Thursday 2 June 2022

M for MONKEY SQUARE

The cute M for Monkey Granny Square - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet

M for MONKEY SQUARE

Today we continue working on a blanket with all alphabets -  & its M for Monkey - 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 ; 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.
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros ; 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”

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
What is a crochet slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
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  
Start Round 1 : (with monkey 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 :  dc in the 1st dc & in each dc all around ; 
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (24 sts)


Round 3 : 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)

(I've used white for my background color)
For Round 4, we will work in back loop only
We will leave the front loop free for making the ears of the monkey later.

Round 4 :  (In back loop only) : 3 dc in the 1st st ;
(hdc in the next st ; sc in the next 6 sts ; hdc in the next st ; 3 dc in the next st) ;
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)
Now we can work in both loops.

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.
MONKEY'S EARS
Decide where you want your monkey's ear and attach your yarn to any front loop around the head.
Start Row 1 :  (ch 3 ; dc + ch 3) all in the same 1st st ;
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Rework the same pattern after re-attaching the yarn for the 2nd ear on the other side of the face.

MONKEY'S FACE : Using a lighter shade of brown or off-white, let us work the front of the monkey's face

Start Round 1 : with ch 5 : Turn and work 1 sc in the 2nd ch from hk ; 
sc in next 3 ch ; 3 sc in the last ch ; 
Turn and work along the bottom : sc in the next 2 ch ; 2 ch in the last/1st sc
Do not join - work in spirals : Place marker if needed
Round 2 : sc in the 1st sc ; e-sc in the next 2 sc ; sc in the next sc ;
3 sc in the next (corner) sc ; sc in the next 5 sc ; 3 sc in the next corner sc ;
Do not join - Continue work in spirals : Move marker
Round 3 : sc in the 1st sc and in each st all around.
Do not join - Continue work in spirals : Move marker
Round 4 : sc in the 1st sc ; hdc + dc in the next st ; dc + hdc in the next st ;
sl-st in the next 2 sts ; rep (to) once ; hdc in the next st ; sc in the next st ; dc in the next 4 sts ; hdc in the next st ; sc in the next 2 sts ; sl-st in the next st
Fasten off and leave a long tail for attachment.

EYES , NOSE & MOUTH : Using an embroidery needle and suitable colored yarn, embroider in a pair of eyes and a small nose & mouth on the monkey's face.  Use the photo as guide.
May I suggest you embroider these in before you attach to the face so that your knots etc stay unnoticed inside the back of this.
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
Single crochet to join :  https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI


I am sure you enjoyed this!  I know I did.   Please remember to credit me, especially if you have gained anything from my blog write up, I’d appreciate a thumbs up 😀

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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..