X Marks the Spot Granny Square free pattern

I've been wanting to find the granny square patterns that I would need to make an afghan that looks like the one in this photo that I found at Pinterest:

I have no idea who the original creator of the above design is, but I love it, AND I love the monochromatic color scheme.

I figured a good staring place would be to try to locate a pattern for the non-flower squares -- meaning the squares that make up the center of the afghan in the above photo, the ones that look like they have an X going from corner to corner.

And although it's entirely likely that the pattern does exist out there somewhere, I was unable to find it. But working from another photo (see below), I wrote an X Marks the Spot Granny Square pattern that looks similar.

The biggest difference is that the center of the squares in the afghan in the first photo utilize what appears to be a sc/ch sequence around the initial ch ring, which gives the centers a floral look when the next round of "petals" is added. I will try to work that part out in a later revision of my X Marks the Spot Granny Square pattern.

Here is a photo of a finished square made with the version of my X Marks the Spot Granny Square pattern that is found below on this page.

I made it with Lily Sugar & Cream 100 percent cotton worsted weight yarn using an I hook (5.5 mm). Mine came out at 5.75 inches across, although yours may vary depending on your tension, as well as the yarn and hook you choose to use.

Here is a copy of my free pattern.

X Marks the Spot Granny Square pattern

Use whatever yarn weight and hook size that you prefer. As written, in this pattern the ch 2 at the beginning of each round does NOT count as a dc. (If you prefer the initial ch to count as a stitch, ch 3 instead and skip dc at base of ch. At the end of each round, join with a sl to the top of the initial ch 3.)

Special stitches:

* Work corner: (ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch 2 space, ch 1)

Round 1:

Ch 6; join with sl to make a ring. Ch 2. Working stitches into ring, (3 dc, ch 2) 8 times. Join with sl in top of 1st dc. (8 clusters of 3 dc separated by 2 ch in between)

Round 2:

Sl into first ch 2 space (2 sl). Ch 2. Working stitches into ch 2 spaces only, (3 dc in next ch 2 space, * work corner in next ch 2 space) 4 times. Join with sl in top of 1st dc. (4 sides of 1 3-dc cluster each and 4 corners)

Round 3:

Ch 2. Dc at base of ch 2 and in each of next 2 dc. Dc in ch 1 space. (* Work corner, dc in next ch 1 space, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch 1 space) 3 times. * Work corner, then dc in next ch 1 space. Join with sl in top of 1st dc. (4 sides of 5 dc each and 4 corners)

Round 4:

Ch 2. Dc at base of ch 2 and in each of next 3 dc. Dc in ch 1 space. . (* Work corner, dc in next ch 1 space, dc in next 5 dc, dc in next ch 1 space) 3 times. * Work corner, then dc in next ch 1 space and dc in next dc. Join with sl in top of 1st dc. (4 sides of 7 dc each and 4 corners)

Round 5:

Ch 2. Dc at base of ch 2 and in each of next 5 dc. Dc in ch 1 space. . (* Work corner, dc in next ch 1 space, dc in next 7 dc, dc in next ch 1 space) 3 times. * Work corner, then dc in next ch 1 space and dc in next 2 dc. Join with sl in top of 1st dc. FO. (4 sides of 9 dc each and 4 corners)

Ahoy, Owl! Pirate Hat

I saw a hat for sale that looked just like this, but the original designer wasn't selling her pattern, so I decided to improvise a version for myself: I call it the Ahoy, Owl! Pirate Hat.

This will be perfect to give to young buccaneer Nathaniel for his first Christmas, because his parents decorated his nursery in a pirate theme.

However, I think I will die from looking at the sheer cuteness of this hat for baby buccaneer Nathaniel if I try to keep it in my house until his first Christmas. Therefore, I believe I shall have to deliver it to him early. ASAP!! Bah-ha-ha!!

This one took me about 10 days to complete — about six to seven actual work hours because of the hat's complexity. A simple, plain beanie (on the other hand) I can work up in about two hours.

Plarn project

Here I am starting my first "plarn" project. 🙂 Naturally, my husband finds it very peculiar for me to want to go to the trouble of crocheting a reusable shopping bag out of used plastic shopping bags. LOL But it will be so much stronger than the individual bags alone, probably last a very long time, and not require any re-manufacturing other than my own handiwork to create.

Couldn't wait to try the Fraga Headband free pattern

Like a lot of crafters, I have a form of project ADHD - meaning I usually have several (or lots) of projects in the works at all times. And even though I have a good overall record of completion, that doesn't necessarily mean I won't start another project before finishing what I already have on my needles or hooks.

Anyway, you can see in the photos that I was pretty desperate to start working on the Fraga Headband by Needlework + Seedlings -- I used a set of needle tips WITHOUT a joining cable (because I have more needles than cables!!), and I didn't want to steal a cable from another project in progress. And I didn't want to wait to order more cables. And at a mere 20 stitches wide, the headband is narrow enough that it worked. :-)

Here's a close-up of the braided cable effect:

Desert twilight headwrap free pattern

When you just don't want to wear a full hat, a wide headband or headwrap is a great alternative to keep your ears warm and your hair out of your face.

This is the 86-10 Headband by DROPS Design. I made it with Red Heart Super Saver yarn in the Artist Print colorway. The colors remind me of sunsets in the desert, hence I named it: desert twilight headwrap.