The traditional method of working a center-out square in single crochet results in “swirling,” which becomes more pronounced as more rounds are added. Traditionally, care is taken not to skip any stitches. This results in extra bulk at the corners and curvy diagonals, instead of straight ones.
In order to counteract the nature of single crochet stitches, in that they are wider than they are tall, this new method involves skipping a stitch after each corner on every third round.
Features of the new method:
- Front facing every round.
- Two chains in corners; joining hdc counts as 2 chains.
- Rounds are joined in corners, resulting in a nearly invisible seam.
- Do not chain up for first stitch of round
- First stitch of each round is worked into joining space of previous round.
Techniques. Magic circle (aka cinch circle), slip stitch, chain, single crochet, half double crochet, joining in the corners, working partial corners at beginning of round, completing corners at end of round.
Tools. I-9/5.5 mm hook, scissors, yarn needle, 1 stitch marker.
Yarn. Approximately 1.9 oz / 99 yds (54 g / 90 m)medium weight (#4) yarn. In photos on page 1, Red Heart Super Saver in Delft Blue.
Gauge. 13 sts x 14 rows in 4” (10 cm).
Abbreviations. Ch(s) – chain(s); hdc – half double crochet (UK – half treble crochet); sc – single crochet (UK – double crochet).
PHOTO TUTORIAL
Model is worked in cotton yarn for image clarity.
Round 1. Magic circle, ch 1 (does not count), sc in circle, (ch 2, sc in circle) 3 times, pull yarn tail to close circle; join with hdc in first sc.
1 sc per side and 2 chs in each corner. Hdc counts as 2 chs.
Round 2. Do not chain up. Locate joining space just made.
Sc in joining space.
Place stitch marker in sc just made. (Partial corner made.)
Locate next sc.
*Sc in next sc**…
…(sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 corner…
…rep from * 3 more times, ending last rep at **. Locate space where first sc was placed.
Sc in same joining space as first sc.
Join with hdc in marked st. (Corner complete.)
3 sc per side and 2 chs in each corner.
Round 3.
Locate joining space just made.
Do not chain up.
Sc in joining space. Place stitch marker in sc just made. (Partial corner made.)
Locate next stitch. Every third round, this stitch will be skipped after each corner.
*Skip 1 stitch. Sc in next stitch and every stitch to corner**.
(Sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 corner.
Repeat from * 3 more times, ending last repeat at **. Sc in same joining space as first sc.
Join with hdc in first sc (corner complete). 4 sc per side and 2 chs in each corner.
Rounds 4 and 5. Repeat Round 3, except do NOT skip any sts.
Round 6. Repeat Round 3, exactly as written.
Rounds 7 through 23. Repeat Rounds 4 through 6.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
| Round | Count per side |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 6 |
| 5 | 8 |
| 6 | 9 |
| 7 | 11 |
| 8 | 13 |
| 9 | 14 |
| 10 | 16 |
| 11 | 18 |
| 12 | 19 |
| 13 | 21 |
| 14 | 23 |
| 15 | 24 |
| 16 | 26 |
| 17 | 28 |
| 18 | 29 |
| 19 | 31 |
| 20 | 33 |
| 21 | 34 |
| 22 | 36 |
| 23 | 38 |
Enjoy your creativity!
Copyright 2022 by Cheryl Dee Floyd. All Rights Reserved. You may give away or sell any items you make from this pattern. You may not copy, distribute, or otherwise publish this pattern as your own.
Free patterns: https://cheryldeecrochet.com.
Video tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/cheryldfloyd.