Welcome to Week 19 of our 2019 Block of the Week Crochet Along. Don’t forget to join in chatting and sharing photos on my Ravelry board and my Facebook Crochet-A-Long group. Feel free to jump in any time. Please use hashtags #BAWJ2019 and #crochetalongwithJulieanny.
This week I picked a personal favorite by a favorite designer, Hayton Block by Melissa Green. Melissa will be back in the CAL later in the year with a new design, and I’m really looking forward to that, but I had an opening this week and love this Block! To keep in line with the stitch counts for this CAL, I substituted (dc, ch-1, dc) for the corners on the final round. Melissa is a prolific designer, and all her patterns can be found in her Ravelry store. Be sure to check out Veronica’s Rose and Cocoa Puff.
Have you purchased your CAL bag yet – only a few left – my custom heavy-duty canvas tote bag. NEW: For the bag alone without included patterns, see this Etsy listing. For a free bag with pattern purchase see here for more information.
Welcome to Week 18 of our 2019 Block of the Week Crochet Along. Don’t forget to join in chatting and sharing photos on my Ravelry board and my Facebook Crochet-A-Long group. Feel free to jump in any time. Please use hashtags #BAWJ2019 and #crochetalongwithJulieanny.
This week I picked a personal favorite by a favorite designer, Simbelmyne by Polly Plum. Polly Plum is a star in the afghan block world (yes, it’s a world) and is inventive, exacting, and writes just a perfect pattern. Simbelmyne caught my eye with its intriguing color changes in the original, but when I went to work it in my two-toned plan, I found that it is a fast and easy pattern that you will whip up in no time! Great beginner project if you want to get some friends hooked on crochet! See all of Polly Plum’s work in her Ravelry Store, and follow her blog, Every Trick on the Hook. Some of my other PP favorites are Ilsa and A Day at the Grand Bazaar. Polly will be back in the CAL later in the year with an new design, and I’m really looking forward to that!
Have you purchased your CAL bag yet? Only a few left– my custom heavy-duty canvas tote bag. NEW: For the bag alone without included patterns, see this Etsy listing. For a free bag with pattern purchase see here for more information.
This month I am excited to be participating in the 2019 Celebrate Mom Blog Hop hosted by Pattern Paradise hosted by Maria Bittner. Each day in May, a different crochet designer will be featured and share a new free pattern in honor of Moms everywhere. There are lots of fun prizes too, so come join the fun! For the list of designers and all the details, go to this post =>2019 Celebrate Mom Blog Hop & Giveaway” Check in daily for new free pattern and prize details.
I am pleased to offer Nana’s Textured Pillow today in honor of my sweet Mother, Sheila. My mom remains very stylish at 90 years of age, both in dress and in home decorating. She prefers a neutral palette and solid colors, and this textured pillow will fit right in on her sofa. Here’s Mom at Thanksgiving with the lovely granddaughters and a stray daughter who didn’t realize the photo was supposed to be just granddaughters. Happy Mother’s Day! Follow along all month at Pattern-Paradise.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I love you!
Please make a project page on Ravelryso I can see what you do with the pattern! Tag with #crochetalongwithjulieanny or #nanastexturedpillow
Nana’s Textured Pillow
by Julie Yeager Designs
Finished Size 16 ½” Square – will stretch to fit 18” pillow form
U.S. Crochet Terms
Instructions are given for Bulky yarn, with Aran yarn in parentheses
Make 2 Squares (same color or two different colors for a reversible look)
Row 1: RS Ch 63 (71), 4 dc in 5th ch from hook, (sk 3 ch, 4 dc in next ch) 14 (16) times, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, sk 1st st, [sk 3 st, dc in the fourth dc of the 4-dc group, ch 2, go back and dc in the first dc of 4 dc group] 15 (17) times, dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, (4 dc in ch-2 sp) 15 (17) times, dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 for a total of 24 (26) rows, ending with Row 2. Fasten off.
Place two squares with WS facing. Pin together if desired, makes it easier especially on raw edges. Join three sides with slip stitch (see below), place pillow insert inside, finish up with slip stitch along fourth side, fasten off. Tip for raw edges: Pick up just one strand, to mimic the front loop.
Option 1: Slip stitch through front loops only. (Place hook in front loop of first square, then front loop of second square. Since the wrong sides are facing, you do not use the two back loops which are facing each other.) Add an extra stitch or two in the corners.
Option 2 (In my sample): Slip stitch through front loops only, skipping every other stitch with a ch-2 in between sl st. (Join with sl st in any corner, ch 2, sl st in same corner st, (ch 2, sk 1 st, sl st in next st) about 29 times, (sl st, ch 2, sl st) in corner, repeat around.)
Add a pom-pom to each corner. I used Bucilla 1.5” Pompom Maker.
Welcome to Week 17 of our 2019 Block of the Week Crochet Along. Don’t forget to join in chatting and sharing photos on my Ravelry board and my Facebook Crochet-A-Long group. Feel free to jump in any time. Please use hashtags #BAWJ2019 and #crochetalongwithJulieanny.
This week I dipped into the archives to re-feature one of my own designs, a fun and straightforward block called Fantastic! I thought it looked like a round fan so I named it Fantastic. I tried it in two colors for a change, and added a final round of dc. This block was a part of It’s All in a Nutshell’s Nuts about Squares project, and Esther made a video! So you should have no trouble at all with this week’s block. 🙂
Have you purchased your CAL bag yet? Mailing out almost every day – my custom heavy-duty canvas tote bag. NEW: For the bag alone without included patterns, see this Etsy listing. For a free bag with pattern purchase see here for more information.
Welcome to Week 16 of our 2019 Block of the Week Crochet Along. Don’t forget to join in chatting and sharing photos on my Ravelry board and my Facebook Crochet-A-Long group. Feel free to jump in any time. Please use hashtags #BAWJ2019 and #crochetalongwithJulieanny.
This week I am featuring a unique design by Rhondda Mol of Oombawka Design called Finding Balance Square. Once you master the first few rounds you will have smooth sailing and a lovely result. Rhondda is a prolific designer and blogger and you can always depend on her for new ideas in crochet, as well as perfect basic patterns. If I need a quick hat I know where to go, and for an additional afghan block look at Persephone’s Garden at Night and Reverie Afghan Square.
Have you purchased your CAL bag yet? Mailing out almost every day – my custom heavy-duty canvas tote bag. NEW: For the bag alone without included patterns, see this Etsy listing. For a free bag with pattern purchase see here for more information.
Strawberry Blossom Afghan Square by Julie Yeager Designs
This week I am excited to have my re-designed Strawberry Blossom Afghan Square featured in the Moogly CAL 2019.
Tamara Kelly does a great job every year running her CAL and exposing us to the work of so many talented designers. Check out past CALs on her blog for more afghan square inspiration! Thanks for having me, Tamara! And thanks to Red Heart for the yarn support. Red Heart with Love is soft but sturdy and a pleasure to work with.
Strawberry Blossom Afghan Square by Julie Yeager Designs
12” Afghan Block
U.S.Crochet Terms
Materials: Red Heart with Love (100% Acrylic, #4, 7 oz/198 g; 370 yds/338 m)
Color A: Aran (50 yards) Color B: Taupe (30 yards) Color C: Tan (70 yards)
Crochet Hook size J (6.0 mm); Stitch marker
Special Stitches and abbreviations:
BLO – back loop only Ch – chain dc– double crochet FLO – front loop only hdc– half double crochet sc– single crochet sk – skip tr– treble crochet
BCL – beginning double crochet cluster: ch 3 (counts as dc), (dc until last step leaving one loop on hook) three times, yo and pull through all four loops on hook
BPsc– back post single crochet – insert hook from back to front around post of designated stitch; yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yo and draw through 2 loops (1 loop on hook)
CL – double crochet cluster: (dc until last step leaving one loop on hook) four times, yo and pull through all five loops on hook
crab stitch (backwards single crochet)– single crochet worked from left to right instead of right to left. (Insert hook into next stitch to the right of the stitch just completed, draw up a loop, yo, and pull through both loops.)
FPsc– front post single crochet – 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 (1 loop on hook)
FPtr– front post treble crochet – yo twice, insert hook from front to back around post of stitch; yo and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo and draw through 2 loops (3 loops on hook); yo and draw through 2 loops (2 loops on hook); yo and draw through 2 loops (1 loop on hook)
htr– half treble crochet – yo twice, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo and draw through two loops (3 loops on hook), yo and draw through remaining loops (1 loop on hook)
lhdc– long half double crochet (spike st) – Yarn over, insert hook in the row indicated; work a half double crochet as usual bringing stitch up to same height as current row.
Instructions:
Round 1: With A, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring. BCL, (ch 1, tr, ch 1, CL) in ring four times, ch 1, tr, ch 1, sl st to top of beg CL. Fasten off A. (5 CL, 5 tr, 10 ch)
Round 2: With B, join with FPsc around any tr. (2 sc in ch-1 sp, FPsc around CL, 2 sc in ch-1 sp, FPsc around tr) four times, 2 sc in ch-1 sp, FPsc around CL, 2 sc in ch-1 sp. Sl st to first sc. (20 sc, 10 FPsc)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same st as join. [Sk 2 st, (2 dc, htr, tr, ch 2, tr, htr, 2 dc) in next sc, sk 2 st, sc in next st] five times, omitting last sc. Sl st to beg sc. Fasten off B. (45 st, 5 ch-2 sp)
Round 4: Join A with sl st to first tr of any set, ch 3. 2 dc in same st. (Place marker in BLO of last st made once.) [(2 dc, ch 2 , 2 dc) in ch-2 sp. 3 dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st. Sk next st, FPtr around tr below in Rnd 1. Sk 2 more st on Rnd 3, sc in next st, hdc in next st, 3 dc in next st] five times, omitting last 3 dc. Sl st to FLO of top of beg ch-3. (75 st, 5 ch-2 sp)
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in FLO of same st as join. Sc in FLO of next st, [hdc in FLO of next 2 st. 3 dc in FLO of next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, 3 dc in FLO of next st, hdc in FLO of next 2 st, sc in FLO of next 2 st, sk 2 st, FPsc around FPtr, sk 2 st, sc in FLO of next 2 st] five times, omitting last 2 st, sl st to to beg sc. Fasten off A. (95 st, 5 ch-2 sp)
Round 6: Join B with sc in any ch-2 sp. Work a round of crab stitch (backwards sc.) Skip post stitches in the valleys and put 2 st in each ch-2 sp. Fasten off. (100 crab st, number not crucial)
Round 7: This round will be worked into the back loops and skipped stitches of Rnd 4. Join C with sl in BLO of marked st on Rnd 4. Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in BLO of next st, [sc in BLO in next st. Ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, sc in BLO of next st, hdc in BLO of next 2 st, ch 1, sk 3 st, tr in next 3 st (the second will be the tr from Round 3), ch 1, sk 3 st, hdc in BLO next 2 st] five times, omitting last 2 st. Sl to top of beg ch-2. (20 hdc, 10 sc, 15 ch-1 sp, 15 tr, total 60 st including chains.)
Round 8:Work into each stitch of Rd 7 including chains. Ch 3, dc in same st as join. (Dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st) eleven times, dc in next 4 st. Sl st to top of beg ch-3. (72 st)
Round 9: Ch 3, (3 tr in next st, dc in next 2 st, hdc in next 3 st, sc in next 7 st, hdc in next 3 st, dc in next 2 dc) four times, omitting last dc. Sl st to top of beg ch-3. (80 st.)
Round 10: Tip for picking up petal: I worked into one strand of the crab stitch, but you can also work into a strand in the round prior to the crab stitch. I separated and underlined the following instructions for clarity because each side is different. The (2 dc, tr, 2 dc) form the corners.
Ch 3, dc in next st.
(2 dc, tr, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next 3 st, hdc in next 2 st, hdc in next st picking up tip of petal below in Rnd 6 and working st as usual. Sc in next 7 st, hdc in next 3 st, dc in next 3 st.
(2 dc, tr, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next st, dc in next st picking up tip of petal below in Rnd 6 and working st as usual, dc in next st, hdc in next 3 st, sc in next 7 st, hdc in next 3 st, dc in next st, dc in next st picking up tip of petal below in Rnd 6 and working st as usual, dc in next st.
(2 dc, tr, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next 3 st, hdc in next 3 st, sc in next 7 st, hdc in next st picking up tip of petal below in Rnd 6 and working st as usual, hdc in next 2 st, dc in next 3 st.
(2 dc, tr, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next 3 st, hdc in next 3 st, sc in next 3 st, sc in next st picking up tip of petal below in Rnd 6 and working st as usual, sc in next 3 st, hdc in next 3 st, dc in next st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (96 st)
Round 11: Ch 3, dc in next 3 st, [(2 dc, tr, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next 23 st] four times, omitting last 4 st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off C. (112 st)
Round 12: Join B with sc in any corner tr, 2 sc in same st. (Sc in next 27 st, 3 sc in next st) four times, omitting last 3 st, sl st to first sc. Fasten off B (or hold behind.) (120 st)
Round 13: Join A with sl in any corner sc (the second of 3 sc), ch 2. ( Hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc) in same st. [(Ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc in next st) 14 times, ch 1, sk 1 st, (2hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc) in next st for corner] four times, omitting last corner. Sl st to top of beg ch-2. Fasten off A. (72 hdc, 64 ch-1 sp)
Round 14: Join B with sl st in corner ch-1 sp. Working around and enclosing the st of Round 13, 2 lhdc in corner sc in Round 12 below (the second of 3 sc), [(lhdc in next skipped st in Rnd 12, ch 1, sk 1 st) 14 times, lhdc in next st in Rnd 12, (2 lhdc, ch 1, 2 lhdc) in corner sc in Round 12] four times, omitting last 2 st, sl st to first lhdc. (76 lhdc, 60 ch-1 sp)
Round 15: Ch 1, [BPsc around next 2 lhdc, (ch 1, BPsc around next st)15 times, ch 1, BPsc around next 2 lhdc, ch 2] four times, sl st to first BPsc. Fasten off B. (76 BPsc, 64 ch-1 sp, 4 ch-2 sp)
Round 16: Join C with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3. 2 dc in same sp. [Dc in next BPsc. (sk BPsc, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp)16 times, sk BPsc, dc in next BPsc, 5 dc in ch-2 sp] four times, omitting last 3 st. Sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off C. (156 st, 39 per side)
Weave in ends, block lightly.
Copyright 2019 Julie Yeager Designs. Please do not post this pattern on the internet. Posting a link to my website – www.julieyeagerdesigns.com, or to my Ravelry store – where you can see all my patterns – http://www.ravelry.com/stores/Julie-yeager-designs, is appreciated. Contact me via e-mail at [email protected]
Welcome to Week 15 of our 2019 Block of the Week Crochet Along. Don’t forget to join in chatting and sharing photos on my Ravelry board and my Facebook Crochet-A-Long group . Feel free to jump in any time. Please use hashtags #BAWJ2019 and #crochetalongwithJulieanny.
This week I have the pleasure of featuring a design by a very experienced and prolific crochet designer, Mary Beth Temple of Hooked for Life Publishing. Mary Beth has over 350 published designs and joins us this week with a new square she designed just for our CAL, called Lemon Zinger Afghan Square. It is a pretty floral with some interesting techniques and will make a lovely addition to our blanket. Mary Beth has designed such standouts as One Step at a Time Shawl and Halstead, and has written numerous books and magazine articles about our craft.
Have you purchased your CAL bag yet? Mailing out almost every day – my custom heavy-duty canvas tote bag. NEW: For the bag alone without included patterns, see this Etsy listing. For a free bag with pattern purchase see here for more information.
Welcome to Week 14 of our 2019 Block of the Week Crochet Along. I am pleased to see so many of you chatting and sharing photos on my Ravelry board and my Facebook Crochet-A-Long group. Feel free to jump in any time. Please use hashtags #BAWJ2019 and #crochetalongwithJulieanny.
This week I am featuring Ariane by Diana Krenz. Diana is known as Koernerklaus Designs on Ravelry – I have been seeing her designs all over the place and her talent is undeniable. Diana has been crocheting for over 35 years and only recently started self-publishing but has a loyal following already and some amazing designs such as Athlene and Hestia. I can see the hard work Diana puts into her patterns and they are fully tested. Give Ariane a try – it is the type of block that looks so different depending on color arrangements.
Have you purchased your CAL bag yet? Mailing out almost every day – my custom heavy-duty canvas tote bag. NEW: For the bag alone without included patterns, see this Etsy listing. For a free bag with pattern purchase see here for more information.
Welcome to Week 13 of our 2019 Block of the Week Crochet Along. I am pleased to see so many of you chatting and sharing photos on my Ravelry board and my Facebook Crochet-A-Long group. Feel free to jump in any time. Please use hashtags #BAWJ2019 and #crochetalongwithJulieanny.
This week I am excited to announce a beautiful square by a prolific and talented crochet designer – Melinda Miller. Found on her blog, mocrochet.blogspot.com, My April Fool is hands-down my favorite Melinda Miller design yet, and that’s saying something. Melinda has designed such classic afghan blocks as More V’s Please, Pizzazz, and Autumn Square , as well as blankets, crochet alongs, and themed block series. Melinda has a Ravelry group called Melinda Miller Designs and a Facebook group called Crochet Time with Melinda Miller Designs.
I am loving my current yarn choice, Color Made Easy by Lion Brand, a bulky weight acrylic (#5) that I am stitching with a K hook. Each block is 16″ so I will have a blanket in no time! The yarn is squishy and fun to work with, and it is on clearance now at Michael’s website, for only $2.97, regularly $7.99. I just bought a bunch.
Have you purchased your CAL bag yet? Mailing out almost every day – my custom heavy-duty canvas tote bag. NEW: For the bag alone without included patterns, see this Etsy listing. For a free bag with pattern purchase see here for more information.
Welcome to Week 12 of our 2019 Block of the Week Crochet Along. I am pleased to see so many of you chatting and sharing photos on my Ravelry board and my Facebook Crochet-A-Long group. Feel free to jump in any time. Please use hashtags #BAWJ2019 and #crochetalongwithJulieanny.
This week we feature the work of Kris Kelln (Cheysk13 on Ravelry), a prolific crocheter from Canada, whom I have known through crochet groups for many years. Kris has constructed Litha, an easy and fast design that has some dramatic stitches but squares up nicely in the end. Check out Kris’ other designs on Ravelry – some favorites are Twisted Garden, Thoughts of Spring, and Framed Clusters.
Have you purchased your CAL bag yet? Mailing out almost every day – my custom heavy-duty canvas tote bag. NEW: For the bag alone without included patterns, see this Etsy listing. For a free bag with pattern purchase see here for more information.
