How to make a Yo-Yo, Granny's Daughter, Saltine

HOW TO MAKE THE
Yo-Yo, Double Yo-Yo, Triple Yo-Yo, Granny's Daughter, Saltine
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How to Make the Yo-Yo, Double Yo-Yo, Triple Yo-Yo, Granny's Daughter, Saltine
c2009, Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

The granny square is worked in the round, but there are many ways to begin, end, and join the rounds. For these small projects, there are two methods that are generally used. I am listing all the methods here, not to confuse those who visit the granny square tutorial. The methods generally used are Methods 1 and 3. My preference is Method 3 using the adjustable ring.

If you are making squares for a charity effort, find out what method the coordinator prefers. Since these items must be joined to others, it is best they all are as close as possible in size and method. For my work below, I use an H hook. If you are using a larger hook to make yours, you will have to adjust.

A yo-yo is 16 dc worked into the ring with no chains between them. To see if I have enough worsted weight yarn, I wrap yarn loosely around a 12" ruler 8 times (in other words 8 12" lengths or 8 feet, that means front and back of the ruler - once around - is 2 lengths). Don't stretch it. Just loosely wind around the length of the ruler. This will to some degree depend on the yarn. That is about 96-98". I usually hold an inch or two at the top so it doesn't slip out of my fingers.

A double yo-yo is 2 rounds, 16 dc on the first round, and 2 dc in each stitch on the second round for a total of 32 dc on that round. To see if I have enough worsted weight yarn, I wrap yarn loosely around a 12" ruler 20 times. Don't stretch it. Just loosely wind around the length of the ruler. This will to some degree depend on the yarn.

A triple yo-yo is 3 rounds. There are two ways to make these. One uses 12, 24, 36 stitches. That would be 12 in ring, 2 in each st, then increase in every other stitch to get 36. The other is made the same, continuing the basic yo-yo. It starts with 16 dc in ring, then 2 in each, then increase in every other stitch - 16, 32, 48. If you are making for a charity, all the circles need to be the same so ask the person joining what she accepts. To see if I have enough worsted weight yarn, I wrap yarn loosely around a 12" ruler 28 times. Don't stretch it. Just loosely wind around the length of the ruler. This will to some degree depend on the yarn.

One round of the basic granny square is called a Granny's Daughter. (4 3dc shells and 4 chain spaces). I usually use an H hook and worsted weight acrylic yarn. To see if I have enough worsted weight yarn, I wrap yarn loosely around a 12" ruler 7 times. Again, don't stretch it. Just loosely wind around the length of the ruler. Some folks call them granny centers or granny minis.

Two rounds of the basic granny square is called a Saltine. (I have heard that is because it is about the size of a saltine cracker, but I can't verify where it began so I don't know if that is true or not). I have also heard this called a mini granny square. I found 16 times around my ruler was sufficient for most worsted weight yarns.

To summarize (H hook, worsted weight yarn):
yo yo - wind at least 8 times (8 feet), 16 dc
double yo yo - wind at least 20 times (20 feet), 16 dc first round, 2 in ea for 32 dc last round
granny's daughter - wind at least 7 times (7 feet), (4 3dc shells separated by chains)
saltine - wind at least 16 times (16 feet), first 2 rounds basic granny square

Rnd 1: Ch 3, work 15 more dc into the center of the ring, join with a slip stitch to top chain of beginning ch-3. There are NO chains between dcs. Finish off, weave in ends. (16dc)

Double Yo-Yo
16 dc in ring, 2 dc in ea st for total of 32 dcs on last round, about 3"

You can use either method to begin. I usually use the adjustable ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, work 15 more dc into the center of the ring. There are NO chains between dcs. (16 dc)

Rnd 2: ch 2 or 3 to bring to height, dc in same st as beg chains, 2 dc in each dc around, join with a slip stitch to top chain of beginning chain, finish off, weave in ends. (32 dc)

I send these to Crafting for a Cause and they are made into afghans for Native Americans.

Triple Yo-Yo (check with coordinators as to the number of stitches needed per round)

Make a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, work 11 more dc into the center of the ring. There are NO chains between dcs. (12 dc)

Rnd 2: ch 2 or 3 to bring to height, dc in same st as beg chains, 2 dc in each dc around, join with a slip stitch to top chain of beginning chains. (24 dc)

Rnd 3: ch 2 or 3, 2 dc in next dc, * dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, rep from * around, , finish off, weave in ends. (36 dc)

Complete as for triple yo-yo above, but work total of 16 dc into ring on first round.

Make a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, work 15 more dc into the center of the ring. There are NO chains between dcs. (16 dc)

Rnd 2: ch 2 or 3 to bring to height, dc in same st as beg chains, 2 dc in each dc around, join with a slip stitch to top chain of beginning chain. (32 dc)

Rnd 3: ch 2 or 3, 2 dc in next dc, * dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, rep from * around, , finish off, weave in ends. (48 dc)

GRANNY'S DAUGHTER
first round of Granny Square (12 dcs w/ch-2 or ch-3 between 3-dc shells), about 1 1/2"

Note that these can be done using ch-2 between shells or ch-3 between shells. Check with your coordinator and do them all the same. I am using ch-3 here because that is what all my granny pages use.

Make a slip knot. Work a foundation chain of five chains (you can use 4 if you find that is enough). Join into a circle (or ring) by working a slip stitch into the first chain made -- which is the fifth chain from hook. This might be noted in a pattern as "join with sl st". Ch 2 or 3 to bring up to height, then work the first round into the center of the ring. (only the first shell is shown in the photos)

Method 3 Start: Starting with the adjustable ring, ch 3 and work first round into the center ring. Here it is in pattern format:

Rnd 1: ch 3, 2 dc, (ch 3, 3 dc) three times, ch 3 join with a sl st to top of beginning chain (four 3-dc shells, 4 ch-3 spaces)

NOTE: Some use ch-2 between shells. This is perfectly fine. Just know what your coordinator wants and do them all the same.

Here is the video instructions for the Granny's Daughter. In the video I used ch-2 in corners.

Saltine
first two rounds of a Granny Square (12 dc on first round, 24 dc on second round), about 2 1/2"

Note that these can be done using ch-2 or ch-3 between corner shells. Check with your coordinator and do them all the same. The pictures show ch-3 in corners, but below them I have the pattern I use for Dawn at Bev's Charity Challenge with ch-2 between corner shells. The video below uses ch-2 between corner shells.

I am also demonstrating two different ways of joining rounds. These can also be found on the granny square options page.

Rnd 1: ch 3, 2 dc, (ch 3, 3 dc) three times, ch 3 join with a sl st to top of beginning chain, slip stitch in next two dc and in next ch-3 space,
(12 dcs, 4 ch-3 spaces)

NOTE: Some use ch-2 between shells. This is perfectly fine. Just know what your coordinator wants and do them all the same.

Rnd 2 (not pictured): (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, in next ch-3 sp work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), ch 1, in next ch-3 space work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), ch 1, in next ch-3 space work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), ch 1, join with a slip stitch and finish off (24 dc, 4 ch-3 spaces, 4 ch-1 spaces)

Rnd 1: ch 3, 2 dc, (ch 3, 3 dc) three times, ch 1, sc or hdc in top chain of beginning ch 3 to join (12 dcs)

Rnd 2: ch 2, in same sp work 2 dc, ch 1, in next ch-3 sp work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), ch 1, in next ch-3 space work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), ch 1, in next ch-3 space work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), ch 1, in next ch-3 space you already have one shell worked, in same space work (3 dc, ch 3) then join to first ch-2 either by using the invisible finish off or by joining with a slip stitch in top chain of beginning ch-2. (8 shells - 24 dc - 4 ch-3 spaces, 4 ch-1 spaces)

yo, insert hook in
top chain of beginning chains

yo again

draw through all 3 loops to complete hdc

work first shell of round 2 around your hdc

continue your round with (shell, ch 3, shell) in corners and ch 1 separating corners

when you get to the last full corner,
ch 1

now you have to finish the first corner by working the final shell

then ch 3, join with sl st in top chain of your beginning chains

finish with invisible finish off

If you want to use ch-2 between corner shells, here is what your pattern would look like. This is what I use for Dawn at Bev's Charity Challenge. Presently we're making red, white, and blue saltines to be made into afghans which will be sent to Fisher House (located near Veteran hospitals) in November.

Rnd 1: ch 3, 2 dc, (ch 2, 3 dc) three times, ch 1, sc in top chain of beg ch-3 to join (12 dcs)

Rnd 2: ch 2, in same sp work 2 dc, ch 1, in next ch-3 sp work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc), ch 1, in next ch-3 space work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc), ch 1, in next ch-3 space work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc), ch 1, in next ch-3 space you already have one shell worked, in same space work (3 dc, ch 2) then join to first ch-2 either by using the invisible finish off or by joining with a slip stitch in top chain of beginning ch-2. (8 shells - 24 dc - 4 ch-2 spaces, 4 ch-1 spaces)