Glacier (n.): a slow-moving mass or river of ice

If I say “July,” you’ll say, “Wow! That was forever ago.”

And it was, wasn’t it? Next week will be November. I am closing in on the finish line in three weeks. I have 10 more squares and some projects to finish. I can do it though.

I may be moving at a glacier’s pace, but I am moving. This week, I finished four squares (and a project, which will be in separate Thursday post).

If this is your first time reading about my current crochet challenge, make sure you go back and read this post for a refresher of my self-imposed rules. As I post each square, I will post the name and difficulty rating given to each square by Diana Krenz in her book 100 Vibrant Granny Squares, which I’m using for this challenge. Then I will give my difficulty rating and notes about the yarn I used and any new stitches, etc., that I encounter. See squares 1-2 here and squares 3-5 here and 6-11 here and 12-19 here and 20-25 here and 26-31 here and 32-40 here and 41-46 here and 47-50 here and 51-52 here and 53-55 here and 56-66 here and 67-73 here and 74-82 here and 83-86 here.

The Squares

(It’s Not a) Daffodil Square (87/100)

Difficulty rating: Extra Advanced

My Rating (1-5): 3.5

Yarn: Various cotton yarn of similar weights

Hook: I (5.5 mm)

I was determined from early on that this square would make the perfect table runner, so I pulled out my stash of cotton yarns and ends and set to work.

Some of the yarn is Premier Hipster Cotton in Rainbow Rollerskates that I used before on Project 4. I also found a few skeins of Lion Brand Recycled Cotton Re-Up, which has been discontinued. I don’t remember where I purchased the yarn or what project I had in mind. The Hipster Cotton was slightly lighter-weight that the other yarn, but it still worked out fine. I also used cotton yarn of unknown origin.

I became pretty clear to me early on that this was not going to be a table runner, but I kept aimlessly crocheting anyway.

As for the stitches and difficulty of this square, it was mostly the same, but the center “daffodil” construction used a 4 treble together that was a fun change.

Starflower Square (88/100)

Difficulty rating: Extra Advanced

My Rating (1-5): 4

Yarn: Various cotton yarn of similar weights

Hook: I (5.5 mm)

There was definitely some frogging that took place on this square. I upped my difficulty rating a little bit because when I didn’t read closely enough and trusted my knowledge of the graphs too much, I had to take out a few rows. This square introduced front loop/back loop construction for the outside orange round. The orange was stitched in the front loops of the green round and the next round was stitched in the backloops.

I liked the center of this square very much. Again, it looks difficult (maybe it is), but each round gently builds on the other with clear instructions and familiar stitches.

This square (and the other two cotton squares) definitely needed blocked, which I did before taking the pictures.

Rafael Square (89/100)

Difficulty rating: Advanced

My Rating (1-5): 3.5

Yarn: Various cotton yarn of similar weights

Hook: I (5.5 mm)

This square has a fun straight-forward construction. It is very important to read the instructions closely, but I love the final product. I worried a little about the gaps in the petals, but they are anchored become very solid. This might be my favorite square out of the cotton bunch.

This pattern surprised me. It was listed as a 12″ square, but the instructions told where to stop for a 9″ square, so it could work for either. I stopped a the second to last round changing it to half double crochet for size.

Raziel Square (90/100)

Difficulty rating: Advanced

My Rating (1-5): 3.5

Yarn: Herrschners 2-ply Baby Yarn in various colors

Hook: D (3 mm)

This square was a big change! I pulled out a bag of leftover baby yarn from a couple of baby blankets that I finished a long time ago see the Baby Boom post.

This square is dense. The stitches are close together and it makes an amazing fabric.

This square pattern was for a 12″ square, but because I used small yarn and a small hook, my square came out measuring 7″. I’m not sure what project I have in mind for it yet, but here’s the question.

If I could only make one blanket from my squares and I’ve made 10 projects and still have squares leftover, can I make another blanket? Please comment. My husband said no.

You’ll see more of these colors next week. I know I always say it, but these might be my favorite colors yet.

Keep stitching, Heidi