Taraduff's 2015 CAL Sampler Afghan Square #22

Hi friends!  Did you have a stellar Thanksgiving?  Hopefully you got to have your very favorite kind of pie!  Besides crocheting - cooking is my other love.  So if you didn't, and want to come for a visit, let me know beforehand and I'll gladly whip up your favorite pie!  Mine happens to be apple - and I will readily admit I am a total apple pie snob.  I have yet to try an apple pie that I LOVE as much as my own.    I don't use a fancy recipe - seriously, just the basic apple pie recipe from Betty Crocker or Better Homes and Gardens.  It's about the method.  A traditional well-made pastry crust (nice and flakey), and thinly sliced apples that meld together when cooked.  Yum!  Do you follow me on instagram?  I posted a picture the day before Thanksgiving of my beloved pie.  If only pictures captured divine aromas.......

Alright then.  We are on square # 22 my friends!  So close to being done and ready to assemble!!!  Wahoo!

 If you're just joining me, WELCOME!  Following are links to this crochet-a-long project and all of the previous squares : 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, #19, and #20, and # 21.  Find them all on pinterest here.  And I'd love to have you follow me on facebook and twitter too to get updated when a new square pattern is published.

November's colorwork square is super interesting.  The stitches are very basic, single crochet and chain stitches are all that are used.  The result is fantastic though - lots of texture and interest when using various colors.  I love it in the Happy Homestead Christmas Stocking.

Happy Homestead Christmas Stocking designed by taraduff 2015

 Block #22 Jacob's Ladder

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #22 Jacob's Ladder

Foundation ch & row 1:  With B, ch 29.  Sc in second ch from hook and each remaining ch.  Turn.
Row 2, 3:  With B, Ch 1.  Sc in each sc. (28 sc).  Turn.
Row 4:  With B, ch 1.  Sc in first 4 sc.  **Ch 12.  Sc in next 4 sc.  Repeat from * across until 4 stitches remain.  Ch 12.  Sc in next 4 sc.  Turn.
Rows 5-7:  With B, repeat row 2. (Keep chain loops to the back when working row 4)
Row 8:  With A, repeat row 4.
Rows 9-11:  With A, repeat row 2. 
Rows 12-31:  Repeat rows 4-11 ending with row 7.
Before moving on to row 32, chain loops together by pulling each loop through the one below.
Row 32:  Continuing with B, ch 1.  Sc in first 4 sc.  *Inserting hook in next ch-12 loop, sc in next sc (this secures the cable loop chain in place).  Sc in next 3 sc.  Repeat from * until 4 stitches remain.  Inserting hook in next ch-12 loop, sc in next sc.  Sc in last 3 sc.  Turn.
Rows 33-36:  With B, repeat row 2.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #22 Jacob's Ladder close-up of stitch pattern

If you find the part following row 31 confusing where you chain the loops together, here is a photo from a Christmas stocking with part of the chains looped together that might be helpful.

Above photo shows chain loops being looped together.  Take bottom loop and pull it through the loop just above.  Continue this process until all loops are looped together and only the top loops are loose.  Row32 secures the top loops in place.

Only two more squares to go!  And I've been thinking long and hard about a 2016 CAL (crochet-a-long) project.  I would love to hear from you!  What things would you like to learn?  Please comment below! 

Taraduff's 2015 CAL Sampler Afghan Square #21

This month has been much better than last thank goodness!  I did get good news, and am now on my way to rebuilding my health.  Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.  They have been so helpful and appreciated!

The weather's turned cold here, and I find myself by the fireplace curled up with my hook and some lovely yarn whenever I can.  It is that time of year - time to get working on holiday gifts, or just something warm and cozy to suit the weather.

If you're just joining in, WELCOME!  It's not too late to start!  Click on the 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, #19, and #20.  You can find them all on pinterest here. And follow me on facebook and twitter too for updates when a new square pattern is published.

November's solid square features a 'slant stitch' pattern.  Slanted lines are created by skipping a stitch, making a few double crochet stitches and then making a double crochet stitch back into the skipped stitch working over the just made stitches.  This creates a slanted line across the group of stitches which is where it gets it's name.  It's featured in the Willow Flats Convertible Scarf.  The rows of slant stitch are the small black stripes in between the blue stripes in this particular scarf.  If you look at the photo, you can see the slanted lines in those rows.

Willow Flats Convertible Scarf modeled by Mitch, taraduff 2015

Willow Flats Convertible Scarf taraduff 2015

Block #21 Slant Stitch

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #21 Slant Stitch

Foundation ch and row 1:  Ch 29.  Sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining chain. (28 sc)  Turn.
Row 2:  Ch 3.  Skip first sc.  Dc in next sc.  *Skip next sc, dc in next 3 sc, yarn over, insert hook in skipped sc and draw up a loop even with hook, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice.  Repeat from * across.  Dc in last 2 sc.  Turn.
Row 3:  Ch 1, sc in each stitch across.  (28 sc)  Turn.
Rows 4-19:  Repeat rows 2 & 3 ending with row 2.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

taraduff's 2015 CAL sampler afghan square #21 Slant Stitch close-up of stitch pattern

If you need a super easy scrumptious pie to whip up for your upcoming Thanksgiving feast, try my favorite chocolate pie.  I've assigned it to my 14 yr old son this year, so we'll see how he does!