La Quadrature du cercle (Squaring the circle) is a free pattern I designed to make a square in the round with a double-ended Tunisian crochet hook. Hence the name…
I created this free pattern in the frame of the “Tunisian blanket CAL” organized by KnitterKnotter, alias Arunima, in 2021. It’s a Tcal during which several Tunisian crochet designers all around the world publish instructions to make squares in Tunisian crochet throughout the year. At the end of the year all these squares are meant to be seamed together to make a big blanket. For more details about the Tcal, follow KnitterKnotter. She’s the host centralising all patterns created by the participating designers.
I’m opening the Tcal with my free pattern La Quadrature du cercle (Squaring the circle). I created a video to show how to make the first 4 rounds. The full instructions with a photo tutorial in pdf format are available for free on Ravelry and Payhip.
First 4 rounds in video
Most of my videos are in French. Yet, this time I made a video in English to show you how to start and make the first 4 rounds of my pattern la Quadrature du cercle. If you like my videos, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Free pattern on Ravelry and Payhip
Go to my shop on Raverly or Payhip to download the free pdf in French and English. You’ll have the full details about my pattern la Quadrature du cercle: materials, instructions, a photo tutorial.
Follow the Tunisian blanket CAL
For more squares in Tunisian crochet, follow the Tunisian blanket CAL on KnitterKnotter‘s website: https://knitterknotter.com/
Variations are endless: single-ended or double-ended Tunisian crochet hook, work done flat or in the round, in one or multiple colors, … You’ll see various techniques and stitches used to make different squares created by designers from all around the world.
Have fun!
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Rachel, I am DESPERATE to obtain what you use to create your square for Arunima’s CAL – a 15cm 8mm double-ended crochet hook.
Such a thing cannot be found in this country (Australia); and I have had zero success in finding one on-line – the largest size available is 6mm and that hook is 30mm.
PLEASE can you recommend a French/Belgian/Swiss site where I can buy one ? Since these tools are obviously common to you, I hope it’s not a matter of your buying them from storefronts but via the Web ..?
So I beg that you send me a URL, and I shall utilise my terrible French ..
with regards,
M.R.
Hello, M.R.,
So I started this message by providing a few references to Amazon and Rascol (a French distributor). But then I deleted everything. Why? Because you are in Australia, so you live in the same country as the most amazing Tunisian crochet hook maker : CATCH HOOKS. This man makes the most fantastic hooks I have ever used. What is more, they are custom-made. So, you can ask for a shorter or longer shaft, single or double-ended hook, from 5 to 7 mm.
I know the pattern indicates a 8 mm hook, but you could try a 7 mm hook (which is available from Catch hooks). Tension would be slightly different but since it’s a square in a round, you can easily adapt the number of rounds to the desired measurements. I HIGHLY recommend that you contact Catch hooks.
If you have a set of interchangeable hooks, you could also use hooks of different sizes. KnitterKnotter used a 8 mm hook at one end and a 6.5 mm hook at the opposite end (for the return pass). If you use hooks of different sizes to work in the round, always use the bigger hook for the forward pass and the smaller hook for the return pass. Hooks don’t have to be in the same size for work in the round.
I hope it helps.
🤣 Rachel, you should get a free hook for all the business you’re generating for CATCH Hooks! I received my order last week, and fell asleep with one in my hand the first night! Mine are the Glassy Black Wet looking hooks, and one Silver, that CATCH Hooks recently posted pics of on Instagram. The stitch definition is magical with these hooks! And that drape! Worth every cent and every day I had to wait for them to arrive!
Oh, thank you so much for such a nice feedback! It’s a pleasure. I’m happy you enjoy your new CATCH hooks. These are really unique hooks. We have a saying in French “Les goûts et les couleurs ne se discutent pas” (what you like and prefer is not debatable) and it’s true about crochet hooks. There are so many different hooks, it’s impossible to say which ones are better than others. It’s all so personal. But CATCH hooks are definitely my favourite hooks. I’m smiling while writing this message, at the thought you enjoy them as much as I do!
Haimish did make contact by email and I replied to him within roughly 2 seconds .. 🙂
But he, like all true craftsmen, is proving somewhat dilatory.
Never mind: I’m prepared to wait.
I’m very grateful for this recommendation, Rachel !
Hello Rachel: I found you on youtube and love your videos. Your decreases look great but I was wondering if you had a video for symmetrical increases? I have searched your site and can’t find one.
Thanks for your help…and your wonderful videos.
Hello, Susan, about symmetrical increases, it all depends on the stitches you select in TC. The Tunisian simple stitch, for example, is not a symmetrical stitch, hence you’ll never get a “perfect” symmetrical increase to the left and to the right. This being said, I find that if you make a fabric made of Tunisian simple stitches, a nice way to increase more or less symmetrically to the right and left would be: 1 Tunisian full stitch (increase 1), 1 Tunisian knit stitch (central stitch), 1 Tunisian full stitch (increase 2). On the next row, you make any stitch you like until you reach the Tunisian knit stitch. At that stage, make 1 full stitch, 1 knit stitch, then again 1 full stitch.
I hope it helps.
How nice of you to reply so fully to my question. That is exactly the answer to what I asked. I loved your ‘in the round video, but I had difficulty understanding exactly what you were doing. I think because you used 2 yarn colors I kept losing the concept. I’m sure it’s just me.
I want to use the TSS throughout but I think with your explanation I can tackle the increaes with confidence.
Again, thank you so much for your response.