If you’re a beginner and ready to challenge yourself with a more intricate square, this guide is for you. Every round is clearly written out, and extra guidance is included to ensure you’re supported every step of the way.
Before You Begin
Read through the entire pattern first. This helps you understand how the project evolves and prepares you for color changes, stitch combinations, and positioning. If you’re unfamiliar with a stitch, search for a video tutorial or reference our explanations below.
Materials Needed
- Worsted weight 100% cotton yarn in 5 or 6 colors
- 4.5 mm or 5 mm crochet hook (depending on your desired square size)
- Stitch markers
- Darning/tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Blocking tools (optional, but recommended)
Stitch Guide (US Terminology)
- sc: Single Crochet
- hdc: Half Double Crochet
- dc: Double Crochet
- tr: Treble Crochet
- FPsc: Front Post Single Crochet
- BPsc: Back Post Single Crochet
- FPdc: Front Post Double Crochet
- long sc: Pull loop up to height of previous stitch before completing the single crochet
- 2tr-cluster: Two treble crochet stitches worked into the same stitch and closed together
- HPS: Horizontal Puff Stitch (sc, ch 1, then puff around that sc)
- shell: (5 tr, picot, 5 tr) in same stitch
- picot: ch 3, sl st into back bar of first ch
- back-stitch: Insert hook from back of V-shaped stitch; helps create cleaner lines in dc rows
Symbol Guide
- *: Repeat from the single asterisk as directed. Example: *sc in ch-1 sp; ch 1; repeat from *
- (): Group of stitches worked in same space, or a description of a skipped stitch
- []: Set of instructions to be repeated
- Counts: Chain spaces are counted; corner spaces are not included in stitch totals
Tips for Beginners
- Use stitch markers to help track corners or pattern repeats
- Block your finished square for the best shape and even stitches
- Take breaks – this is an intermediate to advanced pattern, so it’s okay to pace yourself
- If a stitch feels too tight or loose, adjust your tension or try a different hook size
- Use contrasting yarns for better stitch visibility when learning
Pattern Instructions
Each round begins with a standing stitch and ends with an invisible join unless you’re continuing with the same color, in which case a slip stitch and appropriate chain substitute may be used.
Round 1
Double magic circle, ch 3 (counts as dc), 7 dc into circle. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 8 dc
Round 2
[(2tr-cluster, ch 1, 2tr-cluster) in dc, ch 1] 8 times. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 16 2tr-cluster, 16 ch-1 sp
Round 3
In any ch-1 sp: *(hdc, dc, tr), ch 2; fold work, sc in previous ch-1 sp from front-to-back behind ch 2; ch 2, skip next 2tr-cluster; repeat from * around. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 16 petals
Round 4
In ch-2 sp behind any petal: *(sc, ch 3, sc), ch 3, skip next ch-2 sp behind next petal, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 3; repeat around. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 16 sc, 4 ch-2 sps, 12 ch-3 sp
Round 5
*(5 dc) in ch-2 sp, skip sc, ch 1, sc in next ch-3 sp, skip sc, shell in next ch-3 sp, skip sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip next sc; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 8 sc, 20 dc, 4 shells, 8 ch-1 sp
Round 6
BPsc around 5 tr, ch 1, skip picot; BPsc around next 5 tr, ch 1; skip (sc, ch-1 sp); (FPdc, ch 1, FPdc, ch 1) around each of next 5 dc; skip (ch-1 sp, sc); repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 40 BPsc, 40 FPdc, 48 ch-1 sp
Round 7
dc in 5 BPsc, ch 1, skip ch-1 sp; [FPsc around next 2 FPdc as one, ch 1] 5 times; skip ch-1 sp, dc in next 5 BPsc, ch 1; dc in ch-3 sp of previous round, ch 1; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 44 dc, 20 FPsc, 32 ch-1 sp
Round 8
(3 dc) in ch-1 sp before dc in picot, ch 2 (corner), skip dc, (3 dc) in next ch-1 sp; dc in next 2 dc, hdc in next dc; sc in next 2 dc and ch-1 sp; [sc in FPsc, skip ch-1 sp] 4 times; sc in FPsc, ch-1 sp, 2 dc; hdc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 44 sc, 8 hdc, 40 dc, 4 ch-2 corner sp
Round 9
(5 dc) in ch-2 corner sp, [skip dc, (2 dc) in next dc] 2 times; skip dc, (3 dc) in next hdc; ch 1, skip next 3 sc; hdc in next ch-1 sp; ch 1, sc in next 5 sc, ch 1; hdc in next ch-1 sp; ch 1, skip 3 sc; (3 dc) in hdc; [skip dc, (2 dc) in next st] 2 times; skip dc; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 20 sc, 76 dc, 8 hdc, 16 ch-1 sp
Round 10
BPsc around 11 sts – mark 3rd BPsc; ch 1, skip (dc and skipped sc); dc in next 2 skipped sc; back-stitch dc in next 5 sc; dc in next 2 skipped sc; ch 1, skip (skipped sc and dc); BPsc around next 6 sts; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 68 BPsc, 16 dc, 20 back-stitch dc, 8 ch-1 sp
Round 11
(2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in marked dc (remove marker); hdc in next 7 BPsc; ch 1, skip BPsc; (2 hdc) in ch-1 sp; [skip dc, (2 hdc) in next dc] 4 times; skip dc, (2 hdc) in next ch-1 sp; ch 1, skip BPsc; hdc in next 7 BPsc; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 120 hdc, 8 ch-1 sp, 4 ch-2 corner sp
Round 12
(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 corner sp; ch 1, skip 2 hdc; [HPS in next hdc, ch 1, skip 2 hdc] 2 times; HPS in next hdc, ch 1, skip (ch-1 sp, hdc); [HPS in next hdc, ch 1, skip 2 hdc] 3 times; HPS in next hdc, ch 1, skip (hdc, ch-1 sp); [HPS in next hdc, ch 1, skip 2 hdc] 3 times; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 16 dc, 40 HPS, 44 ch-1 sp, 4 ch-2 corner sp
Round 13
(sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 corner sp; ch 2, skip 2 dc; [long sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 2, skip HPS] 10 times; long sc in next ch-1 sp; ch 2, skip dc; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 8 sc, 44 long sc, 48 ch-2 sp, 4 ch-2 corner sp
Round 14
(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 corner sp; [{skip sc, (3 dc) in ch-2 sp} 2 times; skip sc, (2 dc) in ch-2 sp] 2 times; [skip sc, (2 dc) in ch-2 sp; {skip sc, (3 dc) in ch-2 sp} 2 times] 2 times; skip sc; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join.
Counts: 144 dc, 4 ch-2 corner sp
Round 15
(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 corner sp; skip dc, dc across to next corner; repeat. Cut yarn, invisible join, weave in ends.
Counts: 156 dc, 4 ch-2 corner sp
Finishing: Block your square to shape and size. Use wet or steam blocking for best results.
