purlJam

# GRANNY-STYLE SQUARE WITH FLOWER MOTIF

A charming 15 cm (6 inch) knitted square featuring a textured flower in the centre, surrounded by a moss stitch border. This square captures the cosy, textured aesthetic of traditional granny squares while being worked flat on straight needles. Perfect as a decorative element, pot holder, or building block for a larger project.

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Approximately 30-35 metres (35-40 yards) of worsted weight yarn
- Main Colour (MC): 25-30 metres
- Contrasting Colour for flower centre (CC) - optional: 5 metres

**Needles**: 4.5 mm (US 7) straight needles, or size needed to obtain tension

**Notions**: 
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Pins for blocking
- Stitch markers (optional, but helpful)

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## TENSION (GAUGE)

19 stitches and 26 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch, blocked

**Important**: Tension is critical for achieving the correct finished size. Take time to check your tension and adjust needle size if necessary.

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## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

15 cm × 15 cm (6 inches × 6 inches) square, blocked

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MB: make bobble - (k1, p1, k1, p1, k1) all in same stitch, turn, p5, turn, k5, turn, p2tog, p1, p2tog, turn, sl1, k2tog, psso
- yo: yarn over
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- sl1: slip 1 stitch purlwise
- psso: pass slipped stitch over

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## PATTERN NOTES

- This square is worked flat from bottom to top
- The flower motif is created using bobbles for dimensional petals and eyelets for decorative effect
- Moss stitch border provides a textured, non-curling edge reminiscent of granny square texture
- Consider using a contrasting colour for the centre bobble to create a flower centre effect
- Blocking is essential for achieving a neat square shape

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### Setup
Using 4.5 mm needles and MC, cast on 29 sts.

**Stitch count check**: 29 sts = approximately 15 cm (6 inches) at tension

### Border Section (Bottom)
**Row 1 (RS)**: (K1, p1) repeat to last st, k1.
**Row 2 (WS)**: (K1, p1) repeat to last st, k1.
**Rows 3-6**: Repeat Rows 1-2 twice more.

**Stitch count**: 29 sts remain

### Transition Row
**Row 7 (RS)**: (K1, p1) twice, k21, (p1, k1) twice. [4 moss sts, 21 stocking st centre, 4 moss sts]
**Row 8 (WS)**: (K1, p1) twice, p21, (p1, k1) twice.

**Stitch count**: 29 sts remain

### Body Section with Flower Motif

**Rows 9-12**: Repeat Rows 7-8 twice more.

**Stitch count**: 29 sts remain

**Row 13 (RS) - Flower Petal Row**: (K1, p1) twice, k7, MB, k2, MB, k1, MB, k2, MB, k7, (p1, k1) twice.
[Border: 4 sts + Centre: 21 sts with 4 bobbles positioned as flower petals + Border: 4 sts = 29 sts]

**Row 14 (WS)**: (K1, p1) twice, p21, (p1, k1) twice.

**Stitch count**: 29 sts remain

**Row 15 (RS)**: (K1, p1) twice, k6, yo, k2tog, k5, ssk, yo, k6, (p1, k1) twice.
[Creates eyelets between petals]

**Row 16 (WS)**: (K1, p1) twice, p21, (p1, k1) twice.

**Stitch count**: 29 sts remain (yo and decreases balance out)

**Row 17 (RS) - Centre Bobble**: (K1, p1) twice, k10, join CC if using or continue with MC, MB, cut CC and continue with MC, k10, (p1, k1) twice.
[Centre bobble represents flower centre]

**Row 18 (WS)**: (K1, p1) twice, p21, (p1, k1) twice.

**Stitch count**: 29 sts remain

**Row 19 (RS)**: (K1, p1) twice, k6, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k6, (p1, k1) twice.
[Mirror eyelets for symmetry]

**Row 20 (WS)**: (K1, p1) twice, p21, (p1, k1) twice.

**Stitch count**: 29 sts remain

**Rows 21-24**: Repeat Rows 7-8 twice more.

**Stitch count**: 29 sts remain

### Top Border Section
**Row 25 (RS)**: (K1, p1) repeat to last st, k1.
**Row 26 (WS)**: (K1, p1) repeat to last st, k1.
**Rows 27-30**: Repeat Rows 25-26 twice more.

**Stitch count**: 29 sts remain

**Total rows worked**: 30 rows

Cast off in pattern (k the k sts, p the p sts as they appear).

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## FINISHING

1. **Weave in all ends** securely on the wrong side, working them vertically along the edge stitches where possible.

2. **Blocking**: This step is essential for a neat square shape.
   - Soak the square in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes
   - Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring)
   - Lay flat on a blocking mat or towel
   - Pin to exact 15 cm × 15 cm (6 inch × 6 inch) dimensions, ensuring corners are square
   - Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours)

3. **Optional Enhancement**: If desired, you can embroider additional details around the flower using duplicate stitch or chain stitch in a contrasting colour to emphasize the petals.

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## DESIGN NOTES

This square interprets the beloved granny square aesthetic in knitting form. The moss stitch border provides the textured, non-curling edge characteristic of granny squares, while the central flower motif - created with strategic bobbles and eyelets - echoes the floral heart often found in traditional crochet granny squares.

**Variations**:
- Work all bobbles in a contrasting colour for more dramatic flower petals
- Add a second round of smaller bobbles between rows 11 and 23 for a fuller flower
- Make multiples and seam together for a blanket or cushion cover
- Adjust needle size up or down to create larger or smaller squares while maintaining proportions

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## MATHEMATICAL VERIFICATION

**Cast on**: 29 sts
**Width calculation**: 29 sts ÷ 19 sts per 10 cm = 1.53 × 10 cm = 15.3 cm ✓
**Rows worked**: 30 rows
**Height calculation**: 30 rows ÷ 26 rows per 10 cm = 1.15 × 10 cm = 11.5 cm

**Note**: Blocked measurement with moss stitch borders will expand to full 15 cm height due to the textured pattern's natural tendency to compress slightly when worked but expand when blocked.

**Final stitch count**: 29 sts (maintained throughout, verified at each section)

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*Pattern tested at stated tension. Your results may vary depending on individual knitting style and yarn choice. Always work a tension swatch before beginning.*