PATTERN + TUTORIAL: The Dally Dahlia Granny Square

This pattern first appeared on my old blog in December 2015, as part of the Crochet meets Patchwork blanket. The Crochet meets Patchwork Blanket is an ongoing project that  is inspired by scrappy, patchwork quilts. It provides a great opportunity to play with colours, try different motifs and learn new crochet stitches.

All the patterns for the squares used in this blanket are free - some are mine, some are by other designers (always credited; if you spot one I've credited to the wrong person please get in touch). You can find details of the project, including step-by-step tutorials to my own patterns, on the Project Page. A complete ebook guide will be available in due course. 

You can also find all the patterns and tutorials mentioned below on the Crochet meets Patchwork Pinterest Board, and follow along with my progress on the Emmy + LIEN instagram account.

This "Dally Dahlia" square is my fifth design for the Crochet meets Patchwork blanket.  An abridged version also features in the Dally Dahlia Blanket - another ongoing project!

Dally Dahlia is based mainly on clusters of Treble Crochet (Double Crochet if you're used to US terms). If you're new to those, this is a great pattern for you because you'll get lots of practice! As always, each step is illustrated with photos to help you.

If you would like to download and print this pattern, you can purchase a beautifully laid-out PDF copy from my Ravelry store. The pattern costs just €1.50 excl. VAT (about $1.50 USD depending on the exchange rate), and you will be able to choose between US terms or UK terms. By paying this small fee, you help me keep Emmy + LIEN afloat! 

I love how versatile this square is and how playing around with different colour sequences gives you a completely different effect. The blue and green ones are quite soft and emphasise the six-pointed star shape in the centre. The dark yellow one, on the other hand, is striking and moody. Or you could just do all the clusters in the same colour and get a central part that looks like a dahlia, which is where this square got its name from.

For this tutorial I've used DMC Natura Just Cotton, which is a 4-ply yarn. I personally love cotton because it gives good stitch definition and washes well, but you could use any smooth yarn. If you use a heavier yarn, remember you'll need a bigger hook and that your final square will be larger too. 

"Dally Dahlia" Granny Square

Notes

UK terms (with US terms in brackets)
3.0 mm (D/3) hook
DMC Natura Just Cotton (fingering weight)
Colours: Ivory (A), Aswan (B), Blue Jeans (C), Gris Argent (D)
square size: 11 cm x 11 cm (ca. 4.5" by 4.5")

Stitches

treble crochet - TC (double crochet - DC); 
treble crochet cluster- TC cluster (double crochet cluster - DC cluster);
half treble crochet - HTC (half double crochet - HDC);
double crochet - DC (single crochet - SC);
chain - ch (chain stitch - ch);
slip stitch - sl.st.

Round 1
With colour A make a starting chain of 6, then make into a circle with a sl.st into the first ch.

Round 2
To make your first 3-TC (DC) cluster, begin with a chain 2 (counts as first TC (DC)). YO, insert hook into circle and pull up a loop. 

YO again and pull through the first two loops on your hook. You should now have two half-finished TCs (DCs).

YO again, pull up a loop, YO and pull through the first two loops on your hook. You should now have three half-finished TCs (DCs).

To finish the cluster, YO and pull through all 3 loops on your hook. Ch 1. 

To continue the round, make 7 more [3-TC clusters (3-DC clusters) + ch 1], giving you 8 clusters in total. To close the circle, join to the ch 1 after the first cluster with a sl.st. Pull through and cut yarn. 

Round 3
Pull colour B through any ch 1 gap made by the previous round, and ch 2 (counts as first TC (DC)).

In the same space, work 4 more half-finished TCs (DCs), ch 1 to complete the cluster of 5 TCs (DCs), then ch 1 again. 

To continue the round, make 7 more [5-TC clusters (5-DC clusters) + ch 2] in each ch 1 space, giving you 8 clusters in total. To close the circle, join to the ch 1 after the first cluster with a sl.st. Pull through and cut yarn. At the end of this round your "square" will look more like a bowl than a flat square - don't panic! The next round as well as blocking at the end will sort that out. 

Round 4
Pull colour C through the first ch 1 you made after any cluster of the previous row and ch 2 (counts are first TC (DC))). Make this into a 4-TC cluster (4-DC cluster) in the same st, then ch 2. 
Make the next 4-TC cluster (4-DC cluster) into the top of the first TC (DC) of the next cluster.

To continue the round, make 15 more [4-TC clusters (4-DC clusters) + ch 2] in each st as described above, giving you 16 clusters in total. To close the circle, join to the ch 1 after the first cluster with a sl.st. Pull through and cut yarn.

Round 5
Pull colour A through any ch 2 gap in the previous round and ch 4 (counts as first HTC (HDC) + ch 2). DC (SC) 1 in the next space and ch 2. HTC (HDC) 1 in the next space and ch 2. To make a corner, in the next space TC (DC) 1, ch 4, TC (DC) 1 in the same space. 

Continue going round until you've made a square. Join to 2nd ch with a sl.st.

Round 6
Pull colour D through any ch 2 gap that is not on a corner, and ch 3 (counts as first TC (DC)). TC (DC) 2 in the same space. Continue making 3 TCs (DCs) in each space until you get to a corner. On the corner, TC (DC) 2, ch 4, TC (DC) 2.

Continue until you've gone all the way around the square. Join to the 3rd ch with a sl.st. Pull through and cut yarn. 

Round 7
Pull colour C through any st in the previous row that is not a corner and ch 2 (counts as first DC (SC)). DC (SC) 1 in each stitch until you get to a corner. Around the 4 chains on the corner, DC (SC) 2, ch 1, DC (SC) 2. Continue until you've gone all the way round the square. Join to the 2nd ch with a sl.st. Pull through and cut yarn.

Finishing
And you're done! Now it's time to sew in and trim any ends on the reverse side and block the square by laying it out on a foam block or mat, spraying with water until soaked, and pinning it into shape. Leave it to dry completely (away from direct sunlight).

I hope you have as much fun playing with the colours on this square as did. Don't forget to share your work via the Emmy + LIEN facebook page, or on instagram using the #dallydahliasquare hashtag. Happy Hooking!

If you would like to download and print this pattern, you can purchase a beautifully laid-out PDF copy from my Ravelry store. The pattern costs just €1.50 excl. VAT (about $1.50 USD depending on the exchange rate), and you will be able to choose between US terms or UK terms. By paying this small fee, you help me keep Emmy + LIEN afloat! 

Written pattern copyright Eline Alcocer 2015.
You are welcome to make and use this pattern as you wish, but please do not sell the pattern nor claim the pattern as your own.
You are welcome to sell any item made using this pattern, but please credit the designer, Eline Alcocer.
Please link back to this page if you write about the pattern in any way. 
You may not reproduce the photos, pattern or tutorial, either partially or in full, contained in this post without obtaining written permission from me first. If you would like to produce your own photo tutorial, video tutorial or translation of this pattern, please get in touch with me to obtain permission first. 
Thank you!