Peony Square

designed by

Cindy Arman

Approximately 2 ounces of Main Color (A) and 2 ounces of Contrast Color (B); Hook Size H, or size needed to make gauge.

Gauge
14 dc = 4" long
First 3 rnds = 4" tip to tip

NOTE - row counts at the end of each row DO NOT include the chain stitches in the corners...only the dc, hdc, or sc.

Special Stitches

beg cl - ch 2, (yo, insert needle in same stitch as ch 3, yo and draw up loop, yo, draw through two loops) twice, then yo and draw through all three loops - Beginning Cluster made

cl - (yo, insert needled in desired stitch, yo and draw up loop, yo and draw through two loops) three times, then yo and draw through all four loops - Cluster made

Rnd 1:

with color A ch 4, join to first ch to make ring; sl st into ring then work beg cl in ring, ch 1; (cl in ring, ch 1)seven times. Join to top of beg cl and finish off. - 8 clusters

Rnd 2:

join color B in any ch 1 sp, (beg cl, ch 1 cl, ch 1) in same ch 1 sp. [(cl, ch 1, cl, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] seven times. Join to top of beg cl - 16 clusters

Rnd 3:

sl st into ch 1 sp, beg cl in same ch 1 sp, ch 2, (cl in next ch 1 sp, ch 2) fifteen times. Join to top of beg cl and finish off. - 16 clusters

Rnd 4:

join color A in any ch 2 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in the same ch 2 sp.(corner made) *3 hdc in next ch 2 sp, 2 sc in next ch 2 sp, 3 hdc in next ch 2 sp, **(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp. Repeat from * three times, ending at **. Join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, sl st in next 2 dc, and into ch 2 corner sp. - 14 stitches

Rnd 5:

(ch 3, 2 dc, ch2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, * 3 dc in each sp across, **(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner. Repeat from * three times, ending at **. Join with sl st in top of beg ch 3 and finish off. - 18 stitches

Rnd 6:

Join color B in any corner sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in same corner sp. * 3 dc in each sp across, **(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner. Repeat from * three times, ending at **. Join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, sl st in next 2 dc, and into ch 2 corner sp. - 21 stitches

Rnd 7 through 9:

Repeat rnd 6, ending last round at **. Join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, finish off. - 24, 27, and 30 stitches, respectively

Rnd 10:

Join color A in any corner sp, (ch 2, 1 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) all in same corner sp, * hdc in each dc across, **(2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in corner. Repeat from * three times, ending at **. Join with sl st in top of beg ch 2, finish off. - 34 stitches

Rnd 11:

Join color B in any corner sp, (ch 2, 1 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) all in same corner sp, *hdc in each hdc across, **(2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in corner. Repeat from * three times, ending at **. Join with sl sti in top of beg ch 2, sl st in next hdc and in ch 2 sp. - 38 stitches

Rnd 12:

(ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in same corner sp, * sk next hdc, dc in each hdc across, DO NOT sk last hdc,**(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner. Repeat from * three times, ending at **. Join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, finish off. - 41 stitches.

Adjustments

last row maybe substituted with sc or hdc as needed to make square exactly 12 inches.

Corrections and Revisions

Corrections made on special stitches, Rows 10, 11, and 12. Thanks Kat.