Keep it Simple 12 Inch Square Free Crochet Pattern

I am so excited to be participating in the #MooglyCAL2025! My 12 inch square pattern works up quickly and is super simple. It’s a great introduction to post stitches and allows for you to practice all of your basic crochet stitches! Scroll down to check out the FREE crochet pattern for the Keep It Simple 12 Inch Square. Happy Crocheting!

This post contains affiliate links. I do receive a commission if you make a purchase through my link(s), which helps support my blog and allows me to bring you more great posts!

Tamara’s Keep it Simple Square:

Tamara’s Keep it Simple Square is absolutely gorgeous! I love the vibrant color combination! You can see all about this square and the Moogly CAL here.

Keep It Simple 12 Inch Square

Add to Ravelry Queue and Favorites

Purchase PDF on Ravelry
Purchase PDF on Etsy

Materials:

• Approximately 115 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 65 yds of Color B; 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:

BL – back loop
ch – chain
ch-sp – chain space
dc – double crochet
FPdc – front post double crochet
FPhdc – front post half 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 into one stitch
* – indicates instructions to be repeated

Gauge:

12 stitches & 6 rows = 4″ (in dc)

Finished Size:

12″

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.
• Color changes are made in the last yarn over of the last stitch in the round unless otherwise specified.

Instructions:

With Color A,
Magic Circle, ch 1
Round 1: Work 6 hdc into the magic circle, join in the beginning hdc with a sl st. (6 sts)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc into each st around, join into the beginning hdc with a sl st. (12 sts)
Change to Color B
Round 3: Ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into the first st, 2 dc into each remaining st around, join into the beginning ch-3 with a sl st. (24 sts)
Change to Color A
Round 4: Ch 1, 1 sc into the first st, 1 sc into each of the next 4 sts *[2 sc, ch 1, 2 sc] into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 5 sts; Repeat from * around, [2 sc, ch 1, 2 sc] into the last st, join into the beginning sc with a sl st, fasten off. (40 sts)
Join Color B in any corner 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 9 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 9 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (56 sts)
Join Color A in any corner ch-sp with a sl st.
Round 6: Ch 1, [2 hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc] into the same ch-sp, 1 hdc into each of the next 4 sts, 1 FPhdc around the post of each of the next 5 sts, 1 hdc into each of the next 4 sts, *[2 hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc] into the next ch-sp, 1 hdc into each of the next 4 sts, 1FPhdc around the post of each of the next 5 sts, 1 hdc into each of the next 4 sts; Repeat from * around, join into the beginning hdc with a sl st, fasten off. (72 sts)
Join Color B in any corner 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 6 sts, 1 FPdc around the post of each of the next 5 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 5 sts, 1 dc into each of the next 6 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (88 sts)
Join Color A in any corner 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 21 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into each of the next 21 sts; Repeat from * around, join into beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (104 sts)
Join Color B in any corner ch-sp with a sl st.
Round 9: Ch 1, [2 hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc] into the same ch-sp, 1 hdc into the BL of each of the next 25 sts, *[2 hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc] into the next ch-sp, 1 hdc into the BL of each of the next 25 sts; Repeat from * around, join into the beginning hdc with a sl st, fasten off. (120 sts)
Join Color B in any corner ch-sp with a sl st.
Round 10: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into the BL of each of the next 29 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into the BL of each of the next 29 sts; Repeat from * around, join into the beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (136 sts)
Join Color A in any corner ch-sp with a sl st.
Round 11: Ch 3, [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the same ch-sp, 1 dc into the BL of each of the next 33 sts, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the next ch-sp, 1 dc into the BL of each of the next 33 sts; Repeat from * around, join into the beginning ch-3 with a sl st, fasten off. (152 sts)
Join Color B in any corner ch-sp with a sl st.
Round 12: Ch 1, [2 hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc] into the same ch-sp, 1 hdc into each of the next 37 sts, *[2 hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc] into the next ch-sp, 1 hdc into each of the next 37 sts; Repeat from * around, join into the beginning hdc with an invisible join. (168 sts)

Finish:

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