Sampler Square #10

Hi friends!  It's been so wet and rainy here, holey moley!  We were taking flowers to my mother's grave yesterday (for 'Decoration Day' as she always referred to it) and drove through a crazy-sauce storm!  We were seriously worried our windshield might break!  My husband and I were disagreeing on whether it was sleet or hail.  The road was a slushy slippery slope in no time.  We were glad to get through it with our windshield still intact and find the sun shining at the cemetery!

Right, now onto business.  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 You can find links to all of them on pinterest here.  

May's colorwork square uses a stitch that is commonly referred to as a moss, granite, or linen stitch.  If you search any of those terms on pinterest (include the word crochet too) you will find all sorts of beautiful crochet goodness that you can make using this stitch.  It uses single crochet and chain stitches to produce a relatively solid fabric that has much more stretch to it than you would have from a solid basic single crochet fabric.  I have made scarves with it with some fun colors.  My most recent project with this stitch was a rather large afghan.  I admit I had intended for it to be a smaller lapghan, but was in the car on a road trip when I started it and it somehow ended up queen size.  I do love how it turned out though.   It's called the Cambric Comforter.

 

Cambric Comforter moss, granite, linen stitch afghan

taraduff sampler afghan square #10

 Square #10

For this block, begin with color A.  Color changes occur at the end of each row.  The color pattern is A-B-C-A-B-C-A-B-C... etc.  When a color change is indicated simply switch to the next color in the pattern.  Do not cut the ends when changing colors.  The old color is simple dropped and the new color picked up.  Only fasten yarn off when the square is complete. 

Pattern

Foundation Chain: With color A, chain 34
Row 1:  Sc in second chain from hook.  *Chain one.  Skip next chain, sc in next ch.  Repeat from * for remainder of row, switching colors in last sc.  Ch 1, turn.
Row 2:  Sc in first sc.  Sc in next ch sp.  *Ch 1.  Sc in next ch sp.  Repeat from * until 1 stitch remains.  Sc in last stitch switching colors.  Ch 1, turn. 
Row 3:  Sc in first sc.  Ch 1.  *Skip next sc, sc in next ch sp. Repeat from * to last ch sp.  Ch 1.  Skip next sc, sc in last sc switching colors.  Ch 1, turn.
Rows 4-34:  Repeat rows 2 & 3, ending with row 2 and color A.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

close-up of crochet moss, granite, or linen stitch

You're all caught up on your squares right?  We now have 10 out of the 24 squares done.  We'll be finished in no time!

I shared my road trip afghan with you.  Do you craft while traveling?  I'd love to hear about what you do to keep yourself occupied while traveling! 

Sampler Afghan Square #9

It seems I'm getting a bit of a late start here this month!  May has so far been filled with Mother's Day, flower beds and gardening, end of school activities, and preparing for our newest venture of starting an in-home therapy program for our daughter.  Today happens to be rainy (I'm very thankful for May showers) - so the gardening is currently on hold and I had some time to finish up the first square post for May.  Hopefully I didn't keep anyone waiting ;-)

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.  You can find links to all of them on pinterest here.

This particular block features the waffle stitch.  It's obviously not hard to see why it's called that ;-)  This pattern utilizes post stitches to creat the pattern - similar to the basketweave square we did a few months ago.  I will say the waffle stitch is slightly simpler than the basketweave square as it only uses front post stitches and the basketweave stitch uses both front and back post stitches.  Post stitches are an excellent way of adding texture to crochet.  I used the waffle stitch in a set of placemats I just finished up and love the result!

waffle stitch placemats

Ok - on to the square #9!

waffle stitch block #9

Square #9

Special Stitches 

front post double crochet (fpdc):  Yo and insert hook from the front to the back around the post of the dc on the previous row.  Complete as for regular dc.

Foundation ch and row 1:  Ch 32.  Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch.  (30 dc)

Row 2:  Ch 2.  Skip first dc, dc in next stitch. * Fpdc in next 2 stitches**, dc in next 2 stitches.  Repeat from * Ending at ** with  one stitch and turning chain remaining.  Dc in next dc, hdc in top of turning ch.  Turn.

Row 3:  Ch 2, skip first stitch.  Fpdc in next stitch. *Dc in next 2 stitches**, fpdc in next 2 stitches.  Repeat from * to last 2 stitches ending at **.  Fpdc in next stitch.  Hdc in top of turning ch.  Turn.

Rows 4-22:  Repeat rows 2 & 3, ending with row 2.

close-up of waffle stitch pattern

So how are your squares coming along?  I'd love to have you share your progress?  And please contact me if you ever have questions on any of the patterns I post.  Oh - and come join me on facebook.  That's a great place to keep up to date on when the new blocks are posted! 

Sampler Afghan Square #8

April.  This seemingly quiet month has been full of crazy here.  Taxes, crazy winter-like snowing and lawn mowing in the same week, sick kids....  The sun is out and it is beautiful today though!  Life is beautiful with all of it's ups and downs, it's crazy and calm, it's hots and colds.  Learning to enjoy the ride is still a work in progress for me.

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.  You can find links to all of them on pinterest here.

Alright then, now it's time for April's colorwork square.  Square #8 uses a stitch I've heard called spike stitch or flame stitch.  This is a great stitch to know if you haven't done it before.  Made basically of single crochet stitches, it produces a sturdy, thick fabric.  Using highly contrasting colors it produces an exceptionally striking pattern, if you are into that kind of thing ;-)

Taraduff's crochet-a-long square #8

 Square #8

Special stitches:

Long Single Crochet (Lsc): Draw up a loop in designated stitch, draw loop up to top of row being worked, complete as a single crochet.

Pattern:

Foundation ch and row 1:  With A, ch 26.  Sc in second ch from hook and each remaining ch. (25 sc) Turn.

Row 2-4:  Ch 1.  Sc in each sc across. (At the end of row 4, switch to color C.)

Row 5:  With C, Ch 1.  Sc in first sc.  *Lsc in the next st 1 row below, lsc in the next st 2 rows below, lsc in next st 3 rows below, lsc in next st 4 rows below, lsc in next st 3 rows below, lsc in next st 2 rows below, lsc in next st one row below, sc in next sc.* Repeat this pattern to end of row. Turn.

Rows 6-9:  With C, repeat row 2.  (At the end of row 9, switch to color A)

Row 10:  With A, Ch 1, Lsc in the next st 4 rows below, *lsc in next st 3 rows below, lsc in next stitch 2 rows below, lsc in next stitch 1 row below, sc in next st, lsc in next st 1 row below, lsc in next st 2 rows below, lsc in next st 3 rows below, lsc in next st 4 rows below.* Repeat this pattern for remainder of row.  Turn.

Row 11:  Repeat row 2.

Rows 12-41:  Repeat rows 2-11 ending with row 2. 

Fasten off and weave in ends.

stitch close-up

I have used this pattern in a baby boy sweater once, in pale blue and chocolate brown with football buttons.  It was super cute, although I don't have a pic :-(  I also use it in my laptop sleeves.  I do have a pic of some of those :-)  And the pattern is available here.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope your squares are coming along nicely.  Always feel free to contact me if you have any questions as you are working on your project.  

XOXO - Taralee

Sampler Crochet-A-Long Square #6

I'm so glad the sun is shining today!  We received some very sad news yesterday.  I'm reminded to count my blessings every single day.  The sun shining is definitely one of those blessings.  Life is fragile - be kind to those you come in contact with.  Pass less judgement and love and enjoy life more!

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.

Block #6 is our colorwork square for March.  While the stitches used in the block are very basic, it is the placement that creates the fun alternating blocks of color. This stitch pattern creates a fairly thick fabric, excellent for any project where you want something that holds it's shape well.  I used it in this convertible hat/cowl.

You might be seeing this guy a lot here, he's a handy model :-)

One thing to note on this one - it uses 3 colors so you change colors at the end/beginning of each row.  Just drop the previous color and leave it there, you will pick it up again when you get back to that side. Once you've started all the colors, you simply pick up the color that is there waiting for you.  Working with 3 colors changing on each row is easy.

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Block #3

Foundation chain/Row 1:  With A, chain 32.  Dc in 4th chain from hook.  Dc in next ch.  *Ch 3, skip next 3 ch.  Dc in next 3 ch.  Repeat from * across until 3 ch remain.  Ch 3, skip next 2 ch, sl st to last ch. Drop A, pick up B.  Turn.

Row 2:  Ch 3.  Working over ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 2 unworked ch stitches from the foundation ch.  Ch 3.  *Skip next 3 dc.  Working over next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 skipped ch in foundation ch.  Ch 3.  Repeat from * across to last 3 stitches.  Skip next 2 dc.  Sl st to top of turning chain.  Drop B, pick up C.  Turn.

Row 3:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc).  Skip first stitch.  Working over ch-3 sp, dc in next 2 skipped dc 2 rows below.  *Ch 3.  Skip 3 stitches, working over next ch-3 sp, 1 dc in each of next 3 skipped dc 2 rows below.  Repeat from * across until 3 dc from previous row remain.  Ch 3.  Sl st to top of turning ch. Drop C, pick up A.  Turn.

Row 4:  Work as for row 3.  Drop A, pick up B.

Rows 5-24:  Repeat row 3 for pattern, alternating colors A, B, and C throughout.

Row 25:  Working with A, ch 3.  Skip first stitch.  *Working over ch-3 sp, dc in next 2 skipped dc 2 rows below.  Sc in next 3 dc from row 24.  Repeat from * for remainder of row.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

close-up of stitch pattern

So what small blessings do you have to enjoy today?

Sampler Afghan Crochet-a-Long Square #5

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, #4. 

So here we are in March!  I'm enjoying seeing the sun more, although daylight savings was brutal at my house this year!  I am looking forward to St Paddy's day and my upcoming wedding anniversary to this hottie :-)  Hopefully you have some nice things to look forward to this month as well!

hottie husband willingly modeling my crochet wares ;-)

Now on to business.  Square #5 is this month's solid square and features a basketweave pattern.  This will give you lots of practice with your post stitches.  This stitch pattern produces a fairly sturdy and thick fabric with excellent texture.  Some ideas of how to use this pattern - it would make an excellent warm scarf, placemat, afghan or hat.  Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless!

Pattern

Special Stitches:   

front post double crochet (fpdc):  Yo and insert hook from the front to the back around the post of the dc on the previous row.  Complete as for regular dc.

back post double crochet (bpdc):  Yo and insert hook from the back to the front around the post of the dc on the previous row.  Complete as for regular dc.

Foundation ch & row 1:  Ch 34.  Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (32 dc). Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, skip first dc.  *Work fpdc around the post of next 3 dc.  Work bpdc around the post of the next 3 dc.  Repeat from * across.  Hdc in top of beginning ch.  Turn.

Row 3:  Ch 2.  Skip first hdc.  *Work fpdc around the post of the next 3 stitches.  Work bpdc around the post of the next 3 stitches.  Repeat from * across.  Hdc in top of beginning ch.  Turn.

Row 4:  Ch 2.  Skip first hdc.  *Work bpdc around the post of the next 3 stitches.  Work fpdc around the post of the next 3 stitches.  Repeat from * across.  Hdc in top of beginning ch.  Turn.

Row 5:  Repeat row 4.

Row 6, 7:  Repeat row 3.

Row 8- 23:  Repeat rows 4-7. (Ending with row 7.)

close up view of basketweave stitch pattern

my sweet girl wearing my basektweave beanie

hottie husband wearing my basketweave beanie

So you all know that I'm looking forward to an anniversary this month, what is something you are looking forward to?

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.

Bobble Hood with Tassels Crochet Pattern

So I finally finished editing the new pattern I had mentioned I was going to post.  It turned out quite lovely I think - hopefully you will like it too!  As I worked the pattern up - I found that there was some torque to the bobble row/hdc row portion.  Blocking will help with this.  The finished piece turns out lovely just the same.  Enjoy!

Yarn: 390 yds worsted weight yarn.  (Wool-Ease by Lion Brand was used for the hood pictured - 2 skeins)

Hook Size: US size I, or size needed to obtain correct gauge

Gauge:  9 rows x 7 sc = 2 inches square

Special Stitches:

bobble: Yo, insert hook in next st as specified by pattern instructions, pull up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, (Yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops) 3 times, yarn over, draw through last 5 loops on hook.

fpdc: yo, insert hook behind post of stitch (from front to back), yo, pull through, bring up even with last stitch completed, yo, pull through 2 loops, (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through remaining 2 loops to complete stitch.

bpsc: Insert hook from back to front to back around post of corresponding stitch below, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over and draw through two loops on hook.

Pattern:

Beginning Chain: Ch 84.  

Row 1:  Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (83 sc)

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as dc), skip first sc, *sc in next sc, dc in next sc,; repeat from * across.

Row 3:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, ending with sc in 2nd ch of turning ch, turn.

Row 4:  Ch 2, skip first sc, sc in next sc.  *fpdc around the post of next corresponding dc 2 rows below, skip sc behind post st just made, sc in next sc; repeat from * across to end of row. Sc in last sc. Turn.

Rows 5-9:  Repeat rows 3-4, ending with row 3.  

Row 10:  Ch 1, sc in each stitch across.  Turn.

Row 11: Ch 1.  Bpsc around each sc from previous row.  Sc in last sc.  Turn.  (83 stitches)

Row 12:  Ch 2.  Skip first stitch (Beginning ch 2 counts as first hdc).  Hdc in next stitch and each stitch across.  Turn.

Row 13:  Ch 1. Sc in first 2 stitches.  *Work bobble in next stitch.  Sc in next 5 stitches.  Repeat from * to last 3 stitches.  Work bobble in next stitch.  Sc in next stitch.  Sc in top of ch 2.  Turn.

Row 14:  Repeat row 12.
Row 15: Ch 1.  Sc in first 5 stitches.  *Work bobble in next stitch.  Sc in next 5 stitches.  Repeat from * to end of row ending with a sc in the top of the turning ch 2.  Turn.

Row 16:  Repeat row 12.

Rows 17- 36:  Repeat rows 13-16 for pattern.

Optional Step:  At this point - the piece will have some torque to it - meaning the corners will not look exactly ‘square’.  You may want to drop the loop (keep it secured so it won’t unravel) and block the piece to square it up before continuing.  

Seam:  Fold piece in half to form hood bringing the with wrong side of fabric together.  Ch 1.  Sc edges together.  (This is done by working sc in loops from both sides of the piece)  Fasten off and weave in ends.

Bottom edge:

Attach yarn to right side bottom edge if right-handed, or to left side bottom edge if left-handed.   (You will work this row facing the wrong side of the fabric)

Row 1: Ch 1.  Make 66 sc spread evenly across bottom edge of hood (33 sc on each side).  Turn.

Row 2:  Ch 1.  Bpsc across to end of row.  (65 stitches). Turn.

Row 3:  Ch 1.  Sc in each stitch to end of row.  (65 stitches)  Turn.

Row 4:  Ch 1.  Sc in first stitch.  *Dc in next stitch, sc in next stitch.  Repeat from * to end of row. Turn. (65 stitches)

Row 5:  Ch 1.  Sc in each stitch across.  Turn.

Row 6:  Ch 1.  Sc in first stitch.  *FPdc around the post of next corresponding dc 2 rows below, skip sc behind post st just made, sc in next sc; repeat from * across to end of row.  Turn.

Row 7:  Repeat row 5.

Row 8-11, repeat rows 6-7.

Row 12:  repeat row 5. In last stitch - make 3 sc to turn corner.

Edge:  Sc along entire front edge of hood to next bottom corner.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

Attach yarn to bottom corner of hood on one side.  Make 30 double chain stitches.  Fasten off leaving a 2-3 inch end.  Repeat for other bottom corner.  When both of these are complete, Repeat this process attaching the yarn to the top back corner of the hood making only 10-15 double chain stitches instead of 30.  

Make 3 tassels.  Attach one tassel to the end of each double chain.  Pull ends down through the tassel to weave them in.  Weave all other remaining ends into the hood.  (Pom-poms can be substituted for the tassels as well if desired)

Alternate methods to create ties:  If a double chain is a stitch that you don’t like, or are unfamiliar with, you may take 3-4 strands of yarn and do a basic chain with them all together - making the chain much thicker than it would be with one strand.  A chain with one row of sc would also work.  If you are a knitter, or own a spool knitter or embellish-knit - you can make an i-cord instead.   The long ties should measure 9-10 inches in lenth with the shorter one measuring 3-5 inches.  The length on these can be varied according to your taste.

Copyright Taraduff 2012