This is one of those ‘Look at what I made!’ moments that prompted me to start blogging in the first place. I have been sitting on this large crochet square for quite some time now. Not literally sitting, but you know what I mean. Today I finally get to show it to you and I can barely contain myself.
Charlotte {Large Crochet Square}
This square is made in three parts using Scheepjes Aquarel and a 4 mm Clover Amour crochet hook (US G/6 UK 8). Using this hook and yarn, the final square is 44cm (17.3″). If you use worsted weight and a 5.5 mm crochet hook, your square should be 24″ or more (depending on your personal gauge). I have seen some truly GIANT ones!!
Materials
- 4 mm Clover Amour crochet hook (US 6/G UK 8)
- Scheepjes Softfun Aquarel (60% cotton/40% acrylic), 50g/140m/153yds
- Colour A – Cloudscape (804) – 162m
- Colour B – Riverscape (802) – 62m
- Colour C – Cityscape (806) – 112m
Gauge
Your motif should measure:
- At the end of Round 13: 16.5cm (6.5″)
- At the end of Round 18: 22.5cm (8.8″)
- At the end of Round 36:44cm (17.3″)
Instructions
You can find the instructions for the Large Charlotte Square here:
- Part 1 – Central Square
- Part 2 – Triangles
- Part 3 – Border
- Video Tutorials by Esther Dijkstra from It’s All in a Nutshell
Translations
Written Only
These written-only translations have been done by the wonderful group of translators in the CAL – Crochet A Long Facebook group.
Step-by-step Translations
You can find additional step-by-step translations for the following languages at the start of each Part.
- Dutch
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Korean
- Spanish
- Swedish
You can add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue HERE and you can find more information about the square below.
If you enjoyed making this square and would like to continue growing it, please have a look at Charlotte’s Sunshine Baby and Charlotte’s Universe.
How This Square Came About
(Also know as: The Blogpost I Wrote Before I Published the Pattern)
Some of you will have seen the Mandala Rug I made using my friend John’s Blooming Mandala pattern. I just love that rug so much! It lives on the back of our couch and I often look at it while I crochet. Every time I look at it, I can see it growing bigger and bigger in all sorts of dimensions and shapes. When I received a few skeins of the new Scheepjes Aquarel to try out (top secret at the time), all I could think of was John’s mandala.
So I messaged John and asked him if I could use a smaller version of his central flower in my new square. John kindly agreed and so I am once again embarking on a project that started its life as a seed from someone else’ tree. But you know what? I love the fact that Sophie started life as the central flower of Chris Simon’s Lace Petals Square and I love the fact that this, my new baby, started its life as a much-loved design by a dear friend.
I created a small square first (equivalent to 12″ if using worsted weight yarn and a 5.5 mm hook). It is a marriage of dense stitches and lacy bits. Mr. Lookatwhatimade was not at all sure that what I was doing would work (and nor was I, truth be told), but he grudgingly conceded that he liked the square once it was completed. It really rattles me when he doesn’t like a design half-way. I keep forgetting that he can’t see my thoughts and therefore doesn’t ‘see’ what I see.
I then added 4 triangles and a border to create a large crochet square equal to 4 of the ‘small’ squares. Before the border went on, Mr. Lookatwhatimade once again found it necessary to tell me that it wasn’t working, but as soon as the border was added, he liked it again. So fickle!
Using Scheepjes Softfun Aquarel and a 4 mm crochet hook (US G/6 UK 8), the final square worked up to a size of 17″ (42 cm). Aquarel has just been ‘launched’, so it should be available to buy by the time I start posting the pattern in a week or two.
I have to tell you that I love the yarn! It has a stonewashed, ombre, hand-dyed vibe, all rolled into one. It feels modern and ancient at the same time; substantial and light as air. It really messes with my head!
The square itself also feels ‘old’. Not vintage or historical or classic… It feels as if each stitch aged a hundred years the moment it slipped off my hook. I don’t know how to explain it.
Aquarel is available in 11 gorgeous colours. I am using Cloudescape (804), Cityscape (806) and Riverscape (802).
Update: Aquarel is now available from Wool Warehouse. You can find a list of other Scheepjes retailers HERE.
The pattern for this square will be released in a couple of weeks. In the meantime I am contemplating names (I have a favourite already, but there are complications) and imagining growth (so many options).
Update: It has a name now, although not the name I had originally wanted to use. I really really REALLY wanted to call this square ‘Anna Begins’, but after contacting Counting Crows to no avail, I settled on my second choice: Charlotte! I think it was a better choice anyway :)
This square was designed for 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
Kim says
Love, Love, LOVE the understated elegance of this piece.There is something so comforting about it, like an old friend whose beauty strikes you suddenly in mid conversation. Keep up the wonderful work and thank you for sharing yourself so generously.
Dedri Uys says
Oh Kim, what wonderful lyrical words!
Jackie says
Very very nice square. I loved it the moment I seen it. Can’t wait till it’s for sell, sign me up I’m all in on this one. It’s just beautiful and I can’t wait to order the yarn & get started. You do such nice work. Thank-you.
Jana says
It’s a free and generous pattern Jackie. There are three parts you can download.
shweta says
Wow it’s so beautiful! Can’t wait to see the pattern!
Carol D says
Oh my! Just when I was thinking you would never top Sophie – you’ve come very close here!
I’m loving this…and will, like everyone else, wait with bated breath. I may have to wait til I see you to get it! as the Yarn Retreat is sort of sneaking up on us.
This is just lovely! I know this one will be on my hook before too long. Thank you, once again, Dedri, for such a beautiful design! You have such a beautifully creative mind!
I check in with Lucy at Attic 24 frequently, as well for “color therapy”….and her posts always have such lovely photos of the English countryside around her. Would love to be able to visit that part of the country some time.
Thanks again…reading this right before bedtime and now I can sleep with beautiful visions of this block in my mind!
G’night!
Joan Ashworth says
As a ‘hope-to-be-able-to-crochet-without-errors crochet student, I was so excited when I found your website. And as for the water coloured blanket square – it is so gentle and beautiful.
Thank you so much.
lana connelly says
I am excited to get the pattern, love the square, have been hoping for another big to me project after Sophie and this will be it. Thanks it is LOVELY. LANA CONNELLY, OKLA
Rose says
Can’t wait for this pattern, it’s so delicate.
Barb says
I love this! I’ve been looking for a new square to try. This one is perfect…can hardly wait for the pattern!
Nancy Claussen says
This square is quite wonderful!! I know I’ll be making it for something nice in the future. I’m really looking forward to the pattern.
Cathleen says
What a fantastic design! I have loved following you since I accidentally discovered you last winter. You have taught me so much and I LOVE your work.
Many thanks from a fan,
Cathleen
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Cathleen!
Jackie says
I love it and can’t wait till I can buy the pattern. It sure works for me.
Tori says
Beautiful! Any luck on the name? I recall you saying it may be a song title. Did you ever hear back from the band? Thanks for all the amazing inspiration, your Sophie changed my world. I’m now working on the Block a Week CAL (one of many WIPs).
~Tori
Dedri Uys says
No luck, Tori, although it was a little bit ambitious hoping that Counting Crows would respond. I am still thinking about it.
kristie says
this is breath taking and I would love to use it for a new baby blanket I haven’t been inspired to make anything but I saw this square and went crazy!!! THIS IS IT!! PLZ post the pattern soon!
thank you in advance
kristie
Dedri Uys says
Hi Kristie.
The pattern will be available in 2 weeks :) I’m glad you like it!
Diane E. says
Is there any place in the USA that sells this yarn? If not,, can you suggest a yarn that will give similar results? I think this is just gorgeous, and can’t wait to get started.
Dedri Uys says
Diane, the yarn will be available from Wool Warehouse very soon (they ship internationally). I can’t recommend a similar type, because I have never seen a yarn that works up quite like this one. It is a mix of hand-dyed, ombre, and flecked.
Georgina says
Love it can’t wait for the pattern , and can’t wait for your next cal , thank you and have a great day x x much love sent your way
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Georgina :)
Kathleen says
Wow! I love the square, both for it’s final appearance (and I liked it along the way, too) but also for it’s construction. It showcases what I love best about crochet- you can start almost anywhere, mixing and complementing shapes to get something that is both instantly recognizable and fresh at the same time.
And I love the look of this yarn. I can’t wait to try it and the pattern. Thanks for an always great post.
Dedri Uys says
Ooh, Kathleen, I love how you write. I wish I could come up with phrases like ‘instantly recognizable and fresh at the same time’. I’m glad you like the square and thankful that you took the time to comment.
Dedri
ps. May I quote you at some point?
Tammy says
This is SO gorgeous!! I can’t wait till you release the pattern!!! Thank you so very much for so generously sharing all your incredible work!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Tammy :)
Dorthe Sommermark says
So Beutiful – I love it
So new and light
Lesley Jackson says
what a beautiful square, cannot wait for you to release it. It shows the wool off brilliantly, looks so soft and gentle xxx
Adrie Strong says
Well done! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Can’t wait to see what you are goung do with this gorgeous square! Your Sophie’s Universe set me free!! Love from sunny South Africa x
Dedri Uys says
Baie dankie, Adrie!