Ngeru square

Ngeru Square by Jenness Fulton

What is Being Made

The Ngeru Square is a beginner-friendly crochet square inspired by "The Dog and the Mog," a children's book by local author Kaye Arnott. The design takes its name from "Ngeru," the Māori word for cat, and is inspired by the character Mavis the mog from the story. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished square measuring 12 inches, making it suitable for blanket projects, afghans, or other crochet compositions.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Ngeru Square employs fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for beginners. The pattern utilizes several essential stitches and stitch variations, including:

• Back loop single crochet (blsc) – a variation that works through only the back loop of stitches
• Back post double crochet (BPdc) – a textured stitch that works around the post of stitches from previous rows
• Back post half double crochet (BPhdc) – a shorter back post variation for dimensional effects

These techniques create visual interest and texture while remaining accessible to crocheters new to the craft. The combination of standard and post stitches allows for dimensional patterning without requiring advanced skills.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Ngeru Square is designed to work with aran weight yarn in at least two colors. The pattern calls for approximately 175 meters or 192 yards (79 grams) of aran weight yarn, such as the 4 Seasons Marvel 12 ply used by the designer.

For crocheters preferring a smaller finished square, the pattern accommodates DK weight yarn as an alternative. When using DK yarn, approximately 153 meters or 167 yards (47 grams) is required, and the finished square measures 11 inches instead of 12 inches.

The pattern requires a 5 mm (H) crochet hook for aran weight yarn, or a 4 mm hook when working with DK weight yarn. Additional notions include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and scissors.

Difficulty Level

Rated as Easy, the Ngeru Square is designed for beginner crocheters. The straightforward stitch combinations and clear abbreviations using US terminology make this pattern an excellent introduction to crochet squares and multi-color projects.