J for JOKER GRANNY SQUARE
Today we continue working on a blanket with all alphabets - & its J for Joker - the alphabets we all grew up with. Remember to scroll till the bottom of this blog for the earlier alphabets.
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Materials used : Today I’ve used local Oswal 4-ply acrylic with a 4 mm crochet hook ;
This yarn is not specific for this project.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as 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 and Alize bamboo yarn.
General yarn info : I’d say you can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this lovely project.
Skill level : Advanced
Size made : 6” x 6”
Sizing chart for blankets : https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279839582572/
Stitches used : (Using US terminology)
Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY
Instructions : Using U.S terminology
Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro
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
For our Joker granny square, you can have a run of your colours.
Decide on one for the face, another for his colorful hair and then another for his hat. Finally you need one for the background that makes your granny square
Start Round 1 : (using face color) : with a magic circle and work 12 dc in that circle.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (12 dc)
Round 2 : 2 dc in the 1st dc & in each dc all around ;
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (24 sts)
Round 3 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; dc in the next dc ;
(dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) all around ;
dc in the last dc
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (36 sts)
We will add in Joker's hair on this round but we will do it later.
So we will only work in the back loops when working the granny square background, leaving the front loops for the finishing of the hair later.
Attach your back ground color yarn as you finish off the last round.
(I've used white for my background color)
Round 4 : 3 dc in the 1st st (Use back loop only) ;
(hdc in the next st ; sc in the next 6 sts ; hdc in the next st ; 3 dc in the next st in back loop only) ;
rep (to) all around ;
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st
For your convenience, you could place a marker in the centre corner st (which is the 2nd dc of the 3-dc set in each corner)
Round 5 : dc in the 1st st & each st till the corner marked st ;
3 dc in the corner marked st ;
(dc in each st till the corner marked st ;
3 dc in the corner marked st) ;
rep (to) 2 more times ;
dc in each dc till end ;
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st
Move markers
Rounds 6 & 7 : Rep Round 6
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Now let's go back to the front loops we've left around Round 3 and work in the hair. Choose your hair color yarn and attach it to the 3rd loop from the corner. So sk the corner and next st and attach to the next st.
For our hair we will use (ch 3 + dc + ch 3) all in the same st.
Start in the same st you have attached your yarn to and then work in that st and the next 20 sts (total 21 sts).. or decide where you want to start and ensure that you have worked till the same st on the other side for equal length of hair. Fasten off and tie neatly along the back. Ensure that you bring the starting end piece also to the back and secure that as well.
A JOKER CAP :
Once again choose your yarn and we'll make a tiny cap and then attach it to the top of his head.
Start Row 1 : with a magic circle and work 5 hdc in it. Pull lightly but do not join. Leave as a semicircle. Turn.
Row 2 : 2 hdc in the 1st hdc ; hdc in the next 3 hdc ; 2 hdc in the last hdc. Turn.
Row 3 : sc in the each hdc till end.
Single crochet back loop only (sc-blo) : https://youtu.be/TaQI3Vu9VRQ
Row 4 : 2 sc-blo each in the 1st 2 sc ; sc-blo in the next 3 sc ; 2 sc-blo each in the last 2 sc. Fasten off and leave a tail for attachment.
I suggest you keep your little cap at an angle and join it to the top of the Joker's head with an embroidery needle.
JOKER'S FACE :
Using an embroidery needle and colored yarns of your choice, embroider in eyes, and a red nose.
Joker's usually have a large white streak on their faces before they paint on a large mouth - so lets work that white streak.
I worked 9 ch ; sc in the 2nd ch from hk ; 2 hdc each in the next 2 ch ; hdc in the next 2 ch ; 2 hdc each in the next 2 ch ; sc in the last ch. Fasten off and leave a tail for attachment.
Add on this white patch and then add in red lips. You could work in a black border using an embroidery needle and thread for the outline of the mouth white patch if you want. Use the photo as a guide.
Remember to fasten off and weave in ends at the end of each square for ease in finishing.
May I also suggest that you block your squares before joining (as per yarn instructions).
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
... And if you are making a full alphabet blanket, get the earlier alphabets
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Here are some of my older blanket / granny square creations. Have fun with these free patterns too
Here are some of my tops for your perusal
and a doll’s top..
and some bolero/jacket/vests that will look grand on a top..
I have a few girls dresses, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go
For cute hair embellishments and motifs check the links below.
..and some belts..
and here are a few skirt patterns that you can use your belt for..
