Sampler Crochet-A-Long Square #6

I'm so glad the sun is shining today!  We received some very sad news yesterday.  I'm reminded to count my blessings every single day.  The sun shining is definitely one of those blessings.  Life is fragile - be kind to those you come in contact with.  Pass less judgement and love and enjoy life more!

If you're just joining in, WELCOME!  Click on the following links to get caught up: Introduction, Square #1, Square #2, Square #3, Square #4, Square #5.

Block #6 is our colorwork square for March.  While the stitches used in the block are very basic, it is the placement that creates the fun alternating blocks of color. This stitch pattern creates a fairly thick fabric, excellent for any project where you want something that holds it's shape well.  I used it in this convertible hat/cowl.

You might be seeing this guy a lot here, he's a handy model :-)

One thing to note on this one - it uses 3 colors so you change colors at the end/beginning of each row.  Just drop the previous color and leave it there, you will pick it up again when you get back to that side. Once you've started all the colors, you simply pick up the color that is there waiting for you.  Working with 3 colors changing on each row is easy.

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Block #3

Foundation chain/Row 1:  With A, chain 32.  Dc in 4th chain from hook.  Dc in next ch.  *Ch 3, skip next 3 ch.  Dc in next 3 ch.  Repeat from * across until 3 ch remain.  Ch 3, skip next 2 ch, sl st to last ch. Drop A, pick up B.  Turn.

Row 2:  Ch 3.  Working over ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 2 unworked ch stitches from the foundation ch.  Ch 3.  *Skip next 3 dc.  Working over next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 skipped ch in foundation ch.  Ch 3.  Repeat from * across to last 3 stitches.  Skip next 2 dc.  Sl st to top of turning chain.  Drop B, pick up C.  Turn.

Row 3:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc).  Skip first stitch.  Working over ch-3 sp, dc in next 2 skipped dc 2 rows below.  *Ch 3.  Skip 3 stitches, working over next ch-3 sp, 1 dc in each of next 3 skipped dc 2 rows below.  Repeat from * across until 3 dc from previous row remain.  Ch 3.  Sl st to top of turning ch. Drop C, pick up A.  Turn.

Row 4:  Work as for row 3.  Drop A, pick up B.

Rows 5-24:  Repeat row 3 for pattern, alternating colors A, B, and C throughout.

Row 25:  Working with A, ch 3.  Skip first stitch.  *Working over ch-3 sp, dc in next 2 skipped dc 2 rows below.  Sc in next 3 dc from row 24.  Repeat from * for remainder of row.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

close-up of stitch pattern

So what small blessings do you have to enjoy today?

Sampler Afghan Crochet-a-Long Square #5

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, #4. 

So here we are in March!  I'm enjoying seeing the sun more, although daylight savings was brutal at my house this year!  I am looking forward to St Paddy's day and my upcoming wedding anniversary to this hottie :-)  Hopefully you have some nice things to look forward to this month as well!

hottie husband willingly modeling my crochet wares ;-)

Now on to business.  Square #5 is this month's solid square and features a basketweave pattern.  This will give you lots of practice with your post stitches.  This stitch pattern produces a fairly sturdy and thick fabric with excellent texture.  Some ideas of how to use this pattern - it would make an excellent warm scarf, placemat, afghan or hat.  Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless!

Pattern

Special Stitches:   

front post double crochet (fpdc):  Yo and insert hook from the front to the back around the post of the dc on the previous row.  Complete as for regular dc.

back post double crochet (bpdc):  Yo and insert hook from the back to the front around the post of the dc on the previous row.  Complete as for regular dc.

Foundation ch & row 1:  Ch 34.  Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (32 dc). Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, skip first dc.  *Work fpdc around the post of next 3 dc.  Work bpdc around the post of the next 3 dc.  Repeat from * across.  Hdc in top of beginning ch.  Turn.

Row 3:  Ch 2.  Skip first hdc.  *Work fpdc around the post of the next 3 stitches.  Work bpdc around the post of the next 3 stitches.  Repeat from * across.  Hdc in top of beginning ch.  Turn.

Row 4:  Ch 2.  Skip first hdc.  *Work bpdc around the post of the next 3 stitches.  Work fpdc around the post of the next 3 stitches.  Repeat from * across.  Hdc in top of beginning ch.  Turn.

Row 5:  Repeat row 4.

Row 6, 7:  Repeat row 3.

Row 8- 23:  Repeat rows 4-7. (Ending with row 7.)

close up view of basketweave stitch pattern

my sweet girl wearing my basektweave beanie

hottie husband wearing my basketweave beanie

So you all know that I'm looking forward to an anniversary this month, what is something you are looking forward to?