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.
Heather Roach says
I have made3 Charlotte squares and can’t wait to make them into an afghan. I have seen the Butterfly Garden squares but wondered if you had spotted any other blocks to suit Charlotte?
Dedri Uys says
Hi Heather. Butterfly Garden is the only one I can think of. There is one other square, but I have forgotten the name. It’s a vintage lace type of square…
catt napp says
So good advertising is to have it featured on Laying it All Out crochet newsletter, a newsletter for getting free patterns. Oh, well. Would have loved to have this pattern but I can’t put out dollars to buy a book.Great way to get free advertising for your stuff though.
Glenda G Castillo says
Actually catt napp there are three links ABOVE, each one bringing you to the FREE pattern for the Charlotte square, parts 1, 2, & 3. Scroll up to just under the first picture and the update message. Click on the words: Part 1, then Part 2, etc. Hope this helps. Dedri would never “advertise free” if it wasn’t. You’ll see what an amazing blog she has. Stick around a while. Almost everyone here will be sooo helpful.
Bonnie Dyer says
Dedri, I just love this pattern. I want to make a afghan for my son and daughter-in law, that looks like the colors of a glacier’s. They gifted me with a trip to Alaska three weeks ago, and your beautiful square will make them a beautiful gift. Could you suggest the colors? I was thinking of 810, 804 and a white. Thank you for your help. Bonnie Dyer
Dedri Uys says
Hi Bonnie, what an amazing gift! A trip to Alaska!! When you say 810 and 804, which yarn are you referring to? Same as me, or a different kind?
The crafty nana says
Just found this and I love the color combination along with this design. Thank you.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you :)
Ewa says
I saw this. It’s amazing. I’m a old hen. It’s my first time on Internet looking for pattern and reading blogs.
So my question is: do i have to try download everything now. Or can i still find everything hier in 3-6 months time.
Sorry for my odd question a my spelling. I’m new and English isn’t my language.
Again your site is really really good.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Ewa. The pattern will be available indefinitely. If you come back in 3 to 6 months it will def still be here. You can always use the print-friendly button to save each part as a pdf to your computer if you want to.
I think your english is just fine :)
Lisa says
I truly loved this. The pattern was easy and super fun. I’m disappointed that I have to lay it aside till next year. Chances of getting this back out and completing it are slim. Well, it was nice while it lasted.
alison mcdonough says
This is simply lovely! May I ask, is it a plan to become a large blanket or do you have recommendations on how to continue and make it into a blanket? Thank you!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Alison. I will be growing this pattern, but it won’t be ready for public consumption until next year. Have a great Easter,
Dedri
Trish says
This is so beautiful Dedri! It has such a delicate look. I’m just going to have to make it for my bed!
Jenny says
You will love making it! :)
Marie says
Hi Dedri,
How many squars wil make a kingsize bed throw?
Jenny says
Marie, it depends on your yarn choice and tension. If you make one, then it will be easy to work out from there :)
Jana says
I don’t know what to say about this- it’s just too beautiful for words!! I LOVE the vintage look of it all.
Can’t wait for the pattern!! This one I think I can do!!
Thank you SO MUCH Dedri!!!
Dedri Uys says
You are most welcome :)
Jackie Pudvay says
Oh Thank-you Dedri for the beautiful square pattern. You do such beautiful work. I’m going to go out and get my yarn as soon as I finish printing this pattern. I’m looking forward to next weeks Part 2, so I’m taking my notebook so if I get that far on my squares I’ll be able to get next part. Thank-you again, have a great week.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Jackie. Are you off on a trip then that you have to take your notebook?
Mary says
Absolutely beautiful!
Sylvia says
This is so beautiful!! I can’t wait. You have such beautiful patterns. Thanks for sharing!!
Kristine says
I would like to make several of these beautiful squares to make one larger blanket. Can you tell me the approximate yardage required for each 17″ square? I’d like to buy in dye lots accordingly from Wool Warehouse to ship to the US.
Appreciate your time :)
Dedri Uys says
Hi Kristine. The yardages supplied are for 1 17″ square, provided that you work to the same gauge as me. If you multiply them by 17 (18 to be on the safe side), you’ll know how much to get.
Dedri
Lauren says
I wish we got this Scheepjes here in South Africa! Lovely lovely square! Well done!
Dedri Uys says
Lauren, Be Inspired does sell Scheepjes yarn in South Africa. I am not sure if they stock Aquarel yet, but if they don’t, they soon might? It’s worth enquiring. You can find them here: http://beinspired.love/shop-yarn/
Bobbi says
I was wondering how much of each color was used for the completed square?
Dedri Uys says
Hi Bobbi. The yardages at the start of this pattern are for one completed 17″ square.
Jackie says
I too can hardly wait for this square pattern too. I’m going to Florida in 10 days and would love to work on this square while I’m gone.It’s such a beautiful pattern, hopefully it will be available before I go. Really excited about this pattern.
Dedri Uys says
I had an unforeseen problem with the pattern, so it has taken me longer than anticipated to photograph. It will be up as soon as I can get all the photos done.
AnneK says
Dedri, in the picture you show of the colors, #803 and #805 are both called Sunscape. Is this correct?
Dedri Uys says
Well spotted, AnneK. The pink should be floralscape! I have let Scheepjes know.
Jan says
Just elegant-Can’t wait for the pattern! Hope the yarn is available in US.
Blessings from Iowa
Linda says
I love this yarn and this square! I can’t wait for the pattern. The square has a “relaxed” feel to it that I love. I could picture this in a baby’s blanket as well as a wall hanging. Beautiful!!