This is Part 8 of the CAL. Have you been following along? If so, you’re ready to go. If not head back and do, Parts 1 (main square rounds 1-6) , Part 2 (rows 7-9), Part 3 (finishing the main square) , Part 4 (small squares) , Part 5 (side strips) , Part 6 (finishing the sides) and Part 7 (gusset) first.. If you prefer to follow standard written instructions instead of the version with lots of pictures, head here.
PART 8 STRAP SQUARES
Make 12 or as many as you prefer for the length of the strap)
These are like mini granny squares, worked in groups of half trebles. There are only three rounds, the first two are regular rounds and then the third round is used to join a square to the next one – it’s a method called JAYG which stands for Join As You Go
Round 1: In a magic circle, work 2chain [counts as htr], then work 2htr, now a bit to repeat three times: (2ch, 3htr). Finally, work 2ch, and join with ss to top of the second chain. Fasten off. As usual you can start with a ring made up of 4chain stitches slip stitched together instead if you can’t do the magic circle.
How cute is that little square!
Round 2: Join yarn in a 2ch-space, and work (2ch [counts as htr], 2htr, 1ch 3htr), * in the next corner 2ch-sp work (3htr, 1ch, 3htr), rep from * twice, join with ss to 2nd ch. Fasten off.
The next round is only done on the very first square you make.
(For first square only) Round 3: Join yarn in a 1ch-sp in a corner, now work (3ch [counts as tr], 2tr, 2ch, 3tr) – this is the corner, * in the next space (ie between two groups of three trebles, on the side of the square), work 3tr, in the next corner space work (3tr, 2ch, 3tr), go back and repeat from * twice, then to finish, in the next side space work 3tr, join with ss to the 3rd ch. Fasten off.
The first square looks like this..
Now comes the clever round that you work on each square you make from now on – it sounds a bit complicated, but as long as you remember that you’re aiming to join along one side of the square to the one you’ve already made, it should make sense. And I’ve included lots of pictures to help. But if you do find it too complicated (which I’m sure you won’t) then you could just make the squares all as the first one, then sew or crochet all the individual squares together. However, give the JAYG method first, you’ll be glad you did once you get the hang of it!
(All subsequent squares) Round 3: Join yarn in a corner space, and work (3ch [counts as a treble], 2 more trebles, 2chain stitches and 3 trebles),
* in next space between groups of stitches on the side, work 3trebles, in the next corner space, work (3tr, 2ch, 3tr),
in next sp work 3tr.
Now comes the joining bit – you’re going to need to place your completed square next to the one you’re working.
In the next corner space work 3tr, then 1chain.
Now put your hook from front to back through the bottom right corner of the completed square making sure the right side of that square is facing you (see the picture below).
and work a slip stitch, which attaches the two squares together.
Now work 3tr in the corner space on your current square,
inset the hook into the space between groups of trebles on the completed square
and slip stitch here to join at this point too,
then 3tr in the next space between groups of trebles on current square,
slip stitch through the next space on completed square again,
work 3 trebles in corner space on the current square,
then 1ch, now slip stitch through the corner space on completed square,
then 3 treble in corner space on current square.
– that’s the joining bit completed, so now just work 3 trebles in the final space on the current square,
and join with a ss to the 3rd ch.
Fasten off.
Now attach another square that you’ve worked two rounds on to the strip in the same way.
I’m sure you’ll soon get the hang of it once you’ve made a few.
You can make as many squares as you like depending on how long you want your finished strap to be.
Once that’s done, block your strap out, and you’re ready to complete the bag in the next part – part 9, which is here.
If you get stuck, just email or contact me on facebook, instagram or twitter and I’ll try to help. And don’t forget to share all your pictures on social media! #SpringBagCAL