - quite a lot of work for next week so get those hooks ready!

Rainbows and Daisies Square Pattern: Baby Groovyghan CAL(1)

I shared this photo in various crochet groups of a little "Rainbows and Daisies" project I have been working on and I was inundated with requests for the pattern.    I also had the privilege of my photo being used as the Group Cover Photo on the Crochet Mood Blanket 2014 FB Page for this week!

I used my MOOD BLANKET SQUARE for the first three rows of my"Rainbows & Daisies" Square and it never ceases to amaze me how colour and row composition can change the appearance of the same pattern!!

Day 72 and still making 1 square a day - although I have to admit that this week I really wished I had rather done a square a week!!   I have so many WIP's and new projects planned that it takes discipline to actually make that one leeeeetle tineee square every day!

Missy arrives to investigate.....

My new stash has started arriving ........ and it is so pretty!   I almost wanted to leave it on my craft table and stare at it all week!

At the top of the photo you will see a few really bright! colours peeking out - they are the cutest little 25g balls and are so bright you have wear shades to look at them.   This was an extremely impulsive buy, probably spurred on by the gloomy weather we have been having! 

I have decided to make a Baby Groovyghan with these colours.   I am teaching a few friends to crochet, so I will be using very simple squares and stripes so that my "beginner" crochet friends will feel confident crocheting along.    I will be posting the patterns for the squares and the stripes as we go.

The patterns will all be written in US terms

Yarn:    Mirage 4ply (100% Acrylic)
Hook Size:   3.50mm
Blanket size:  85cm x 110cm

The first square will be my:

RAINBOWS AND DAISIES SQUARE:

5 Rows worked in the round
Measurement of completed square:    10cm x 10cm
Make 8 of these

Foundation (bright yellow):  4ch, ss to form ring

Row 1 (bright yellow):  4 ch (counts as 1dc 1ch), 1dc 1ch into ring (repeat 11 times) (12 x 1dc, 1ch groups) ss to close, break off yarn

Row 2 (white):  Into any 1ch sp,  2ch 2dc cluster, 3ch;   *3dc cluster, 3ch* crochet *to* 11x (12 clusters), ss to close, break off yarn

Note:   a 3dc cluster is formed as follows - yarn over hook, work the first part of the stitch leaving 2 loops on your hook, repeat this twice more (four loops on hook) Yarn over hook and draw through the loops on the hook to form your cluster
 

Row 3 (colour of your choice):  Into any 3ch sp crochet 3ch, 2dc;   3dc into next 3ch sp;   *3tr, 3ch, 3tr (corner) into next 3ch sp; 3dc into next two 3ch spaces* 3 x from * to*;   3tr, 3ch, 3tr into last 3ch space;   ss to close:

Row 4:  3ch, 1dc into the top of each dc on previous row;   into corners 2dc, 3ch, 2dc (repeat until round completed) ss into top of third chain to close;   break off yarn:

Row 5 (white):  3ch, 1dc into the top of each dc on previous row;   into corners 2dc, 3ch, 2dc (repeat until round completed) ss into top of third chain to close;   break off yarn

Once you have your 8 squares you can join them in a row using my VISIBLE JOIN.

Next post we will add a row of stripes to your row of squares and I will add a pattern for a different square!

HAPPY CROCHETING!!

PS:   Joining the link-up at HAZEL'S CROCHET