Welcome, Moogly Fans! Thanks to Tamara for featuring me on this month’s Designer Showcase on Mooglyblog.com. Mooglyblog.com is such a great resource for all crochet techniques, with so many free patterns, yarn recommendations, video tutorials, and introductions to interesting crochet designers you may have missed! It’s my go-to if I just cannot remember how that particular join is formed, or what the heck is foundation single crochet, or is this the time I need to learn Tunisian? And I’m a faithful fan and contributor to her yearly afghan block CAL! I do not do as many squares as I used to, as I am more interested in full afghan designs these days, but I know that I have to produce my yearly Moogly block, so this is always a fun thing! Thanks, Tamara!

If you are new to my blog, please sign up for blog updates on this page. I do not send out too much, plus in 2023 I’ve been having trouble with my email list, but things are looking up. I’ve got some exciting plans for the next few months!

Three of my afghan patterns with yarn packs are currently featured on marymaxim.com and in the Mary Maxim mail order catalog. (Scroll down to previous posts.) The big news is that I will have two more patterns featured soon! Keep your eye out for the November catalog, and get ready for a CAL in January to my newest pattern, Bohemian Hexagons. We will have a week by week CAL, with photos and videos to help with the tricky parts. Check out the pattern on Ravelry and Etsy, and if you’d like to get the pattern now, here is a coupon for half off: BOHO50

Thanks for your interest in my patterns! Check out my Ravelry chatboard or Facebook CAL group if you need any help with patterns, or just like to chat about crocheting!

If you click on any links in this post or on my blog, I may receive a commission with a sale. Thanks!

Hello, Mooglyblog Afghan Square CAL 2023! Every year, Tamara at Mooglyblog.com does a wonderful job curating the work of 24 crochet designers as we produce a unique and varied sampler afghan. Follow along on her blog and Facebook page for the CAL.

Bluebell Afghan Square is a straightforward design that can look floral, retro, or modern depending on color changes. The subtle three-dimensional effect is made by working into the “third loop” in a few rounds. I think the third loop technique is worth learning as I really like the way it turns the stitch and give the look of an outline. If you really do not like the stitch you can substitute BLO – back loop only, or just work as normal into the two loops.

Pattern will remain free here on the blog – print friendly version available. If you’d like to add the pattern to your Ravelry library, it is available there at a nominal fee, but here is a free coupon to use for a limited time: Bluebell. (Expires April 20, 2023.)

Check out all my patterns on Ravelry and Etsy, and please make a Ravelry project page and tag me to spread the word about my designs. Coupon Code: HOLIDAY to get $10.00 off any $20.00 purchase.

Bluebell Afghan Square by Julie Yeager

12” Afghan Block U.S.Crochet Terms Crochet Hook size I (5.5 mm) 

Materials: Red Heart with Love (100% Acrylic, #4, 7 oz/198 g; 370 yds/338 m)

Color A: Bluebell, Color B: Country Blue, Color C: Chocolate  

Beg – beginning   BLO – Back loop only Ch – chain dc – double crochet  FPsc – front post single crochet hdc – half double crochet  sc – single crochet  sk – skip   sl – slip   sp – space   st – stitch 3rd loop – third loop tr – treble crochet 

Notes:  Ch-3 at the beginning of a round counts as a dc. Ch-1 at the beginning of a round does not count as a stitch.  “Omitting last stitches” means that those stitches were already completed at the beginning of the Round.

Third Loop –  Three dimensional effect is made by stitching into the “third loop” rather than into the two loops of the stitch as normal.  The third loop is located directly behind the two loops.  If you do not wish to use this stitch, try stitching into BLO or stitch into normal two loops for a less textured look.

Changing colors:  Many new looks can be achieved by changing colors every round or randomly. 

Round 1:  With Color A, ch 5, sl st to first ch to form ring. Ch 3, 15 dc in ring, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (16 dc) 

Round 2: Working this Round into 3rd Loop, ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (32 dc)

Round 3: Ch 1, FPsc in same st,  (sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, FPsc in next st) eight times, omitting last st, sk 1 st, sl st to first st, fasten off. (40 dc, 8 FPsc)

Round 4:  Working this Round into 3rd Loop, join Color B with standing sc in any FPsc, sc in each st around, sl st to first st. (48 st)

Round 5: Ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same st for corner, [sk 1 st, hdc in next st, sc in next 3 st, sk 1 st, sc in next 3 st, hdc in next st, sk 1 st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st for corner] four times, omitting last corner, sl st to top of beg ch-3.  (12 st per side plus ch-2 corner)    

Round 6: Sl st in next st and into ch-2 sp. Ch 1, [(sc, ch 2, sc) in same sp for corner, sc in next 2 st,  sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next 2 st,  sk next st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st,  sc in next 2 st,] four times, sl st to first sc.  (18 st per side plus ch-2 corner)

Round 7:  Sl st into ch-2 sp, (ch 3, 6 dc) in same sp for corner, [hdc in next st, sk 3 st, hdc in next st, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, hdc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next 2 st, sk 1 st, hdc in next st, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, hdc in next st, sk 3 st, hdc in next st, 7 dc in ch-2 sp for corner] four times, omitting last corner, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (23 st plus 2 ch-1 sp per side)

Round 8: Ch 1, sc in same st, [hdc in next st, dc in next st, 7 tr in next st (the 4th of 7 dc) for corner, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, sk 2 st, sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next 3 st, sk 2 st, sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next 2 st, sk 2 st, sc in next st] four times, omitting last st, sl st to first sc, fasten off. (27 st per side)

Round 9: Working this Round into 3rd Loop, join Color C with standing sc into 4th tr of any 7-tr corner, (ch 1, sc) in same st, [sc in next 3 st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, sk 1 st, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 3 st, hdc in next st, dc in next 2 st, hdc in next st, sc in next 3 st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, sk 1 st, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 3 st, (sc, ch 1, sc) in next st for corner] four times, omitting last corner, sl st to first sc. (26 st plus ch-1 sp per side)

Round 10: (Note:  Do not miss the first st of each side which is a “hidden” st.) Sl st into ch-1 sp, (ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp for corner, [dc in next 26 st, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) for corner] four times, omitting last corner, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (30 st plus ch-1 sp per side)

Round 11:  Sl st into next st and into ch-1 sp, (ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp for corner, [dc in next 30 st, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) for corner] four times, omitting last corner, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (34 st plus ch-1 sp per side)

Round 12:  Sl st into next st and into ch-1 sp, (ch 1, sc, ch 1, sc) in same sp for corner. Working remainder of this Round into 3rd Loop (except for corners)  [sc in next 34 st, (sc, ch 1, sc) for corner] four times, omitting last corner, sl st to first sc. (36 st plus ch-1 sp per side)

Copyright 2023 Julie Yeager Designs. 

 See all at  www.julieyeagerdesigns.com, or my Ravelry store. Contact me via e-mail at julieyeagerdesigns at gmail.com  

Happy Valentine’s Day! One of my older patterns in my old style, but still fun! Please sign up for blog updates!

Heart to Heart 9″ Afghan Block by Julie Yeager Designs

Materials
Color A: White
Color B: Baby Aqua
Color C: Scarlet
Suggested hook: Size I (5.5 mm)
Special Stitches:
Yo-Yo: 12 dc in next st. After 12th dc, with right side facing, rotate work clockwise and join with sl st to first of the 12 dc.
M-v Stitch (Modified V-Stitch): (Dc, sl, dc) in same st.

Beg – beginning   BLO – Back loop only Ch – chain dc – double crochet FLO – front loop only  hdc – half double crochet  sc – single crochet  sk – skip   sl – slip   sp – space   st – stitch tr – treble crochet 

NOTES: Ch 3 at the beginning of a round counts as a dc. Chains count as a stitch
in stitch counts. Corners are worked over two stitches throughout pattern; may be
helpful to mark corner stitches.

Instructions
Round 1: With A, ch 4, sl st to first ch to form ring. Ch 3, 11 dc in ring. Sl st to top of ch-3, fasten off A. (12 dc)

Round 2: (Worked in BLO.) Join B with sl st to BLO of any st. Ch 3, (dc,tr) in same st. [(Tr, 2 dc) in next st. Dc in next st, (2 dc, tr) in next st] four times, omitting last 3 st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (28 st.)

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in next st, [(2 dc, tr) in next st, (tr, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next 5 st] four times, omitting last 2 st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off B. (44 st.)

Round 4: Join A with sl st in first tr of any corner, ch 3. (Dc, tr) in same st. [(Tr, 2 dc in next st.) Dc in next 4 st, Yo-Yo in next st, dc in next 4 st, (2 dc, tr in next st.)]four times, omitting last 3 st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Do not fasten off A. (48 dc, 8 tr, 4 yo-yos)

Round 5: (Heart Outline) Skip next yo-yo and join C with sc to first dc of next yo-yo. Sc in same st. (3 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) twice. 3 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st. Sl st to FLO of st in Round 1 below. Sc in 6th dc of next yo-yo, (3 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) x 3. Sc in flo of sl st, sc in flo of next 6 st of Round 4, 3 sc in flo of each of next 2 st, sc in flo of next 6 st, sc in flo of sl st, sl st to first sc of round, or Invisible Join recommended. Fasten off C. Repeat heart-shaped
outline with other 2 yo-yos of Round 4. Fasten off C. (53 st in each heart)

Round 6: (Continue with A and work into both loops of Round 4 unless specified.) Ch 3, dc in next st. [(2 dc, tr) in next st, (tr, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next 6 st, dc in blo of next 7 st, (2 dc, tr) in next st (tr, 2 dc) in next st, dc in blo of next 7 st, dc in next 6 st] twice, omitting last 2 dc. Sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off A. (76 st)

Round 7: Join C with sc in first tr of any corner, (sc, hdc) in same st. [(Hdc, 2 sc) in next st, sc in next 17 st, (2 sc, hdc) in next st] four times, omitting last 3 st. Fasten off C. (84 sc, 8 hdc)

Round 8: Join B with sc in first hdc of any corner, hdc in same st. (hdc, sc) in next st for corner. [Sk 1 st, (M-v in next st, sk 2 st) six times, M-v in next st, sk 1 st, (sc, hdc) in next st, (hdc, sc) in next st] four times, omitting last corner. Sl st to beg sc. Fasten off B. ( 28 M-v stitches, 8 hdc, 8 sc)

Round 9: Join C with sc in first hdc of any corner. Sc in same st, 2 sc in next st, [sc in next st, sc betw last sc and next M-v, (sc in next sl st, 2 sc betw next two M-v st) 6 times, sc in next sl st, sc betw M-v and next sc, sc in next st, 2 sc in each of next 2 st]four times, omitting last 4 st, sl st to beg sc, fasten off C. (108 sc)

Round 10: Join A with sl st in 2nd sc of any corner (2nd of 4 sc.) Ch 3, (dc, ch 1) in
same st. [2dc in next st, dc in next 25 st, (2 dc, ch 1) in next st] four times, omitting last 3 st, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off A. (120 st, 30 per side.)

Copyright 2013 – Julie Yeager Designs. Contact me at [email protected].

Quick update with links:

Don’t forget all the free patterns still available here on my blog/website. See Free Tab above and if you look around you will find other surprises. Here is our Garden State Afghan CAL – the pattern is still here on the blog in eight parts.

When you need yarn, click through my links to Mary Maxim, Wool Warehouse, Knit Picks/Crochet Me, Lion Brand Yarn, or Jimmy Beans Wool . You get your same prices and I get a little commission!

Sale continues in my Ravelry and Etsy Shops – My Black Friday deal was so popular I have extended it through New Year – on all patterns in my Ravelry and Etsy shops – use Coupon Code “HOLIDAY” to get $10 off any purchase over $20. Extended through January 15, 2023.

Ravelry Store:
https://www.ravelry.com/stores/julie-yeager-designs

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FiberJay?coupon=HOLIDAY

Don’t forget my pattern packs in the Mary Maxim Catalog / marymaxim.com – sign up there for email notifications because there are new sales every week. Modern Blanket of Flowers- https://shrsl.com/3rzpp Summer Mosaic- https://shrsl.com/3nai4 IllusionsAfghan – https://shrsl.com/3si3g

Have a safe and healthy Holiday and New Year ! See you in the New Year. Working on new patterns and a new CAL!

Just wanted to share my excitement to offer my Summer Mosaic Afghan in a kit with pattern available now from the Mary Maxim Catalog/website! I have been receiving the Mary Maxim Catalog in my mailbox since I can remember and the first afghan I made in my teens used Mary Maxim yarn, so this is a great honor and treat. This pattern has been very popular since 2015 and I have revised the pattern to add a new border and make a few minor changes. This version uses Mary Maxim Starlette, a soft and sturdy acrylic in a worsted/aran weight that is perfect for most of my blanket patterns. Use my links to purchase the kit or any Mary Maxim yarn and I will receive a commission, too! Thanks for your support.

Also in the catalog as a kit is Illusions Afghan, which is based on a variation of my Faded Love Blanket, crocheted in the recently updated Mellowspun DK – what a range of colors! This DK acrylic will rival any you have used, and the colors will not disappoint. I am working on a new design using Mellowspun DK, and I love how it works up.

Stay tuned for more exciting Mary Maxim collaborations, and do not forget to take advantage of my Summer Patterns Sale going on in my Ravelry and Etsy Shops, with the lowest prices of the year. Fifty percent off all patterns including e-books, if you use Coupon Code 50PERCENT.

Thank you to all who purchase through my links <3 <3.

Thanks for your support, and stay tuned for new patterns coming soon in the next few months.

This is my contribution to the Moogly 2022 Crochet Along – Elizabeth Rose Afghan Square, named after my beautiful niece. See Mooglyblog.com for a fabulous variety of afghan blocks featured throughout the year. Elizabeth Rose features mostly simple stitching with a few post stitches and clusters; just relax and crochet as you quickly work up this pretty square. When doing a sampler afghan, I usually try to align the sizes by having the same number of stitches in the final rounds. This square has 40 st per side in the final round and with an H hook comes out at 12″ for me. For this CAL, a J hook is recommended and the square is about 13″ with a J for me. If you use the same hook consistently, pay attention to the final round counts and you should be able to easily join your squares. You can always add a round of stitches to even out the blocks.

Elizabeth Rose Afghan Square

 by Julie Yeager Designs

Materials  

Yarn: Red Heart with Love (100% Acrylic, #4, 7 oz/198 g; 370 yds/338 m)

Color A: Mallard (25 g)   B: Iced Aqua (10 g)  C: Ochre Brown (25 g)   D: Tan (25 g)

Crochet Hook size J (6.0 mm)

Size:  12” square, with 40 st and a ch-2 sp on final side  

Pattern uses U.S. crochet terms.  Ch-3 at beginning of Round counts as a dc. Use Magic Ring to start if desired.  Use standing stitches or chains at beginning of rounds as you prefer. 

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

BTrCl – beginning treble cluster of 3   ch – chain Cl – cluster dc –  double crochet   

FPsc – front post single crochet    FPtr – front post treble crochet hdc – half double crochet   sc – single crochet sk – skip sl – slip sp – space st – stitch    yo – yarn over tr – treble crochet

BTrCl: Beginning Treble Cluster of 3 – Into designated st or sp, ch 3, (tr to last step leaving one loop on hook) twice, yo and pull through all 3 st on hook. 

TrCl: Treble Cluster of 3 – Into designated st or sp, (tr to last step leaving one loop on hook) three times, yo and pull through all 4 st on hook 

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 – Yarn over twice, insert hook behind post of stitch (from front to back), yo, pull through, work treble as usual.

Join with sc: (Standing stitch) With slip knot on hook, insert hook into designated stitch, grab yarn, pull through, (two loops on hook,) yarn over, pull through two loops

Join with dc:  With slip knot on hook, yarn over, insert hook into designated stitch, grab yarn, pull through, (three loops on hook,) yarn over, pull through two loops, (two loops on hook,) yarn over, pull through two loops

Instructions:

Round 1: With Color A,  ch 6, join with sl st to form ring, BTrCl, (ch 3,TrCl) seven times, ch 3, sl st to top of BCl. Fasten off. (8 Treble Clusters of 3, 8 ch-3 sp)

Round 2:  With Color B, join with FPsc around top of any Cl. (Working loosely, 3 sc around last leg of Cl and the ch-3 sp (See photo,) FPsc around Cl) eight times, omitting last FPsc, sl st to first st. (32 st)

Round 3:  Ch 1, sc in same st, (sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st) seven times,  sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st to first st, fasten off. (40 dc, 8 sc)

Round 4:  Join Color C with sc in center dc of any 5-dc group, (ch 3, sk 2 st, sc in sc, ch 3, sk 2 st, sc in next dc) seven times, ch 3, sk 2 st, sc in sc, ch 3, sk 2 st, sl st to first st. (16 sc, 16 ch-3 sp)

Round 5:  Ch 1, [sk sc, (sc, hdc, dc, tr) in ch-3 sp, FPtr around sc, (tr, dc, hdc, sc) in next ch-3 sp] eight times, sl st to first st, fasten off. (72 st)

Round 6: Join Color D with sc in top of  FPtr, (ch 4, sk 4 st, FPsc in Rd 4 sc, ch 4, sk 4 st, sc in FPtr) eight times, omitting last sc, sl st to beg sc.(8 FPsc, 8 sc, 16 ch-4 sp)

Round 7:  Ch 1, [sk sc, (sc, 2 hdc, dc, tr) in ch-4 sp, FPtr in FPsc, (tr, dc, 2 hdc, sc) in ch-4 sp,] eight times, sl st to beg sc, fasten off. (88 st)

Round 8: Join Color A with sc in any FPtr, (ch 2, sk 2 st, sc in next st, ch 2, sk 2 st, FPsc around sc below in Rd 6, ch 2, sk 2 st, sc in next st, ch 2, sk 2 st, sc in next st) eight times, omitting last sc, sl st to first st. (24 sc, 8 FPsc, 32 ch-2 sp)

Round 9: Ch 1, [sk sc, (2 sc, hdc) in ch-2 sp, sk sc,  (2 dc, tr) in ch-2 sp, FPtr around FPsc, (tr, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, sk sc, (hdc, 2 sc) in ch-2 sp] eight times, sl st to first sc, fasten off. (104 st)

Round 10: Join Color B with dc in any FPtr, FPtr around FPtr, 4 dc in same FPtr, *sk 2 st, (sc in next st, ch 3, sk 3 st) twice, sc in next st, ch 4, sk 3 st, (sc in next st, ch 3, sk 3 st) twice, sc in next st, sk 2 st, ** (4 dc, FPtr around FPtr, 4 dc) in next st*.  Repeat * to * two more times and * to ** once, 3 dc in same st as beg, sl st to first dc. (4 FPtr, 32 dc, 24 sc, 16 ch-3 sp, 4 ch-4 sp)

Round 11:  Ch 3, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in FPtr, dc in next 4 st, sk sc, 4 dc in ch-3 sp, sk sc, 4 sc in ch-3 sp, sk sc, sl st in next 4 st of ch-4, sk sc, 4 sc in ch-3 sp, sk sc, 4 dc in ch-3 sp, sk sc, dc in next 4 st] four times, omitting last dc, sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off. (20 dc, 8 sc, 4 sl st, one ch-2 sp per side)

Round 12: Join Color C with sc in any ch-2 sp, ch 2, sc in same sp, [ch 1, sk 2 st, (sc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st) 15 times, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp for corner] four times, omitting last corner; sl st in first sc. (68 sc, 64 ch-1 sp, 4 ch-2 sp)

Round 13:  Sl st into ch-2 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2dc) in ch-2 sp, [(2 dc in ch-1 sp) 16 times, (2 dc, ch-2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp for corner] four times, omitting last corner; sl st in top of beg ch-3, fasten off. (36 dc, one ch-2 sp per side) 

Round 14: Join Color D with sc in any ch-2 corner, (ch 2, sc) in same sp. [(Ch 1, sk 1 st, sc in next st) 18 times, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp for corner] four times, omitting last corner; sl st to beg st. (20 sc, 19 ch-1 sp, one ch-2 sp per side) 

Round 15: Sl st into ch-2 sp, ch 1, [(sc, ch-2, sc) in ch-2 sp, (2 sc in next ch-1 sp) 19 times] four times, sl st to first st, fasten off. (40 sc, one ch-2 sp per side)

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 julieyeagerdesigns at gmail.com.

Coming Soon! 100 Crochet Tiles

Preorder now on Amazon to receive your copy of 100 Crochet Tiles which will be released April 12, 2022. As you know, 7 of my reworked patterns will be included in this collection, and we will have a CAL later in the year. I definitely think it is time for a new book of afghan squares and this book is beautiful and well-done, with contributions from

Sarah Shrimpton of Annaboo’s House, Lynne Rowe of the Wool Nest, Steffi Glaves Designer/Maker, Ana Morais Soares of Oneskeinoflove Crochet, Emma Potter of Potter and Bloom, Johanna Lindahl of Mijo Crochet, Rosina Plane, Hattie Risdale of The Petal Shed, Anna Nikipirowicz, Rachele Carmona of Cypress Textiles, Catherine Noronha of Catherine Crochets, Caitie of Thoresby Cottage, Meghan Ballmer of Meghanmakesdo, and Carol Ibbetson.

Cannot wait to get started! Here is a youtube video flipping through the book and some sneak peek photos:https://youtu.be/kcGOcQ1yPbU

New Pattern Alert!

Early Spring Diagonal is worked in the same stitch pattern as my All the Colors Striped Blanket, but worked on the diagonal. Start with a chain 2 and off you go! The pattern beautifully complements the subtle ombres and shadings of Scheepjes Fine Art, but can be also used with a self-striping yarn, an ombre yarn, stripes, or solids. The textured pattern is reversible and looks good in any yarn. The pattern is easily memorized for a relaxing, meditative experience.

I used 3 skeins of Fine Art for the blanket and one skein for the border. As an alternate, you could use the coordinating Scheepjes Merino Soft for a solid colored border.

If you have purchased All the Colors Striped Blanket, this pattern will be sent as a free update on Ravelry. If you purchased on Etsy or LoveCrafts, contact me for the update. If you purchase this pattern, All the Colors Striped blanket will be included as a bonus.

Pattern will be $5.99 regular price; on introductory 30% off sale of $4.19 until June 30, 2022. No coupon needed.

Pattern support on my Ravelry Board and Facebook CAL group.

Ravelry: Early Spring Diagonal

Etsy: Early Spring and All the Colors