crocheting an 8 inch square

by Mary
(Florence, Italy)

Hi everyone!
Just wanted to say that in order to make a square as close to 8 inches as possible, I find it easier to make a granny-type square, working around in circles, rather than back and forth. You just work the square until you hit 8 inches, then you stop.
In order to make a warmer square without holes, you may want to make a "square target", or what some people are calling "Babette square". start with 4 sets of dc + 2ch in beginning 4ch ring. In subsequent rings work one dc in each dc of previous row, plus 2dc,2ch,2dc in each 2ch space.
I have a great book called "200 Crochet Blocks" by Jan Eaton. If you make these squares using worsted weight yarn and a 5mm hook, it will almost always come out to be 8 inches.
Hope these tips can be of help!
Happy crocheting!
Mary