Did you know there is such a thing as Granny Square Day? That’s right the famous granny gets her own day! Who doesn’t love those multi-talented, unique squares? They are fun and addicting. Weaving in the ends maybe not so much.

Who doesn’t love hugs and kisses? Cheek pinching from Granny maybe not so much. Put them together and you have XOXO (Hugs n Kisses granny squares/circles) In honor of Granny Square Day, I wanted to share this granny square tutorial.

They are a great scrap busting project. Make up a bunch and turn them into a masterpiece. Be on the lookout for a future post of how I chose to put them together.

Materials:

#4 Cotton {I used Loops & Thread in Coral and Cream and Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton in Aqua, White, and Gray}            

US Size H-8 (5 mm) hook        

Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends

Your favorite wet blocking apparatus

Abbreviations Used: {US Terms}

dc=double crochet

MC=main color

CC=contrasting color

ch=chain

ch-2 sp=chain 2 space

sl st=slip stitch

rep=repeat

Gauge:

an unblocked X measured diagonally=4 in.

an unblocked O=3 1/2″

Notes:

You will definitely want to wet block the X’s to pronounce the X shape. The O’s can be steam blocked at the very least.

Ch 3 counts as a stitch

X’s:

Rnd 1: Using magic circle or ring, ch 3{counts as a dc}, 2 dc, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2,) 3 more times, join with sl st in top of ch 3 [12 dc, 4 ch-2 sp] . Fasten off.

Rnd 2: Join in any corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each ch-2 sp around, join with sl st in top of ch 3. Fasten off.

Rnd 3: Join in any corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch2, 3 dc in same ch-2 sp, 3 dc in sp between corners, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, 3 dc in sp between corners* rep between * around, sl st in top of ch 3. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

O’s:

Rnd 1: Using magic circle or ring, ch 3, 11 dc in circle, sl st to top of ch 3 [12 dc] Fasten off.

Rnd 2: Join yarn in between 2 dc posts, ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp, *sk 2 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in between dc post*, rep between * around [24 dc, 6 ch-2 sp] Fasten off.

Rnd 3: Join yarn in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2dc in same sp, *3dc in sp between 2 dc, 3 dc in ch-2 sp* rep between * around, [36 dc]

Blocking

To block or not to block? Blocking is crucial to shaping. The O’s in this pattern you may get away with steam blocking. The X’s, on the other hand, truly need to be wet blocked to define the shape.

Wait! What is wet blocking some of you may be asking? Basically, it’s wetting your project, pinning it(on foam blocking boards or even a folded towel) into the shape you want, and letting it dry for 24 hours. Once dry, it retains the shape you pinned.

Get all your X’s and O’s made. Turn them into your own masterpiece. Or make 12 X’s and 6 O’s in your favorite coordinating colors, and be on the lookout for a future pattern of my XOXO Wall Hanging.

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You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook @simplymelaniejane. As a matter of fact, I’d love to see your masterpieces from this pattern, so please feel free to tag me in your posts.

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I truly hoped you enjoyed this Granny Square Tutorial and learning to make X’s and O’s. Now, go give your family some real XOXO. And Happy Granny Square Day 2020!