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Wednesday, September 13, 2006

16-Circles Square


How long since the last post!!!! Four months!!!! What a shame.

I’ll put here some granny squares I designed. All of this began some 10 years ago, when I found the CrochetPartners mailgroup. Maybe it’s the bigger and older crochet list in the Internet.

Back then I joined the Friendship Granny Square Exchange — a swap of 6” worsted-weight yarn granny squares. American crocheters have lots of granny afghan books and patterns, but here in Brazil afghans aren’t a crochet tradition so new patterns are almost non-existant. Then I designed mine, or I would be restricted to the old traditional 3-dc blocks granny.

The square I’m posting today wasn’t the first one I designed — this one is from 1997 — but it’s the one I’m most proud of. The step-by-step pictures were made by my friend Vera Lucia Krauss, known in Brazilian crochet circles as Veralu49, senior crochet- and tricot-sorceress. Many many thanks, Veralu!!!! To make the unusual construction of the pattern more easily understandable, Veralu used different colors for each half-row, but each circle series is made with one and only color.

1st. row (4 circles):

With color 1, chain 22.

In the 4th chain from hook, *3dc; skip 2 st, 1 ss (one quarter circle made), skip 2 st*; repeat from * to * twice more, 3dc in the next chain.




Remove hook from loop, insert hook in the last stitch of the beginning chain (that is now the "head" of the first dc of the first dc group), 12 dc in the same st of the previous 3 dc.






Now you work in the other side of the chain, inserting the hook in the same stitches of the first half-row. Where you made a slip stitch, you will make a new slip stitch inserting the hook through the chain AND the first slip stich.

So, make #ss in the next ss, 11dc in the next 3dc-group#, repeat from # to # three times more, close with a ss, finish off.

2nd row (12 circles):

With color 2, chain 70.





In the 4th chain from hook, *3dc in the same st (a quarter circle made); skip 2 st, 1 ss, skip 2 st, 3 dc in the next st, remove hook from loop, insert it in the 4th dc of the upper left circle of the first row, 4dc in the same stitch you made the previous 3dc (1 half-circle made), skip two base chains, ss, skip two st; make another half-circle, joining it to the second circle of the first row, skip 2 st, ss, skip 2 st*; repeat from * to * three times more, making the last ss in the first quarter circle.




Make 8 dc in the same st you made the previous 3 dc to complete a circle; go on making 7 dc in each half-circle, ss in the ss of the previous half-row (remember to always insert the hook through the ss AND the ch of the previous half-row) and 11 dc at the corners (you will end up with four color 1 circles surrounded by 12 color 2 circles).





Last row:

With color 3, fix the yarn to the 4th stitch of one of the external circles, 5ch, skip 3 dc of the same circle, sc in the next st, 5 ch, sc in the fourth dc of the next circle, 5ch, and keep working this way (making 2 sc with a 5-ch loop in-between in the corners) until you make all the way round. Then make a dc row, with 2dc, 2ch, 2dc at the corners.




I love this square.

There are some videos made by the amazing Brazilian crochet teacher Elaine Tripiano. She talks in Portuguese and if it sounds confusing to you please turn off the sound and watch what she's doing.

Follow the links to the four installments: first part ; second part ; third part ; fourth part. I hope it helps.

112 Comments:

  • What a cleverly constructed square! Thank you sharing the pattern.

    By Blogger MrsFife, at 9:37 PM  

  • Very lovely! I love the symbols to go with the directions as well. Very creative! Thanks for sharing!! :))

    By Blogger Michelle, at 3:35 AM  

  • Your square is very different from anything I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:04 AM  

  • That's the cutest AND prettiest thing I've seen lately! Wow!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:03 PM  

  • Oh wow! That is just the coolest construction of a square that I've seen in awhile! I have got to run to my yarn stash and make one right now.

    By Blogger Chris Simon, at 8:13 PM  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Chris Simon, at 8:14 PM  

  • I thought this square would be too difficult for me to try, but the pictorial makes it so clear. Thank you! You do fantastic work! Just beautiful. :-)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:04 PM  

  • What lovely work you do. I love this square! Thanks for sharing it.

    By Blogger Samantha, at 8:49 AM  

  • this one is so beautiful..

    By Blogger Lulu, at 9:53 AM  

  • Wow! Beautiful work! Than you so much for sharing!

    By Blogger yarnmamapanj, at 5:12 PM  

  • Beautiful work and instructive photos. Thanks so much for sharing.

    By Blogger Jan, at 2:30 PM  

  • I am so happy that I was referred to your site. What fabulous lessons I'm learning from your creations: thank you so much.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:14 PM  

  • You're really a talented crocheter. Sensei I think. Hope I'll be creative crocheter as you'r mam.

    Miss your new design!!!

    By Blogger Thata, at 6:23 PM  

  • Que maravilla de quadro! Es de un genio cera tal cosa. He visto lo que creas y quedo asombrada! Tienes un gran talento!
    Zoraida

    By Blogger Me, at 11:05 PM  

  • So lovely to visit YOUR blog.

    I especially love the square with the varigated yarn....
    Find your instructions so easy - will absolutly have a go on these YOUR lovely squares - THANKS for sharing !!!

    Friendly hugs from Hanne in Denmark

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:18 AM  

  • What a lovely square.Never seen something like this before and I have been crocheting for more than 35 years.Thank you for sharing the pattern.This will make a perfect gift for my friend to give at her house warming party.I will make it bigger and make cushion covers.Thankyou once again for sharing the lovely pattern.
    Sandhya from India

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:15 PM  

  • I love the square... circles in square. Love it... going to be one of my projects one day...Got to many projects got to finish up first...I love to crochet been doing it 39 years & counting ...Probably will make it bigger tho.
    Thanks for posting the round circles in sqaures. going to do your valetines heart too. Love it!

    sunnywolfgar--also known as Terry Devine
    crochetier 39 years & counting...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:20 AM  

  • This is awesome...you are extremely talented!! Thank you for the pattern :)

    By Blogger Maria, at 5:05 PM  

  • This is truly amazing, the way this square is made. Thankyou for being so clever.

    By Blogger JANNIKINZ, at 10:31 PM  

  • hi beatriz . i'm from Turkey. click please to adress. surprise for you:))

    http://halenze.blogcu.com/2751670/

    glad to meet you. see youu...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:49 AM  

  • Hi, Halenze, I went to your blog and, although I'm not able to read it, I could find the link to my blog. Thank you!

    Hugs.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 10:29 AM  

  • OMG! I absolutely love this pattern. You are a very talented lady. I will keep looking for new patterns from you. Thank you!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:44 PM  

  • Thankyou so much for this creative square pattern. Love it.

    By Blogger Anu, at 6:42 AM  

  • Hi... I'm from Kingdom of Bahrain... and i like your work .. i hope to be like you... some symbols are defecult for me.. and i can't do it -_-...
    i want to learn more and more ..
    so please help me ..
    your daughter... Naseem

    By Blogger Naseem, at 3:31 PM  

  • You are very talented. I love your square and have to try it today. So forget the housework. This looks like so much more fun.
    Thank you for the wonderful pattern.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:48 AM  

  • Wow! That looks so awesome! Thanks for sharing! Now I HAVE to try it! :)

    By Blogger Fledgling Techie, at 4:38 PM  

  • That is really a great motif! I want to try this out ASAP. I posted a link to it on my blog. I hope you don't mind.

    By Blogger Shelly, at 12:22 PM  

  • The best squarenanny ever!Thankyou for sharing!Do you have any other patterns?

    By Blogger heartbeatofhope, at 11:27 AM  

  • Lovely, simply lovely. I'm sorry, square newb, and I didn't see it listed anywhere on the page, but is this a 6" square?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:45 AM  

  • Yes, a 6-inches square - I created it for a 6"-square swap... But our yarns here in Brazil are thinner than American yarns, so our medium-weight yarn is nearer to sport-weight than to worsted. And I used a 4 mm (F? G?) hook.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 1:00 PM  

  • hermoso diseño!!! felicitaciones

    By Blogger Laura de Argentina, at 5:28 AM  

  • What an incredible square. I feel like I've been looking for it for a long time!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:16 AM  

  • How cool is that?! I love it! Thank you for sharing this lovely pattern!

    By Blogger happygrammie8423, at 11:13 AM  

  • Today's philosophic ponderings. Is a square made of circles still a square?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:04 PM  

  • Thank you for the lovely pattern. I was searching for a pattern that would utilize my leftover yarn, and this is just perfect. Very tired of the traditional"granny" squares.
    This pattern reminds me of an old quilt pattern called The Yo-Yo,and I think I am going to attempt to make one using your squares.
    Again, thank you for for generously sharing your talent!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:33 AM  

  • I can't wait to try this! Thanks for the pattern! :)

    By Blogger Mary Torkkola, at 1:49 PM  

  • I love this square :)

    By Blogger Magaki, at 9:09 AM  

  • Wow! So different. Thanks so much for sharing....can't wait to try this...I hope I have the patience.

    Lynne

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:11 PM  

  • this is absolutely gorgeous and I cannot wait to try it.

    I was wondering if anyone could tell me roughly, how much yarn I would need to make a twin sized Afghan?

    By Blogger Unknown, at 9:24 AM  

  • Answer to Angelique: I'm afraid I cant'be of much help. Each of these 15 cm (6") squares weighs roughly 30 g (1 oz), with sport weight acrylic yarn.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 9:31 AM  

  • this is the coolest square ive seen!!!!!! but im just a beginner and dont understand the instructions so i cant make one :/

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:05 AM  

  • This is so lovely and your instructions so clear. I have to give it a try.

    By Blogger Penny Boden, at 6:35 AM  

  • What an pretty pattern and very easy to do once you start. I have made a baby blanket by continuing to add 48 chain stiches to each addition row. Thanks for the demonstration pictures, it made it so much easier to learn.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 10:55 AM  

  • the square is really great and different. Only thing that I had a hard time with was the light color on a light backround. Should have used a different color instead of the beige color on a light backround. Could have used like gold, blue, red(pink?). I have found out this the hard way, also. Beige is not a good color to use in photo showing progress of work. Otherwise, I will try to see and make this for my organization that makes baby blankets for sick children and babies that have passed away.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:00 PM  

  • I tried this tonight and love it! If I wanted to add rows to this, do you know how many you would have to chain for a third round of cirlces? A fourth? Since this does remind me of an old quilt pattern, I would love to make this for a table runner crocheting strips of fabric instead of yarn. Thank you for a lovely pattern. You are indeed talented! :)

    By Anonymous Terri, at 7:04 PM  

  • Terri: add 6 chain stitches for each new circle.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 8:45 PM  

  • Lovely pattern, it reminds me of Dorset Buttons. Can't wait to try it out!

    By Anonymous Alison, at 10:09 AM  

  • I love this square too! I've just made my first one and I will be making many more. Thanks for an excellent pattern.

    By Blogger Nemosyn, at 10:23 PM  

  • this is WONDERFUL!

    By Blogger Teacher and Learner, at 1:07 PM  

  • I love this pattern! I've used it as a 6 inch square for an afghan, now I've made a giant one for a baby blanket - if you are on Ravelry you can see it, http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Nemosyn/16-circles-square

    I have put a few variations in my notes, about making bigger squares, I hope that's ok.

    Nemosyn

    By Blogger Nemosyn, at 7:11 PM  

  • Lovely! Thanks!I've never seen smth like this before

    By Blogger F, at 5:06 AM  

  • Have just found this and made it straight away. I am currently making afghans for my 3 girls. each square HAS to be different, thats the challenge. Have completed one and it looks amazing. Claire will be the lucky girl to get this wonderful square in hers.. Its amazing thankyou!!

    By Anonymous Irene, at 5:59 AM  

  • this square is adorable... :)

    By Blogger Jannett, at 6:29 AM  

  • Found this via crochetpatterncentral.com and when I first "looked" I was sure it was a bunch of the circle beginnings of a granny square sewed together (heard them called granny's daughters. Boy was I surprised to see differently. Loved that "something different". I immediately got out some scraps and tried it. Thanks for sharing.

    By Anonymous Jeannie, at 2:19 PM  

  • Thank you for sharing it, I' ve never ever seen a granny that clever!
    Cinzia, from Italy

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:51 PM  

  • What is (ss) mentioned in the 1st round?

    By Blogger noda, at 5:48 AM  

  • and what if I want to make it with just one color?

    By Blogger noda, at 6:13 AM  

  • Reply to Noda: ss is a slip stitch. And of course you can use just one color. The two colors in the pictures are meant to show in a better way how to make the circles.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 6:57 AM  

  • Please explain why you stated 12 dc here:
    Remove hook from loop, insert hook in the last stitch of the beginning chain (that is now the "head" of the first dc of the first dc group), 12 dc in the same st of the previous 3 dc.

    while just 11 dc here:
    So, make #ss in the next ss, 11dc in the next 3dc-group#, repeat from # to # three times more, close with a ss, finish off.

    ?

    By Blogger noda, at 3:42 PM  

  • another question please; what if I want to make it bigger, say 32 circles or more?

    By Blogger noda, at 3:43 PM  

  • Noda, please, let your e-mail address or write me directly: mabelistas @ gmail . com (take off spaces please).

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 3:52 PM  

  • my e-mail is nada1977_278@hotmail.com
    I sent you an e-mail.

    Thankssssssss

    By Blogger noda, at 1:44 AM  

  • This is gorgeous! I am so going to try this now!!

    I'll blog with my end result!

    By Blogger Jessica, at 6:07 PM  

  • This is a beautiful pattern, but I am somewhat confused with the directions. I tried making this last night and I reckon I'm doing something wrong b/c it did not turn out right. Is there an email address or something that I can email for clarification?

    My email address is lovingcarousels@aol.com

    thank you,
    Susan

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:47 AM  

  • Hi,

    I'm one of the Editors at http://www.allfreecrochetafghanpatterns.com/ and I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your site. I think it's a great website with plenty of projects that our readers will just love to make.

    We would love to add some of your projects to our site, so feel free to let us know as you add or create projects. We are always looking for afghan projects as well as other projects so if you have any of these please feel free to send them my way or let us know if you prefer we not link to you. We also feature projects from our website on our blogs, eBooks and e-mail newsletters.

    Your projects are great and we know our readers will enjoy it. With that said, can we have permission to link to any project on your site as well as use the image? This will easily bring traffic to your site and allow others to see what's new on your site. We will credit you, of course.

    Thanks!
    Jenny
    jbenoit@primecp.com

    By Blogger JennyB, at 10:21 AM  

  • Wow! Nice! :)

    And I know CP! Been with them for 3 years now! Love love love that group.
    Without CP I don't think I'd be where I am now with my crochet.

    Going to be making this one for the Rav CAL!
    Angel

    By Blogger MarieAnge, at 3:45 PM  

  • Thank you for your delightful tutorial. I can't wait to try it out. You are so generous.

    By Blogger Penny Boden, at 2:08 AM  

  • The Friendship Afghan swap site is still there. I've done several of their swaps and have some on the go at the moment too. The site address is

    http://www.knitting-crochet.com/swapclub/lists.html

    Thanks for sharing your pattern. It looks great and I can't wait to try it out.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:08 PM  

  • By Blogger Lee Ann, at 12:25 PM  

  • OMG I could cry: I've already made 100s of individual little circles & sewn in their tails for a scrap-ghan! If only I's seen this pattern first!

    By Anonymous Ma Kettle, at 11:04 AM  

  • OMG I could cry: I've already made 100s of individual little circles & sewn in their tails for a scrap-ghan! If only I's seen this pattern first!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:04 AM  

  • What a beautiful pattern!! Can't wait to try it out...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:42 PM  

  • What a lovely square. I have done this and no problems. Thanks for sharing.

    By Blogger Gloria, at 12:54 AM  

  • This is very clever! I've done a lot of crochet in the past 20 yrs. I've never seen a square constructed this way. It's wonderful! I'm going to have to try it! Thank you for sharing!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 10:18 AM  

  • I AM SO GLAD THAT PAIN HAS STOPED ME FROM SLEEPING. I DECIDED TO CHECK MY EMAILS AND THERE WAS THE EMAIL NEWS LETTER. OH BOY MATE THIS IS SO LOVERLY I HAVE BEEN PUTTING PASTEL COLOURS TO GETHER IT WILL LOOK SO GEORGES WHEN IT IS FINISHED DELICATE PURE JUST LIKE A NEW BOURN BABY. I LOVE YOUR PATTERNS AND I CAN TELL YOU I WOULD BE SO HONERED IF I COULD COME FROM DOWN UNDER TO MEET YOU AND TELL YOU PERSONALLY YOU ARE SO CLEVER MATE, YOU INSPIRE SO MANY PEOPLE TO PICK UP THERE CROCHET HOOKS START WORKING. THANK YOU SO MUCH HALENZE YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPERATION TO ALL LADIES AND MEN ALL OVER THE WORLD.FROM A NEW FRIEND IN AUSTRALIA. GOOD ON YOU MATE.

    By Anonymous Jo Johannessen., at 8:17 AM  

  • This is a beautiful pattern, I love your creativity. Thank you for sharing, I will be making an afghan with this pattern.

    By Blogger Minerva, at 3:04 PM  

  • Love this! I'm having a problem though - the chain in the centre of my circles pulls the next chains tight so I end up with a donut instead of a solid circle. I've tried making really tight chains but it doesn't help. And my do nuts aren't coming out as properly round. They're more eye shaped. Do you have any suggestions?

    By Blogger Unknown, at 1:27 PM  

  • Hmmm... make your chains tight and don't pull the dc's when you're making them, maybe. I crochet and knit lightly, I don't pull the yarn as much as I've seen lots of people do in youtube videos, so maybe that's why mine don't end up as donuts.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 1:33 PM  

  • Thank you for such a quick response. I think I might try crocheting the foundation chains in a slightly smaller crochet hook. I hope it works because I really love this design!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2:31 PM  

  • Thank you for this adorable pattern...it's truly awesome!

    By Blogger pat, at 3:13 PM  

  • love, love, love this pattern. i have been working on it for almost an hour and i cant figure it out though. please, please contact me and help me through this. i would greatly appreciate it. frustrated in west virginia

    By Blogger twilson, at 9:09 PM  

  • It is beautiful, but I don't have the patience. But if anyone wants to make me one, I'd love em forever!

    By Blogger Lou Ann Warren, at 9:59 PM  

  • Twilson,I would love to help you as it is such an easy pattern really, just different. if you would like to contact me at gloria.rabbitwarren@gmail.com after 14th February 2013 ( as I am on holidays) I will be glad to help you with this pattern. Regards
    Gloria

    By Blogger Gloria, at 12:41 AM  

  • Gloria, thank you for the help. Twilson, please accept Gloria's offer; I'm sure she will be able to explain everything to you better than myself.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 3:05 AM  

  • Jo Johannessen, Thank you a lot for your kind words, they make me happy.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 10:25 AM  

  • You're right, this is the best 'granny square' I've ever seen...Bravo...
    and THANKS.....
    Peace......Pat

    By Blogger Pat, at 5:35 PM  

  • So pretty. I love granny squares but got tired of the "traditional" ones. This is wonderful and not that difficult.

    By Anonymous Vicky T., at 9:20 AM  

  • Going to have a go at this, gonna use double knit and ply to see which looks best, wish me luck, shenda, Kent, England

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:52 AM  

  • Good luck, Shenda!

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 9:12 AM  

  • I was so impressed with the amazing crochet pattern.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:46 PM  

  • Is there ANY WAY AT ALL that you would do a YouTube video tutorial showing your work while explaining it for one square?? Oh my god we would be so so thankful!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:55 PM  

  • You can find amazing videos from the Brazilian crochet teacher Elaine Tripiano (in 4 parts) here:
    http://youtu.be/4Pvw9rDubwU
    http://youtu.be/cCZcwoGazy4
    http://youtu.be/o4UkppOqdMc
    http://youtu.be/_um4jJ6C3L0
    They're in Portuguese but you can always turn off the sound if it disturbs you.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 10:21 AM  

  • How much yarn do you need to make a double bed afghan, using this lovely square

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:53 AM  

  • I don't know. Why don't you make one square, weigh it and make your calculations?

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 8:06 AM  

  • hello, 1 square measures 6 1/2 inches or 17 cms . Done with 8ply acrylic and a 4mm hook. You can get 6 squares from 100 grms. Measure how wide and how long you want your rug to be and you should be able to work it out. If not send me your measurements and I will do it for you. Good luck it is a beautiful pattern.

    By Blogger Gloria, at 7:47 PM  

  • Wow what a creativity

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:20 AM  

  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    By Blogger Querido Tejido, at 2:29 AM  

  • Amazing! it's for sure I'll give it a try, thank you and greetings from Chile

    By Blogger Querido Tejido, at 2:35 AM  

  • I modified your design into a triangle to make the "icing" for my cupcake blanket. It looks amazing. Why 8 dcs in first half circle, but 7 dcs in the rest? Also 12 dcs in first quarter circle, but 11 in the rest?

    By Blogger Unknown, at 8:20 AM  

  • Because the chains between the circles make the eigth and twelfth dcs respectively in each case.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 8:32 AM  

  • I don't see any where you mentioned what hook size was used. Could you please post it? Thank you in advance. :))

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:51 PM  

  • For these examples I used Familia or Mollett yarns (roughly a thick DK or a thin worsted) and a 4 mm hook. But surely your yarns are different from ours here in Brazil; and every crocheter has a different tension. So my advice is: try it with your yarns and your hooks and use what you like best.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 8:04 PM  

  • i can't seem to find the free pattern for the 16-circle granny square. where can i find it? thank you.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 1:32 PM  

  • You commented under the pattern, Linda. Go up and read the post.

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 7:48 PM  

  • Thanks awfully for this beautiful variation using circles to create a granny square. We are blessed to have craftspersons like yourself who share their gift to teach others for free. You are a true mentor and again, thanks awfully.
    Jo, dual citizen Australia &New Zealand

    By Anonymous JTKiwi, at 11:47 AM  

  • I found this on a Russian site it was called coins but for the life of me couldn't get it all translated. Thank you
    This s much appreciated

    Belinda

    By Blogger Unknown, at 12:10 AM  

  • Thank you, Belinda. But be warned: I didn't translated this pattern from any site. It's a pattern of mine, from the last century - and I have pictures to prove it, pictures from 1998! I think the Russian site translated my post into Russian...

    Beatriz Medina

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 7:57 AM  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger avvilibber28, at 2:45 PM  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Photo Retouching Services , at 7:19 PM  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Image Retouching, at 5:13 PM  

  • I made a modified version of 16 circles. TYVM https://photos.app.goo.gl/TkbrqymLLWdvyL8y5

    By Blogger Jeannette, at 10:52 PM  

  • Great work, Jeannette!

    By Blogger BeMedina, at 2:52 AM  

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