Beloved Square Free Crochet Pattern–FATWCAL5 Week 32
Hello, crocheting friends! Today I am happy to present my new Beloved Square for your crocheting enjoyment! This square is featured as week 32 of the fifth annual Friends Around the World CAL, hosted on the CAL Crochet A Long Facebook group.
calcrochetalong.com FATW5 post with all info and links
CAL Crochet A Long Facebook group
Link to videos by Tania Leis right handed version / left handed version
Translations are in progress and links will be posted here when available
Social media sharing hashtags #belovedcrochetsquare / #FATW5 / #pinkmamboblog
Beloved Square Instructions
Instructions for Beloved Square using US terms and UK terms are in this blog post. Instructions using US terms are first, followed by instructions using UK terms.
Beloved is a versatile square perfect for any of your 12″ square projects. I enjoyed designing it using textural elements such as the center petals, cluster stitches and especially the bold ribs formed by the use of back post stitches. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did. I look forward to seeing your Beloveds on Ravelry and social media.
Size
12” square
Materials
Worsted weight yarn (I used Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn) in three colors:
A Linen
B Pink
C Light Peach
H-8/5.00mm crochet hook
Stitches/Abbreviations/US terms
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
yo – yarn over
cl – cluster
lp/lps – loop/loops
ch/chs – chain/chains
sp/sps – space/spaces
rnd/rnds – round/ rounds
bpsc – back post single crochet
bpdc – back post double crochet
bptr – back post treble crochet
fpsc – front post single crochet
fpdc – front post double crochet
Special stitches
2-treble cluster (2-trcl) *yo 2 times, pull up lp in indicated st or sp, (yo, pull through 2 lps) 2 times; repeat from *, yo, pull through remaining 3 lps on hook.
Notes on beginnings and endings
Many people prefer to use the magic ring, standing stitches and needle joins for beginnings and endings. Others use traditional chain loops to begin round 1, chains to begin subsequent rounds, and traditional joins. I have written these instructions a little differently than my usual style in order to accommodate all preferences and hopefully, to convey the message with as little complication as possible in the pattern. Here is what it all means.
Beginning
To make beginning loop:
This pattern starts round 1 with “make beginning loop.” This can be accomplished with either of two methods—a loop made of chains or a magic ring.
Method 1. Loop made of chains: The traditional way the begin a square is to chain 4 or 5 depending on personal stitch tension, join with a slip stitch to form a loop, then work the first round’s stitches in that loop. I always work over the yarn tail so that when the round is finished, a tug on the yarn tail before weaving it in closes up any little hole in the center.
Method 2. Magic ring: This is my favorite magic ring tutorial.
To begin a round: This pattern starts each round with “make beginning sc (or dc as required) in indicated stitch”. The way you do this will depend upon whether you are continuing with the same color or starting a new color.
Make beginning sc: The concept of first stitches/standing stitches is a little different for sc than with taller sts. When continuing with the same color and the first st is a sc, you will ch 1, sc in same st. When starting with a new color and the first st is a sc, patterns traditionally say “join blue with sc in indicated stitch.” This is just another way of saying to make a standing sc.
Make beginning dc, tr and other sts: This may be accomplished with either of two methods: beginning chains or standing stitches.
Method 1. Beginning chains (for hdc, dc, tr and dtr): The traditional way to begin a round that is continued with the same yarn as the round just made is to chain 2, 3 or more, which counts as the first stitch.
Ch 2 generally counts as the first hdc. Sometimes you will find patterns that say to ch 2, hdc in same st, and then the ch 2 before the first hdc is simply ignored going forward.
Ch 3 counts as a dc, ch 4 counts as a tr, ch 5 counts as a dtr.
For any of these beginning chain 3 and above, you will always join the round with a sl st in the top of this beginning chain.
Method 2. Standing stitches: Because beginning chains do show, standing stitches to begin rounds, especially those starting with new color, are preferred by many. You can substitute standing stitches for beginning chains in any pattern. There are many tutorials and videos for standing stitches online.
Joining
To join: This pattern ends each round with the simple instructions to “join”. You will always join in the first st of the rnd unless otherwise directed. Slip stitch join is traditionally used for all joins, especially when you are continuing on with the same color. Needle join, which is virtually invisible, may be substituted used when you are finished working with the current color.
Method 1. Slip stitch join. For this traditional joining, simply sl st in the first st or in indicated st.
Method 2: Needle join: This is an excellent needle join tutorial.
Instructions
Rnd 1: With Color A, make beginning loop, make first dc, ch 1, (dc in ring, ch 1) 7 times, join in first dc. Fasten off. (8 dc, 8 ch-1 sps)
Rnd 2: Join Color B with sc in any dc, ch 1, 2-trcl in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, * sc in next dc, ch 1, 2-trcl in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * 7 times, join with sl st in top of first 2-trcl. Fasten off. (8 2-trcl, 8 sc, 16 ch-1 sps)
NOTE: Push clusters from the back as needed to make puffs go to the front.
Rnd 3: Join Color C with fpsc around any 2-trcl, ch 1, bptr around next dc of Rnd 1, ch 1, (fpsc around next 2-trcl, ch 1, bptr around next dc on row 1, ch 1) 7 times, join with sl st in first fpsc. Do not fasten off. (8 bptr, 8 fpsc, 16 ch-1 sps)
NOTE: for prettiest results, join rnds 4, 6, 10, 12, 16 and 18 with needle join.
Rnd 4: Continuing with Color C, ch 1 (does not count), fpsc around first fpsc, 6 dc in next bptr, (fpsc around next fpsc, 6 dc in next bptr) around, join with sl st in first fpsc. Fasten off. (8 scallops, 8 fpsc).
Rnd 5: NOTE: In this round you will skip all the fpsc between scallops. Join Color B with bpsc around third dc on any scallop, ch 1, (bpsc around next 3 dc, ch 1) around, ending last repeat with bpsc around last 2 dc, join. Do not fasten off. (16 groups of 3 bpsc, 16 ch-1 sps)
Rnd 6: Continuing with Color B, ch 1 (does not count), (sc in next ch-1 sp, 6 tr in next ch-1 sp) around, join. Fasten off. (8 scallops, 8 sc)
Rnd 7: NOTE: In this round you will skip all the sc between scallops. Join Color A with bpsc around third tr on any scallop, ch 1, (bpsc around next 3 tr, ch 1) 15 times, bpsc around last 2 tr, join. Do not fasten off. (16 groups of 3 bpsc, 16 ch-1 sps)
Rnd 8: Continuing with Color A, ch 1 (does not count), * sc in next ch-1 sp, 9 tr in next ch-1 sp, (sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next 3 bpsc) 2 times; repeat from * around ending last repeat making last sc in same st as joining of previous rnd, join. Fasten off. (9 tr at each corner, 9 sc each side)
Rnd 9: Join Color C with sc in first tr of any 9-tr scallop, sc in next 2 tr, * hdc in next tr, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next tr, hdc in next tr, sc in next 3 tr, 2-trcl in next sc, (sc in next 3 sc, 2-trcl in next sc) 2 times **, sc in next 3 tr; repeat from * 2 times, then repeat from * to **, join. Fasten off. (12 sc, 4 dc, 3 2-trcl, 2 hdc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 10: Join Color A with dc in any corner ch-2 sp (join with sl st and ch 3 OR make standing dc as you prefer; counts as first st), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, * dc in next 6 sts, fpdc around next 2-trcl, (dc in next 3 sc, fpdc around next 2-trcl) 2 times, dc in next 6 sts **, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next corner ch-2 sp; repeat from * 2 times, then repeat from * to **, join. Fasten off. (22 dc, 3 fpdc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 11: Join Color B with bpsc around any dc, bpsc around each dc, continuing around with ch 2 across each corner of previous round (there are no increases in number of stitches on each side), join. Do not fasten off. (25 bpsc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 12: Continuing with Color B, ch 3 (or work standing dc as you prefer; counts as first st), dc in each st around with (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each corner (working in ch-2 sps of Rnd 11 ONLY), join. Fasten off. (29 dc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnds 13-14: With Color A, repeat rnds 11-12. (Rnd 13: 29 bpsc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps). (Rnd 14: 33 dc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 15: Join Color C with sc in any corner ch-2 sp, ch 2, sc in same sp, * sc in next 4 sts, 2-trcl in next st, (sc in next 3 sts, 2-trcl in next st) 6 times, sc in next 4 sts **, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next corner ch-2 sp; repeat from * 2 times, then repeat from * to **, join. Fasten off. (28 sc, 7 2-trcl each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 16: Join Color A with dc in any corner ch-2 sp (join with sl st and ch 3 OR make standing dc as you prefer; counts as first st), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, * dc in next 5 sts, fpdc around next 2-trcl, (dc in next 3 sc, fpdc around next 2-trcl) 6 times, dc in next 5 sts **, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next corner ch-2 sp; repeat from * 2 times, then from * to **, join. Fasten off. (32 dc, 7 fpdc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 17: Join Color B with bpsc around any st, bpsc around each st, continuing around with ch 2 across each corner of previous round (there are no increases in number of stitches on each side), join. Do not fasten off. (39 bpsc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
NOTE: There are three options for working Rnd 18 depending on which is needed to obtain 12”.
Rnd 18 sc option: Continuing with Color B, ch 1 (does not count), sc in same st, sc in each st around with (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner ch-2 sp, join. Fasten off. (41 sc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 18 hdc option: Continuing with Color B, ch 1 (does not count), hdc in same st, hdc in each st around with (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in each corner ch-2 sp, join. Fasten off. (41 hdc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 18 dc option: Continuing with Color B, ch 3 (or work standing dc as you prefer; counts as first st), dc in each st around with (dc, ch 2, dc) in each corner ch-2 sp, join. Fasten off. (41 dc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Stitches/Abbreviations/UK terms
sl st – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
dtr – double treble crochet
yo – yarn over
cl – cluster
lp/lps – loop/loops
ch/chs – chain/chains
sp/sps – space/spaces
rnd/rnds – round/ rounds
bpdc – back post double crochet
bptr – back post treble crochet
bpdtr – back post double treble crochet fpdc – front post double crochet
fptr – front post treble crochet
Special stitches
2-double treble cluster (2-dtrcl): *yo 2 times, pull up lp in indicated st or sp, (yo, pull through 2 lps) 2 times; repeat from *, yo, pull through remaining 3 lps on hook.
Notes on beginnings and endings
Many people prefer to use the magic ring, standing stitches and needle joins for beginnings and endings. Others use traditional chain loops to begin round 1, chains to begin subsequent rounds, and traditional joins. I have written these instructions a little differently than my usual style in order to accommodate all preferences and hopefully, to convey the message with as little complication as possible in the pattern. Here is what it all means.
Beginning
To make beginning loop:
This pattern starts Round 1 with “make beginning loop.” This can be accomplished with either of two methods—a loop made of chains or a magic ring.
Method 1. Loop made of chains: The traditional way the begin a square is to chain 4 or 5 depending on personal stitch tension, join with a slip stitch to form a loop, then work the first round’s stitches in that loop. I always work over the yarn tail so that when the round is finished, a tug on the yarn tail before weaving it in closes up any little hole in the center.
Method 2. Magic ring. This is my favorite magic ring tutorial.
To begin a round: This pattern starts each round with “make beginning dc (or tr as required) in indicated stitch”. The way you do this will depend upon whether you are continuing with the same color or starting a new color.
Make beginning dc: The concept of first stitches/standing stitches is a little different for sc than with taller sts. When continuing with the same color and the first st is a dc, you will ch 1, dc in same st. When starting with a new color and the first st is a dc, patterns traditionally say “join blue with dc in indicated stitch.” This is just another way of saying to work a standing dc.
Make beginning tr, dtr and other sts: This may be accomplished with either of two methods: beginning chains or standing stitches.
Method 1. Beginning chains (for htr, tr, dtr and trtr): The traditional way to begin a round that is continued with the same yarn as the round just made is to chain 2, 3 or more, which counts as the first stitch.
Ch 2 generally counts as the first htr. Sometimes you will find patterns that say to ch 2, htr in same st, and then the ch 2 before the first htr is simply ignored going forward.
Ch 3 counts as a tr, ch 4 counts as a dtr, ch 5 counts as a trtr.
For any of these beginning chain 3 and above, you will always join the round with a sl st in the top of this beginning chain.
Method 2. Standing stitches: Because beginning chains do show, standing stitches to begin rounds, especially those starting with new color, are preferred by many. You can substitute standing stitches for beginning chains in any pattern. There are many tutorials and videos for standing stitches online.
Joining
To join: This pattern ends each round with the simple instructions to “join”. You will always join in the first st of the rnd unless otherwise directed. Slip stitch join is traditionally used for all joins, especially when you are continuing on with the same color. Needle join, which is virtually invisible, may be substituted used when you are finished working with the current color.
Method 1. Slip stitch join: For this traditional joining, simply sl st in the first st or in indicated st.
Method 2: Needle join: This is an excellent needle join tutorial.
Instructions
Rnd 1: With Color A, make beginning loop, make first tr, ch 1, (tr in ring, ch 1) 7 times, join in first tr. Fasten off. (8 tr, 8 ch-1 sps)
Rnd 2: Join Color B with dc in any tr, ch 1, 2-dtrcl in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, * dc in next tr, ch 1, 2- dtrcl in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * 7 times, join with sl st in top of first 2-dtrcl. Fasten off. (8 2-dtrcl, 8 dc, 16 ch-1 sps)
NOTE: Push clusters from the back as needed to make puffs go to the front.
Rnd 3: Join Color C with fpdc around any 2-dtrcl, ch 1, bpdtr around next tr of Rnd 1, ch 1, (fpdc around next 2-dtrcl, ch 1, bpdtr around next tr of Rnd 1, ch 1) 7 times, join with sl st in first fpdc. Do not fasten off. (8 bpdtr, 8 fpdc, 16 ch-1 sps)
NOTE: for prettiest results, join rnds 4, 6, 10, 12, 16 and 18 with needle join.
Rnd 4: Continuing with Color C, ch 1 (does not count), fpdc around first fpdc, 6 tr in next bpdtr, (fpdc around next fpdc, 6 tr in next bpdtr) around, join with sl st in first fpdc. Fasten off. (8 scallops, 8 fpdc).
Rnd 5: NOTE: In this round you will miss all the fpdc between scallops. Join Color B with bpdc around third tr on any scallop, ch 1, (bpdc around next 3 tr, ch 1) around, ending last repeat with bpdc around last 2 tr, join. Do not fasten off. (16 groups of 3 bpdc, 16 ch-1 sps)
Rnd 6: Continuing with Color B, ch 1 (does not count), (dc in next ch-1 sp, 6 dtr in next ch-1 sp) around, join. Fasten off. (8 scallops, 8 dc)
Rnd 7: NOTE: In this round you will miss all the dc between scallops. Join Color A with bpdc around third dtr on any scallop, ch 1, (bpdc around next 3 dtr, ch 1) 15 times, bpdc around last 2 dtr, join. Do not fasten off. (16 groups of 3 bpdc, 16 ch-1 sps)
Rnd 8: Continuing with Color A, ch 1 (does not count), * dc in next ch-1 sp, 9 dtr in next ch-1 sp, (dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next 3 bpdc) 2 times; repeat from * around, ending last repeat making last dc in same st as joining of previous rnd, join. Fasten off. (9 dtr at each corner, 9 dc each side)
Rnd 9: Join Color C with dc in first dtr of any 9-dtr scallop, dc in next 2 dtr, * htr in next dtr, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next dtr, htr in next dtr, dc in next 3 dtr, 2-dtrcl in next dc, (dc in next 3 dc, 2-dtrcl in next dc) 2 times **, dc in next 3 dtr; repeat from * 2 times, then repeat from * to **, join. Fasten off. (12 dc, 4 tr, 3 2-dtrcl, 2 htr each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 10: Join Color A with tr in any corner ch-2 sp (join with sl st and ch 3 OR make standing tr as you prefer; counts as first st), (tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in same sp, * tr in next 6 sts, fptr around next 2-dtrcl, (tr in next 3 dc, fptr around next 2-dtrcl) 2 times, tr in next 6 sts **, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next corner ch-2 sp; repeat from * 2 times, then repeat from * to **, join. Fasten off. (22 tr, 3 fptr each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 11: Join Color B with bpdc around any tr, bpdc around each tr, continuing around with ch 2 across each corner of previous round (there are no increases in number of stitches on each side), join. Do not fasten off. (25 bpdc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 12: Continuing with Color B, ch 3 (or work standing tr as you prefer; counts as first st), tr in each st around with (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) each corner (working in ch-2 sps of Rnd 11 ONLY), join. Fasten off. (29 tr each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnds 13-14: With Color A, repeat rnds 11-12. (Rnd 13: 29 bpdc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps). (Rnd 14: 33 tr each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 15: Join Color C with dc in any corner ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in same sp, * dc in next 4 sts, 2-dtrcl in next st, (dc in next 3 sts, 2-dtrcl in next st) 6 times, dc in next 4 sts **, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next corner ch- 2 sp; repeat from * 2 times, then repeat from * to **, join. Fasten off. (28 dc, 7 2-dtrcl each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 16: Join Color A with tr in any corner ch-2 sp (join with sl st and ch 3 OR make standing tr as you prefer; counts as first st), (tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in same sp, * tr in next 5 sts, fptr around next 2-dtrcl, (tr in next 3 dc, fptr around next 2-dtrcl) 6 times, tr in next 5 sts **, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next corner ch-2 sp; repeat from * 2 times, then from * to **, join. Fasten off. (32 tr, 7 fptr each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 17: Join Color B with bpdc around any st, bpdc around each st, continuing around with ch 2 across each corner of previous round (there are no increases in number of stitches on each side), join. Do not fasten off. (39 bpdc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
NOTE: There are three options for working Rnd 18 depending on which is needed to obtain 12”.
Rnd 18 dc option: Continuing with Color B, ch 1 (does not count), dc in same st, dc in each st around with (dc, ch 1, dc) in each corner ch-2 sp, join. Fasten off. (41 dc each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 18 htr option: Continuing with Color B, ch 1 (does not count), htr in same st, htr in each st around with (htr, ch 2, htr) in each corner ch-2 sp, join. Fasten off. (41 htr each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Rnd 18 tr option: Continuing with Color B, ch 3 (or make standing tr as you prefer; counts as first st), tr in each st around with (tr, ch 2, tr) in each corner ch-2 sp, join. Fasten off. (41 tr each side, 4 ch-2 corner sps)
Enjoyed making this square. Thank you for providing the pattern.