Discover the Beautiful Framed Circle Square Crochet Pattern by Leonie Morgan

There is something deeply satisfying about a crochet pattern that manages to feel both timeless and fresh at the same time. The Framed Circle Square pattern by Leonie Morgan is exactly that kind of design — a motif that draws you in with its clean geometry, keeps your hands busy with its rhythmic construction, and rewards you with a finished square that looks far more complex than it actually is to make. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for your next obsession or someone who has just moved beyond the beginner stage and wants to tackle something truly beautiful, this pattern deserves a place at the top of your project list.

In this post, we are going to take a deep dive into everything you need to know about the Framed Circle Square, from the inspiration behind the design and the techniques involved, to tips for choosing yarn, adapting the pattern for larger projects, and exploring all the creative possibilities this versatile motif opens up.

Who Is Leonie Morgan?

Before we talk about the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate the designer behind it. Leonie Morgan is a crochet designer whose work is characterized by thoughtful geometry, elegant simplicity, and an instinct for patterns that are genuinely enjoyable to make. Her designs often find a sweet spot between achievable and impressive — the kind of project you can pick up on a quiet evening and feel genuinely proud of when you set it down.

The Framed Circle Square is a wonderful example of Leonie’s design philosophy. It takes a concept that sounds simple on paper — a circle inside a square — and elevates it into something that has real visual depth and sophistication. The “framing” element in particular gives the design its distinctive character, creating a neat border around the central circle that makes each motif look polished and deliberate.

What Makes the Framed Circle Square Special?

Crochet motifs are nothing new. The granny square alone has been keeping crafters busy for generations, and there are thousands of square motifs floating around the internet and in pattern books. So what makes the Framed Circle Square stand out from the crowd?

The answer lies in the interplay between the circular center and the structured square surround. Most traditional granny squares start at the center and grow outward in a way that naturally creates a square shape. The Framed Circle Square takes a different approach. The circle at the heart of this motif is worked in the round to create a genuinely circular shape, with smooth curves and a clear visual identity. Then the transition from circle to square is handled with real craft — the “frame” being the clever architectural element that bridges those two geometric worlds.

The result is a motif that has dimension and visual interest in a way that many flat designs simply do not. When multiple squares are joined together into a blanket, cushion cover, or wall hanging, the circles create a secondary pattern of their own — an interlocking visual rhythm that makes the finished piece look like it was designed by someone who really understood negative space and repetition.

There is also the practical appeal to consider. The Framed Circle Square works up beautifully in almost any weight of yarn, from chunky merino for a quick cozy blanket to fine cotton for delicate decorative pieces. It scales up and down gracefully, and it is colorwork-friendly in a way that lets you go as bold or as subtle as you like.

Understanding the Construction

For anyone new to geometric motifs, it helps to understand the basic construction before you pick up your hook. The Framed Circle Square is typically worked in three distinct stages, each of which builds on the one before.

The first stage is the central circle. This is worked in continuous or joined rounds from the very center, usually starting with a magic ring or a chain ring. The rounds build up with increasing numbers of stitches to create a flat, even circle. Depending on the hook size and yarn weight you are using, this circle might take anywhere from three to six rounds to reach the desired diameter.

The second stage is the frame. This is where the pattern gets interesting. Rather than simply adding corner increases to turn the circle into a square, Leonie’s design creates an actual frame around the circle — a band of stitches that separates the circle from the outer square. This might be worked as a round of chain spaces, a round of taller stitches like trebles or double trebles, or a combination of both, depending on the specific version of the pattern you are following. The effect is that the circle appears to sit inside a window or picture frame, giving the motif its name.

The third stage is the outer square. This is where you establish the four corners and work the motif out to its final size. Corner clusters, chain spaces, and consistent stitch counts keep everything neat and even, and this stage is typically the most familiar for anyone who has made granny squares before.

Understanding these three stages makes the pattern much easier to follow and helps you troubleshoot if something is not looking quite right. If your circle is rippling, you may need to add more stitches per round. If your outer square is pulling in at the corners, your corner clusters might need an extra chain or stitch. Each stage can be adjusted independently without disrupting the others.

Choosing Your Yarn and Hook

One of the joys of the Framed Circle Square is how well it adapts to different yarn choices. That said, some yarns will serve this particular motif better than others, especially if you want the circle to read as a truly distinct element.

Smooth, plied yarns are ideal for this pattern because they show stitch definition clearly. When the stitches are crisp and readable, the geometry of the design really comes through. This is especially important for the frame section, which is where all the visual magic happens. A fuzzy or bouclé yarn will soften those lines and muddy the effect, so save those yarns for simpler stitches.

Cotton and cotton-blend yarns are particularly good choices for this motif. They are smooth, they have a satisfying weight and drape, and they come in gorgeous color palettes that suit the geometric nature of the design. Cotton also tends to block beautifully, which is important for getting your squares perfectly flat and even before joining.

Wool and wool-blend yarns work well too, especially if you are making something that needs warmth and softness, like a blanket or a pillow cover. The slight elasticity of wool makes it forgiving while you are working and allows your finished squares to block into perfect shape.

For hook size, always go with what gives you a fabric you love rather than slavishly following the pattern’s recommendation. A slightly smaller hook than the yarn label suggests will often give you a firmer, more structured fabric that keeps the geometry of the motif crisp and defined.

Color Possibilities

This is where things get really exciting. The Framed Circle Square is a dream for anyone who loves playing with color, and there are so many directions you can take it.

The most obvious approach is to use three distinct colors — one for the circle, one for the frame, and one for the outer square. This creates maximum visual contrast and makes all three elements of the motif pop. It is a bold, graphic look that suits modern interiors beautifully.

A two-color version, where the circle and frame share one color and the outer square is in another, creates a slightly softer look. The circle appears to sit on top of a solid background, almost like a coin or a medallion.

For something more subtle and sophisticated, try working in tonal or gradient colors. Using different shades of the same color family means the motif retains its structure while the color shifts create a gentle, atmospheric effect. This works especially well in large blankets where you want visual interest without the high contrast of a graphic colorwork approach.

Scrappy versions using leftover yarn are also wonderful. Because each square is small and self-contained, you can use a different color combination for every single motif and then join them all together into a gloriously eclectic patchwork. This is a fantastic stash-busting project and the randomness of the colors often produces surprisingly cohesive results.

Projects to Make with the Framed Circle Square

Once you have fallen in love with this motif — and you will — the question becomes what to make with it. The good news is that the Framed Circle Square is extraordinarily versatile.

A lap blanket made entirely from these squares is one of the most satisfying projects you can tackle. Because each square is a complete, self-contained object, you can make them in short sessions whenever you have a few spare minutes and then join them all at the end. There is real pleasure in watching your stack of finished squares grow, and the moment you join them all together and see the circles create their secondary pattern across the fabric is genuinely magical.

A larger throw or bedspread is a more ambitious undertaking but absolutely worth the investment of time. Scale up the yarn to a chunky or super-chunky weight and you can work these squares quickly even in large numbers. Alternatively, keep a fine yarn and make many more squares for a truly heirloom piece.

Cushion covers are a perfect starting project if you are new to the motif and want to see how it looks before committing to a blanket. A typical cushion cover in a standard size might require just twelve to twenty squares, depending on the size of your motif, which means you can complete a beautiful piece in a long weekend.

Wall hangings have become increasingly popular in contemporary craft, and the Framed Circle Square lends itself wonderfully to this format. The geometric nature of the design suits the flat, framed presentation of a wall hanging, and the ability to mix and match colors and arrange them in deliberate compositions means you can create something that functions as genuine textile art.

Bags, pouches, and other accessories are another fun avenue. A small project bag or clutch made from four or six of these squares is quick to make and deeply satisfying to use or give as a gift. Because the squares are structurally robust when made with cotton at a fairly tight tension, they hold up well to the demands of a functional item.

Tips for Getting Perfect Squares

Anyone who has worked with circular motifs knows that getting a true, flat circle is only half the battle. Joining it smoothly to a square frame is where the real skill comes in, and there are a few things you can do to make the process easier.

Count your stitches after every round. This sounds tedious but it saves so much time in the long run. An off count in round three of your circle will compound itself by the time you reach the outer square, and you will end up with a warped, ruffled, or puckered piece that no amount of blocking will fully rescue.

Block your finished squares before joining them. This cannot be overstated. Even squares that look slightly off the hook will relax into perfect geometric shape after blocking. Wet blocking works well for cotton, while steam blocking is usually better for wool. Pin your squares to blocking boards or foam mats using the corners to ensure they are square, and let them dry completely before removing the pins.

Choose your joining method thoughtfully. The Framed Circle Square works beautifully with a flat slip-stitch join, a flat single crochet join, or a decorative join-as-you-go method. If you want the joins to be invisible, the flat slip-stitch join is your best option. If you want the joins to add an extra design element, a visible single crochet join in a contrasting color can be stunning.

Adapting the Pattern

One of the things experienced crocheters love about this kind of geometric motif is how easily it can be adapted and customized. Once you understand the underlying structure of the Framed Circle Square, you can start to make creative decisions that suit your specific project.

You can adjust the size of the central circle relative to the outer square by working more or fewer rounds before establishing the frame. A larger circle creates a bolder, more modern look. A smaller circle surrounded by a wide square produces something more delicate and lacy.

The frame itself can be made more or less prominent. A simple frame of just one round creates a narrow band, keeping the focus on the circle. A more elaborate frame of several rounds gives the motif a Victorian or mandala-like quality.

You can also add texture to the outer square. Surface crochet, raised stitches, or simple textured stitch patterns worked into the outer square can give extra dimension to what would otherwise be a flat shape.

Why This Pattern Will Stay With You

There are patterns that you make once, appreciate, and move on from. And then there are patterns that become part of your crafting life — the ones you return to again and again, for different projects and different seasons, because they give you something reliable and joyful every single time. The Framed Circle Square by Leonie Morgan is emphatically in the second category.

Its construction teaches you things. It deepens your understanding of how circular and square geometry can coexist in a crochet fabric. It makes you more confident with color because the three-zone structure of the motif gives you a clear framework for experimenting. And it produces finished pieces that genuinely look beautiful — things you will want to keep, display, and give to people you love.

Whether you are approaching it for the first time with a single skein of cotton and an afternoon to spare, or you are planning a multi-square blanket as your next big project, the Framed Circle Square will reward your time and attention. Pick up your hook, wind your yarn, and let Leonie Morgan’s beautiful design do what it does best.