Crochet Pattern: Concentric Circles Granny Square

Concentric Circles Granny Square, free crochet pattern in Red Heart With Love yarn by Underground Crafter | The simple circle-in-a-square pattern is a great stash buster. It meets donation requirements for Knit-A-Square, an organization that distributes crochet and knit blankets (made from 8”/20 cm squares), hats, and toys to children in South Africa. #redheartyarns #joycreatorsToday’s free crochet pattern is part of my monthly charity spotlight series and Granny Square Month. The Concentric Circles Granny square is a simple circle-in-a-square pattern that makes a great stash buster. It also meets the donation requirements for this month’s featured charity, Knit-A-Square.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links.Yarn for the sample was generously provided by Red Heart.

June’s Featured Charity: Knit-a-Square

Knit-a-Square was founded by two close families who had moved from Zimbabwe in 1984. In 2008, these families (now in Australia and South Africa) spoke at a family reunion about the crisis facing over 2 million orphaned, abandoned, and impoverished children in South Africa. The families decided to start an online movement to provide handmade blankets and winter wear for children living in this high altitude and often cold environment.

Knit-a-Square’s program started by collecting donations of 8″ (20 cm) crochet or knit squares from around the world which would be joined into blankets in South Africa. Since that time, they have expanded to accept other handmade items including completed blankets, hats, and toys. However, like all charitable organizations, the needs of Knit-a-Square may change as the needs of the children they serve change. 8″ (20 cm) squares are always accepted, but if you want to send other handmade items or craft supplies, be sure to check the link to a regularly updated “Wish List” of current needs on the homepage before shipping.

Tips for Making (and Shipping) Great Blocks for Knit-a-Square

Squares should be 8″ (20 cm) and can be knit or crocheted. Squares can be made from any yarn suitable for cold weather, such as wool, acrylic, or a blend. Choose patterns with few holes so that the blankets will be warm. Weave in the ends of the yarn securely so children won’t be able to unravel the squares. The last yarn tail should be cut to 20″ (50 cm) so that the square can be joined into a blanket upon arrival South Africa.

Concentric Circles Granny Square, free crochet pattern in Red Heart With Love yarn by Underground Crafter | The simple circle-in-a-square pattern is a great stash buster. It meets donation requirements for Knit-A-Square, an organization that distributes crochet and knit blankets (made from 8”/20 cm squares), hats, and toys to children in South Africa. #redheartyarns #joycreatorsThe yarn tail should be “butterflied” with a yarn scrap in another color. You can find a tutorial for butterflying your yarn tail here on Knit-a-Square.

Because most squares are sent to Knit-a-Square from other countries, be sure to follow their shipping instructions closely. Otherwise, Knit-a-Square will have to pay hefty customs fees that will reduce or negate the value of your donation.

If you make your own Concentric Circles Granny Square, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

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Underground Crafter on CraftsyGranny Square Month with Underground Crafter | 30 days of crochet motif patterns, roundups, and giveaways!


Concentric Circles Granny Square, free crochet pattern in Red Heart With Love yarn by Underground Crafter | The simple circle-in-a-square pattern is a great stash buster. It meets donation requirements for Knit-A-Square, an organization that distributes crochet and knit blankets (made from 8”/20 cm squares), hats, and toys to children in South Africa. #redheartyarns #joycreators

Concentric Circles Granny Square

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

The simple circle-in-a-square pattern is a great stash buster. It’s meets donation requirements for Knit-A-Square, an organization that distributes crochet and knit blankets (made from 8”/20 cm squares), hats, and toys to children in South Africa.

 

Finished Size

  • Motif: 8” (20 cm) square.

Materials

  • Red Heart With Love yarn (100% acrylic, 7 oz/198 g/370 yd/338 m) – 1 skein each in 1601 Lettuce (CA), 1704 Bubble Gum (CB), 1101 Eggshell (CC), or approximately 22 yd (20 m) in CA, 29 yd (26.5 m) in CB, and 10 yd (9 m) in CC in any medium weight yarn.


  • US Size I-9/5.5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
  • Yarn needle.

Gauge

  • Through Round 5 = 6” (15 cm) diameter in pattern. Exact gauge is not critical for this project.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • CA – Color A
  • CB – Color B
  • CC – Color C
  • ch – chain
  • dc – double crochet
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • rep – repeat
  • Rnd – Round
  • sc – single crochet
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sp – space
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
  • () Instructions within parenthesis are worked into indicated stitch or space.

Pattern Notes

  • Entire project is crocheted in the round with the right (front) side facing up.
  • New colors are joined with standing dc. Moogly has video and photo tutorials for standing dc here. Or, join with sl st, ch 3 (counts as dc) in same st.

Pattern Instructions

Motif

  • With CA, ch 4, skip 3 ch, join with sl st to next ch to form ring.
  • Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout), 11 dc in ring, join with sl st to top of first ch 3. Fasten off CA. (12 sts)
  • Rnd 2: Join CB with standing dc to any st, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off CB. (24 sts)
  • Rnd 3: Join CC with standing dc to any st, dc in same st and next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; rep from * around, join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off CC. (36 sts)
  • Rnd 4: Join CA with standing dc to any st, dc in same st and in next 2 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; rep from * around, join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off CA. (48 sts)
  • Rnd 5: Join CB with standing dc to any st, dc in same st and in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts; rep from * around, join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off CB. (60 sts)
  • Rnd 6: Join CC with standing dc to any st, dc in same st, *dc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 8 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next st,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st; rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, (2 dc, ch 2) in first st, join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off CC. (72 sts)
  • Rnd 7: Join CA with standing dc to any ch-2 sp, dc in same sp, *dc in next 18 sts,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, (2 dc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp, join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off CA. (88 sts + 4 ch-2 sp)
  • Rnd 8: Join CB with standing dc to any ch-2 sp, dc in same sp, *dc in next 22 sts,** (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, (2 dc, ch 1) in first ch-2 sp, join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off CB with 20” (51 cm) if donating to Knit-a-Square. (104 sts + 4 ch-1 sp)

Finishing

  • With yarn needle, weave in ends, except for Rnd 8 finishing yarn tail for joining.

Concentric Circles Granny Square, free crochet pattern in Red Heart With Love yarn by Underground Crafter | The simple circle-in-a-square pattern is a great stash buster. It meets donation requirements for Knit-A-Square, an organization that distributes crochet and knit blankets (made from 8”/20 cm squares), hats, and toys to children in South Africa. #redheartyarns #joycreators

© 2017 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2017/06/08/crochet-pattern-concentric-circles-granny-square. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

If you make your own Concentric Circles Granny Square, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Concentric Circles Granny Square to your Ravelry favorites or queue.

Underground Crafter on Ravelry

If you want an easy print format, you can buy an ad-free PDF version on Craftsy.

Underground Crafter on Craftsy

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