purlJam

# Pattern: The Geo-Arch Mosaic Square

**Description:** An intermediate-level granny square featuring a 12-point geometric center that blooms into relief arches. The pattern utilizes Popcorn stitches for tactile texture and Front Post stitches to create architectural lines, transitioning a circle into a perfect square.

**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Finished Size:** 6 inches x 6 inches (15 cm x 15 cm) after blocking.

**Yarn Weight:** Worsted (Category 4)
**Recommended Yarn:** Wool or Acrylic blend for stitch definition. (e.g., Cascade 220, Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice).
**Hook Size:** US H/8 (5.0 mm)
**Gauge:** First 3 rounds = 3.5 inches diameter.

**Terminology & Abbreviations (US Terms):**
*   **st(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **ch:** Chain
*   **sl st:** Slip stitch
*   **sc:** Single crochet
*   **hdc:** Half double crochet
*   **dc:** Double crochet
*   **tr:** Treble crochet
*   **yo:** Yarn over
*   **sp:** Space
*   **beg:** Beginning
*   **PC (Popcorn):** Work 5 dc in indicated st, drop loop from hook, insert hook front-to-back through top of 1st dc made, grab dropped loop and pull through. Ch 1 to close (counts as part of the stitch).
*   **FPtr (Front Post Treble):** YO twice, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated stitch, yo, pull loop through, (yo, pull through 2 loops) 3 times.
*   **3rd Loop:** Work into the horizontal bar located immediately behind the back loop of the hdc.

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### INSTRUCTIONS

**Round 1: The Geometric Center**
*Start with a Magic Circle (or ch 4, sl st to first ch to form ring).*
**Step 1:** Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 dc into the ring.
**Step 2:** Sl st to top of beg ch-3.
*   **[Math Validation: Start 0 + 12 dc = 12 sts]**

**Round 2: The Foundation Arches**
*This round expands the circle and sets up the posts for later arches.*
**Step 1:** Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1).
**Step 2:** *Dc in next st, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * around.
**Step 3:** Sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4.
*   **[Math Validation: 12 dc + 12 ch-1 sps = 24 effective sts]**

**Round 3: Popcorn Relief**
*This round creates the 3D geometric dots.*
**Step 1:** Sl st into first ch-1 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc part of PC), work 4 dc in same sp, complete PC.
**Step 2:** Ch 2.
**Step 3:** *Work PC in next ch-1 sp, ch 2.* Repeat from * to * around.
**Step 4:** Sl st to top of first PC.
*   **[Math Validation: 12 PC + 12 ch-2 sps = 36 effective sts]**

**Round 4: Squaring the Circle**
*We transform the 12-spoke wheel into a 4-sided square using varying stitch heights.*
**Step 1:** Sl st into first ch-2 sp. Ch 4 (counts as tr). In same sp work: (1 tr, ch 2, 2 tr). **(First Corner made)**.
**Step 2:** *Work Side:*
    1.  Skip next PC. In next ch-2 sp: 3 dc.
    2.  Skip next PC. In next ch-2 sp: 3 hdc.
    3.  Skip next PC. In next ch-2 sp: 3 dc.
**Step 3:** *Work Corner:* Skip next PC. In next ch-2 sp: (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr).
**Step 4:** Repeat Step 2 and Step 3 twice more.
**Step 5:** Repeat Step 2 one last time. Sl st to top of beg ch-4.
*   **[Math Validation:**
    *   **Corners:** 4 corners x 4 sts each = 16 sts.
    *   **Sides:** 4 sides x 9 sts each (3 groups of 3) = 36 sts.
    *   **Total:** 16 + 36 = 52 sts.
    *   **Per Side Count:** 13 sts per side (2 corner sts + 9 side sts + 2 corner sts).**]**

**Round 5: The Architectural Arch (Unique Stitch Section)**
*We add texture and size using Front Post stitches that reach down to Round 3.*
**Step 1:** Ch 1, sc in same st. Sc in next st.
**Step 2:** *(Corner):* In ch-2 sp, work (sc, ch 2, sc).
**Step 3:** *Side Sequence:*
    1.  Sc in next 2 tr.
    2.  Sc in next 3 dc.
    3.  **FPtr Arch:** Yo twice. Insert hook around the top of the *Popcorn directly below the the 3-hdc group from Round 4*. Complete FPtr.
    4.  Work 1 sc into each of the next 3 hdc (working behind the FPtr you just made—do not skip the stitches).
    5.  **FPtr Arch:** Work another FPtr around the *same Popcorn* used in step 3. (You now have a V-shape of relief stitches pointing down).
    6.  Sc in next 3 dc.
    7.  Sc in next 2 tr.
**Step 4:** Repeat Step 2 and Step 3 around.
**Step 5:** Sl st to first sc.
*   **[Math Validation:**
    *   **Pre-calc:** Previous side was 13 sts.
    *   **Increases:** Corner adds 2 sc. FPtr adds 2 sts.
    *   **Total per side:** 13 (base) + 2 (corner inc) + 2 (FPtr) = 17 sts per side (plus corner ch-2).
    *   **Total Count:** 68 sts + 4 ch-2 sps.]**

**Round 6: The Geometric Frame**
*We use the Camel Stitch (3rd loop) to push the top loops forward, creating a picture-frame border.*
**Step 1:** Ch 2 (counts as hdc). Hdc in next 2 sts.
**Step 2:** *(Corner):* In ch-2 sp, work (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc).
**Step 3:** *Side:* Hdc in **3rd loop only** of every st across to next corner. (Note: The 3rd loop is behind the back loop. This forces the "v" of the stitch to face outward).
**Step 4:** Repeat Corner and Side instructions around.
**Step 5:** Sl st to top of beg ch-2. Fasten off.
*   **[Math Validation:**
    *   **Pre-calc:** Previous side 17 sts.
    *   **Increases:** Corner adds 4 sts (2 per side).
    *   **Total per side:** 17 + 4 = 21 sts per side.
    *   **Total Count:** 84 sts.]**

### FINISHING
1.  Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
2.  **Blocking is crucial** for this pattern to open up the "V" arches in Round 5. Pin the square to exactly 6" x 6", pulling the corners taut to square off the geometric circle center. Steam lightly or wet block.