Taraduff's 2015 CAL Sampler Afghan Square #16

August hasn't gone at all like I'd planned.  I went on a little educational trip at the beginning of the month - and when I returned home, I ended up so sick!  I literally spent 2 wks of August in bed very ill.  I couldn't even crochet I was that sick :-(  But it has helped me be a little more greatful for the health that I typically enjoy.  I am a more greatful for being able to care for my husband and children each day.  I'm greatful for being able to get up and care for myself.  There are so many things I seem to have taken for granted until I could no longer do them!  I'm reminded of my mother - she often thought I tried to do too much.  She thought I should slow down and enjoy life a bit more with all of it's wonder.  I think she was right.

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, #12, #13, #14, & #15.  You can find links to all of them on pinterest here. And be sure to follow me on facebook and twitter to get updates when a new square pattern is posted.

The second square for August is our colorwork square.  It's a wave pattern.  There is some similarity to the chevron pattern in that the stripes move up and down and aren't straight, but the stripes actually go thick and thin across the piece.  It's one of my favorite colorwork patterns.  There are lots of ways to do the striping.  My favorite involves changing colors each row - having all the single crochet rows in one color.  That seems to define the waves more how I like it.  Once you become familiar with this stitch - you'll see lots of variations on how it can be done.  I like it in this baby blanket, especially since there are no ends to weave in.  You knot the ends on each side and have a cute finished fringe edging with little effort.

Easy Finish Reversible Baby Blanket by Taraduff

So I have to put in a disclaimer here for this square.  This square has lots and lots of ends to weave in.  If you hate weaving ends in with a passion, then I would recommend changing up the way you do the stripes.  Simply do more than one row in a color and carry the ends up the sides as you go, like we have done on past squares.  I do prefer this one switching colors every row, so I think it's worth weaving in all those ends on this one square.  This is your blanket though - and I highly recommend doing it however you like, and if those ends are going to drive you crazy - change the stripes and don't think another thing about it!

Block #16

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #16 Waves

Block #16 Waves

With A, chain 28
Row 1:  Sc in second ch from hook and each remaining ch.  (27 sc) (Switch to C in last sc)  Ch 1, turn.  (Fasten off A)
Row 2:  Sc in first stitch.  *Hdc in next stitch.  Dc in next 3 stitches.  Hdc in next stitch.  Sc in next 3 stitches.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Hdc in next stitch.  Dc in last stitch. (Switch to A in last sc.) (Fasten off C.) Ch 1, turn.
Row 3:  Sc in each stitch across. (27 sc) (Switch to B in last sc). (Fasten off) Ch 3, turn.
Row 4:  Skipping first stitch, *hdc in next stitch.  Sc in next 3 stitches.  Hdc in next stitch.  Dc in next 3 stitches.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Hdc in next stitch.  Sc in last stitch.  (Switch to A in last dc)  (Fasten off)  Ch 1, turn.
Row 5:  Work as for row 3 only switch to C in last sc.
Rows 6-27:  Repeat rows 2-5 ending with row 3.

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #16 Waves 

Remember to take time to enjoy life and all the things you love!