Arden Granny Square Pattern

I played and played with square patterns for my crochet mood blanket. At first I wanted to do "Something Pretty" by Millie Makes. I loveee those squares, but I knew they were simply too time consuming for me to realistically keep up with for the whole year... So I'll save that pattern for a smaller project. For the mood blanket, I wanted my squares to be simple enough to finish quickly, but textural and interesting enough to keep me interested. This is what I came up with. I think they look kind of like snowflakes in a way! With some stitches worked in the back loop, the switch from a circle to a square, and some stitches worked in the front post, I think they look more intricate than they really are (which is baaaasically what I was going for). 

I'm using worsted weight yarn (Loops & Threads Impeccable) and a size H hook. *US crochet terms*

Abbreviations: ch = chain, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, tr = treble crochet, st = stitch, sp = space, sk = skip, slpst = slip stitch, bl = back loop, fp = front post

*To work in back loops, insert hook from the middle of the stitch through the back loop -- see photo 3 for a close up.*

*To work around the front post, insert hook from front to back in the space before a stitch, then around from back to front through the space after that stitch. Basically, rather than working in a stitch, you are working around a stitch. You want your stitch to end up on top of the stitch you're working around, not underneath -- see photo 9 for a close up.*

Rnd 1 - Make a magic ring. Ch 4 [=1 tr], make 11 tr in ring. Slpst to top of ch4 to join. Pull ring closed and weave in end. = 12 sts (see photo 1)

Rnd 2 - Ch 3 [=1 dc] (see photo 2), dc in back loop of same st. 2 dc in bl of each st around. (see photo 3) Slpst to top of ch3 to join. = 24 sts

Rnd 3 - Ch 3 [=1 dc] (see photo 4), in sp between current and next st [dc, tr, ch 1, tr, 2 dc]. (see photo 5) *Sk 2 sts, hdc in next 3 sps. Sk 2 sts, [2 dc, tr, ch 1, tr, 2 dc] in next sp.* (see photo 6) Repeat from * twice. Sk 2 sts, hdc in next 3 sps, slpst to top of ch3 to join. Fasten off, weave in ends. (see photo 7) = 36 sts (not including 4 ch sps/corners)

Rnd 4 - In border color, begin with a standing dc in a corner sp. In the same sp, [dc, tr, ch 1, tr, 2 dc]. (see photo 8) *Sk 3 sts, 2 dc in next sp. Sk 1 st, dc around fp of next st. Sk 1 st, 2 dc in next sp. (see photo 9) Sk 3 sts, [2 dc, tr, ch 1, tr, 2 dc] in next sp.* (see photo 10) Repeat from * twice. Sk 3 sts, 2 dc in next sp. Sk 1 st, dc around fp of next st. Sk 1 st, 2 dc in next sp. Slpst to top of beginning dc to join. Fasten off, weave in ends. = 44 sts (not including ch sps/corners)

I'm doing the join as you go method for my mood blanket (good tutorial on Attic24). I'm also making a bunch of the colored portions ahead of time, so that on busy days, I can grab a pre-made middle that suits my mood and simply add the border! 

What do you think? Is the pattern more complicated than I think it is? I don't know that I'm a great judge of that sort of thing -- and writing out a pattern so that it's easy to read is tough! I'd love your feedback, readers. ♥♥

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