The Keffiyeh granny square

The Keffiyeh Granny Square

I’ve put this pattern off for long enough, and it deserves to be published in whatever form I have available. The goal of this release is to maintain awareness and keep the ongoing genocide in Gaza top of mind for crocheters and non-crocheters alike.

This pattern is inspired by the Palestinian Keffiyeh, which consists of 3 main patterns: the fishnets, the bold lines and the olive leaves. Learn more about this beautiful scarf pattern as the “international symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause” here.

Please note that this pattern has not been tested yet. Please feel free to share any feedback to me directly by clicking this link. And if you enjoyed making this pattern, please consider donating directly to families in need in Gaza. 

Some ways to use this granny square: 

• Make a bandana by cutting this pattern in half

• Make a blanket, either by making several small squares or one big one. 

• convert it into a hexagon top or cardigan (Technical Top edit coming soon!)

• Sew 3 granny squares into a cute tote bag

Materials: 

• Yarn in two colors

• Color A: Recommend white

• Color B: Recommend black or other dark color

• Crochet hook in size needed to meet desired gauge

• Needle to weave in ends

• Scissors

Abbreviations and Symbols:

• beg: beginning

• ch: chain

• dc: double crochet

• sc: single crochet

• sk: skip

• sl st: slip stitch

• sp(s): space(s) 

• st(s): stitch(es)

• yo: yarn over

• (   ) Work instructions in parentheses in the same st or sp.

• [   ] Repeat everything within the brackets the indicated number of times.

• * indicates beginning of repeat

• <  > Stitch counts

Special Stitches:

• Dc2tog: in the designated sp, (yo and draw up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops)x2, yo and pull through 3 loops on st

• Wc: waistcoat stitch: https://www.yarnth3ory.com/post/7-days-of-baskets-day-1-the-waistcoat-stitch 

Notes:

• Do not turn after each row

Set up:

In color A, ch 4 and sl st to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc 11 into ring, sl st to ch 1 (counts as 12th sc) <12 sc>

Round 2: Changing to color B, ch 1, [sc into first st, ch 3, sk 2 sts] 4 times, sl st to first sc. turn <4 sc, 4 ch-3 sps>

Round 3: changing to color A, sl st into ch-3 sp, ch 3 (counts as first st), (dc 2, ch 3, dc 3, ch 1) in same ch-3 sp, [ch 1, (dc 3, ch 3, dc 3, ch1) in next ch 3 sp] 3 times, sl st to top of ch 3. Turn. <24 dc with 8 alternating ch-3 and ch-1 sps>

Proceed to the Fishnet Pattern section. Round counts start over. 

Fishnet Pattern (Crochet Block St)

Round 1: changing to color B, ch 1, sc into the last ch-1 sp before sl st in the last rd, ch 2, [(sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 2) to corner, (sc, ch 3, sc, ch 2) in corner sp] 4 times, (sc into next ch-1 sp, ch 2) to beg of rd, sl st to first sc

Round 2: changing to color A, sl st into next ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as first st), dc 2 in same ch-2 sp, ch 1,  [(dc 3 in next ch-2 sp, ch 1) to corner, (dc 3, ch 3, dc 3, ch 1) in corner ch-3 sp] 4 times. (dc 3 in next ch-2 sp, ch 1) to beg of rd, sl st to top of ch-3

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 as desired, ending after a round 1.  Proceed to the Bold Line Pattern. Round counts start over.

Bold Line Pattern

Round 1: continuing in color B, sl st into next ch-3 sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc 2 in same ch-2 sp, ch 1,  [(dc 3 in next ch-2 sp, ch 1) to corner, (dc 3, ch 3, dc 3, ch 1) in corner ch-3 sp] 4 times. (dc 3 in next ch-2 sp, ch 1) to beg of rd, sl st to top of ch-3

Round 2: ch 1, sc into the last ch-1 sp before sl st in the last rd, ch 2, [(sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 2) to corner, (sc, ch 3, sc, ch 2) in corner ch-3 sp] 4 times, (sc into next ch-1 sp, ch 2) to beg of rd, sl st to first sc

This pattern does not need to be repeated. Proceed to the next pattern. Round counts start over.

Olive Leaves Pattern 

Round 1: ch 1, changing to color A. [In next ch-2 sp, sc, in next ch-2 sp, (dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog)] to corner ch-3 sp: 

• If your last ch-2 sp contains a sc, (dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog) in corner ch-3 sp

• If your last ch-2 sp contains a (dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog), (sc, ch 3, sc) in corner ch-3 sp

Continue working alternating sc and (dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog) in the side ch-2 sps, and working the appropriate sts in each each corner sp. There should be 2 of each corner pattern diagonal from each other. Sl st to first sc. 

Round 2: ch 1, changing to color B. [wc, sk dc2tog, (dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog) in ch-3 sp, sk dc2tog] to corner (work every ch-3 sp and sc crochet in this pattern, including those added in the corner sts of the previous round)

• If the corner is a dc2tog, (sc, ch 3, sc) in same st

• If the corner is a ch-3 sp, (dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog)

Continue working wc and (dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog) along the sides of the square, and working the appropriate sts in each corner sp. There should be 2 of each corner pattern diagonal from each other. Sl st to first wc. 

Repeat Round 2 at least three more times, for a minimum of 5 rounds in this section. I recommend using an odd number of rounds here before proceeding. 

Repeat another bold line section after completing the following set up round:

Skip the first wc, sl st in the next dc2tog, changing to color B. [(Sc, ch 2, sc, ch 2) in each ch-3 sp to corner, (sc, ch 3, sc, ch 2) in corner sp] 4 times. (Sc, ch 2, sc, ch 2) in each ch-3 sp to beg of rd. Sl st to first sc. 

After repeating the bold round one more time, finish the square with your desired border. Tie off, and weave in ends, and block.