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Sunday, June 17, 2012

Four Square

Remember playing four square as a kid?  Or two square?  I don't actually have to remember that far back because we have a two square court painted on our driveway.  Our son used to love to play two square and would draw a chalk court onto the blacktop.  One day I suggested he paint one instead.  I guess that's a little atypical for the average home, but it provided lots of fun times, and we even repainted it after the driveway was recoated.  A couple of weeks ago, the son (now 20) and I played a rousing game of two square.  You won't be surprised to hear that I lost.  I mean, how hard is it for a 6'3" strong young guy to beat his middle-aged mother?  Not very.

The four square I'm writing about today, though, has nothing to do with asphalt and a rubber playground ball.  I want to show you the first four squares I have crocheted from the 200 Crochet Blocks book by Jan Eaton that I told you about in April.

They're pretty wonky because I haven't blocked them yet.

In 200 Crochet Blocks, Eaton developed a difficulty ranking system for the different blocks.  One hook is a beginner block, two hooks means some experience required, and three hooks is designated as challenging.  Two of the blocks I crocheted are very simple, one-hook-rated patterns -- the Openwork Square (#10 of the 200) and the Traditional Granny (#18).  The other two were a little more complicated.  Italian Cross (#24) is a two-hook pattern, and it taught me the puff stitch, which is really fun.  And Waterlily (#16), a three-hooker, is my first three-dimensional square.

Italian Cross puff stitches
Waterlily

I still have a ways to go on the quality of my crochet -- tension, even stitches, etc. -- but it's fun to learn new stitches and techniques.  I plan to eventually have enough squares to put together a throw for my daughter.  She is a fabulous knitter, but luckily she doesn't crochet, so maybe she will be a tiny bit impressed with a little blanket of squares.  After all, if I can't wow the kids with my playground two-square skills anymore, I'll have to take what little glory I can.

20 comments:

  1. I would be impressed. I want to learn how to do this. Such nice colors.

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  2. They look great! My favorite though is the waterlily!!

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  3. I love your squares. They are just beautiful. I don't know how to knit OR crochet. Sad!! You know- I have never heard of that game you are talking about. I wonder if it is something my grandkids would enjoy? I am going to google it to see if there is any information out there about it- xo Diana

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  4. They're lovely. I especially like the waterlily square. I wish I had more hours in the day to make some! Maggie xx

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  5. I love the patterns and colors for your squares. I do remember playing four square, but I don't think that I have since elementary school.

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  6. Really nice .I am impressed with your crochet talents.The throw will be lovely.x Cath

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  7. SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! The throw is an amazing idea. Congratulations. XOXO

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  8. I love the one with the flower. That is so beautiful. And I think you look like you've been crocheting for years - you don't come across as a novice to me. Love the colours. And your son, I can't beat mine like I used to either! xx

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  9. See my blog for Spencer and his rat!! Maggie xx

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  10. These are great. I started doing granny squares with solid colors but when it was time to switch colors every row like yours, I got a little scared.

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  11. Very pretty. The colors are lovely. The waterlily is my favorite.

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  12. 4 square?! That was my game back in elementary school. A piece of sidewalk chalk and a red kickball. Oh, good times! Good times.

    Your crocheted squares are coming along nicely too. I especially love the bottom two floral ones. They will make a lovely accents on an afghan. Way to go!

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  13. Yes, I loved 4 square...
    Your squares are gorgeous...oh how I wish!

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  14. Those are really pretty!! I don't think you will have any trouble with your daughter liking them at all. She'll LOVE them! I think the ruffled flower is my favorite! :)

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  15. They are just beautiful Lynette! I am very impressed! I think I may need a copy of that book!

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  16. I've never played "four square" before but your crocheted squares are beautiful!

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  17. I love that book :)
    I have no idea what four square, or two square is....ia it hard?

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  18. I love learning new techniques. I have a bedspread that I made with the waterlily pattern. And I never realized that you had already won the versatile blogger award. :) Well, now you have 2, I gave you one today on my blog. hahaha
    Debbi
    -yankeeburrowcreations

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  19. I used to crochet many years ago and loved it. I've been thinking about taking it up again and I think you may have just motivated me.
    Hugs,
    Laura

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