Sweet Nothings Crochet: CRAB GRANNY SQUARE - IN THE ROUND

CRAB GRANNY SQUARE

IN THE ROUND - 4

If you have been following my blogs, you’ll know that we’re creating some really cute 9” x 9” squares for toddler blankets for Project Chemo Crochet.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used a 4-ply acrylic baby soft yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends

This yarn is not specific for this project.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

As today's project is a donation to Project Chemo Crochet, the squares need to be 9” x 9” - going towards toddler blankets

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros e ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal or Vardhaman acrylic yarns

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn ; Alize bamboo yarn ; Spotlight 4-Seasons Stallion or Marvel acrylic yarns or "I-love-this-cotton" cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby.

Abbreviations used :

sc : single crochet dc : Double crochet

ch : chain ch-sp : chain space

sp : space rep : Repeat

hk : hook yo : Yarn over

trc : Treble / triple crochet

dtrc : Double triple crochet

hdc : Half double crochet

sl-st : Slip stitch

fsc : Foundation single crochet

Size made : 9" x 9"

Sizing chart for blankets : https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279839582572/

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

Half Double Crochet : Hdc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;

yo, draw through all 3 lps. One hdc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Double Triple Crochet : dtrc : wrap yarn three times around hook, insert hk into st ; yo (4 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] three times. One trc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/XyPrnAtOs3U

Instructions using U.S terminology

I am working on this project using the crochet granny square for my first kitty cat by Ashleigh. Free pattern at http://www.sewrella.com/kitty-cat-crochet-granny-square/

So here are the basic ideas of what I’ve done.

I have used the general idea from Ashleigh – the centre that you start with will be the face colour of the animal you are working on... in this case, a red / maroon yarn for our crab.

You will end Round 5 with 60 sts.

On this final 6^th round , we will work in the claws and here is what I’ve done.

Once you are done with Rounds 1 – 5, you will start creating the granny square using whatever colour you want for the border (I used blue for water), still working in rounds.

Crab Tweaks :

There are two ideas for how to get the crab features done.

Please read through the full instructions before you pick up your hook.

1. For the claws, we will work four small and one large claw on either side of the crab body plus two eyes on top of the crab head. We will be working hdc along the body of the crab and at the same time we will work in these features as well. A little complicated, but visualize what you are doing and it’ll be easy.

2. Now in case you find all of this too complicated, and are ok with weaving in ends etc, here’s another idea for the four claws and one large claw each side plus a pair of eyes. Just work the pattern for the claws separately. Make the five claws for each side (total 10 pieces) and as you fasten off leave a long tail for attachment.

3. In case you decide on working it in a continuous round (as per # 1 above), then carry on with the instructions below.

4. In case you decide on working them separately (as per # 2 above), then you will work 1 hdc in each st all around for Round 5 of your project using the same colour yarn for crab “face” and then you will continue on to change yarn and attach the border colour yarn. Work the border pattern per instructions from Sewrella. You will then individually attach the claws and eyes onto the crab face after you are done. For the eyes, just work directly on the ‘crab face’. Attach your yarn into the space you want to make eyes ; ch 3, sl-st in the 3^rd ch from hk. Fasten off and weave in ends. Do this for both eyes. I would then suggest you add in a small button or work in a French knot embroidery stitch to define the eye.

So here's how I did it continuously - we will work in four small claws, one large claw, two eyes, then one large claw (for the second side) and finally the four small claws before we finish off. We are working on the crab body, then working the claw appendage and coming back to the crab body, with each feature. Got it?

Claws : [ch 7. Turn and hdc in the 2^nd ch from hk ;

hdc in the remaining 5 ch] ; continue along crab body ;

*(sl-st in the next st of the crab body ; hdc in the next 3 sts of crab body) ;

{sl-st in the next st ; rep [to] once}* ;

rep *to* 2 more times ;

rep (to) once ; hdc in the next 4 sts ;

<ch 10, turn and hdc in the 2^nd ch from hk ;

hdc in the next 2 ch ; place marker ;

ch 4, turn and hdc in the 2^nd ch from hk ; hdc in the next 2 ch ;

sl-st in the marked st ; continue down this ch ; hdc in the next 6 ch> ;

rep (to) once ;

Now we’ll work our two eyes :

hdc in the next 4 sts ;

ch 4, Turn and sl-st in the top of the hdc ; one eye complete ;

hdc in the next 3 sts ; ch 4, Turn and sl-st in the top of the hdc ; 2^nd eye complete ;

hdc in the next 7 sts ;

<ch 10, turn and hdc in the 2^nd ch from hk ;

hdc in the next 2 ch ; place marker ;

ch 4, turn and hdc in the 2^nd ch from hk ; hdc in the next 2 ch ;

sl-st in the marked st ; continue down this ch ; hdc in the next 6 ch> ;

rep *to* 4 times ; hdc in the sts till end. Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Put your crab down and check that you have four small ; one large claw per side and two eyes on top. Great !

Now for making this circle into a square, we will refer back to the lovely pattern by Ashleigh.

We continue to work in rounds, so I will number the rounds from 1.

Now while counting off the stitches on the crab body (that you are going to skip), remember that each claw is 2 sts.

Also remember to keep your ch-5 behind the claws and eyes.

Granny Square Round 1 : sl-st in the 1^st st ; *ch 5, sk next 4 sts, sl-st in the next st* ; rep *to* 11 times all around. (12 ch-5 sps)

Note : When you reach the top of the head, you will work one sl-st in the corner of the right ear, then in the middle st of the right ear , then you need to get one sl-st in the middle sc (between both ears), and one sl-st in the middle of the left ear and finally one in the left of the left ear (which is where you started off).

When working in the ear bits, you will work a post stitch around that stitch in the middle of the ear. Remember that our chains will go behind the ear.

Granny Square Round 2 : 5 dc in the 1^st 2 ch-5 sps ; (3 dc ; ch 3, 3 dc) all in the next ch-5 sp ;

*5 dc in the next 2 ch-5 sps ; rep (to) once in the next ch-5 sp* ;

rep *to* 2 times till end.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st. (eight 5-dc sets ; four (to) sets)

Granny Square Rounds 3 & 4 : *dc in the each dc till the corner ch-3 sp ;

(3 dc ; ch 3, 3 dc) all in the next ch-3 sp* ;

rep *to* 3 times till end.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

You should have a 9” x 9” square. If you want a smaller square, you will work less repeats. Obviously for a larger square, you will work more repeats.

Embellishments & finishing :

Add a button for each eye or embroider one in, using a French knot embroidery stitch.

Block as per yarn instructions

One cute crab granny square ready to be shipped out!

Once you have made as many squares as you want for your blanket, use one of these joining methods for a neat join.

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

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Here are some of my older creations.

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/02/b-is-for-crochet-motif.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-is-for-crochet-motifs.html