Have you ever utilized the “3rd loop” of a crochet stitch?
I tried it years ago (while pregnant with my youngest), and created a lovely baby blanket for her.
This is one of my very first published designs as “Mayhem & Majesty” – called Wild & Free. (Waaaay back in the day I published a few patterns on Ravelry as ‘Bec’s Fiber Fetish’ š and that’s the business name I used for several years when I sold kids’ hats.)
ANYHOW. At the time of designing the Wild & Free Blanket, I called this special loop the “free loop” but since then I have heard it referred to as the “3rd loop” – so that’s the term I now use now as well.
![](https://mayhemandmajesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_7493-1050x1050.jpg)
Six years later, I’ve been playing with the 3rd loop again for another pretty floral design. While working on some quick how-to videos for that design, I’ve created a couple of FREE granny squares so you can try it out, too!
![](https://mayhemandmajesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_3260-1050x1050.jpeg)
Pattern Notes
- This pattern can be made with any weight yarn and you favorite hook for making granny squares in that yarn – but my example uses DK (3) weight yarn and a 4mm hook.
- The two patterns below can be joined and use together in the same project, their size and side stitch counts are identical.
- These little squares would make a fabulous stash busting project as they only use small amounts of each color.
- If you are unsure of how to do some of the stitches/techniques, I’ve linked many of them to one of my ‘quickie’ videos. These are 90 seconds or less and completely ad free.
Stitches Used – US Terms
- magic ring – video
- 3rd Loop – video
- invisible join – video
- standing dc/tr – Standing Double/Treble Crochet – my video shows a stand double crochet, but the concept is exactly the same for a treble, you just yarn over twice (as for a normal treble) and proceed as the video shows.
- rnd – round
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- slst – slip stitch
- ch – chain
- sc– single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
Supplies
- Small amounts of DK yarn in 5 colors – the 5th color will need the most.
- 4mm Hook (or your preferred hook size for DK yarn when you make granny squares)
Bullseye Granny Square
Rnd 1 (into magic ring): ch2, dc 11, invisible join. (12 sts)
Rnd 2, working into 3rd loop: join next color into any st with a ch2, dc in same st as joining; 2dc in each st around, invisible join. (24 sts)
Rnd 3, working into 3rd loop: join next color into any st with a ch2, dc in same st as joining; *dc, 2dc in next st * repeat between * around; invisible join. (36 sts)
Rnd 4, working into 3rd loop: join next color into any st with a ch2, dc in same st as joining; *dc 2, 2dc in next st * repeat between * around; invisible join. (48 sts)
Rnd 5, working into 3rd loop: join final color into any st with a standing tr, *tr in next st, dc 2, hdc 2, sc, hdc 2, dc 2 ,tr, (tr, ch2, tr) in next st* repeat between * around, slst to starting tr to join. (60 sts)
Rnd 6, working in sts normally: ch2, *dc in next st and in each st across side, (3dc, ch2 3dc) into ch2 corner sp* repeat between * around, invisible join. (19 sts per side, ch2 corners)
![](https://mayhemandmajesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_3261-1050x1050.jpeg)
Templar Granny Square
So named because the shape created by the 3rd loop use makes me think of that cross symbol on many knight shields and breast plates in movies. š I have no idea it was on the famed Templar Knights’ armor – but it sounded like a cool name, so I went with it. Naming patterns is harder than you’d think – trust me.
Rnd 1 (into magic ring): ch2, dc, ch2, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch2, dc; invisible join. (3 dc per side)
Rnds 2-4, working into 3rd loop: join next color into any corner with a ch2, *dc across side, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) into corner ch2 sp* repeat between * around; complete starting corner by working (2dc, ch2, dc) into the corner of your starting ch2; invisible join.
- rnd 2: 7 dc per side
- rnd 3: 11 dc per side
- rnd 4: 15 dc per side
For round 5, you will be working all treble crochets – so we’ll begin with a ch3 and our invisible join will complete that ch3 into a treble st!
Rnd 5, working in all sts normally: join final color into and ch2 sp with a ch3, *tr in next st and in each st across side, (2tr, ch2 2tr) into ch2 corner sp* repeat between * around, invisible join. (19 tr per side)
![](https://mayhemandmajesty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_3262-1050x1050.jpeg)
Crocheting into the Third Loop – Video Tutorial – Mayhem & Majesty
[…] This post is the one containing the free patterns for the two granny squares shown at the end of this video. […]