~ X O squared ~

While waiting in the car for J's bus, I crocheted this square.  What should I name it?  I was thinking something like 'X-O squared' because when I look at it I can see the big X, and the circle, which is the O.  Sound stupid?  I don't know.  Let me hear everyone's ideas please.  :)

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Thanks for the name ideas ladies.  I liked 'hugs & kisses' but there are some projects out there with that name - and since a few of you said that you liked 'X O squared' - I'll go with that one.  Thanks again.  :)

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Materials:
- 4-ply ww acrylic
- I hook

Size:  6" 

Notes:
- ch 2 at beginning of rnds 1 & 2 do not count as a stitch.
- I crochet tight, so you may want to adjust the size of your crochet hook

Directions:

Rnd 1:  Ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to 1st dc.  (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around.  Join as before.  (24 dc)

Rnd 3:  Ch 5, dc in same dc as joining, skip next dc.  *(dc, ch 2, dc) in next dc, skip next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 5.

Rnd 4:  Sl st into ch 2 space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space.  *{ch 2, sc in next ch 2 space}, 2 times.  Ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  {ch 2, sc in next ch 2 space} 2 times.  Ch 2, join with a sl st to top of ch 3.

Rnd 5:  Sl st over to ch 2 corner space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space.  *ch 2, 3 dc in each of the next 3 ch 2 spaces.  Ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 corner space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Ch 2, 3 dc in each of the next 3 ch 2 spaces.  Ch 2 , join as before.

Rnd 6:  Sl st over to ch 2 corner space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space.  *ch 1, 2 dc in ch 2 space, dc in each of next 9 dc, 2 dc in ch 2 space, ch 1.  (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 corner space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Ch 1, 2 dc in ch 2 space, dc in each of next 9 dc, 2 dc in ch 2 space, ch 1.  Join as before.  End off.

***Debi Y's version***

~ cake for all ~

Materials:

- 1 1/2 oz. 4-ply ww acrylic
- J hook
- styrofoam  5" round x 2" thick
- flowers
- glue

Size:  approximately 6 1/2" (including ruffle) x 2 1/2"

Notes:

- do not join rnds, use a stitch marker
- I had to make my own size of the styrofoam (gluing and trimming)
- I crochet tight so you may want to adjust the size of your crochet hook

Directions:
 - for top and sides:

Rnd 1:  Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 2:  2 sc in each sc around.

Rnd 3:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) around.

Rnd 4:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) around.

Rnd 5:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc) around.

Rnd 6:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc) around.

Rnd 7:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc) around.

Rnd 8:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 6 sc) around.

Rnd 9:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 7 sc) around.

Rnd 10:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 8 sc) around.

Rnds 11 - 21:  Sc in each sc around.  At end of Rnd 21, join with a sl st to 1st sc, end off.

 - for bottom:

Repeat Rnds 1 - 10 of top.  At end of Rnd 10, join with a sl st to 1st sc, end off.

Insert styrofoam into top piece.

Matching stitches and holding top and bottom pieces together, whipstitch thru both loops of bottom piece and front loops of top piece together.

(I think that makes sense)

For trim:

Join with a sc in any free back loop, 2 dc in next loop.  *Sc in next loop, 2 dc in next loop.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc, end off.

Decorate as desired.

***Debi Y's pattern***

~ Squircle v-2 ~

~~my trusty pattern-writing notebook and sweet-smelling pencil (sprayed with Mary Kay's 'Thinking of You')~~

Materials:
- 4-ply ww acrylic yarn
- I hook

Size:  5"

Notes:
- ch 2 at beginning of Rnds 1 and 2 do not count as a stitch
- I crochet tight, so you may want to adjust the size of your crochet hook

Directions:
Rnd 1:  Ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to 1st dc.  (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around.  Join as before.  (24 dc)

Rnd 3:  Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2.  *sc in next dc, ch 2.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Rnd 4:  Sl st into ch 2 space.  (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space.  *ch 1, skip next 2 ch-2 spaces, 3 dc in next ch 2 space, ch 1, skip next 2 ch-2 spaces, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Ch 1, skip next 2 ch-2 spaces, 3 dc in next ch-2 space.  Ch 1, skip next 2 ch-2 spaces, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

Rnd 5:  Sl st over to ch 2 corner space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner space.  *{ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 space} twice.  Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 corner space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  {ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 space} twice.  Ch 1, join as before.

***Debi Y's pattern***

~ "I'm so blue" square ~

Materials:

- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic yarn
- J hook

Size:  6 1/4"

Notes:

- Ch 2 at beginning of Rnd 1 does not count as a stitch
- I crochet tight so you may need to adjust the size of your hook

Stitches:

- beginning cluster:  ch 2, yo, insert hook in space, yo, pull thru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, insert hook in same space, yo, pull thru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, pull thru last 3 loops.

- cluster:  yo, insert hook in space, yo, pullthru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, insert hook in same space, yo, pull thru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, insert hook in same space, yo, pullthru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, pull thru last 4 loops.

Directions:

Rnd 1:  Ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to 1st dc.  (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, *sc in next dc, ch 2.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Rnd 3:  Sl st into ch 2 space, (ch 4, dc) in same space, ch 1.  *(dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch 2 space, ch 1.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 4.

Rnd 4:  Sl st into ch 2 space, (beginning cluster, ch 3, cluster) in same space.  *(ch 2, sc in next ch 1 space) 2 times.  Ch 2, (cluster, ch 3, cluster) in next ch 1 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  (ch 2, sc in next ch 1 space) 2 times.  Ch 2, join with a sl st to beginning cluster.

Rnd 5:  Sl st into ch 3 space, (beginning cluster, ch 3, cluster) in same space.  *(ch 2, dc in next ch 2 space) 3 times.  Ch 2, (cluster, ch 3, cluster) in next ch 3 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  (ch 2, dc in next ch 2 space) 3 times.  Ch 2, join with a sl st to beginning cluster.

Rnd 6:  Sl st into ch 3 space, (beginning cluster, ch 3, cluster) in same space.  *ch 2, (2 dc in next space, dc in next dc) 3 times.  2 dc in next space, ch 2, (cluster, ch 3, cluster) in next ch 3 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  (ch 2, 2 dc in next space, dc in next dc) 3 times.  2 dc in next space, ch 2.  Join with a sl st to beginning cluster.

Rnd 7:  Ch 1, sc in same st.  Sc in each dc around with 2 dc in ch 2 spaces and 3 sc in ch 3 spaces.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

***Debi Y's version***

~ crochet hooks re-post ~

Hi Nicole - this re-post is for you.  :)

I made my first crochet hook handle in 2002 - I needed more substance to hold in my hand - I was having a problem with having to stop crocheting and stretch out my fingers every once in a while. I thought of tape but I didn't think that that would feel comfortable or look very nice. My next thought was polymer clay. I had a small stash of it leftover from trying to make beads, so I tried it and it worked great.

This is how I create my crochet hook handles:

Step 1: knead the polymer clay to make it more pliable. (by the way, I use Sculpey and Fimo polymer clays)

Step 2: wrap the polymer clay around your crochet hook handle and shape it to your preference. I roll the handle on my dining room table to help smooth it out.

-- if you plan on adding a glass bead to the top, do that now.  Use a head pin (found in the jewelry section in the craft store) to help secure the bead.  You will have to cut the head pin about 1/8" from the bead.

Step 3: bake in a toaster oven at 275* for 15 minutes per 1/4" thickness.

Once you get the gist of creating these handles, you can let your imagination go. My favorite style is swirling 2 or 3 colors together with a glass bead on top. I think they're pretty and they really help out my crocheting hand. :)

***Edited to add a couple of tips:

1.  use only metal crochet hooks.  I tried a plastic hook once and it drooped down.

2.  lay the polymer clay hook on a soft bed of quilt batting.

3.  fashion a little tent out of aluminum foil to cover the hook and quilt batting while baking.

** this post has pictures ** http://hooksandyarns.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-crochet-hooks.html

~ large ruffley squircle ~

Materials:

- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic:
   = background color
   = ruffle color
- I hook

Size:  approximately 6"

Notes:

- ch 2 at beginning of Rnds 1 - 3 do not count as a stitch.
- I crochet tight so you may want to adjust the size of your hook.

Directions:

Rnd 1:  With background color ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to back loop of 1st dc.  (12 dc)

==work next 3 rounds in back loops==

Rnd 2:  Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around.  Join as before.

Rnd 3:  Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, dc in next dc.  *2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

Rnd 4:  (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same st, ch 1, {skip next 2 dc, 3 hdc in next dc, ch 1} 2 times.  Skip next 2 dc.  *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next dc, ch 1, {skip next 2 dc, 3 hdc in next dc, ch 1} 2 times.  Skip next 2 dc.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.

Rnd 5:  Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch 1 space around with (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each corner space.  Join as before.

Rnd 6:  Ch 1, sc in each dc around with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner space.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

==for ruffles:

Rnds 1 - 3:  Join ruffle color with a sc to any front loop, ch 2.  *sc in next front loop, ch 2.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

==if you want a plain large squircle, just work all rounds in both loops and leave off the ruffles.

***Debi Y's version***

~ a cupcake hat ~

Materials:

- 4-ply ww acrylic yarn
  = approximately 1 oz. pink
  = approximately 1 oz. brown
  = small amount red
- J hook
- various buttons

Notes:

- ch 2 does not count as a stitch
- I crochet tight so you may want to adjust the size of your crochet hook.

Size:  This little hat fits a toddler.

Directions:

Rnd 1: With pink ch 3, 10 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a sl st to 1st hdc. (10 hdc)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, 2 hdc in each hdc around. Join as before. (20 hdc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in next hdc. *2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next hdc. Repeat from * around. Join as before.

Rnd 4: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in next 2 hdc. *2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 hdc. Repeat from * around. Join as before.

Rnd 5: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in next 3 hdc. *2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 3 hdc. Repeat from * around. Join as before.

Rnd 6: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in next 4 hdc. *2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in next 4 hdc. Repeat from * around. Join as before.

Rnds 7 - 12: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in each hdc around. Join as before. At end of Rnd 12, end off.

==Note: the hdc st basically has 3 loops - the front loop, the back loop, and what I call the side loop. Rnd 13 will be worked in the back loop and the side loop, leaving the front loops unworked.

Rnd 13: Join brown with a sl st to back loop and side loop of 1st hdc. Ch 2, hdc in next st (counts as 1st 2 hdc together), hdc in next 10 hdc. *Hdc next 2 hdc together, hdc in next 10 hdc. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to 1st hdc.

Rnds 14 - 19: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in each hdc around. Join as before.

Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each hdc around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. End off.

For trim: join pink with a sc in any hdc loop of Rnd 13, 2 hdc in next loop. *Sc in next loop, 2 hdc in next loop. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. End off.

--with red, make a pom-pom and sew to top of hat.

--sew on buttons randomly.

***Debi Y's version***