Nuts about Squares CAL: Border

If you are reading this blog post, you are most likely following Nuts About Squares CAL. And if not – be sure to check it out! This CAL is about incredibly beautiful blanket made of squares by different designers and put together by Esther Dijkstra of It’s All In A Nutshell. Esther chose each square carefully, so that altogether they “play” in harmony. This CAL is about structure, texture and different techniques. A true crochet adventure! Read my interview with Esther HERE to learn more about her idea.

Nuts About Squares CAL. Photo credit: Scheepjes

When Esther asked me to design a border for her blanket, I couldn’t resist. Of course! Such a honor! Esther asked for something textured but simple at the same time to frame the entire blanket and to support square patterns. And I gave it a try in overlay crochet.

This border was designed especially for Nuts About Squares CAL (squares with 44 stitches on each side) but you can use it for any blanket! The only important thing you should keep in mind is that stitch count on the first round, which should be multiple 4 plus one stitch.

Nuts About Squares CAL. Photo credit: Scheepjes

You will need yarn in 4 shades for this border. Please, check Esther’s blog HERE to get complete information about colors and yardages for each of three color ways (and just to remind you, kits for NAS blanket are available at Wool Warehouse* and Deramores* (both are located in UK and ship orders internationally).

Video tutorial for the border is available HERE.
And you can also download Dutch translation of the pattern (Nederlands patroon) HERE.

Abbreviations (US terms)

US standard abbreviations are used in this pattern. Please check this Crochet Translation Project which might be helpful in translation to your native language.

BL(O) – back loop (only)
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
FL – front loop
FPtr – Front post treble crochet
FPdtr – front post double treble crochet
FPtr2tog – front post treble 2 together
FPst2tog – front post “stitches” 2 together (each leg is a different stitch)
NJ – “needle join”
rnd – round
sc – single crochet
sp(s) – space(s)
st(s) – stitch(es)
SPsc – spike stitch

[...] - [crochet following directions] as many times as indicated

*...* - *crochet following directions* as many times as indicated

 

Pattern Notes:

1. New yarn is attached by simply pulling a loop into indicated st.
2. Ch1 in the beginning of each round counts as first sc.
3. Work all rounds in BLO unless otherwise stated on the pattern.
4. Finish every rnd with “needle join” (or “invisible join”).

Nuts About Squares CAL. Photo credit: Scheepjes

INSTRUCTIONS

Copyright LillaBjornCrochet 2017. All rights reserved. This pattern is for unlimited personal use only. Do not reproduce or sell the pattern. The pattern may not be translated other than for persoanl use, copied in any way (print or digitally), in part or in full. Items may be sold that are made from this pattern as long as the designer is credited. Shop owners, if you wish to make a kit with yarn using this pattern, please request permission and copyright details from me before offering any kits for sale. Please, read Copyright page for more information.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue

Rnd 1. With C1 work through both lps. Attach yarn in first st after ch2-sp in any corner of large rectangle.
Ch1 (counts as first sc), [44sc, 1sc in ch2-sp, 1sc in seam, 1sc in next ch2-sp, 44sc, *1sc in ch2-sp, 2sc in seam, 1sc in next ch2-sp, 44sc* repeat till next corner, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next ch2-sp in the corner] 4 times; NJ in first sc after ch1 in beg of the rnd. (1140 sc: 333 sc on long side, 237 sc on each short side and 4 ch2-sps)

Rnd 2. Change to C2. Attach yarn in BL of any st. Work this and ALL next rnds in BL!!!
Ch1 (counts as sc), sc around making (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in each ch2-sp in the corner, NJ in first sc after ch1. (1148 sts: 335 sts on each long side, 239 sts on each short side and 4 ch2-sps)

Rnd 3. Note: skipped st in the end of last repeat on each edge counts as worked.
Change to C3. Attach yarn in first sc (BL) after ch2-sp.

*3sc (first sc is ch1), dc (FL) in 3rd st after ch2-sp of rnd 1, skip 1 st,
[3sc, skip 3 sts on rnd 1, dc (FL) in next st on rnd 1, skip 1 st on rnd 2] till you come to next corner leaving 3 unworked sts before ch2-sp, 1sc in next 3 sts, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next ch2-sp* 4 times, NJ in first sc after ch1. (1156 sts and 4 ch2-sps)

Rnd 4. Change to C4. Attach yarn in first sc (BL) after ch2-sp.
*1sc (first sc is ch1), 1tr (FL) in 2nd sc after ch2-sp of rnd 1, skip 1 st on rnd 3, 1sc,
[3sc, 1SPsc] till you come to the next corner leaving 6 unworked sts before ch2-sp, 4sc, 1tr (FL) in 2nd st of rnd 1 before ch2-sp, skip 1 st on rnd 3, 1sc, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next ch2-sp* 4 times, NJ in first sc after ch1. (1164 sts and 4 ch2-sps: 2tr in each corner)

Rnd 5. Change to C2. Attach yarn in first sc (BL) after ch2-sp.
*1sc (first sc is ch1), 1tr (FL) in first sc of rnd 2 after ch2-sp, skip 1 st on rnd 4,
[3sc, SPsc] till you come to the next corner leaving 5 unworked sts before ch2-sp, 3sc, 1tr (FL) on rnd 2 in first st before ch2-sp, skip 1 st on rnd 4, 1sc, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next ch2-sp* 4 times, NJ in first sc after ch1. (1172 sts and 4 ch2-sps: 2tr in each corner)

Rnd 6. Change to C3. Attach yarn in first sc (BL) after ch2-sp.
Note: legs of each FPtr2tog will be made around dc of rnd 3 lying to the right and to the left. After this rnd EVERY dc of rnd 3 will be covered with 2 FPsts.
Skipped st in the end of last repeat on each edge counts as worked.

*2sc (first sc is ch1), 1FPst2tog (make first leg (FPtr) around first sc of rnd 3 after ch2-sp, and make 2nd leg (FPdtr) around next dc of rnd 3), skip 1 st on rnd 5, 2sc,
[3sc, FPtr2tog, skip 1 st on rnd 5] till you come to the next corner leaving 8 unworked sts before ch2-sp, 5sc, 1FPst2tog (make first leg (FPdtr) around last dc of rnd 3 on this side, and make 2nd leg (FPtr) around first sc of rnd 3 just before next ch2-sp, skip 1 st on rnd 5, 2sc, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next ch2-sp* 4 times, NJ in first sc after ch1. (1180 sts and 4 ch2-sps)

Rnd 7. Change to C1. Attach yarn in BL of any st.
Ch1 (counts as sc), sc around making (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in each ch2-sp in the corner, NJ in first sc after ch1. (1188 sts and 4 ch2-sps)

Rnd 8. Change to C4. Attach yarn in first sc (BL) after ch2-sp.
*4sc (first sc is ch1), 1SPsc, [3sc, 1SPsc] till you come to the next corner leaving 4 unworked sts before ch2-sp, 4sc, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next ch2-sp* 4 times, NJ in first sc after ch1. (1196 sts and 4 ch2-sps)

Rnd 9. Change to C2. Attach yarn in first sc (BL) after ch2-sp.
*[3sc, 1SPsc] till you come to the next corner leaving 3 unworked sts before ch2-sp, 3sc, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next ch2-sp* 4 times, NJ in first sc after ch1. (1204 sts and 4 ch2-sps)

Rnd 10. Change to C1. Attach yarn in BL of any st.
Ch1 (counts as sc), sc around making 1sc in each ch2-sp in the corner, NJ in first sc after ch1. (1208 sts)

And here is video made by Esther to help you:

Ta-dah!!! You can’t even imagine how excited I am to say this: your Nuts About Squares Blanket is now finished!!!

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