Sampler Afghan Crochet-A-Long Square #4

If you are just joining us, welcome!  We're so glad to have you :-)  These links will get you up to speed on things: introduction, square #1, #2, #3.

Now for square #4!  This is our second square for February and is our colorwork square for the month.  This particular block is worked from corner to corner in a diagonal pattern.  The pattern is a basic double crochet stripe and uses increases and decreases at the beginnings and endings of the rows to achieve the correct shaping.  One thing to note with this pattern is with the color changes, please just drop the old yarn and pick up the new one when there is a color change.  Cutting the yarn is not necessary.  As you can see in the photo, you do end up with the loose yarns along the edge where you changed colors, but these will be hidden when the blocks are seamed together, so there's no need to fuss or do anything with them at this point.

Pattern

Special stitch instructions:  

Double crochet 2 together (dc2tog):  (Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops) two times.  Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

  

Begin this square with B.  Work 2 rows with B, then work 2 rows with A.  Continue in this manner for entire square.  Do not cut the yarn when switching colors, just drop it and pick up the next color. 

Foundation chain: Ch 4 Row 1: Make 4 dc in beginning ch. (5 stitches) Ch 3, turn. 

Row 2: Make 2 dc in first dc.  Dc in each of next 3 dc.  Make 2 dc in top of turning chain.  (8 stitches) Ch 3, turn. 

Row 3: Make 2 dc in first dc. Dc in each remaining dc.  Make 2 dc in top of turning chain. (11 stitches) Ch 3, turn. 

Row 4-11: Repeat row 3.  (Stitch count will increase by 3 on each row)

Rows 12-21:  Skip first stitch.  (Dc2tog over next 2 stitches) twice.  Dc in each stitch on row. Leave top of ch 3 unworked.  Ch 3, turn.

Row 22:  Ch 3.  Dc3tog over next 3 stitches.  Fasten off and weave in ends.  

This particular stitch pattern is used in the unforgettable ponchette pattern available here.  In the ponchette below, a self-patterning yarn was used to create the striped look without the color changes.

Taraduff's Sampler Afghan Crochet-a-long Square #3

Hopefully you've enjoyed the squares so far and learned some new stitches!  If you are just joining us, You can find the basic information about the crochet-a-long here, and the pattern for square #1 here, and square #2 here.  

Square #3 is our solid square for February.  If you remember, the last square (#2) used a v-stitch.  This block also uses a v-stitch, although the pattern itself is slightly different.  It is a super easy pattern that can be used in a variety of projects.  It makes a fabric that drapes, stretches, and is slightly airy without large holes.  It is used in this beret hat.  Thanks also go to my sweet friend Peggy Ashby for helping design this square.  

Pattern

Special stitch instructions:

V-stitch:  Dc, ch 1, dc in same stitch.

Foundation ch & row 1:  Ch 32.  Dc in 4th ch from hook.  Ch 1, dc in same ch.  *Skip 2 ch, v-stitch in next stitch.  Repeat from * across to last ch.  Dc in last ch. (10 v-stitches)  Turn.

Row 2:  Ch 3.  V-stitch in ch-1 sp of next v-stitch and in each v-stitch across.  Dc in top of beginning ch-3.

Rows 3-15:  Repeat row 2.  

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Below is a close up of the block.