Chocolate Drops Granny Square- Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket CAL Square 7

Hey there, fellow crochet friends! It's that time! I am thrilled to introduce you to our seventh featured square in the Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket CAL hosted by the wonderful Debbie from MadameStitch. If you've been following along, you already know that this CAL has been an amazing journey through the world of Granny Stitch, and we're about to dive headfirst into another fantastic square that will leave you hooked on crochet.

This time, we're exploring texture and movement through a beautiful granny square that features the mesmerizing popcorn and classic granny stitch. You'll be amazed at the color changes and raised stitches that give this square a truly dynamic and eye-catching look. And guess what? The best part is, the pattern for this square is forever free right here on the blog!

But wait, there's more! If you're someone who loves to have patterns in a tidy PDF format, or if you just want to support the blog, there's a premium upgrade PDF available. This little extra not only makes your crochet life easier but also helps keep the creative juices flowing. You can get the premium PDF at Ravelry, Etsy, or my Website, just click a box below:

Now, let's chat about this square itself. It's all about texture and movement, just like a beautifully choreographed dance. The popcorn stitches add that extra oomph of texture, making it an absolute pleasure to run your fingers over. And the color changes? Well, they'll have you dreaming up all sorts of wonderful color combinations. Mix and match to create your perfect crochet masterpiece.

As for the raised stitches, they not only provide a delightful visual pop but also add depth to your square. It's like a mini work of art right at your fingertips.

But the fun doesn't stop there! This square is part of a larger collection of 12 squares in the Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket CAL, and together they'll form a stunning blanket that's a true labor of love. If you've missed any squares so far, don't worry; you can still catch up. Click here to go to the CAL blog post where you will find all the links to the individual free patterns, which are forever free to view on each designer's blog.

But if you really don't want to have to bounce around to all the different blogs you can opt to purchase the super convenient bundle! For just $15.00, you'll get all 12 squares, assembly instructions, and a border pattern. That's just a little over a dollar per pattern, and trust me, it's worth every cent. You can pick up your copy of the bundle here by clicking the picture (aff link): 

This blanket is an incredible exploration of the Granny Stitch, and the seventh square is ready to take you on an exciting crochet adventure. It may challenge you a bit, but with each stitch, you'll grow in skill and confidence. And isn't that what crochet is all about? Creating cozy comfort, one stitch at a time.

So, grab your hooks, and your favorite yarn, and let's dive into this seventh square with excitement and anticipation. It's time to create some magic together!

Materials List: Worsted Weight or #4 yarn

Yarn Used: I Love This Yarn, 100% Acrylic, (7oz/355 yards) and Red Heart Super Saver, 100% Acrylic, (7oz/198 grams, 364 yards/334 meters)

Color 1: ILTY Glacier- 2.5 oz/126.43 yds
Color 2: ILTY Antique Teal- 5 oz/252.85 yds
Color 3: RHSS Café Latte- 2 oz/104.3 yds
Color 4: ILTY Red- 2 oz/101.14 yds

Hook:               H/5.00mm hook (or size needed for gauge)

Large Eye Needle/Scissors

Finished size: 12” x 12”

Gauge:            14 sc x 17 rows = 4” x 4”

Notes:

1                     Chain 1 at the beginning of the round DOES NOT count as a stitch.

2                     Chain 3 at the beginning of a round counts as a dc.

3                     Chain 5 at the beginning of a round counts as a hdc + a ch3.

4                     Chain 6 at the beginning of a round counts as a dc + a ch3.

5                     Chain loosely on corners and in between stitches to avoid pulling the square too tight.

6                     Join to the first stitch after each round.

 

Abbreviations: US

( … )- at end of instruction indicates st count

3LO- third loop only (work your stitch into the bar behind the top two loops of the stitch)
bpsc- back post single crochet
Ch- chain
dc- double crochet
hdc- half double crochet
MR- Magic Ring

RS- right side
sc- single crochet
sk- skip

Sl st- slip stitch
sp- space
st- stitch(es)

WS- wrong side

Special Stitches:

5 Double Crochet Cluster (5dcCL)- (yo, insert hook into the st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through two loops) 5x, yo, pull through all loops on the hook.

Pattern:

Start with color 1

Round 1- (RS) MR, ch3, 2dc in ring, (ch3-counts as corner, 3dc in ring) 3x, ch3-counts as corner. (12 dc, 4 ch-3 sp)

Round 2-(RS) sl st to corner, ch3, (2dc, ch3, 3dc) in corner, [ch1, sk 3 dc, (3dc, ch3, 3dc) in corner] 3x, ch1, sk 3 dc. (6 dc, 1 ch-1 sp/side)

Round 3- sl st to corner, ch1, [(2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp across] 4x. (11 sc/side)

Cut Color 1.

Join Color 2 to any corner with ch1.

Round 4- [(sc, ch2, sc) in corner, bpsc around each sc across] 4x. (13 st, 1 ch-2 sp/side)

Round 5- sl st to corner, ch5, hdc in corner, [*hdc in each st across*, (hdc, ch3, hdc) in corner] 3x, repeat * to * once. (15 hdc/side)

Cut Color 2.

Turn over to work with wrong side facing you.

Join Color 3 to any corner with ch3.

Round 6- (WS) (dc, ch3, 2dc) in corner, [*{ch3, sk3, 5-dcCL in next} 3x, ch3, sk3*, (2dc, ch3, 2dc) in corner] 3x, repeat * to * once. (4 dc, 3- 5dcCL, 4 ch-3 sp/side)

Cut Color 3.

Turn your work to the Right Side.

Join Color 2 to any corner with ch1.

Round 7- (RS) [(sc, ch2, sc) in corner, sc in 2, {working in front of ch-3 sp- dc in 3 open st from Rd 5, sc in 5dcCL} 3x, dc in last 3 open st from Rd5, sc in 2] 4x. (21 st/side)

Round 8- sl st to corner, ch1, [(sc, ch2, sc) in corner, sc in each st across] 4x. (23 sc/side)

Cut Color 2.

Join Color 1 to any corner with ch1.

Round 9- [(sc, ch2, sc) in corner, bpsc around each sc across] 4x. (25 st/side)

Reminder to ch1 loosely in next round.

Round 10- sl st to corner, ch6, dc in corner, [*dc in 2, {ch1, sk2, dc in 3} 4x, ch1, sk1, dc in last 2*, (dc, ch3, dc) in corner] 3x, repeat from * to * once. (18 dc/side)

Round 11- sl st to corner, ch3, (2dc, ch3, 3dc) in corner, [*{ch1, sk3, 3dc in next ch-1 sp} 5x, ch1, sk3*, (3dc, ch3, 3dc) in corner] 3x, repeat * to * once. (21 dc/side)

Round 12- sl st to corner, ch1, [(2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner, sc in each dc + ch-1 sp across] 4x. (31 sc/side)

Cut Color 1.

Join Color 2 in any corner with ch1.

Round 13- [(sc, ch2, sc) in corner, bpsc around each sc across] 4x. (33 st/side)

Round 14- sl st to corner, ch5, hdc in corner, [*hdc in each st across*, (hdc, ch3, hdc) in corner] 3x, repeat * to * once. (35 hdc/side)

Cut Color 2.

Join Color 4 in any corner sp with ch5.

Round 15- hdc in corner, [*{ch1, sk hdc, hdc in next} 17x, ch1, sk hdc*, (hdc, ch3, hdc) in corner] 3x, repeat * to * once. (19 hdc, 18 ch-1 sp/side)

Cut Color 4.

Join Color 2 in any corner with ch1.

Round 16- [(sc, ch3, sc) in corner, {sc in hdc, working in front of ch-1 sp- dc in open hdc from Rd 14} 18x, sc in last hdc] 4x. (21 sc, 18 dc/side)

Round 17- sl st to corner, ch1, [(sc, ch3, sc) in corner, sc in each st across] 4x. (41 sc/side)

Cut Color 2.

Join Color 1 in any corner with ch1.

Round 18- [(sc, ch3, sc) in corner, sc in 3LO in each st across] 4x. (43 sc/side)

Cut Color 1 and weave in ends.

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