Crozy Memories Blanket Squares
...(yep, 'Crozy'... My Crochet version of the popular knitter's Cozy Memories Blanket!)
For many a year, knitters have been making 'memory blankets', with leftover scraps of yarn. However it has been in the last couple of years (approx 2014 I think) that it has been affectionately named the 'Cozy Memories Blanket' (Who by, I wonder?). Well, being an avid crocheter, I wanted in on the action...
The idea for this lovely, simple square was born at 3am on Thursday 16th September 2016. After months of watching many talented knitters sharing their progress on their knitted Cozy Memories Blankets on their podcasts, I wanted to come up with a similar Crochet version. Then one night I awoke from a yarny dream, where there existed the perfect combination of a solid crochet square, with a soft, floppy drape. I just had to get out of bed and test out what was in my mind. It worked up like a charm.
A wonderfully soft and supple fabric is created due to the chains within the Tweed Stitch. It has a nice stretch to it, and it is worth experimenting by going up half or 1 hook size.
Gauge
Although gauge is not incredibly important, here are my completed 20-Row squares dimensions:
DK weight yarn: 11cms square /4.3 inches square
Fingering weight yarn: I've yet to make one!
Before You Begin
This square is made starting at the bottom corner, and then worked back and forth in rows along the 2 sides, increasing by 2 stitches when you reach the centre of the upper corner.
The 3Dc increase is always worked in the centre stitch of the 3Dc of the previous row. You may find it useful to mark this centre stitch when you make it, to make it easier to identify in the next row.
The 1Ch at the beginning of rows does not count as a stitch; it is a turning chain. You may want to mark the first Dc of each new row to avoid confusing the turning chain with the last stitch.
When instructed to work into the Chain-1-space (abbr: Ch1sp), be sure to work the stitch into the space below the chain and not just into the top 2 loops.
You essentially repeat Rows 7 & 8, just increasing the amount of bracket repeats by 1, however I have still chosen to write up the instructions for each row. Below I have also included a chart.
UK Terminology: (for those in the US, you simply replace 'Dc' for 'Sc')
Make a Magic Circle
Row 1: 1Ch (here and throughout this 1Ch does not count as a stitch - it is a turning chain),
In the Magic Circle make 3Dc.
[3 sts]
Row 2: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 3Dc in next st, 1Dc in last st.
[5 sts]
Row 3: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Ch, skip next st, make 3Dc in next st, 1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in last st.
[7 sts]
Row 4: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st, make 3Dc in next st, 1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Dc in last st.
[9 sts]
Row 5: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st, make 3Dc in the next st, 1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in last st.
[11 sts]
Row 6: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 2, make 3Dc in next st, (1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp) x 2, 1Dc in last st.
[13 sts]
Row 7: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Ch, skip next st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 2, 3Dc in next st, 1Ch, skip next st, (make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 2, 1Dc in last st.
[15 sts]
Row 8: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 3, make 3Dc in next st, (1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp) x 3, 1Dc in last st.
[17 sts]
Row 9: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Ch, skip next st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 3, 3Dc in next st, 1Ch, skip next st, (make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 3, 1Dc in last st.
[19 sts]
Row 10: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 4, make 3Dc in next st, (1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp) x 4, 1Dc in last st.
[21 sts]
Row 11: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Ch, skip next st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 4, 3Dc in next st, 1Ch, skip next st, (make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 4, 1Dc in last st.
[23 sts]
Row 12: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 5, make 3Dc in next st, (1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp) x 5, 1Dc in last st.
[25 sts]
Row 13: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Ch, skip next st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 5, 3Dc in next st, 1Ch, skip next st, (make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 5, 1Dc in last st.
[27 sts]
Row 14: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 6, make 3Dc in next st, (1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp) x 6, 1Dc in last st.
[29 sts]
Row 15: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Ch, skip next st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 6, 3Dc in next st, 1Ch, skip next st, (make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 6, 1Dc in last st.
[31 sts]
Row 16: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 7, make 3Dc in next st, (1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp) x 7, 1Dc in last st.
[33 sts]
Row 17: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Ch, skip next st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 7, 3Dc in next st, 1Ch, skip next st, (make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 7, 1Dc in last st.
[35 sts]
Row 18: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 8, make 3Dc in next st, (1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp) x 8, 1Dc in last st.
[37 sts]
Row 19: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, 1Ch, skip next st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 8, 3Dc in next st, 1Ch, skip next st, (make 1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 8, 1Dc in last st.
[39 sts]
Row 20: 1Ch, 1Dc in first st, (1Dc in next Ch1sp, 1Ch, skip next st) x 9, make 3Dc in next st, (1Ch, skip next st, make 1Dc in next Ch1sp) x 9, 1Dc in last st.
[41 sts]
Fasten Off. Square Complete!
Additional Notes:
I suppose the downside of making the squares individually is that it will have to be sewn together. However the sacrifice of not picking up stitches (like you would if this was knitted) is balanced by the fact it is portable, right up until the final step of sewing it together. Plus, as there are 20 rows and the final row has a stitch count of 41, it leaves you with 1 corner stitch, 20 stitches along top, 20 stitches along the right-hand side, 20 row edges along the bottom and the same on the left. So there's no guessing and fudging it. It works out mathematically (for all you perfectionists out there!).
All that being said, there's no reason you can't join as you go! It is just my personal preference to make the squares separately first as it keeps it a simple, mobile, mindless project. I think as the squares have no 'right side', a join that is aesthetically pleasing is on both sides would be ideal.
Let me know what works for you and we can perfect this pattern together!
LxXx
