Tina's handicraft : Bo ho Granny Square Cardigan with Collar

This unique handmade cardigan combines the classic granny square technique with contemporary design, creating a statement piece that truly stands out. The front and back are adorned with characteristic floral granny squares in soft shades of lilac, cream, and mustard yellow, while the sleeves and collar are crocheted in a unified cream color with an open stitch pattern. The cardigan fastens with wooden buttons that add a bohemian touch.This cardigan is an ode to handmade creation. Inspired by the timeless beauty of granny squares, it combines warmth, character, and uniqueness. Each motif flows harmoniously into the next, creating a garment that does not simply follow fashion, but tells a story. Yarns, shapes, and textures come together in this cardigan, forming a piece with soul. A design that embraces the body and highlights the power of handmade craftsmanship.

What you will need: Alize Lanagold

Hooks: 5.5mm [US I-9], 6mm [US J-10], and 6.5mm [US K-10½] Four 1¼" [32mm] buttons, sewing needle and thread, yarn needle

GAUGE: One Granny Square measures about 6 x 6" [15 x 15 cm] using smallest hook for size Small/Medium; about 6½ x 6½" [16.5 x 16.5 cm] using middle-sized hook for size Large/X-Large; about 7 x 7" [18 x 18 cm] using largest hook for size 2X-Large/3XLarge. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

Directions are for size Small/Medium.

Changes for sizes Large/X-Large and 2X-Large/3X-Large are in parentheses.

Finished Bust: 48 (52, 56)" [122 (132, 142) cm]

Finished Length: 36 (39, 42)" [91.5 (99, 106.5) cm]

Special Stitches hdc2tog (half double crochet 2 stitches together) = [Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up loop] 2 times, yarn over and draw through all 5 loops on hook. join with sc = Place a slip knot on hook, insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.

Notes 1. Cardigan is made from 62 Granny Squares sewn together following assembly diagram.

2. Cardigan is worked the same for all 3 sizes, using the smallest hook for size Small/Medium, the middle sized hook for size Large/X-Large, and the largest hook for size 2X-Large/3X-Large.

3. Each Granny Square is worked in joined rounds with right side always facing. The yarn color is changed every round (except the last round) by fastening off the old color and joining the new color. 4. Front bands, collar, and sleeve cuffs are worked directly on to the assembled coat.

GRANNY SQUARE I (make 10) With A, ch 5; join with slip st in first ch to form a ring.

Round 1 (right side): Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), work 11 dc in ring; join with slip st in top of beginning ch3—12 dc. Fasten off.

Round 2: With right side facing, draw up a loop of E in any space between sts, ch 3, dc in same space, *ch 1, 2 dc in next space between sts; repeat from * around, ch 1; join wth slip st in top of beginning ch-3—24 dc and 12 ch-1 spaces. Fasten off.

Round 3: With right side facing, draw up a loop of F in any ch-1 space, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-1 space, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 space; repeat from * around, ch 1; join with slip st in top of beginning ch3—36 dc and 12 ch-1 spaces. Fasten off.

Round 4: With right side facing, draw up a loop of C in any ch-1 space, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-1 space, *ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-1 space; repeat from * around, ch 2; join with slip st in top of beginning ch3—36 dc and 12 ch-2 spaces. Fasten off.

Round 5: With right side facing, draw up a loop of B in any ch-2 space, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-2 space, ch 1, 4 dc in next ch-2 space, *ch 1, (2 dc, 2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr, 2 dc) in next ch-2 space (corner made), [ch 1, 4 dc in next ch-2 space] twice; repeat from * 2 more times, ch 1, (2 dc, 2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr, 2 dc) in next ch-2 space, ch 1; join with slip st in top of beginning ch-3—4 corners with two 4-dc groups along each of 4 sides between corners. Fasten off.

Round 6: With right side facing, join A with slip st in any corner ch-2 space, *[skip next st, sc in next 3 sts, sc in next ch-1 space] 3 times, skip next st, sc in next 3 sts, 3 sc in corner ch-2 space; repeat from * 3 more times; join with slip st in first sc—72 sc (15 sc along each of 4 sides between 3-sc corners). Do not fasten off.

Round 7: Continuing with A, ch 1, *sc in each st to next 3-sc corne r, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc; repeat from * 3 more times; join with slip st in first sc—84 sc. Fasten off.