Perfect Balance Afghan Square Free Pattern

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Welcome to Oombawka Design #CALCentralCrochet ! Today it is my turn to share with you an afghan square you can make either as a 6-inch square or a 12-inch square; as part of our You’ve Got Options Crochet Along.

I have named this square Perfect Balance for a number of reasons, one being it is a square and the rounds increase in a very balanced manner. This creates a sense of harmony and calmness (to me) and I enjoyed crocheting it in the peaceful colors I selected.

The second reason is because for the first time in more years than I can remember, I am perfectly balanced emotionally. I have suffered from depression and anxiety since I was in my late teens and although my meds seemed to be working during the spring and summer, once Autumn hit I would always begin to fall into a deeper and darker place. Last year was the lowest point I’d ever hit and I finally went to see my doctor. She put me on a higher dose of the only anti-depressant I’ve ever had luck with (Effexor) and within a few weeks I felt amazing. Like a switch had been turned on and the darkness had been banished to the very edges of the room.  I could finally remember how to be happy within my own self. I was no longer screaming on the inside (for no outward reason at all) or sleeping all of the time.

I was nervous as we approached Autumn this year because it is usually when the SAD starts to worsen my symptoms and my mood. This year I was ready and I hooked up my SAD light and placed it right beside me in the living room (I can’t look straight into it because it really hurts my eyes). I work with that light on all day long, as a desk lamp. It has made a big difference to me as I can feel the warmth of the light (I miss the sunshine so much in the winter!) and the brightness seems to really help my mental state.

This square is my Perfect Balance Square, to celebrate my own journey to where I am today.

This square is easy to crochet and beginner friendly. You can work it in a single color, or multiple colors and if you don’t mind a slight angle to your first corner, you can crochet this in continuous rounds in one color from start to finish. If you are using a single color, you need only 55 g of medium weight yarn [4], so just over 102 yards. I will be adding a short video this week for those who prefer working to a video tutorial.

I wish you all a wonderful 2020 filled with peace and balance.

Rhondda

xo

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[disclaimer]I received the yarn I used to make this project from Yarnspirations. This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase after you click on one of my affiliate links in the post, I will receive a small commission for referring you, at no additional cost to you.[/disclaimer]

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Perfect Balance Afghan Square Pattern

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Supplies

• • Yarn: Yarnspirations. Red Heart With Love Yarn. 7 oz (198 g) and 370 yds (338 m). 100% Acrylic. Medium-Weight Yarn [4]. Machine wash and dry.
  • Colors: 1 skein each in Platinum (Color A), Dusty Grape (Color B), Stone (Color C) and Pewter (Color D) 
  • Hook: 6 mm (J). 
  • Finished Project Yardage:  1.94 oz (55 g) and 102.78 yds (93.89 m)
  • Scissors, Yarn Needle, Stitch Marker

Difficulty Level

Easy

Finished Size

Afghan Square height approximately 12 inches X 12 inches width

 

Gauge

Approximately 13 rows per 4 inches and 14 sts per 4 inches

 

You can substitute any yarn and hook for this stitch pattern – just remember when you substitute if your gauge is different, the finished size, and amount of yarn used for your project will also be different.

Abbreviations

US Terminology used

bl – back loop

ch – chain

ch2sp – chain 2 space

R – round

rem – remaining

rep – repeat

sc – single crochet

sk – skip

sl st – slip stitch

st/sts – stitch/stitches

* to ** – Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain multiple instructions.

[ ] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches

( ) – important notes AND sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch or space

 

Helpful Tutorials

Stitch Anatomy

Invisible Join

Helpful Video Tutorials

Quick Stitch Guide 

Slip Knot and Starting Chain

Video Tutorial coming soon

Notes:

• Beginning in R2 all single crochet stitches are worked in the back loop only.
• The initial “next st” indicated at the beginning of each round, is the same stitch you join to (if you are joining with a slip stitch). .
• We will be working into the corner chain stitches (NOT the chain spaces), under the back loop only.
• Platinum (Color A), Dusty Grape (Color B), Stone (Color C) and Pewter (Color D) 
• Pattern is written with a ch 4, sl st to form a ring to begin. I prefer to use a double magic ring to begin, as it is more secure. Either is acceptable for this pattern.
• Pattern is written with a sl st join at the end of each round. I prefer to use an invisible join instead because it is tidier. Either is acceptable for this pattern up to the last round.
• Pattern does not have a turning chain for each round because I usually start each new round with a standing st. If you prefer a sl st join and a turning chain, feel free to substitute.

 

Perfect Balance Afghan Square Pattern Instructions

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This 12-inch afghan square is crocheted in joined rounds beginning in the center and working towards the outer edges.

 

Using your 6 mm (J) hook (or size required for gauge):

 

R1: With Color A: Ch 4, sl st to form a ring. Sl st into the ring, ch 1 and work 12 sc. Sl st to the bl of the first sc to join. [12 sc]

R2: Ch 1, 1 sc in the bl of the first st, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts**. Rep from * to ** 3 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off. [12 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R3: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. [20 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R4: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 5 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. [28 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R5: With Color D: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 7 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. [36 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R6: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 9 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. [44 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R7: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 11 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. [52 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R8:  With Color A: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 13 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. [60 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R9: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 15 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. [68 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R10: With Color D: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 17 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. [76 sc, 4 ch2sp]

Your square should measure approximately 6 inches at this point.

R11: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 19 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. [84 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R12: With Color A: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 21 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off.  [92 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R13: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 23 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off.  [100 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R14: With Color D: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 25 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off. [108 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R15: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 27 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off. [116 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R16: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 29 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off. [124 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R17: With Color A: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 31 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off. [132 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R18: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 33 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off. [140 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R19: With Color D: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 35 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off. [148 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R20: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 37 sts**. Rep from * to ** 4 times total. Sl st to the bl of the first st to join. Finish off. [156 sc, 4 ch2sp]

Finishing

• Weave in any rem ends.
• Wet block to 12 X 12 inches square.

#redheartyarn #joycreators #yarnspirations #freepattern #crochet #grannysquare #OptionsCAL #CALCentralCrochet

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