Was one of your New Year resolutions to cut stress in your life? Well, you can do it with crochet. As well as being credited with relieving depression and anxiety, more and more people are saying that crochet can also help you to achieve mindfulness.
So, if you choose an attractive but repetitive pattern and some feel-good yarns, you could be well on your way to crocheting your own inner peace. Try our three 'mindful' pattern suggestions to help.
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1. Mitered granny squares
Watch the mitered granny square video tutorial:
Materials
For the five-color mitered granny square, you'll need five colors of the same type of yarn. Try worsted weight acrylic for a snuggly, easy-to-wash finish that won't break the bank. You'll also need an appropriately-sized hook, scissors, and a tapestry needle. If you use a 5.5 or 6mm hook, you should get a square which is between 7 and 8 inches in size.
For the five-color mitered granny square, you'll need five colors of the same type of yarn. Try worsted weight acrylic for a snuggly, easy-to-wash finish that won't break the bank. You'll also need an appropriately-sized hook, scissors, and a tapestry needle. If you use a 5.5 or 6mm hook, you should get a square which is between 7 and 8 inches in size.
Abbreviations
Ch chain
Sl st slip stitch
Dc double crochet
Rep repeat
* repeat from this asterisk as many times as asked.
Ch chain
Sl st slip stitch
Dc double crochet
Rep repeat
* repeat from this asterisk as many times as asked.
Written instructions
Start with a slip knot and ch5, join with sl st.
Row 1: ch3, then 2dc into ring for your first granny shell or cluster. *Ch2, then 3dc into ring, *rep twice more. Join into last ch of initial ch3 with a sl st.
Row 2: ch3 and turn. Working into corner space, 2dc. Ch2, then 3dc into same corner space. *Ch1 then 3dc, 2ch, 3dc, *rep three times. Ch1 and sl st into last ch of initial ch3. Fasten off.
Row 3: with second yarn color, join at top right hand corner and ch3. 2 dc into corner space, ch1, 3dc into next sp, ch1, 3dc, 2ch, 3dc, ch1, 3dc, ch1, 3dc, ch3.
Row 4: turn work and 3dc into first space. Then ch1 and 3dc into next sp, ch1, 3dc, ch2, 3dc and ch1, continue this pattern until the last 3dc, then ch1 and 1dc into the top of the ch3 from the row below.
Row 5 and onwards: this pattern now continues, with 3dc, 2ch, 3dc at each corner and 3dc, 1ch on straight sides, until the square reaches your desired size, with a color change every two rows.
Start with a slip knot and ch5, join with sl st.
Row 1: ch3, then 2dc into ring for your first granny shell or cluster. *Ch2, then 3dc into ring, *rep twice more. Join into last ch of initial ch3 with a sl st.
Row 2: ch3 and turn. Working into corner space, 2dc. Ch2, then 3dc into same corner space. *Ch1 then 3dc, 2ch, 3dc, *rep three times. Ch1 and sl st into last ch of initial ch3. Fasten off.
Row 3: with second yarn color, join at top right hand corner and ch3. 2 dc into corner space, ch1, 3dc into next sp, ch1, 3dc, 2ch, 3dc, ch1, 3dc, ch1, 3dc, ch3.
Row 4: turn work and 3dc into first space. Then ch1 and 3dc into next sp, ch1, 3dc, ch2, 3dc and ch1, continue this pattern until the last 3dc, then ch1 and 1dc into the top of the ch3 from the row below.
Row 5 and onwards: this pattern now continues, with 3dc, 2ch, 3dc at each corner and 3dc, 1ch on straight sides, until the square reaches your desired size, with a color change every two rows.
Pro tip: Mitered granny squares can be sewn up to create a variety of patterns, experiment and pick the design you like best. If you pick neon colors, you can create clever optical illusions with the squares.
2. Granny ripple
Alice Cullerne Brown
Watch the granny ripple video tutorial:
Materials
The good news is that you can use up lots of oddments of yarn in a granny ripple blanket, as long as you choose yarns of the same weight. DK or worsted yarns make a lovely cozy afghan but you may want to choose a lighter yarn, say a baby aran, for a baby blanket. Pick a hook to match your yarn weight. It's always a good idea to check the ball band for recommendations. You'll also need a tapestry needle and some scissors.
The good news is that you can use up lots of oddments of yarn in a granny ripple blanket, as long as you choose yarns of the same weight. DK or worsted yarns make a lovely cozy afghan but you may want to choose a lighter yarn, say a baby aran, for a baby blanket. Pick a hook to match your yarn weight. It's always a good idea to check the ball band for recommendations. You'll also need a tapestry needle and some scissors.
Abbreviations
Ch chain
Ch st chain stitch
Dc double crochet
Sl st slip stitch
Sk skip
Sp space
Ch chain
Ch st chain stitch
Dc double crochet
Sl st slip stitch
Sk skip
Sp space
Written instructions
Decide how wide you'd like your blanket to be and ch the appropriate number of stitches, in multiples of 18, plus 2.
Row 1: count six chains from your hook (without including the loop on the hook) and work 3dc into that chain. Sk 2ch, 3dc into next ch and repeat once, giving you 3 clusters of 3dc. Now sk 5ch and put 3dc into next ch. This creates your dip at the bottom of each chevron or ripple. Sk 2ch, 3dc into next ch. Sk 2ch again, 3dc into next ch sp. Now ch3 and work 3 more dc into the same ch sp, to create the triangle shape at the top of the chevron or ripple. Continue this pattern, with alternate dips and peaks, until the end of the row. Now ch5 and turn.
Row 2: From now on, work 3dc within the spaces as you come to them, following the pattern of peaks and dips. It's as simple as that!
Decide how wide you'd like your blanket to be and ch the appropriate number of stitches, in multiples of 18, plus 2.
Row 1: count six chains from your hook (without including the loop on the hook) and work 3dc into that chain. Sk 2ch, 3dc into next ch and repeat once, giving you 3 clusters of 3dc. Now sk 5ch and put 3dc into next ch. This creates your dip at the bottom of each chevron or ripple. Sk 2ch, 3dc into next ch. Sk 2ch again, 3dc into next ch sp. Now ch3 and work 3 more dc into the same ch sp, to create the triangle shape at the top of the chevron or ripple. Continue this pattern, with alternate dips and peaks, until the end of the row. Now ch5 and turn.
Row 2: From now on, work 3dc within the spaces as you come to them, following the pattern of peaks and dips. It's as simple as that!
3. Granny spiral
Watch the granny spiral video tutorial:
Materials
These granny squares look great worked in four colors of yarn, but you could simplify things by using only two colors. Choose a DK or light worsted weight yarn and check the yarn band for hook recommendations. You will also need a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a pair of scissors.
These granny squares look great worked in four colors of yarn, but you could simplify things by using only two colors. Choose a DK or light worsted weight yarn and check the yarn band for hook recommendations. You will also need a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a pair of scissors.
Abbreviations
Ch chain
Sl st slip stitch
St stitch
Sc single crochet
Hdc half double crochet
Ch chain
Sl st slip stitch
St stitch
Sc single crochet
Hdc half double crochet
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Written instructions
First create a slip knot and ch4, sl st into 4ch to make a circle.
Row 1: sc into circle then 1 hdc and 2dc. Now pull up a long loop of your first yarn so that the sts don't get pulled out. Leave this color yarn to one side without fastening off and attach second yarn color to the central circle up against the last dc of the previous color. Now sc into circle, followed by 1 hdc and 2dc, and pull up a big loop. Attach the third color in central circle and sc into circle, 1hdc and 2dc.
Row 2: take up your first color on your hook again and locate the first st in color 2. Go into the first sc in color 2 with your color 1, and work 2 dc. 1dc in next st, 2dc in next st. Leave last st of second color, pull up large loop
Row 3: pick up first color, 2dc into first st of second color. Then 1 dc in next 3 st, then 2dc. Bring up loop and change to next color and repeat sts until all colors have been worked.
Row 4: return to color 1, 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 5 st, 2dc in next st. Repeat with all colors.
Row 5: with color 1, 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 7st, 2dc in next st. Repeat with all colors.
Row 6: finish off by squaring away all colors. With first color, 2dc, then 1dc, then 1hdc, then 1sc, then sl st in final st. Repeat for all colors. Finish off and weave in ends.
First create a slip knot and ch4, sl st into 4ch to make a circle.
Row 1: sc into circle then 1 hdc and 2dc. Now pull up a long loop of your first yarn so that the sts don't get pulled out. Leave this color yarn to one side without fastening off and attach second yarn color to the central circle up against the last dc of the previous color. Now sc into circle, followed by 1 hdc and 2dc, and pull up a big loop. Attach the third color in central circle and sc into circle, 1hdc and 2dc.
Row 2: take up your first color on your hook again and locate the first st in color 2. Go into the first sc in color 2 with your color 1, and work 2 dc. 1dc in next st, 2dc in next st. Leave last st of second color, pull up large loop
Row 3: pick up first color, 2dc into first st of second color. Then 1 dc in next 3 st, then 2dc. Bring up loop and change to next color and repeat sts until all colors have been worked.
Row 4: return to color 1, 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 5 st, 2dc in next st. Repeat with all colors.
Row 5: with color 1, 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 7st, 2dc in next st. Repeat with all colors.
Row 6: finish off by squaring away all colors. With first color, 2dc, then 1dc, then 1hdc, then 1sc, then sl st in final st. Repeat for all colors. Finish off and weave in ends.