Taraduff's 2015 CAL Sampler Afghan Square #12

I don't know about you but we have had some HOT weather here!  I would love to just sit around all day in my air-conditioned house crocheting - and maybe eating ice cream ;-)  I won a gift card for some schwann's food a month or so ago.  Since then, somehow we always end up with some yummy ice cream treats in our freezer.  I wish I could say they are just for the kids, but they aren't.  They certainly hit the spot on a sizzling summer day!

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, Square #8, Square #9, and Square #10, #11. You can find links to all of them on pinterest here. And be sure to follow me on
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The second block for June is our colorwork square.  This square features a stitch pattern often referred to as the 'larksfoot stitch'.  I love the pattern it creates with contrasting colors.  Similar in characteristics as June's first block, it is a lacey block that would work great for wraps, scarves, skirts, or tops.  It would not however be a good choice for something like a potholder where you want it thick and dense.  Below you can see how it turned out in the Endless Oasis Infinity Scarf.

Endless Oasis Infinity Scarf

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #12 larksfoot stitch pattern

Block #12 Larksfoot Stitch

Begin this square with C.  Work first 3 rows with C. Change to B and work 2 rows, then switch back to C and work 2 rows.  Continue changing colors every two rows for entire square.  Do not cut the yarn when switching colors, just drop it and pick up the next color.

Foundation Ch and Row 1:  Ch 26.  Sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch.  (25 sc).  Turn.
Row 2:  Ch 3 (counts as dc in this and all other rows).  Skip first stitch.  *Dc in next 3 stitches.  Ch 1.  Skip next st.  Repeat from * across until 4 stitches remain.  Dc in each remaining stitch.  Turn.
Row 3:  Ch 3.  Skip first stitch.  *Dc in next 3 dc.  Ch 1.  Repeat from * until 4 stitches remain. Dc in each dc.  Dc in top of turning ch.  Turn.
Row 4:  Ch 3.  skip first dc.  Dc in next dc.  *Ch 1, skip next dc.  Dc in next dc.**  Working over stitches in previous row,  make 1 long dc in ch-1 space 2 rows below.  Dc in next dc.  Repeat from * across, ending last repeat at **.  Dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Row 5:  Ch 3, skip first dc.  Dc in next dc.  Ch 1.  *Dc in next 3 dc, ch 1.  Repeat from * across until 2 stitches remain.  Dc in next dc.  Dc in top of turning ch.  Turn.
Row 6:  Ch 3, skip first dc.  Dc in next dc.  *Working over stitches in previous row, make 1 long dc in ch-1 space 2 rows below.  Dc in next dc.**  Ch 1, skip next dc.  Dc in next dc.  Repeat from * across ending last repeat at **.  Dc in top of turning ch.  Turn.
Row 7:  Ch 3, skip first dc.  *Dc in next 3 dc.  Ch 1.  Repeat from * until 4 stitches remain.  Dc in next 3 dc.  Dc in top of turning ch.  Turn.
Rows 8 - 17:  Repeat rows 4-7 for pattern ending with row 5.  Do not change color at the end of row 17.
Row 19:  Ch 1.  Sc in each stitch.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #12 larksfoot stitch pattern close-up

So crochet friends, I confessed my ice cream secret.  Share what treat/activity you most like on a super hot summer day!

Taraduff's 2015 CAL Sampler Afghan Square #11

It's June and my kids are all now out of school!  I'm super glad for summer days that I can sleep in, or I more accurately I should say let my kids sleep in while I get up and enjoy some quiet and hopefully productive time before they get up!  There are so many things I love about summer, I hope you do too!

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, Square #8, Square #9, and Square #10. You can find links to all of them on pinterest here. 

Our first square for June is an interesting tall fan pattern.  Most of the patterns thus far have been for fairly solid blocks.  This one is less solid and is more like lace.  I love how it turned out in my Pollyanna Poncho.

Pollyanna Poncho by taraduff 2015

 So I believe the name of this particular stitch pattern is 'tall fans'.  It uses basic stitches throughout.  The one unique thing about this stitch pattern is the way you work the sc on row 3.  Instead of working into the stitch or space from the previous row, you will actually be working it down into the space 2 rows below.  So by working in the space 2 rows below, you will be working the actual single crochet around the two previous rows.  This pulls the rows together to create the grouping of the shells from 3 rows which makes it into a tall fan instead of just 3 rows of shells.  It may sound complicated, but it's easy peasy, I pink swear ;-)  Just follow along the pattern.  If you run into a question, please ask!  Comment here or send me a message via facebook or twitter.

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #11 tall fans stitch pattern

Block #11  Tall Fans

Special stitch:
Shell:  2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in same space.

Pattern

Foundation Ch and Row 1:  Ch 33  Make 2 dc in 5th ch from hook.  Ch 1, 2 dc in next ch.  *Skip next 3 ch, 2 dc in next ch, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch.  Repeat from * across until 2 ch remain. Skip next ch.  Dc in last ch.  Turn.
Row 2:  Ch 3.  Work shell in each ch-1 space across.  Work dc in top of turning ch. Turn.
Row 3:  Ch 3, turn.  Work shell in ch-1 sp of next shell.  *Ch 2, sc tightly around space between shells of last 2 rows, ch 2, work shell in ch-1 sp of next shell.  Repeat from * across.  Dc in top of turning ch.  Turn.
Rows 4-5:  Repeat row 2.
Rows 6:  Repeat row 3.
Rows 7-15:  Repeat rows 4-6.
Row 16:  Ch 4.  *Make 2 sc in ch-1 sp of next shell, ch 3.  Repeat from * to end of row.  Sc in top of turning ch.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #11 close up of tall fans stitch pattern

Here's a peak at the square #12, coming soon!

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #12 larksfoot stitch

Ok lovely crochet friends, please comment tell me what you think of this new tall fans stitch pattern?  What kinds of projects would you use it for?