PATTERN: Solid Spiral Granny Square (translated from Patty Crochète)

In my hunt for something to do with my beyoooootiful Stylecraft Special DK yarns, I have scoured the internet for ideas, patterns, inspiration - something that will show off this yarn to its fullest. 

I love rainbows, and in my travels around the web the same picture kept coming up for rainbow granny spirals: The Granny Spiral by Patty Crochète. This was it, the one. It was calling me.  

One small problem - the pattern is written in French (although with an excellent photo tutorial) and I could not find a proper English translation anywhere! Google Translate helped a bit, as did some excellent Googlefu (and proper reading) from the ladies in the Creative Crochet Crew group on Facebook. I really believed there was a market for this pattern in the English speaking world, especially as I had seen it in so many places, on so many Pinterest boards and inspiration boards.

The incredible designer of this square, Patricia Damême, can be found on her blog here, her Facebook page here, and on Pinterest here, and I absolutely recommending checking her out in all of those places as her work is just amazing.

With her permission, the English translation of the Solid Granny Spiral Square :D, which is also available on Ravelry for easy queueing or favouriting for later! 

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PATTERN TRANSLATION: SOLID GRANNY SPIRAL SQUARE
Translated from: The Granny Spiral by Patty Crochète
Ravelry Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/solid-spiral-granny-square

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Abbreviations (US terms):

ch = chain stitch

dc = double crochet

tr = treble crochet

sl st = slip stitch

You'll need 4 colours of the same weight yarn.

Notes:

* All stitches are worked in the top of each stitch of the previous row, not between the stitches, unless otherwise specified. You could do an interesting variation with using back loops only, or both loops for a smooth finish.

* I don't recommend using the Magic Circle to start this square, as it makes the square rows twist a bit. 

* As you stop working with each yarn, pull up a nice big loop or use stitch markers so you don't accidentally undo all your lovely work

* To stop your yarns getting tangled, at the end of each sequence of four colours turn your work ANTI CLOCKWISE to get back to the first colour. If you keep turning the same direction, you'll get an awful mess.

* If you get lost in the Steps 4 and 5 repeats, just remember that in each colour, the (dc, tr) (tr, 2dc) and (2dc, tr) (tr, dc) sequences alternate - just check what you did last corner! The current corner should also be the opposite to the one directly underneath.

STEP 1

With Colour A, ch 5, sl st into 1st ch to form a ring. Ch 3, 2dc into ring. The 3 chain of each colour is the loop you'll need in Step 3.

STEP 2

With Colour B, **join to ring. Ch3, 2dc into ring.** Repeat ** to ** for Colours C and D. 

STEP 3

With Colour A, **(dc, 2tr, dc) into 3ch loop of next colour.** Repeat ** to ** for Colours B, C and D. 

STEP 4

With Colour A, **dc into each dc of the previous row. In 1st tr of previous row, (dc, tr). In 2nd tr of previous row, (tr, 2dc).** Repeat ** to ** for Colours B, C and D.

STEP 5

With Colour A, **dc into each dc of the previous row. In 1st tr of previous row, (2dc, tr). In 2nd tr of previous row, (tr, dc).** Repeat ** to ** for Colours B, C and D.

STEP 6

Repeats Steps 4 and 5 until you get to one row short of your desired size.

STEP 7

To Finish: With Colour A, **dc in each dc, dc in 1st treble, dc in 2nd treble. Cut your yarn, leaving a tail for darning in, and pull through the loop on your hook. Weave in end.** Repeat ** to ** for Colours B, C and D.

And that's it! Ta-dah!

Update: I used the practice and tutorial squares to make up a Saggy Daggy Crochet Baggy - check out the photos here.