Agat Last Updated on October 2, 2023
Iris stitch is another one of my favorite stitches, it has a flower-like look, creates a “Holey” fabric, and still has more of a modern look.
When using this stitch to work a square from the middle out, you get a modern crochet granny square pattern with a unique look.
The Iris stitch is a great stitch to use in blankets, and when working with a thick yarn, it will make a beautiful hot pad.
Scroll down for the video tutorial and written instructions!
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How to Crochet a Modern Granny Square?
When working a modern crochet granny square pattern, we want to work a square from the middle out, just use a different stitch than the classic granny stitch. This will create an unusual granny square crochet pattern.
For this crochet granny square, we will work the Iris stitch in a square.
The Iris stitch is very easy, it consists of only double crochet and chains, the same as the classic granny square stitches, but we create a double V stitch, working 2 dc on each side of the V stitch.
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Iris Stitch in a Square and a Rectangle
The Iris stitch is perfect for so many different projects, it’s not too dense and not too ‘holey’.
I used the Iris Stitch in a Square to make a blanket, and also to make the Iris Cocoon Shrug!
And if you are wondering whether you can work this beautiful stitch as a rectangle, the answer is yes! The Iris in a Rectangle Stitch is also a great option to create a blanket or a hot pad. I used this stitch to design the Penelope Placemat!
Modern Granny Square Blanket
If you like me, and love working your blankets from the middle out (and spare the long starting chains), check out Ella’s Lullaby Blanket. I designed this blanket as a gift for a friend who had a baby girl (and named her Ella).
We chose the colors together, and I decided to use the Iris in a Square stitch to create a blanket that is a big modern crochet granny square pattern.
Crochet Granny Square PDF Pattern
You can find the ad-free PDF pattern with the full photo-tutorial at one of my shops below:
What Type of Yarn is Best for Making a Granny Square?
The fun thing about a granny square is that you can use whatever yarn you want with a suitable crochet hook.
For example, I made a hot pad with this pattern stitch and used Lion Brand – Coboo, this yarn is 50% cotton and 50% bamboo and super soft.
For the square I made for the Friends with Granny Blanket, I used the extra soft Knit Picks – Swish yarn. This is a 100% superwash merino yarn and I just can’t emphasize enough how soft and nice on the skin this yarn is!
More Free Crochet Square Patterns
- Corner to Corner Cluster Stitch
- Crochet Mitered Square
- Moss Stitch in a Square
- Mitered Tulips Square
16 Crochet Granny Square Blanket Pattern – Friends with Granny CAL
The Iris in a Square pattern is part of the collaborative crochet along Friends with Granny Blanket! This CAL is co-hosted by Claire from e’Claire Makery and Debbie from MadameStitch.
The Blanket consists of 16 different 8″ granny squares, each square was designed by a different designer.
When working a modern crochet granny square pattern, we want to work a square from the middle out, just use a different stitch than the classic granny stitch. This will create an unusual granny square crochet pattern.
What is a CAL and How Does it Work?
CAL stands out for crochet along. It’s an event where different crocheters around the world are working together on a pattern at the same time.
The pattern is released in parts, over a period of time. Friends with Granny Blanket is a free crochet along that is held through August 8th-24th, where every day a new square is released and can be downloaded as a free PDF pattern for 24 hours, with the code you will find on the event page.
The Iris in a Square PDF pattern was available for FREE on August 14th, 2022 for 24 hours, and is now available for free on the blog.
If you missed some of the squares, or just want to skip the blog hoping and work on the blanket at your own pace, you can purchase all the 16 squares at a discounted price as a pattern bundle for only $10.
Crochet Modern Granny Square Video Tutorial
Iris in a Square – Modern Crochet Granny Square Pattern
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Skill level โ easy
Materials
โ Crochet hook 5 mm / H (I like this hook)
โ Worsted (#4) yarn (I used Knit Picks – Swish for the blanket square)
โ 4 stitch markers – I used these.
Gauge – Working rounds 1-4 will result in a 4โ (10 cm) square.
Finished Size โ 8×8โ (20.3×20.3 cm)
Abbreviations (US)
ch – chain
st – stitch
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
D-V – double V stitch – [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in same stitch
PM – place marker
Notes
- Ch3 counts as 1 dc.
- The stitch markers are placed to help find the corners. Move them along as you work up the rounds.
- Even if your gauge is not correct, keep in mind that you can work your square until you reach the required finished size.
Iris Stitch in a Square Free Pattern
Make a magic ring.
Round 1:
ch1, (1sc, ch2) x4 into magic ring, ss to 1st sc. Pull the ring tight.
Round 2:
ss into ch-2, ch3 (counts as 1dc), [1dc, ch1, 2dc] in same ch-2, ch2, skip sc.
* 1D-V in next ch-2, ch2, skip sc; Repeat from * 2 more times. Ss to top of ch-3.
Round 3:
ss in the next 4 sts and into the ch-2 gap, ch3 (counts as 1dc), [1dc, ch3, 2dc] in same ch-2 (corner), 1D-V in next ch-1.
* [2dc, ch3, 2dc] in next ch-2 (corner), 1D-V in next ch-1; Repeat from * 2 more times. Ss to top of ch-3.
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Round 4:
ss in the next st and into the ch-3 (corner), ch3 (counts as 1dc), [1dc, ch1, 2dc, ch1- PM, 1D-V] all in same ch-3, 1D-V in next ch-1.
* [1D-V, ch1- PM, 1D-V] in next ch-3 (corner), 1D-V in next ch-1; Repeat from * 2 more times. Ss to top of ch-3.
** Put markers at the ch-1 corners.
Round 5:
ss in the next 4 sts and into the ch-1 (corner), ch3 (counts as 1dc), [1dc, ch3-PM, 2dc] in ch-1 (corner), (1D-V in next ch-1) repeat (โฆ) until marker (ch-1 corner).
* [2dc, ch3-PM, 2dc] in next ch-1 (corner), (1D-V in next ch-1) repeat (โฆ) until marker (ch-1 corner); Repeat from * 2 more times. Ss to top of ch-3.
** Move markers to the corners in each round, to avoid skipping the corners.
Round 6:
1ss in the next st and into the ch-3 (corner), ch3 (counts as 1dc), [1dc, ch1, 2dc, ch1- PM, 1D-V] in ch-3, (1D-V in next ch-1) repeat (โฆ) until ch-3 (corner).
* [1D-V, ch1-PM, 1D-V] in next ch-3 (corner), (1D-V in next ch-1) repeat (โฆ) until ch-3 (corner); Repeat from * 2 more times. Ss to top of ch-3.
Repeat rounds 5-6 until the square measures 8ร8โ (20.3ร20.3cm), or your desired size.
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Is there a way to make a rectangle using this beautiful stitch or should I just make enough squares to stitch together to make a rectangular lapghan?
Hi Pat, unfortunately the current pattern can’t be worked as a rectangle, you need to change the base of the square in order to make it a rectangle. But I’ve been asked about it quite a lot, and planning to write a rectangle version soon! I’ll send an update through the newsletter when the pattern is published ๐
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perfect
thank you for a very good article
Is there a way to add a border to this?
I haven’t tried adding a border to this square, because I love the look of it as it is.
I guess you can try and add a single crochet in each stitch, and add another round of border as you’d like.
Hello! Can you make a pattern for tho
is to be a triangle? it’s make a beautiful kerchief for the head.
Hi Shar,
You can use the Iris Triangle Shawl pattern which is based on this stitch, and only work the pattern as big as you need for a kerchief ๐