This past weekend, I was playing around with some overlay crochet techniques, and came up with a little motif that I’d like to share for free. It’s a granny square with an overlay center that reminds me of a spinning record, for some reason. Maybe it’s the movement illusion that the stitches create, or maybe I just have vinyl on the mind. Either way, it’s a fun and easy introduction to overlay crochet!

What is overlay crochet?

Overlay crochet is a technique that makes use of both the front and back loops of stitches. Generally, new rounds are worked into the back stitch only. This leaves the front loops open to later work overlaid stitches into. The result is a sturdy fabric that looks very different on the front and back. The front (“right”) side of the work is a canvas for intricate stitch work, while the back (“wrong”) side of the work comes out as concentric circles.

Although any patterns can benefit from using the “invisible join” (see below), overlay crochet patterns often work the best when joining rounds with a “false” stitch. This kind of join allows you to more clearly see where to work stitches and provides a cleaner finish.

spin me right round motif

Written in standard US terms

Finished size: 5”

Hook: US F (3.75 mm)

Yarn: DK weight  (#3 Light) in 3 colors

Shown here: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK (100% cotton; 137 yd [125 m]/1.75 oz [50 g]): #409 Light Caramel (A); #444 Raspberry Pink (B); #401 Paper White (C), 1 ball each

Notes: Work all rounds in the back loop only, unless indicated otherwise. FL refers to working that particular stitch in the front loop only. You can find a full stitch guide here.

Special Stitches:

Invisible join: After making the last stitch of a round, cut yarn leaving a 4-6” tail, and pull through the top of the last stitch made. Using a tapestry needle or hook, pull yarn tail from front to back through the 2 top loops of the 2nd stitch of the round. Next pull yarn tail from top to bottom through the center of the top 2 loops of the last stitch of the round. This will create a “false” stitch into which you can work in subsequent rounds. Weave in the remaining end.

Pull loop through last stitch

Insert hook from back to front through 2nd stitch of round

Pull loop through

Insert hook from bottom to top through last stitch

Pull loop through

Instructions

Rnd 1: With A, make an adjustable ring. Ch2 (counts as dc, here and throughout), 15dc into ring. Invisible join to 2nd dc. Fasten off A. (16 dc)

Rnd 2: Join B in any st, ch1 (counts as sc, here and throughout), 1sc in same st. 2sc in each st around. Invisible join to 2nd sc. Fasten off B. (32 sc)

Rnd 3: Join C in any st, ch1, 1sc in each st around. Invisible join to 2nd sc. Fasten off C. (32 sc)

Rnd 4: Join A in a st of Rnd 3 worked into the 1st of any 2 sc of Rnd 2 worked into the same st, ch1. *1tr (FL) in underlying st of Rnd 1 to the left, 1sc in each of next 2 st* Repeat from * to end. Omit 1sc on final repeat. Invisible join to 1st tr. Fasten off A. (32 sc, 16 tr)

Join here

1st tr in underlying st of Rnd 1 to the left

Continue making tr in adjacent stitches of Rnd 1

Rnd 5: Join B in any tr, ch1. *1tr (FL) in underlying st of Rnd 2 to the right of tr of Rnd 4, sk 1 st on Rnd 4, 1sc in each of next 2 st* Repeat from * to end. Omit 1sc on final repeat. Invisible join to 1st tr. Fasten off B. (32 sc, 16 tr)

Join here

1st tr in underlying st of Rnd 2

Continue making tr in stitches of Rnd 2 between tr of Rnd 4

Rnd 6: Join C in any tr, ch2, 1dc in same st. *1dc in each of next 2 st, 2dc in next st* Repeat from * to end. Omit 2dc on final repeat. Invisible join to 2nd dc. Fasten off C. (64 dc)

Rnd 7: Join A in any st, ch1. *1sc in each of next 2 st, 1hdc in each of next 2 st, 1dc in each of next 2 st, 2tr in next st, ch2, 2tr in next st, 1dc in each of next 2 st, 1hdc in each of next 2 st, 1sc in each of next 4 st* Repeat from * to end. Omit 1sc on final repeat. Invisible join to 2nd sc. Fasten off A. (24 sc, 16 hdc, 16 dc, 16 tr, 4 ch2 sp)

Rnd 8: Work this round through both loops. Join B in any ch2 sp, ch2, (1dc, ch2, 2dc) in same ch2 sp. *1dc in each of next 18 st, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2 sp* Repeat from * to end. Omit (2dc, ch2, 2dc) on final repeat. Invisible join to 2nd dc. Fasten off B and weave in all ends. (88 dc, 4 ch2 sp)

overlay crochet granny square

What might you make with the Spin Me Right Round granny square? The motif is perfect for blankets, bags, cushion covers, and more! If only I had time to create projects from all of the motifs I design!

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