Bobble Stitch Squares 3 & 4

Wow, it's been super cold and the smog has settled in over my little town nestled in Cache Valley.    While it is cold and dreary, a lovely blanket of white covers everything outside.  I like spring the most when everything turns green and bunches of tulips and dandelions grace us, but there is something to enjoy in every season. 

I am feeling much better these days.  I felt like I had one foot in the grave for such a long time without really realizing it.  It's funny how you don't realize how awful you feel until you start to feel better.  I still have a ways to go, but that's part of the journey I suppose.  I am still working on learning to bring much needed balance to my life, but I think that is a challenge many can relate to.

For the month of February, we are crocheting a bobble stitch block.  I kind of love bobble stitches!  There are lots of things that make me happy in crochet - and bobble stitches happen to be one of them.  This block is simple, it's a lot of half double crochet stitches with bobble stitches scattered evenly - giving the fabric a polka-dot effect.  I always loved polka-dots.  Unfortunately my husband does not, so I currently have nothing polka-dotted in my wardrobe.  I should probably remedy that situation....

Here is a peek of a project that I made for my nephew's wedding a few years ago.  The entire blanket features the stitch pattern from this month's blocks.  I added the tunisian crocheted heart with the couple's names and wedding date cross-stitched on to hopefully make it something special for them. 

Customizable Keepsake Afghan 

Square # 3 - Bobble Stitch Solid Square

Square #4 - Bobble Stitch Polka-dot Square

Pattern

Special stitches
bobble:  (Yo, insert hook in indicated st or sp, yo, draw yarn through st and up to level of work) 5 times in same st, yo, draw yarn through 11 loops on hook.

Foundation ch and Row 1:  Ch 34.  Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each stitch across. Turn.
Row 2:  Ch 2 (counts as first hdc here and throughout).  Skip first hdc.  Hdc in each stitch across.  Make 1 hdc in top of turning chain. (33 hdc) Turn.
Row 3:  Ch 2.  Skip first hdc.  Hdc in next 3 stitches.  *Ch 1, skip next stitch.  Hdc in next 7 stitches.  Repeat from * until within last 5 stitches.  Ch 1.  Skip next stitch.  Hdc in last 3 stitches.  Hdc in top of turning ch.  Turn.
Row 4: Ch 2.  Skip first hdc.  Hdc in next 3 hdc.  *Bobble (see Special Stitches) in ch-1 sp.  Hdc in next 7 stitches.  Repeat from *to last ch-1 sp.  Bobble in last ch-1 sp.  Hdc in last 3 hdc.  Hdc in top of turning ch.
Rows 5 and 6:  Repeat row 2.
Row 7:  Ch 2.  Skip first hdc.  *Hdc in next 7 stitches.  Ch 1, skip next stitch.  Repeat from * until within last 8 stitches.  Hdc in last 7 stitches.  Hdc in top of turning ch.  Turn.
Row 8:  Ch 2.  Skip first hdc.  *Hdc in next 7 stitches.  Bobble in next ch-1 sp.  Repeat from * until within last 8 stitches.  Hdc in last 7 stitches.  Hdc in top of turning ch.  Turn.
Rows 9 and 10:  Repeat row 2.
Repeat rows 3-10 for pattern.

Variation for polka-dot square: On bobble stitch rows (rows 4 & 8), carry another color along through the row and switch to it for bobble stitches only (then switch back to main color) to make a polka-dot fabric.

I'm sharing one more photo of the stitch pattern in a self-patterning yarn.  It's always interesting for me to see how the same stitch pattern looks when you change up yarn types and colors.

bobble stitch pattern in self-patterning yarn

Remember to share your progress on instagram, twitter, or whatever your preferred social media is!   #taraduff2016cal