May's squares feature a stitch pattern called 'padded clusters'. This is a fantastic stitch with lots of great texture and thickness. Post stitches are the key in creating this stitch pattern. It's a great option for anything where you need a thick and sturdy fabric. Once you get this stitch pattern down, you could try it out in the Bonnie winter hat and Bonnie neckwarmer.
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| Bonnie Winter Bonnet and Neckwarmer |
Square #9 Padded Clusters (solid)
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| Padded Clusters square #9 |
Square #10 Padded Clusters (self-patterning yarn)
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| Padded Clusters Square #10 |
Pattern
Foundation ch & row 1: Ch 44. Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (43 sc) Turn.
Row 2: Ch 2 ( counts as hdc now and throughout), skip first stitch, hdc in next stitch. *Skip next stitch, sc in next stitch. Skip next stitch,** 3 dc in next stitch. Repeat from * across, anding last repeat at **. Hdc in next stitch, hdc in top of turning ch. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 2, skip first stitch, hdc in next stitch. *Make 3 fpdc around the post of next sc,** skip next stitch, sc in next dc. Skip next stitch. Repeat from * across, ending last repeat at **. Hdc in next stitch, hdc in top of turning ch. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 2, skip first stitch. Hdc in next stitch, *skip next stitch, sc in next dc. Skip next stitch,** make 3 fpdc around the post of next sc. Repeat from * across, ending last repeat at **. Hdc in next stitch. Hdc in top of turning ch. Turn.
Rows 5-30: Repeat rows 3 and 4.
Row 31: Ch 1. Sc in each stitch across. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Variation: On block #10, I simply used a self-patterning yarn following the pattern above.
