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This design uses three different blocks to create the large block -
Diamond in a square (4), Diamond in a rectangle (4) and Square/Diamond/Square (1).

I have used English terms throughout. There is little if nothing original in what’s been done here. You’ve probably used most of the techniques used.

This design can easily be made in any size because it is only dictated by the size of the diamond in the square – simply make that to the size you like and the rest will work from there. The Diamond in a rectangle is the size of two Diamond in a squares side by side. The Square/Diamond/Square will match the long side of the Diamond in a rectangle.  
INSTRUCTIONS
Work the Diamond in a Square...

After sorting some yarn, I found a lot of scraps & started to think of a simple way to use them up. As most of my work is donated to charity, I prefer maximum warmth, so granny squares were out LOL

This is what I came up with. It’s quick to work up and once assembled, really does almost confuse your eyes.

It’s a simple idea, but the effect is eye-catching! Not sure which way around I prefer!

The finished product - about 44" x 48"

Having grown up with only UK terms, this is a question I hadn’t heard before finding crochet on the internet - mostly in US terms.

It might help those who find it hard to swap between the two sets of terms to know US terms relate to HOW MANY TIMES YOU DRAW THROUGH LOOPS. UK terms relate to HOW MANY LOOPS ARE ON THE HOOK!

The terms are almost the same, except in US terms, sc (single crochet) takes the place of dc (double crochet) in UK terms. Then the terms all move up one step - US dc becomes tr (treble or triple) UK, etc.

So in US terms, sc means draw through once, dc means draw through twice.

In UK terms dc means there are two loops on the hook before drawing through, tr means three loops on the hook before drawing through.

In both terms, all basic stitches relate to drawing through two loops until there is only one left.

So don’t be afraid if you see a different set of terms...

Grey is not a colour I use very often, but was looking for something to add to some blues, black and cream.

The bright colours I usually choose aren’t always appealing to males. This blanket was aimed at a wide appeal.

As with the geometric mandala, I’ve let the colour graduation do the work and kept the design fairly simple.

Some simple bands of colour around the edge and done.

The log cabin method gets addictive. For a variation, I worked some squares with a curved centre. Once that happened, some embellishment was needed - so the Rising Sun was born.

As always, the brights against a dark colour appealed to me.

Working out from there, it seemed sensible to stick with solid colours so the features would stand out.

Some granny squares and a few of the curved squares finished the idea.

With plenty of scraps last year, a rainbow project was calling me. When I spotted some blues and greys, the idea for a cubist sort of sky scene occurred to me.

The idea was to start with bright centres, represent clouds and sky with a rainbow.

I ended up with a sort of babette. The resulting blanket was donated to a local group who deal with mental health.

Quite happy with the result!

I spotted a method of working granny shells to fill in a square from the outside in a while ago and decided to give it a try.

There was a stack of variegated yarns I’d picked up cheaply, so just started to “doodle”.

Squares are worked, joining at the corners, then granny shells worked from the outside in.

Once I got the hang of it, the method is quite quick and simple!

3 Jan 2015

Just finished this variation of the Mandala layout. The watery end with the waves was a bit of a challenge! I find it really hard not to be symmetrical. Just managed to get a bit of a random feel in there LOL

Probably the hardest part is juggling the yarns I have on hand. As I donate everything I get for the blankets to charities, I have to get the yarn as cheaply as possible. It makes it difficult to work sometimes as different brands are very different to work and I can only use the colours I have on hand. it was getting a bit tight with the quantities of a few of the colours in this one!

I’ve worked the central squares so the outer “suns” are off-centre so the blue edging of the central shape pops a bit more.

Please do not duplicate, distribute, re-post or copy any of the contents. You are welcome to link to this page.

I’ve seen a lot of comments about the way I write my “patterns”.

My intention is more to write design notes with instructions, often for original techniques like the no-hole corners. This seems to be confusing to those who only crochet following row-by-row instructions. I do apologise for the confusion, but encourage all to read through them first and see what inspiration comes to you.

I’d like to encourage all to think about what they’re crocheting, how it’s put together, how shapes are produced, how colours interact and what else might work - crocheting outside the lines.

A few of my designs have been worked in more than one way - the original Mandala geometric was given some curves. The alternating sized strips log cabin has now been given some curves. Changes to how colour is used can completely change the work.

I’m not sure I’ve produced a piece of crochet that was an exact...