Effortless 12 Inch Square Free Crochet Pattern

I am so excited to be participating in the #MooglyCAL2024! My 12 inch square pattern works up quickly and is a great simple pattern for anyone that is just learning how to crochet post stitches. Scroll down to check out the FREE crochet pattern for the Effortless 12 Inch Square. Happy Crocheting!

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Tamara’s Effortless Square:

Tamara’s Effortless Square is absolutely gorgeous! I love the color combination with the bright pop of green. You can see all about this square and the Moogly CAL here.

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Effortless 12 Inch Square

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Materials:

• Approximately 136 yds of Category 4 Medium Weight Yarn in 3 colors:
  • Approximately 50 yds of Color A; I used Caron One Pound* yarn in the Soft Sage colorway
  • Approximately 48 yds of Color B; I used Caron One Pound* yarn in White
  • Approximately 38 yds of Color C; I used Caron One Pound* yarn in the Soft Gray colorway
• Size J 6mm Furls Streamline Resin Crochet Hook*
• Yarn Needle* for weaving ends
• Scissors*
• Blocking Board or Mat*
• T Pins*

*affiliate link

Skill Level:

Intermediate

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
ch-sp – chain space
dc – double crochet
FPdc – front post double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
() – indicates stitch counts/notes
[] – indicates instructions to be worked in one stitch
* – indicates instructions to be repeated

Gauge:

12 stitches & 6 rows = 4″ (in dc)

Finished Size:

12″ after blocking

Notes:

• This pattern is written in US terms.
• Sizing will vary depending on how tightly or loosely you crochet. If you would like to keep the sizing the same, please check your gauge before starting this project.
• Chain stitches are counted in the final stitch count at the end of each round.

Instructions:

With Color A,
Magic Circle, ch 1
Round 1: Work 8 hdc into the magic circle, join in the beginning hdc with a sl st. (8 sts)
Round 2: Ch 1, 1 hdc into first st, [1 hdc, ch 1, 1 hdc] into next st, *1 hdc into the next st, [1 hdc, ch 1, 1 hdc] into the next st; Repeat from * around, join into the beginning hdc with a sl st, fasten off. (16 sts)

Join Color B in any ch-sp with a sl st

Round 3: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 3 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 3 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (32 sts)

Join Color C in any ch-sp with a sl st

Round 4: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 2 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 2 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 2 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 2 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (48 sts)

Join Color A in any ch-sp with a sl st

Round 5: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 4 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 4 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (64 sts)

Join Color B in any ch-sp with a sl st

Round 6: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 6 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 6 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 6 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 6 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (80 sts)

Join Color C in any ch-sp with a sl st

Round 7: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 8 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 8 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 8 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 8 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (96 sts)

Join Color A in any ch-sp with a sl st

Round 8: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 10 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 10 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 10 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 10 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (112 sts)

Join Color B in any ch-sp with a sl st

Round 9: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 12 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 12 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 12 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 12 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (128 sts)

Join Color C in any ch-sp with a sl st

Round 10: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 14 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 14 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 14 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 14 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (144 sts)

Join Color B in any ch-sp with a sl st

Round 11: Ch 1, [2 sc, ch 1, 2 sc] into same ch-sp, 1 sc into each of the next 35 sts, *[2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc] into the next ch-sp, 1 sc into each of the next 35 sts; Repeat from * around, fasten off, join into beginning sc with an invisible join. (160 sts)

Finish:

• Fasten off, weave all ends.
• Wet block to even out square and achieve final size of 12 inches (if needed.)

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