I saw this Paint Splatter Square in the Official CCC Social Group on Facebook a while ago. I fell in love with both its simplicity and it and its stash-busting potential. Here, finally, is a project that will help me use up the teeniest of scraps. You know, the ones that are so short you can barely roll them into a little ball?
I immediately contacted Suzi Lock, who had posted the squares. To my delight, she agreed to send me her pattern and photos so that I could share them here with you. As an added bonus, she even popped one of the squares in the mail for me.
So before I dish the dirt on the pattern, I would like to say a huge “Thank You!” to Suzi for sharing her pattern so freely, and for being such a joy to correspond with.
On a different note, my sister arrived this morning for a 3 week visit. As I’m typing this, she’s sittin here regaling me with tales of our youth and insights into past associations. Have I mentioned, yet, that she got an A for her thesis? And that she’s now a Mrs? I am in my happy place :)
Paint Splatter Square
© Suzi Lock 2014. All Rights Reserved.
“This is a great way of using up small pieces of left-over yarn. I used a DK yarn and a size 4mm hook, this achieved a square 6 ¼”. Depending on tension you may need to adjust.”
Abbreviations
UK Terminology used. See this comparative chart for abbreviations, or if you need any clarification. This square uses the UK Htr (half-treble crochet), which is the equivalent of a US Hdc (half-double crochet).
Notes
The initial ch st’s in each row count as a stitch. The last stitch of every row should fall in the top of the ch-2 at the beginning of the previous row.
Materials and Gauge
As mentioned above, Suzi made her square using double knit yarn and a 4 mm hook. I used Deborah Norville Everyday Solid Yarn-Mist
6 1/4 ” Square
Materials
- Double Knit Yarn (40 yards/36 meters)
- 4 mm Crochet Hook (US G/6 UK 8)
- Yarn Needle
- Scrap Yarn (about 1 yard/1 meter of each colour)
Gauge
10 rows and 15 stitches in a 4″ (10 cm) square
8 ” Square
Materials
- Worsted Weight Yarn (50 yards/45 meters)
- 5 mm Crochet Hook (US H/8 UK 6)
- Yarn Needle
- Scrap Yarn (about 1 yard/1 meter of each colour)
Gauge
12 rows and 18 stitches in a 4″ (10 cm) square
Instructions
“This is a very easy square to do, very effective for beginners.”
Foundation Chain
Using base colour, ch 32.
Row 1
Working into the top loop only of the foundation chain: htr in the 4th chain from the hook. Htr in the top loop only of each chain stitch to the end. You should end up with the initial ch-3, which counts as your first htr, and an additional 29 htr’s. Turn. {30 htr}
Row 2
Ch2 (this counts as your first htr). Htr in each st to the end, working into the top of the ch-2 at the end. Turn. {30 htr}
Rows 3 – 20
Repeat Row 2 another 18 times, or until desired size is reached. Please see the Note about Creating Holes below before continuing with the next 18 rows.
To Create the Holes for the Paint Splatters
“I recommend 5 or 6 per square”
When you reach the desired place, work 2 ch st’s and skip the next 2 htr’s. Then continue the rest of the row by making a htr in each st to the end. On the next row, when you get to the ch-2 space, make 2 htr’s into the ch-2 space, and continue making a htr in each st across. Repeat this randomly over the square. When you have made all 20 rows, or you have reached the desired size, fasten off the base colour and work away your tails of yarn. 
To Make the Paint Splatters
Take your coloured scrap yarn. Using a yarn needle, sew it all the way around the holes, using long and short stitches. Make sure that you cover the base colour around the hole. 
After a bit of trial and error, I found this way to be the most effective: Work all the way around the hole using short stitches (Photo 2). Go around the hole again, this time filling in any gaps and making longer stitches at random intervals (Photo 3). If you can still see some base colour peeking through (as in Photo 3), go around the hole again, filling any remaining gaps with some more short stitches (Photo 4). 
This is my finished square, made using Suzi’s pattern above. I used Deborah Norville Everyday Yarn (worsted weight). I am loving this yarn so much! So very much, in fact, that I bought another 25 skeins and had it shipped all the way from America. What a pity they don’t sell it in the UK! 
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Happy Hooking!
The photos in this post were edited using PicMonkey.
This Pattern was shared:
Cathy says
Glad to see so many people like this pattern as much as I do. I made a cute cuff bracelet in black yarn with multi colored holes. Thanks for sharing!
Dedri Uys says
You are most welcome. A friend of mine just made a really cute buggy cover with it :)
Celeste A. Rheaume says
Thank you Dedri, and Suzi. This reminds me of my brothers business of paint ball. Great pattern.
Paula says
Love this pattern, so many possibilities.. Going to make some as dishcloths think they would look adorable on my kitchen sink!
Belo says
This is perfect…I am trying to crochet a blanket for our upcoming family reunion…there were 14 siblings and this pattern simplified things for me..
Dedri Uys says
Are you going to crochet one for each family member? Eeps
Belo says
Hi Dedri…I am going to make 1 afghan using white as my main color and incorporate the other 14 colors/siblings as paint splatter…I am also considering 14 squares 2 of each color (28) solid and joining them to the paint splatter squares…I am really excited to see how it turns out
Belo says
Hi Dedri… Finally got all of my colored squares done and 14 white…so I attempted my first paint splatter but my holes seem larger than yours…what size needle did u use for the splatters. Any help is grtly appreciated
Dedri Uys says
Hi, you can use the contact me option in the menu at the top of this page to send me a photo so that I can better help you. I just used a normal yarn needle to make the splatters.
Tammy says
I’ve made up a few of the paint splatter squares..I’m trying to hook them together & it’s not working out to good. . How would you suggest to hook them together?
Belo says
Hello…how did u connect them?
Susan Harrison says
I think this would work when repairing Afghans or clothing that might have hole’s
Dedri Uys says
That is a brilliant idea, Susan.
Candace Proctor says
Super cute pattern. Love to crochet.
I want to make squares, then a scarf, then baby blankets!
Have so much leftover yarn. Thank-you
Dedri Uys says
You are most welcome :) One day I would like to make a baby blanket from this pattern too :) I can just imagine a fat little toe sticking through the paint splatter holes.
Denise says
This is a happy find! And I love hearing the creative ideas of others and enjoy your pleasant way of writing! Thank you!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Denise :)
Karen says
This would be amazing for an afghan and pillows for my daughters bed , her room is different colors and this would fit in perfect
Betty says
I think, not to sound tooo morbid, they will be a big component in my sons new afghan, since he LOVES zombies and I can see these as bullet holes! Great idea! Thank you for sharing!
Dedri Uys says
Betty, that is a brilliant idea!!! I might have to do that for my boys :)
Amy says
Would look really cute on a simple double crochet beanie!
Dedri Uys says
It would!
Kathy says
I have really enjoyed reading your blogs. Keep up the good work!
Maybe you can come and visit my blog too. It’s not as fancy but might still be fun to look at.
http://kimiikins.blogspot.com/
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Kathy. I will swing by when I get home tonight :)
Judy says
Making a “camo blankie for my #2 great grandson whose Daddy was a paintballer. This will be perfect for the paintball “splats” !!
Dedri Uys says
Oh that’s brilliant. A paintball paintsplatter blanket :)
Celina Lane says
This is too fun. Trying to image how many ideas this can be used with.
Dedri Uys says
I want to do a baby blanket like this :) Let’s see if I get the time!
Rhondda Mol says
I love this idea Dedri! What a fantastic blanket you can make using these squares!
Mary says
I love this
Dedri Uys says
Just what I was thinking, Rhondda. I’ve already started, but I have a feeling my friend’s baby might arrive before I get time to finish x
Patricia @popsdemilk says
Oooooh I really like this! As you say, great way to use up those tiny bits of scrap yarn. Definitely going to try this for the next scarf or blanket I make. Thanks for sharing :)
Cyndi Miller says
I love this pattern. I make a lot of hats ( which is my passion) and I’m going to do this on some. It’s simple to add on anything. Let your imagination run crochet! TY so much A very happy hooker :)
Dedri Uys says
Oooh, now there’s a thought…splatter hats :)
Susan Harrison says
just finishing off a black beanie type hat with blue, pink, white and green ‘splatters’. I am loving it!!
Lorraine Sanchez says
Think pattern is so great! Perfect for a man
i was trying to find a pattern for.
Thanks for sharing!
Tammy says
Do you suppose you could use the same concept, but for an afghan?
Dedri Uys says
Definitely, Tammy. I think it would look great!
paulus says
magnifique création,on dirait des tache de peinture j’adore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!