Well a lot has happened since I last wrote, dual knee surgery, gastric
bypass, breast cancer, lost my job, fought to get disability, major
depression which lasted 8 years until the right meds were found to work
for me, at least 8 hospital stays due to health reasons, 4 of them just in 2013.
2013 was a rough year for hospital stays, I was on a respirator 4
times. Talk about scary!!
Well on to the new stitch of the month!
This classic design is an excellent filler block that will complement
every afghan style. It is also quick to crochet with a pattern that is
easy to memorize.
http://www.lionbrand.com/stitchfinder/crochet-block-concentric-squares/
Foundation chain: Ch 35.
Row 1 (right side): (as chart) yo, insert the hook into the 4th ch from the hook, work 1dc, dc into the next ch, this completes the first mesh. Cont to the end of the row using the chart as reference and counting each ch as either a sp or a st. Read the chart from right to left on odd numbered rows and left to right on even numbered rows. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1dc) cont to the end of the row, work the last dc into the 2nd ch of the beg-ch. Turn.
Cont to work as the chart, ch 2 (counts as 1dc) at the beginning of each row, and work the last dc into the top of beg-ch before turning.
Fasten off yarn.
Inverted variation
This block works well when surrounded by blocks with firmer edges. These will help to give the outer open mesh blocks shape.
Foundation chain: Ch 36. Row 1: (as chart) yo, insert the hook into the 6th ch from the hook, work 1dc this completes the first mesh.
Cont to work as the chart, working the solid mesh blocks as open mesh blocks and the open mesh blocks as solid mesh. Ch 2 (counts as 1dc) at the beginning of each row, and work the last dc into the second ch of beg-ch before turning.
Fasten off yarn.
sm solid mesh-dc into the next sp or st, dc into the next dc st
ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES
Click for explanation and illustration
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| beg = begin(s)(ning) | foll = follow(s)(ing) |
| ch(s) = chain(s) | sk = skip |
| cont = continu(e)(s)(ing) | sp(s) = space(s) |
| dc = double crochet | st(s) = stitch(es) |
Crocheting in the front loop only (flo) makes a fabric that is smooth and taller than regular double crochet. And, in an almost magic way, the fabric is both looser and provides better coverage than double crochet worked through both loops. This happens because the new row pulls the previous row's front loop up, covering the wee gap produced at the base of a double crochet worked through both loops.
Going with the flo can feel a bit odd at first, as you work your hook under the front loop. To make the crocheting easier, tilt the fabric backward slightly so that the front loop stands up. This all gets easier as you move along.
