Taraduff's 2015 CAL Sampler Afghan Square #20

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.  Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.  All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put Humpty together again.

I feel like this little rhyme describes me at the moment.  Completely broken.  I had a very disappointing dr's appt yesterday.  I get to go back next week and hopefully make a little more progress, but we shall see.  I always knew the system was broken, but I had been lucky enough to stay out of it for the most part.  They unfortunately got me caught in the 'medical (full of interventions) machine' now, and I'm stuck until it spits me out to see what's left of me for ME to put back together.

Next week, I am hoping for better news and at least some progress and prediction as to when this 'machine' is going to spit me out and I can salvage what's left and work on rebuilding my health.  I'm taking life one day at a time.  Something good is bound to happen today, and tomorrow, and the next day.  I'll be putting on my rose colored glasses looking for each one.

So, block #20!  Only 4 more blocks and you will have all 24 for your soon-to-be beautiful sampler afghan!

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, #16, #17, #18 and #19.  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.

October's second square is our colorwork square.  This is a super unique square in the way that it is worked.  Each row is a different color - but the rows are not worked back and forth as you would traditionally work rows.   One row is worked, then the loop dropped while another row is started with the second color working in the same direction.  Once that row is worked, then the new loop is dropped and the previously dropped loop picked up - then you turn and work the other direction.  It sounds confusing, but I promise it's actually pretty easy once you get it, and not many ends to work in since you aren't cutting the yarn after each color change.  And I do love this stitch pattern.  Here it is in the Oxford Shells Fingerless gloves.

Oxford Shells Fingerless Gloves by taraduff 2015

Block #20 Interlaced Shells

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #20 Interlaced Shells Square

Worked with A and B. Pay attention to color changes. When dropping a color, always pull up a long loop so as not to lose it. After the foundation row, you do not turn at the end of every row.   Please see the photos below the pattern for further help if this isn't making sense.

Foundation ch and Row 1: With A, ch 34. Work 2 dc in 4th ch from hook. *Skip next 2 ch. Sc in next ch. Skip next 2 ch.** 5 dc in next ch. Repeat from * across ending last repeat at **. Make 3 dc in last ch, do not turn. Pull up long loop and drop A.
Row 2: Moving back to opposite end, with B, sc in top of beginning ch-3. *Ch 2. *(Yo, draw up a loop in next st, yo, draw through 2 loops) 5 times. Yo, draw through 6 loops on hook (cluster made). Ch 2. Sc in next dc.** Ch 2. Repeat from * across ending last repeat at **. Pull up long loop and drop B. Turn.
Row 3: Pick up A. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Make 2 dc in first sc. *Sc in next cluster.** 5 dc in next sc. Repeat from * across ending last repeat at **.    Make 3 dc in last sc. Pull up long loop and drop A. Do not turn.
Row 4: Moving back to opposite end, with B, Ch 3. Sc in top of beginning ch-3. *Ch 2. *(Yo, draw up a loop in next st, yo, draw through 2 loops) 5 times. Yo, draw through 6 loops on hook (cluster made). Ch 2. Sc in next dc.** Ch 2. Repeat from * across ending last repeat at **. Pull up long loop and drop B. Turn.
Rows 5-17: Repeat rows 3 and 4, ending with 3. Fasten off both A and B and weave in ends.

Please note that the pictures below were worked left-handed.  The concept of how to work the rows is the same - but your loop and end will be on the opposite side if you are working it right-handed.  Please comment or message me if you run into questions.  I can work up one right handed and get pics for you if needs be.  You are all smart cookies though, but let me know if you need further help on this!

After completing row 1 it should look something like this (this is left handed, so if you are crocheting right, just picture it going in the opposite direction).  Drop the loop and pull it long.

Row 2 is worked by attaching color B to the opposite end of long loop and working in the same direction as row 1.  This photo shows the piece with row 1 and some of row 2 worked. 

At the end of row 2, drop the loop and pull it long.  Then pick up the loop with color A from the end of row 1 and begin row 3 by turning and working in the opposite direction.

This shows the piece with rows 1-3 completed and row 4 partially done.  The color and row changes will continue on in this manner to the end of the block.

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #20 Interlaced Shells close up of stitch pattern

Til we meet again!  Much love to you crochet friends!  Wishing you bliss until the next post!

Taraduff's 2015 CAL Sampler Afghan Square #19

October is now upon us.  Time to plan the Halloween costumes and carve the pumpkins!  I am super glad to have September over.  My son's surgery went so much better than we had hoped, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of the good thoughts and wishes and prayers.  It was wonderful to have some great news, we certainly needed it!  And he's back up and running and ready to roll!  I'm still a work in progress, but I guess I must be content with that for now.  I've been to see so many Dr's and specialists in the last little while.  It's never comforting to hear how anxious they are to see you, but although they've heard of what you have, they've never actually treated anyone with it before.  But that's alright, I have too many blessings to stay focused on the current challenges.

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, #16, #17, and #18.  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.

October's first square is our solid square.  This is a lacy square with those 'holes' that are so associated with crochet pieces.  Now we now that crochet comes in all sorts of fun forms - solid, lacy, thick, thin - but the traditionally thought of crochet is the more holey granny square type of crochet.  This stitch pattern fits that classic idea with the nice texture and holes.  I probably would not use it for a pair of mittens or socks where I wanted great warmth and coverage - but for a scarf, vest or sweater it would work great.  If you like fine yarns or thread - this is perfect for a lacey skirt or shawl.  In the Shenandoah Scoodie it is featured in the body of the scarf.  This is one of my favorite Sunday scarves for my girl when the weather gets a bit nippy.

Shenandoah Scoodie crochet hooded scarf pattern

 Block #19

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #19 Lacey Square

Block #19 Lacy Square

Foundation Ch row 1:  Ch 32.  Sc in second ch from hook.  Sc in next ch.  Ch 3, skip 3 ch.  (Sc in next 3 ch, ch 3, skip 3 ch) across.  Sc in last 2 ch.  Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1.  Sc in first sc.  (Skip 1 sc, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp, skip 1 sc, sc in next sc) across.  Turn.
Row 3:  Ch 3.  Skip 2 stitches.  Sc in next 3 dc.  (Ch 3, skip next 3 stitches, sc in next 3 dc) across.  Ch 2.  Skip 1 stitch, sc in last sc.
Row 4:  Ch 2, turn.  skip 1 sc, 3 dc in ch-2 space.  Skip 1 sc, sc in next sc (skip 1 sc, 5 dc in next ch-3 space, skip 1 sc, sc in next sc) across.  Make 3 dc in last ch-3 sp.  Turn.
Row 5:   Ch 1, sc in first 2 dc.  (Ch 3, skip 3 stitches, sc in next 3 dc) across.  Ch 3, skip 3 stitches, sc in last 2 stitches.
Rows 6 -21:  Repeat rows 2-5 four more times.

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #19 Lacey Square close-up of stitch pattern

Shenandoah Scoodie crochet hooded scarf pattern

One last picture to share, my sunshine girl LOVES small animals.   Elephants are a favorite.  She had to be sure I was getting her little elephant 'Peanut' in some of the photos.