It's not easy coming up with a new granny square design as pretty much every variation probably already exists somewhere in the world. But it hasn't stopped me having a jolly good play around with my own ideas and this is the result - the Harmony Granny Square.
The pattern is worked in six easy rounds, using just two stitches - UK treble crochet and double crochet (that's double crochet and single crochet for US peeps).
I'll be writing this pattern using UK crochet terms, as follows :
sl st [slip stitch] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.
dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)
tr [treble] :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)
:: Round 1 ::
Chain 4, slip stitch into 1st chain to form a ring.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr's into the ring, chain 2.
*3 tr's into the ring, chain 2*
Repeat between ** twice more, then slip stitch into the 3rd chain of beginning chain-3 to close the round. Fasten off.
Now before we go any further, we need to have a little chat about those pesky ends. The harmony square changes colour every round, which will leave you with ten ends to tidy away. If you decide to make a blanket with these squares, you will be looking at more than a thousand ends. Yeah, I know. So my bestest advice, said in my most persuasive voice - pleeeeeeeeease darn in your ends at the end of Each and Every Round, NO EXCUSES!! Attach your needle to your scissors, then every time you snip your yarn you will be reminded to take a few seconds to darn in those ends. It's a good habit to get into and will save you a heap load of misery later on.
When you darn in the ends of your first round, darn them down and around the centre ring, then pull the yarn end tightly to close up the hole in the middle.
:: Round 2 ::
Join a new colour in any chain-2 corner space.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr, chain 1 (above picture)
In same corner space, work (2 tr's, chain 1, 2 tr's, chain 1) (above picture)
*In the next chain-2 corner space, work the following :
(2 tr's, chain 1, 2 tr's, chain 1, 2 tr's, chain 1)*
Repeat between ** twice more (above picture), then slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-3 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends.
The above picture shows you what your completed round 2 should look like.
:: Round 3 ::
Join a new colour in any Large chain-1 space.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr, chain 1 (above picture)
1 dc in next chain-1 space, chain 1, 1 dc in next chain-1 space, chain 1 (above picture)
In next large chain-1 space, work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's, chain 1) (above picture)
1 dc in next chain-1 space, chain 1, 1 dc in next chain-1 space, chain 1 (above picture)
*Work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's) in next large chain-1 space, chain 1, 1 dc in next chain-1 space, chain 1, 1 dc in next chain-1 space, chain 1*
Repeat between ** twice more. In the very first large chain-1 space, work 2 tr's, chain 2 (above picture), then slip stitch into the 3rd chain of beginning chain-3 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends (yes, do those ends!)
The above picture shows you what your completed round 3 should look like. Your square has now tilted so that the centre looks like an X.
:: Round 4 ::
Join a new colour in any chain-2 corner space.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr (above picture)
Now see where my needle is pointing? The next lot of stitches will go into that small chain-1 space.....
....*work 2 tr into the next chain-1 space*
Repeat between ** twice more (above picture).
Work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's) into the chain-2 corner space (above picture)
*work 2 tr into the next chain-1 space*
Repeat between ** twice more (second side)
Work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's) into the chain-2 corner space
*work 2 tr into the next chain-1 space*
Repeat between ** twice more (third side)
Work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's) into the chain-2 corner space
*work 2 tr into the next chain-1 space*
Repeat between ** twice more (fourth side)
Work 2tr's into the first chain-2 corner space, chain 2.
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain 3 to close round. Fasten off and yessss, please do darn in those pesky ends.
This is what you should be looking at after four rounds.
:: Round 5 ::
Join a new colour in any chain-2 corner space.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr, chain 1 (above picture)
You need to MISS the very first stitch, as indicated by the arrow in the picture above.
See where my needle is pointing? The next stitch will go in there.
Work 1 tr into each of the next 9 stitches along the first side (above picture)
Work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's) into the chain-2 corner space (above picture)
My needle is showing you where you should be going next (note the missed first stitch)...
Miss the first stitch, then work 1 tr into each of the next 9 stitches
*Work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's) into the chain-2 corner space (above picture)
Miss the first stitch, then work 1 tr into each of the next 9 stitches*
Repeat between ** twice more.
Work 2tr's into the first chain-2 corner space, chain 2.
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain 3 to close round. Fasten off, get that needle and deal with your tail ends.....
And that's round five complete. Now for the final round......
:: ROUND 6 ::
Join a new colour in any chain-2 corner space.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr (above picture)
Miss the very first stitch, then work 2 tr's into the next stitch. In the above picture my
needle is showing you where to put your hook.
Miss one stitch, then work 2 tr's into the next stitch (your hook goes where my needle is)
Miss the next stitch, *work 2 tr's in next stitch, miss the next stitch*
Repeat between ** 3 more times - you should have 6 groups of 2 tr's along the first side (not including the first corner).
In the chain-2 corner space, work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's)
Miss the next stitch, *work 2 tr's in next stitch, miss the next stitch*
Repeat between ** five more times (6 tr-groups in total along the second side)
In the chain-2 corner space work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's)
Miss the next stitch, *work 2 tr's in next stitch, miss the next stitch*
Repeat between ** five more times (6 tr-groups in total along the third side)
In the chain-2 corner space work (2 tr's, chain 2, 2 tr's)
Miss the next stitch, *work 2 tr's in next stitch, miss the next stitch*
Repeat between ** five more times (6 tr-groups in total along the fourth side)
In the first chain-2 corner space, work 2 tr's, chain 2.
Slip stitch into 3rd chain of beginning chain-3 to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends.
So that's the Harmony Granny Square complete with all six rounds.
If you think you might like to have a go at making 126 Harmony Granny Squares and joining them to make a beautiful blanket, I've written up a full pattern for doing just that.
In the Harmony Blanket tutorial I explain how to work the join-as-you-go method (with oodles of step-by-step photos to help), as well as giving the pattern for the border. You will also find the colour information tables to show you how to create the Harmony Blanket pictured above.
I've created a special Harmony yarn pack which contains 17 x 100g balls of Stylecraft Special DK, plus a full colour printed pattern. You can find it in the Attic24 online shop here.
For this particular blanket design, I chose to use one single colour to make all the joining rounds. I wanted the overall look to be harmonious and calm, so chose a very soft purple-grey colour to gently frame the squares and make the other colours sing.
Of course, there's nothing to stop you adding a bit of pizazz to your Harmony Granny Squares......
....by working the 6th/joining round in different colours, the overall look will be much brighter and more eclectic. I hope you have a lot of fun experimenting!
Now I know this is a very long tutorial, but I really hope that the tonne of pictures helps you to crack this neat join-as-you-go method. At the moment, there isn't a printable pattern available to download here on my blog, but below you will find the pattern for the basic six-round Harmony Square that you can copy/paste/print.
TO BEGIN Chain 4, sl st in first ch to form a ring
ROUND 1 Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr); 2 tr into the ring; ch 2;
*3 tr into the ring; ch 2*
Repeat between ** twice more; sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-3 to close round.
Fasten off.
ROUND 2 Join new colour in any ch 2-space and work the following group of treble
stitches: (Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr); 1 tr; ch 1; 2 tr; ch 1; 2tr; ch 1)
*In next corner space work the following : (2 tr; ch 1; 2 tr; ch 1; 2 tr; ch 1)*
Repeat between ** twice more; sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-3 to close round.
Fasten off.
ROUND 3 Join new colour in any large ch-1 space between groups of treble stitches;
ch 3 (counts as 1 tr); 1 tr; ch 1;
1 dc in ch-1 space; ch 1; 1 dc in ch-1 space; ch 1
*In the next large ch-1 space between groups of treble stitches, work the following:
(2 tr; ch 2; 2tr; ch 1);
1dc in ch-1 space; ch 1; 1dc in ch-1 space; ch 1*
Repeat between ** twice more; in first large ch-1 space between groups of
treble stitches, work 2tr; ch 2; sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-3 to close round.
Fasten off.
ROUND 4 Join new colour in any ch-2 corner space; ch 3 (counts as 1 tr); 1 tr;
2 tr in ch-1 space; 2 tr in ch-1 space; 2 tr in ch-1 space;
*In the next ch-2 corner space work the following: (2 tr; ch 2; 2 tr)
2 tr in ch-1 space; 2 tr in ch-1 space; 2 tr in ch-1 space*
Repeat between ** twice more; in first ch-2 space work 2tr; ch 2;
sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-3 to close round. Fasten off.
ROUND 5 Join new colour in any ch-2 corner space; ch 3 (counts as 1 tr); 1 tr;
miss 1 st; 1 tr in each of the next 9 sts;
*In the next ch-2 corner space work the following: (2 tr; ch 2; 2 tr)
miss 1 st; 1 tr in each of the next 9 sts*
Repeat between ** twice more; in first ch-2 space work 2 tr; ch 2;
sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch-3 to close round. Fasten off and darn in all ends.
ROUND 6 Join yarn in any ch-2 corner space; ch 3 (counts as 1 tr); 1 tr into ch-2
corner space; (miss 1 st; 2 tr in next st) six times;
*In the next ch-2 corner space work the following: (2 tr; ch 2; 2 tr)
(miss 1 st; 2 tr in next st) six times*
Repeat between ** twice more; in first ch-2 space work 2 tr; ch 2;
sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch- 3 to close round. Fasten off and darn in ends.
Remember - if you want detailed information about my join-as-you-go method for this square, then pop over to the Harmony Blanket tutorial.
Wishing you heaps of happy, harmonious hooky!!!
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♥ I really hope you enjoy having a go with this pattern. As with all my tutorials I am happy to provide them here on my blog for free, for you to use and enjoy. However, I'm hoping that if you do give this pattern a whirl then you might consider making a small donation to help support what I do here in the Attic ♥
THANK YOU, your support is truly appreciated
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Hi Lucy .I just received my yarn for the harmony blanket My heart is beating faster ! I l live in the US. I think it would be great if you could send the instructions with the US crochet terms. I have to change them and it makes the instructions look really messy! I know it seems like a small thing, but it does make a difference. Thank you. I share your passion for blankets!
Ive made 3 of your blankets .I Love them
Posted by: lori szabo | September 11, 2015 at 10:50 PM
Lucy, I was reading more just now and found your info on hook sizes and how to determine so I'll use your advice from there :)
Warm Regards,
Darly
Posted by: Darly | August 31, 2015 at 04:53 PM
Hello Lucy. I don't even know how I stumbled onto your blog but I'm so happy I did. I am actually a passionate quilter but recently moved from California to North Carolina and joined a new group of creative ladies who knit, crochet, spin, weave, make lace, do embroidery, quilt, and more. I just finished knitting my first wool bag which is about to get felted...exciting. After spending several days reading and starring at your lovely Harmony blanket I just have to tackle this project. I attempted to crochet an afghan years ago. My sister showed me how on a visit. I then went home and worked up a storm. I was so excited with my progress until my sister visited again and showed me my stitches were so tight I had made a rug instead of an afghan LOL I will make sure and keep that in mind this time. So my questions are, not having yarn on hand and buying new for this project, what yarn would be best? I think I read on your site that cotton would be a good choice and I do like all natural materials. Second, what size crochet hook? I hope I hear from you today as I'm going to a Meetup at the yarn shop tomorrow and would like to get my supplies. I'm too excited to wait :) Thank you Lucy. My email address is QLTDTRESR@aol.com
Posted by: Darly | August 31, 2015 at 04:48 PM
My goodness, thanks for posting such clear instructions for such a fabulous little crochet square! Now I have an exciting project to slowly build on each night through the fall and winter for a lovely new blanket for my home.
Posted by: Heather | August 27, 2015 at 06:41 AM
Hi Lucy, in your instructions for rounds 4 and 5 at the beginning after chain 3 then 1 treble and 1 chain (is it right to put in the 1 chain?) it's not on your other instructions and it works better without? Wondered which pattern to go with? I can't wait to receive my harmony pack from wool warehouse. Sooooo excited. Xxxxxxxx
Posted by: Sarah Price | August 18, 2015 at 10:01 AM
Lucy, when you join a new color, do you tie a knot or use a slip knot, or just pull the yarn through the space and begin crocheting? I love this new pattern! It's so different from any granny square I have seen. Your creativity amazes me!
Posted by: Donna | August 17, 2015 at 07:02 PM