On to Part 4 – the squares along the top of the square
Part 4 of the crochet-along starts here, but i you’ve just found this page, you can start with these squares, and then go back and do Parts 1 (rows 1-6 of main squares), Part 2 (rows 7-9), and 3 (finishing the main squares) starting here. But if you prefer standard written instructions instead of the version with pictures, head here.
And don’t forget, if you’re still on one of the previous parts, it doesn’t matter – there’s no rush, just take as long as you want!
SMALL SQUARES (make 6)
Round 1: Either make a circle from 4 chain stitches joined with a slip stitch, or start with a magic circle.
Now work 3 chain stitches [counts as a half treble and 1 chain], then work (htr, 1ch) seven times, and join with ss to the 3rd chain at the start.
Fasten off. You should now have a circle of spokes – like the beginning of the main square, but a bit smaller.
Round 2: Join yarn into a space with a ss, (work 3ch, then slip stitch into the next space) 7 times,
another 3ch, and join with ss to the first stitch. Fasten off. It should look like this…
Round 3: Join yarn in a chain space on Round 1, work 1 chain stitch [counts as a double crochet],
(work 2ch, then a double crochet in next sp on Round 1) 7 times – you’ll have a stitch of the current round sitting next to a stitch from round 2 – here’s the first one done.
Finally 2 chain stitches, join with ss to the 1st chain. Fasten off. It should look like this…
Round 4: Join yarn in a 2-chain space and work (3ch [counts as a treble here] 2tr, 2ch, 3tr),
* in the next 2ch-sp, work 3 half trebles,
then in the next 2ch-sp work (3tr, 2ch, 3tr).
Now go back to the asterisk and repeat from the * twice – you should now have three sides and four corners completed, so just work 3htr in the next 2ch-sp, and join with ss to the third chain. Fasten off. Here’s what that looks like when the round’s finished.
Nearly there – just two rounds to go
Round 5: Join yarn in a corner space and work (3ch [counts as dc and 2ch] plus another dc),
*now work (2ch, double crochet in next space between groups of trebles) twice, [NB these groups of three trebles are quite close together, so make sure you’re working between the groups] then 2ch, dc into the corner space, 2ch and a dc in the same corner space – it should look like this…
Repeat from the asterisk twice, then to finish the round (2ch, and dc in next sp) twice, and finally 2ch, and join with ss to the first ch. Fasten off. Here’s the completed round.
Last round coming up…
Round 6: Join yarn in a corner space and work (2ch [counts as a dc, plus 1ch], then another dc),
then * (a double crochet in the next stitch, then 2dc in the 2-chain space) this bit in brackets needs doing 3 times,
Once you’ve done that bit 3 times, you’re up to the corner, so work a double crochet in the next st, (1dc, 1ch, 1dc) in the corner sp.
Now go back and repeat from * twice. Now to finish, work (1dc in next st, 2dc in next sp) 3 times, and 1dc in next st, and finally join with ss to first ch. Fasten off.
The finished small square looks like this…
You can vary the colours as you like! I’ve chosen to do the final round in the same colour as the final round of the main square, but it’s entirely up to you! You need to make six of these squares – that’s 3 for each side of the bag.
Don’t forget, you need to make 6 of these squares altogether, so get crocheting . Ready for Part 5? Part 5 is here
Share your photos on social media with the hashtag #SpringBagCAL
And if you get stuck – get in touch by email, facebook, instagram or twitter and I’ll try to help.