Sampler Afghan Crochet-A-Long Square #4

If you are just joining us, welcome!  We're so glad to have you :-)  These links will get you up to speed on things: introduction, square #1, #2, #3.

Now for square #4!  This is our second square for February and is our colorwork square for the month.  This particular block is worked from corner to corner in a diagonal pattern.  The pattern is a basic double crochet stripe and uses increases and decreases at the beginnings and endings of the rows to achieve the correct shaping.  One thing to note with this pattern is with the color changes, please just drop the old yarn and pick up the new one when there is a color change.  Cutting the yarn is not necessary.  As you can see in the photo, you do end up with the loose yarns along the edge where you changed colors, but these will be hidden when the blocks are seamed together, so there's no need to fuss or do anything with them at this point.

Pattern

Special stitch instructions:  

Double crochet 2 together (dc2tog):  (Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops) two times.  Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

  

Begin this square with B.  Work 2 rows with B, then work 2 rows with A.  Continue in this manner for entire square.  Do not cut the yarn when switching colors, just drop it and pick up the next color. 

Foundation chain: Ch 4 Row 1: Make 4 dc in beginning ch. (5 stitches) Ch 3, turn. 

Row 2: Make 2 dc in first dc.  Dc in each of next 3 dc.  Make 2 dc in top of turning chain.  (8 stitches) Ch 3, turn. 

Row 3: Make 2 dc in first dc. Dc in each remaining dc.  Make 2 dc in top of turning chain. (11 stitches) Ch 3, turn. 

Row 4-11: Repeat row 3.  (Stitch count will increase by 3 on each row)

Rows 12-21:  Skip first stitch.  (Dc2tog over next 2 stitches) twice.  Dc in each stitch on row. Leave top of ch 3 unworked.  Ch 3, turn.

Row 22:  Ch 3.  Dc3tog over next 3 stitches.  Fasten off and weave in ends.  

This particular stitch pattern is used in the unforgettable ponchette pattern available here.  In the ponchette below, a self-patterning yarn was used to create the striped look without the color changes.

The Beard Beanie Story

Out of all of the designs I have come up with - the popularity of the Beard Beanie dwarfs all others by miles.  After many requests, I have felt compelled to share more of our story.

Several years ago - as my husband and I were out on a date, in passing we saw some version of a bearded hat.  It really looked much like a simple ski mask - all one color, with a whole for the eyes and nose.  Upon further inspection - it was apparent that there was something that looked much like a bow-tie almost positioned under the nose.  After squinting one eye and tilting my head a bit - I could see that it was meant to somewhat resemble a beard and mustache.  It was November - and I was swamped with Christmas orders and projects at the time, but after my husband mentioned that I should try designing a bearded hat - I made a mental note that I would come back to it once I finished up my marathon long list of to-do's.

Once most of my holiday business was taken care of - I started working on the design.  The first one was made of all the same yarn - and I had chosen a slightly fuzzy yarn that was cream and beige if I remember right.  We took it to a family party where it was a huge hit and ended up going home with my brother-in-law.  With all my Christmas projects then finished - I set to work on a new beard hat.  The fuzzy yarn had looked nice - but proved to be a bit itchy and ticklish under the nose.  I tried switching yarn types and styles, and tweaked the design.  Eventually I got the fit just right - and found the softest non-fuzzy, non-itchiest yarns I could for the beard portion.  My husband soon found that they worked superbly to keep his face and head warm in the cold Cache Valley winter.  As I added one beard hat after another to my etsy shop - it became apparent that the design was a success.  If you look back through my posts on this blog - here is the first time I introduced a version of the beard beanie popular today.  

There are others claiming to be the original fitted beard beanie - but I want you all to know that I searched high and low and didn't find anything that had the same fit and design as our signature beardbeanie when we introduced it.  I hate copy cats and pride myself on coming up with original designs that are unique to my style and very functional.  So while some may spread a story high and low of thinking it up on a mountain top with a scarf - it's simply not true.  Those other, lesser quality copies are in fact copies.   

No one made the fitted beard beanie before we did.  And to this day - no one makes it as well as we do.  

For my next post, I plan on going in to more detail as to what sets our design apart from the rest.