Sampler Afghan Square #8

April.  This seemingly quiet month has been full of crazy here.  Taxes, crazy winter-like snowing and lawn mowing in the same week, sick kids....  The sun is out and it is beautiful today though!  Life is beautiful with all of it's ups and downs, it's crazy and calm, it's hots and colds.  Learning to enjoy the ride is still a work in progress for me.

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, Square #6, Square #7.  You can find links to all of them on pinterest here.

Alright then, now it's time for April's colorwork square.  Square #8 uses a stitch I've heard called spike stitch or flame stitch.  This is a great stitch to know if you haven't done it before.  Made basically of single crochet stitches, it produces a sturdy, thick fabric.  Using highly contrasting colors it produces an exceptionally striking pattern, if you are into that kind of thing ;-)

Taraduff's crochet-a-long square #8

 Square #8

Special stitches:

Long Single Crochet (Lsc): Draw up a loop in designated stitch, draw loop up to top of row being worked, complete as a single crochet.

Pattern:

Foundation ch and row 1:  With A, ch 26.  Sc in second ch from hook and each remaining ch. (25 sc) Turn.

Row 2-4:  Ch 1.  Sc in each sc across. (At the end of row 4, switch to color C.)

Row 5:  With C, Ch 1.  Sc in first sc.  *Lsc in the next st 1 row below, lsc in the next st 2 rows below, lsc in next st 3 rows below, lsc in next st 4 rows below, lsc in next st 3 rows below, lsc in next st 2 rows below, lsc in next st one row below, sc in next sc.* Repeat this pattern to end of row. Turn.

Rows 6-9:  With C, repeat row 2.  (At the end of row 9, switch to color A)

Row 10:  With A, Ch 1, Lsc in the next st 4 rows below, *lsc in next st 3 rows below, lsc in next stitch 2 rows below, lsc in next stitch 1 row below, sc in next st, lsc in next st 1 row below, lsc in next st 2 rows below, lsc in next st 3 rows below, lsc in next st 4 rows below.* Repeat this pattern for remainder of row.  Turn.

Row 11:  Repeat row 2.

Rows 12-41:  Repeat rows 2-11 ending with row 2. 

Fasten off and weave in ends.

stitch close-up

I have used this pattern in a baby boy sweater once, in pale blue and chocolate brown with football buttons.  It was super cute, although I don't have a pic :-(  I also use it in my laptop sleeves.  I do have a pic of some of those :-)  And the pattern is available here.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope your squares are coming along nicely.  Always feel free to contact me if you have any questions as you are working on your project.  

XOXO - Taralee

Sampler Afghan Square #7

It's time for the next block!  Square #7 is our solid block for April.  This one is easy peasy, I promise!  It only uses chain, single crochet, and treble crochet stitches.  This stitch makes a solid fabric with nice bumpy texture to add some interest to your project. 

For first timers - you can find the introduction to the project here.  And following are links to squares #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6.  You can also find all the square patterns on this pinterest board'

Block #7  

Foundation ch and row 1:  Ch 28.  Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across (27 sc) Turn.

Row 2:  Ch 1.  Sc in first sc.  *Tr in next sc, sc in next sc.  Repeat from * across.  (27 stitches)  Turn.

Row 3:  Ch 1.  Sc in each sc across.  (27 sc)  Turn.

Rows 4-27:  Repeat rows 2 & 3.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

close up of stitch pattern

This stitch pattern is used in the body of this headwarmer.