I used 9 shades of DK yarn and about 200g in total and just raided my stash but you will need more of the main colour.
Stylecraft special DK
Mustard, gold, copper, gingerbread, khaki, cypress, meadow, storm and petrol.
Size 4mm hook
for square but 3.5mm for top border and handle….by using a 3.5mm it would
probably be less floppy…with hindsight so you may want to do that.
4 removable stitch markers
CROCHET TERMS
Puff Stitch: *yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull through stitch* three times (7 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook. Chain 1 to lock into place.
Cluster stitch: *yarn over, insert hook in next stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops* 4 times (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.
Half treble crochet (HTC): yarn over, insert hook, yarn over pull through stitch (3 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Treble crochet (tc): yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook (2 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through 2 remaining loops on hook.
Double treble crochet (dtc): Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over, pull through stitch (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops (3 loops remaining on hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops (2 loops remaining). Yarn over, pull through the last two loops on hook.
Ready?
Round 1. Using your first colour create slip knot and chain 5 and join with a slip stitch or use magic circle. Chain 3 (this will count as your first treble crochet) Work 15 treble crochet stitches into the centre circle. Insert hook into the third chain from the hook (your original chain 3) slip stitch and fasten off.
Round 2. Attach your next colour into any chain space of the previous row. Chain one and work a puff stitch into that same chain space. Continue around, working a puff stitch into each treble chain space. Slip stitch into first puff stitch and fasten off. You should have 16 puff stitches in total.
Round 3. Attach your next colour into any chain space of the previous round. Chain 2 and work a cluster stitch into the same chain space, chain 2. Continue around, working a cluster stitch into each puff stitch chain space chaining 2 between each stitch. Slip stitch into the first cluster stitch and fasten off. You should have 16 cluster stitches in total.
Round 4. Attach your next colour into any chain space of the previous round. Chain 2 and work a cluster stitch into the same chain space, chain 2. Continue around, working a cluster stitch into each puff stitch chain space chaining 2 between each stitch. Slip stitch into the first cluster stitch and fasten off. You should have 16 cluster stitches in total.
Round 5. For this round we will be turning our circle into a square. Attach your next colour into any chain space from the previous round.
First edge to your square. Chain 4, work 2 double treble stitches into same chain space. Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space. Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space. Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space. Chain 1, work 3 double treble crochets into next chain space. Chain 3 (for the corner).
Repeat this for next 3 edges and then insert hook into fourth chain from the hook (from the original chain 4 of this round and fasten off.
Rounds 6-13 are all worked in groups of 3 htc in each chain 1 space with corners 3 htc chain 2, 3 htc, changing colours every 2 rounds 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13. Make another 4 squares and join with a double crochet on the RIGHT side. I found it easier to join the sides first and then the bottom.
Round 14 change to 3.5mm needle using same shade as last two rounds of square, continue with 3 htc in each chain space taking care where squares join there are 3 in each sp even though it looks quite close. 56 sets of 3 htc.
Round 15 repeat as above.56 sets of 3 htc
Round 16 change colour and again 56 sets of 3 htc
Round 17 Change back to main colour and repeat 56 sets of 3 htc
Round 18 repeat as above
Round 19 handle round start as above with 3 htc but from one corner join of squares count in 5 sets of 3 htc and place marker, count 7 sets of 3 htc and place marker. Then chain 18 (you should have 6 sets of 3 htc from previous row beneath chain). And then re-join at marker and continue with 3 htc until you reach the opposite side and repeat.
Round 20 1 dc into each space, when you reach the chain 1 dc into each 18 chains. When you get to the end of your round slip st to join, fasten and TA-DAH! Oh and sew in all those ends!
