Squaring the Big Circle Tutorial

This is going to be my first attempt at writing up one of my own designs.  Because there has been a little more interest in the first blanket I made from this pattern, (and the fact that I was so happy with how it turned out), I thought it would be a great excuse to attempt a written pattern/tutorial to share!

I think this square (like most crocheted squares) has limitless potential, so I see this as more of a guideline than an exact pattern.  Once you get the basic pattern down you can play with colors and joining methods.  For example, for the first blanket I made, every circle had a white background and I used the join-as-you-go method that I learned from Sarah London.  For the blanket that I'm working on now, I'm making different colored backgrounds and plan on adding a row of single crochet in white on the last round and then sewing the squares together.

Ok, on to the pattern!

Worsted weight yarn (I used Vanna's Choice)
Size J hook

Start with a magic ring (or join a few chains into a loop if you prefer)

Rnd 1-  ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc, ch 1, [2 dc, ch1] 5 times, join with sl st in top of ch 3, fasten off

You should have 6 groups of 2 dc with ch 1 spaces in between.

 (I like to start most of my rounds with a standing stitch.  Yarn over, insert hook into any ch 1 space, and complete dc as normal.)

Rnd 2-  In each ch 1 space [2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1], join with sl st in first dc, fasten off

Rnd 3- In each ch 1 space [3 dc, ch1], join with sl st in first dc, fasten off

Rnd 4-  In each ch 1 space [2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch1], join with sl st in first dc, fasten off

Rnd 5-  In each ch 1 space [2 dc, ch1], join with sl st in first dc, fasten off

Rnd 6-  In each ch 1 space [3 dc, ch 1], join with sl st in first dc, fasten off

Rnd 7-  In each ch 1 space [1 sc, ch 3], join with a sl st in first sc, don't fasten off

Rnd 8-  Sl st into ch 3 space, ch 1, 3 sc, ch1...

* in next ch 3 space, [2 sc, 1 hdc, ch 1]...

in next ch 3 space, [1 hdc, 2 dc, ch 1]...

in next ch 3 space, [3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr, ch 1]... (corner made)

in next ch 3 space, [2 dc, 1 hdc, ch 1]...

in next ch 3 space, [1 hdc, 2 sc, ch1]...

in next ch 3 space, [3 sc, ch 1]...

repeat from *(second picture of Rnd 8) around, join with sl st in first sc, don't fasten off

Rnd 9-  sl st in next two sc, sl st in next ch 1 space...

ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1

in each ch 1 space [3 dc, ch 1], and in corner spaces [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1]...   sl st in first dc, fasten off!!

And you're done!

If you have any questions or find any mistakes please let me know, and if you make a square/blanket from this pattern I would love to see it!

*Flickr Group for Squaring the Big Circle

*Ravelry Pattern Page