amazing X granny square

I found inspiration in one of my favorite blogs -> Signed With an Owl. But there where no schemes and I didn't have that book but I loved that square so much that I thought - I will make it anyway! it took me all night but at last I figured out how to make it look almost the same .. the ending is a bit different, but i like it better this way :) (because it's my way and I know how to make it and it will be easier to crochet them together later in the process)

I think these looks fabulous, and you probably won't believe me, but it is just as easy as making a simple granny square, because basically it IS granny square! well a bit modified version of a granny square :)

so this is how I made it ->
1st step
crochet granny square (scheme can be found in one of my previous blogposts) with little but VERY important alteration - in each corner of each row crochet 13 chains not just 2

2nd step
when you think that there will be enough rows for your square (for me this will be row number 4, but keep in mind that there will be one more row to finish the square). So crochet one more, but instead of 13 chains in each corner crochet just 9 chains.

now you have a weird looking granny square, but no worries ;)
everything is going according to plan!
3rd step
now you have to crochet a middle for that great X
it actually is the same granny square with one row and 6 chains in each corner

4th step
now you have to put both of them together.
put the smallest square on the middle of the biggest one and pull each loop through another..

and do the same for all of the corners.

5th step
now it's almoust finished, we just need to crochet the final row to strengthen the corners.
this is the trickiest part of this square, but no worries ;)
first you have to start the row as any other row of the granny square (3 chains, 2 double crochets, 1 chain, and then repeat -> 3 double crochets, 1 chain till corner).
When you get to the corner start with 1 double crochet, make 1 half double crochet and 1 single crochet. then 2 chains, 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 double crochet and - woala! you have yourself a corner! ;)

I was't exactly sure how to draw a half double crochet, so i just shortened the double crochet. (I hope you know what is half double crochet, if not watch this youtube tutorial of the Knit Witch). btw, blue is the loop of previous row and black is the new row ;)

and now you just have to finish the row and strengthen all the other corners. get rid of the yarn endings and..  I have to say well done! ;)

well, this is the end of an amazing X granny square tutorial and a beginning of a whole new project - a blanket for me (I want to make it with different styles of squares of different sizes and colors) ..

btw, Kate from Signed With an Owl is organizing a pay it forward giveaway maybe you would like to join too? I just did ;)
I have no clue what I should/would/could give... but if I get the opportunity I will figure it out eventually - one year is definately enough time :)