Sweet Nothings Crochet: FROG GRANNY SQUARE - IN THE ROUND

FROG GRANNY SQUARE

IN THE ROUND - 5

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

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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

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

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

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

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 for our frog, green yarn.

Once you are done with Rounds 1 – 5, you will start creating the granny square, still working in rounds. You will end Round 5 with 60 sts.

Keeping this in mind, here are my tweaks.

Oh after I finished this, my daughter commented that I could call this my “Kaa the Snake” granny square (from Jungle Book), so if you change the colours, you could make that creation too. 😊

Frog Tweaks :

Let’s first work on the two puffy eyes on top of our frog’s head.

This is Round 6, using the same idea from the kitty cat pattern, with a tweak.

Two ways to get this last round done.

1. Easy method : Start with the pattern right away, and then work a round of hdc all the way till end and join up.

2. Slightly difficult method : Mark the centre of the head, and then place one marker 3 sts to the right of this centre marker, and the 2^nd one 3 sts to the left of the centre marker. The two new markers are where you will place the two eyes. You will then work 1 hdc in each st all around till you are 2 sts before the 1^st marker, and then work the pattern (to) for the eye socket.

Eye socket : (sk the next 2 sts ; 1 hdc + 1 dc in the next st ; 2 trc in the next 2 sts ; 1 dc + 1 hdc in the next st) ; sk next 2 sts, sc in the next st ; sc in the next 2 sts ; rep (to) once ; sk next 2 sts and sc in the next st.

Fasten off green yarn and attach white or off white for the outside of your square.

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

The instructions given here are for both methods. Basically we are following the pattern sheet and working ch-5 sps all around, and skipping 4 sts in between. At the end of this round, ensure that you have 12 ch-5 sps.

Whatever method you choose, you will still get a cute little froggie in the middle of a square – and even if his head is slightly cocked to one side, it does not matter – that becomes cuteness in itself. Do not worry about it. As long as you have your stitches right all round, you’re good to go !

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 :

Eyes : Add a button for each eye or embroider one in.

If not using button : Start with a magic circle and 8 dc in it. Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st. Fasten off and leave a tail for attachment.

Using the embroidery / tapestry needle, add in a small black dot for the centre of the eye. I worked in a French knot.

Attach this eye to the centre of the green eye socket we’ve made at the top of the head.

Tongue : Start with 10 ch. Turn and sl-st in the 2^nd ch from hook. Sl-st in the next ch (Place marker); ch 2, sl-st in the 2^nd ch from hk ; sl-st in the marked st ; sc in the next ch and in each ch till end. Fasten off and leave a long tail for attachment.

Embroider in a large smiling mouth.

Block as per yarn instructions

One smiling frog face granny square ready to be shipped out! Make several of these squares, or the many squares that I have on my blog, use one of the joining ideas above and create your own cute baby blanket or lovey.

Spread smiles.

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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