Small Crochet Squares to create the most Amazing Picture Blankets

Here are the requirements:

Hook size: 3.5mm (UK) E/4 (US) (or hook size for your yarn choice)

(Click here for a link to crochet hooks with soft rubber grips)

Yarn: I used 100% Pure Cotton

Use yarn and colors of your choice or match your pattern / graph / pixel pattern

SIZE: with the cotton and hook I used; my squares are approximately 2" x 2".

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LET me SHARE THE free small crochet square pattern with you:-

Start by making a magic ring (similar to the slip knot) but without pulling the ring to close.

START with a magic ring

Firstly:    Pull out approximately 15 inches of yarn and wrap the yarn around your finger twice, winding it toward your body.

Secondly:    Insert the hook under the first strand and over the second strand.

Thirdly: Pull the yarn through, just like you would when working a YO (yarn over) and twist the hook so it's pointing upward.

CONTINue with the small crochet square pattern - aka solid granny square

Round 1:  (all in open magic ring)

Chain 3, dc2, 

*ch 1, dc3*, three times

ch1,

Sl st into top of ch3.

Pull the magic ring to close (there will be no visible whole in the middle).

Round 2: 

Ch 2, dc1 in same st as chain, dc1 in next st ,

*dc1 ch 1, dc 1 in ch 1 space of previous round, forming corner

dc3 in next 3 sts*, three more times,

dc1 ch 1, dc 1 in ch 1 space of previous round,

Sl st into 2nd ch of ch2 to join.

Round 3: 

Ch 1, sc1 in same st as chain, sc3 in next sts ,

*sc3 in corner,

sc5 across*, three more times,

sc3 in corner,

sc1, sl st into ch1 and end off.

Weave in ends.

The picture that started it all!

Below is the image that I came across on Instagram.

It inspired me so much; I have almost completed 20 squares so far!

I also learned that this method is called pixel art crochet.  

Each pixel (block) represents a small crochet square and all you need to do is -

• calculate how big your article is going to be,
• how many colors you are going to be using and
• how many squares of each color you'll need to make.

HOW to block the squares

You may have noticed that the squares are not so very square when you have just finished it - it needs a bit of tweaking.

I came across an excellent post by Repeat Crafter Me, who explains the whole process of blocking the squares.  I'd rather have you visit her to get tried and tested advice:

Joining up with an invisible stitch

sewing up with an invisible stitch

And yet another blogger saved the day with a picture tutorial to sew up the small crochet squares with an invisible stitch!

Visit her here:

Crochet Pixel square blocking

how does this pixel crochet thing work and where can i find designs?

First off, you will need a design.

It is as easy as entering "Pixel Crochet" into Google's or Pinterest's search bars.

You can use:

• Cross-stitch charts - check out Marianne at marrose-ccc.com, how she designed the rose pattern from a chart.

• Excel & C2C (corner to corner designs)

• HookinCrochet Crochet Graph Designer Software, Windows Crochet Graph Pattern Software, Crochet Graphgan Patterns, allows you to design any pattern, download the graph and written pattern for it. (paid program)

• Diagram paper - Emily of Pixel Perfect Crochet, shows you exactly how to design your own pattern using good old paper and pen.
• Pic2Pat - free design program (upload your own image) and walla!
• WinStitch by Ursa Software - lots of capabilities with various upload and download features (paid program); 
• PC Stitch, can do almost the same as WinStitch but can only download graphs, not patterns (paid program);
• StitchFiddle - free and paid program available.
• Pixel Editor (iphone app)
• Pixel Art Maker (iphone app)

Liked this post?  Please share on one of your social media accounts!

The most popular granny squares are shared in the post here.

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