Here’s a little guide to making the Spring Circles Granny Squares that I’ve been working on recently. I’ve included some photos and a full written pattern so you can have a go yourselves.

I decided on these colours for mine but any combination will do. As the name ‘Spring Circles’ implies, I was inspired by all the colours that are commonly found around Easter time. The yarns are all light worsted weight (double knit/8 ply) acrylics. I used a size 7 (4.5mm hook).

The circles are very simple to make and use a combination of Slip stitch (Slst), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc) and chain stitch (ch). These are the US terminologies. (I prefer to use US crochet terms in my patterns. If you are more familiar with UK terms a handy stitch conversion chart can be found at the bottom of my Free Patterns page along with an explanation of the abbreviations used.)

The Pattern:

Tip: To minimize the amount of yarn ends to darn in, lightly twist the new and old yarn ends together and crochet over them for 5 or six stitches on all rounds except round 4.  On round 4, tie the yarn ends together and leave dangling. (Tips for extra secure darning in are at the bottom of the pattern for the circular motif).

Rnd 1: With dark pink yarn make 4 ch, 11 dc into first ch, Slst in top of 4 ch, fasten off. (12 sts)

Tip: For secure joins, attach all colour changes by making a slip knot in the new colour, insert hook through your work where instructed and place slip knot on hook at back of work. Pull slip knit through to right side of work and continue as instructed in the pattern.

Rnd 2: Join green yarn in between first two dc, ch 2, [sc between next two dc, ch 1] 11 times, Slst to first ch, fasten off. (24 sts)

Rnd 3: Join light pink yarn in last 1-ch space from previous round and make 3 ch, dc in same 1-chain space as join, 2 dc in each 1-chain space around, Slst in top of 3 ch, fasten off. (24 sts)

Rnd 4: Join mint green  yarn in between any group of two dc and make 3 ch, [skip 2 dc, sc in next space, 2 ch] to end, Slst in top of 3 ch, fasten off. (36 sts)

Rnd 5: Join mid pink yarn in last 2-chain space and make 3ch, 2 dc in same 2-chain space as join, 3 dc in each of next 2-chain space to end, Slst in top of 3 ch, fasten off. (36 sts)

Rnd 6: Join cream yarn in last st and make 3 ch, dc in same st as join, dc in next st, hdc in each of next 5 st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 2 ch, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st, hdc in each of next 5 st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 2 ch, repeat from * 2 more times, join with a Slst in top of 3 ch. (52 sts)

Rnd 7: 2 ch, hdc in 2-chain space at base of 2 ch, hdc in each of next 11 st, *(2 hdc, 2 ch, 2 hdc) in next 2-chain space, hdc in each of next 11 st, repeat from * to end 2 more times, 2 hdc in last 2-ch space, Slst in top of 2 ch, fasten off.

If you followed my tip above you will have crocheted over the first part of each set of yarn ends already. To make them extra secure (probably a good idea if you are planning on making something like a blanket which will get lots of handling) thread one of the yarn ends from one of the pairs onto a tapestry needle and sew securely back over both yarn ends until you reach the beginning of that colour change then trim both ends closely.

Happy crocheting!