If you would like to know how to crochet the X stitch for any size project, you can see how here in this free stitch guide.

You can find the links for all the squares in the crochet along here. The free pattern is below, but if you’d like the ad free printable version you can purchase it for just £5 from Ravelry

This pattern is written in US terms, but the UK translation is below.

UK Translation

• Double Crochet (dc) = treble crochet

For this square I used Rico Cotton Creative Aran which is a 100% cotton non mercerised yarn. I chose this yarn as I love the feel of cotton, and it has a good selection of colours to choose from. This yarn does tend to split a little bit especially if you frog it a couple of times, so if this type of yarn is something you struggle to crochet with, I would choose a different brand.

I used the shade Gentain (87) of Rico Cotton Aran yarn, which is 1 of the 4 different colours I used to create my own 50 stitches blanket. I also used a 3.5mm hook – I recommend using Clover Amour hooks. A cost effective hook that is comfortable in your hands thanks to their ergonomic design, so doesn’t make your hands tired when crocheting for long periods of time.

The Pattern

Click here for the left hand video

For this square you will need a 3.5 mm hook

Start by making a foundation chain of 32

Row 1. In the 5th chain from your hook make a dc (the turning chain counts as the first stitch of the row and a skipped stitch). For your next stitch you’re going to be working behind the dc you just made, in the 4th chain of the turning chain. So you need to go back a chain from what you have just worked in to make a dc.

*skip a stitch and make a dc. In the skipped stitch and working behind the dc you just made but inserting your hook into the front of the chain, make a dc* repeat between *and* across the row. Dc in the last chain – 30 stitches.

This first row is the most difficult. When you start row 2 it will become much easier to get your hook into the stitches.

Row 2. Turn and chain 1. In the first stitch make a dc turning chain then make a dc in the next stitch. *Skip the next stitch and then make a dc. Go back to the skipped st and working behind the dc you just made, make a dc (it will look like the picture below)* repeat between *and* across the row. Dc in each of the last 2 stitches. – 30 stitches

The stitches in each row are staggered

Row 3. Turn and chain 1. In the first stitch make a dc turning chain. *Skip the next stitch and then make a dc. Go back to the skipped stitch and working behind the dc you just made, make a dc* repeat between *and* across the row. Make a dc in the last stitch.

Rows 4-14. Repeat rows 2 and 3

The Border

Now you need to add the single crochet border to your week 21 X square before we join this one to last weeks square with the Interlocking border. We’re going to be making a round of single crochet around our square. I’ve chosen to do this in a contrasting colour for each of my squares, but you can use a complimenting or same colour as your square if you want. I chose to use Turquoise (36) in Rico Cotton Creative Aran yarn for my border colour, the same colour that I also used for the Interlocking border.

Use a 4mm hook for the border stitches.

Make a sc in each stitch across the top and bottom edges. For the sides make 3 sc in the side of rows 1 and 14, and make 2 sc in the side of all other rows.

You should have 30 sc down each side, plus an extra stitch in each corner for the turn. This will make your stitch count as 32 stitches across each side and 124 stitches total (remember the extra stitch corner stitch is counted in the stitch count for both sides)

You have now finished your Week 21 square of the 50 Stitches Crochet Along and can now cut off and weave in your ends before joining this piece to your previous pieces.

You can now add the interlocking border to join this weeks square to last weeks. You can see how to do this here both as a written guide and with a video to help you too.

If you have any questions about the pattern or the CAL, then come on over to the Facebook group – Froggity Frog’s Ribbit And Stitch where you can show us your completed squares too and join the chat and meet your fellow hookers.