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# The Chromatische Ombré Square
**An Advanced Textured Blanket in the Round**

This blanket features a sophisticated gradient transition across 20 colors, utilizing a variety of architectural crochet stitches to create a rich, heirloom-quality texture.

## I. MATERIALS
*   **Yarn**: DK Weight (Category 3), 100% Acrylic or Cotton blend.
    *   **Total Yardage**: 1,950 yards (1,783 meters).
    *   **Color Palette**: 20 colors (C1 through C20). 
    *   *Note: C1 is the center color; C20 is the outermost border color.*
*   **Hook**: US G/6 (4.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
*   **Notions**: 4 stitch markers (to mark corners), tapestry needle, blocking mats, and T-pins.

## II. GAUGE & SIZE
*   **Gauge**: 18 dc and 9 rows = 4" (10 cm) in pattern stitch.
*   **Finished Size**: Approx. 52" × 52" (132 cm × 132 cm) after blocking.
*   **Swatch**: Work Rounds 1–6. Circle should measure approx. 4.5" in diameter.

## III. STITCH GUIDE (US TERMINOLOGY)
*   **PC (Popcorn)**: Work 5 dc in indicated st. Drop loop from hook, insert hook into first dc, pull dropped loop through.
*   **FPDC (Front Post Double Crochet)**: Yo, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated st, complete dc.
*   **V-Stitch**: (dc, ch 1, dc) in indicated space or stitch.
*   **Shell**: 5 dc in indicated stitch.

## IV. COLOR MANAGEMENT CHART
To achieve the ombré effect, change colors every 5 rounds.
| Rounds | Color | Yards Needed (Approx) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1–5 | C1 (Lightest) | 25 yds |
| 6–10 | C2 | 35 yds |
| 11–15 | C3 | 45 yds |
| ... | (Increments) | ... |
| 96–100| C20 (Darkest) | 180 yds |

---

## V. CHARTS

### Chart A: Central Mandala (Rounds 1–5)
*Legend: ○ = ch, † = dc, ◌ = popcorn, ⟈ = fpdc*

```
Round 5: [†† ch2 ††] ---†---†---†--- (Squaring Round)
Round 4: ⟈ † ⟈ † ⟈ † ⟈ † ⟈ † ⟈ †
Round 3: ◌ ○ ◌ ○ ◌ ○ ◌ ○ ◌ ○ ◌ ○
Round 2: †† †† †† †† †† †† †† ††
Round 1: † † † † † † † † † † † † 
```

### Chart B: Corner Construction (Repeated for length)
```
     [dc, dc, ch 2, dc, dc]  <-- Corner Cluster
              |
      (Previous Ch-2 Space)
```

---

## VI. INSTRUCTIONS

**With C1, form a Magic Ring.**

**Round 1**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc into ring. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. 
*(Math: 12 dc)*

**Round 2**: Ch 3, dc in same st. 2 dc in each st around. Join.
*(Math: 24 dc)*

**Round 3**: Sl st into next st, ch 3 (counts as first leg of popcorn), work PC. [Ch 1, PC in next st] 23 times. Ch 1, join.
*(Math: 24 Popcorns, 24 ch-1 sps)*

**Round 4**: Ch 3, *FPDC around PC from Rd 3, dc in ch-1 sp; repeat from * around. Join.
*(Math: 48 sts)*

**Round 5 (Squaring Round)**: Ch 1, sc in same st. *hdc in next st, dc in next st, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st (Corner made), dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 6 sts; repeat from * 3 times, ending last repeat with sc in final 5 sts. Join.
*(Math: 14 sts per side + 4 ch-2 corners = 60 sts total)*

**Rounds 6–10 (Switch to C2)**:
**Round 6**: Sl st to corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in sp. *dc in each st to next corner, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner; repeat from * around. Join.
*(Math: 18 sts per side. Verification: 14 + 4 = 18)*
**Round 7 (Textured)**: Sl st to corner. (Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner. *[Sk 1, shell in next, sk 1, dc in next] across to corner, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner.
**Rounds 8-10**: Continue in dc, maintaining corner increases. 
*(Math: Round 10 will have 34 sts per side)*

**Rounds 11–95**: 
Continue alternating the "Texture Sequence" every 5 rounds as follows:
*   **R1 of color block**: All dc, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in corners.
*   **R2 of color block**: V-stitch round (sk 1, V-st in next).
*   **R3 of color block**: Popcorn round (Popcorn in V-st sp).
*   **R4 of color block**: FPDC around each popcorn, dc in between.
*   **R5 of color block**: All dc (Transition round).

**Math Validation Formula**: 
Stitches per side (S) at Round (n) = $S_{n-1} + 2$.
Total stitches per round = $(S_n \times 4) + 8$ (for the corner chains).

**Round 100 (Final Edge - C20)**:
Sl st to corner. (3 sc) in corner. *sc in each st across. Join. Fasten off.

---

## VII. COLORWORK & FAIR ISLE MANAGEMENT
Though this is an ombré worked in rounds, the following "Carry-Forward" method is recommended for seamless transitions:
1. **The Invisible Join**: When finishing the 5th round of a color, cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail. Use the "invisible join" (needle join) to mimic the top of a stitch.
2. **Float Management**: Do not carry colors behind the work; the ombré requires clean breaks.
3. **Weaving**: Weave ends in the opposite direction of the round to prevent "popping" during use.

---

## VIII. FINISHING
1. **Weave Ends**: Use a tapestry needle to weave in all 40+ ends (2 per color change).
2. **Blocking (Essential)**: 
   *   This blanket contains post-stitches which can pull the fabric tight. 
   *   **Wet Block**: Submerge in lukewarm water with wool wash. Squeeze (don't wring). 
   *   Lay flat on blocking mats. Pin the corners first to square the blanket, then pin every 2 inches along the sides. 
   *   Allow to dry completely (approx. 24–48 hours) to set the texture.
3. **Steam**: If popcorns appear flat, use a handheld steamer 2 inches above the surface to "plump" the fibers. Do not touch the iron to the yarn.