Rebekah's Flower Afghan

Super excited to have finally finished my first motif design and made it into an afghan.  It's taken me awhile to get the pattern down right.  Thanks to my friend, Barb, for the help editing!  I hope you enjoy the freebie and if you find anything incorrect, please let me know.

REVISED

Free Ravelry download now available with directions for the Lattice Join:   www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rebekahs-flower-afghan

Rebekah's Flower Square Motif Afghan 

42 in. x 61 in.

st – stitch(es)
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
hdc – half double crochet

Size H hook

Hobby Lobby I Love that Cotton yarn

7 skeins antique cream, 2 skeins sage, 2 skeins banana, 2 skeins aqua, 3 skeins rosey II

(I'm pretty sure these are the amounts of yarn I used.)

Make 48 squares, 16 of each color.

Beginning row: Magic Ring, ch 2 (counts as first hdc), 7hdc in magic ring, join with slip stitch in top of ch 2. (8)

Row 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same ch 3 space, 2dc in each stitch around (16)

Row 2: First row of petals. Working in front loop only of row 1, slip stitch in front loop only of top of ch 3, ch 3, (tr, ch 1, tr, dc) in same st as ch 3, slip stitch in next front loop only, *(dc, tr, ch, tr, dc) in next front loop only, slip stitch in next front loop only*, 6 times. (dc, tr, ch, tr, dc) in next stitch. Slip stitch in both loops of next st. You will have 8 flower petals.

Row 3: Slip stitch into 2nd ch of ch 3 from Row 1 (behind 1st flower petal) (ex.1), ch 3, dc in same stitch, ch 2 (ex.2), working in back loops only of row 1, skip next st, *2dc in next st (you should be working in the back loop that lies between Row 2’s petals), ch 2, skip next st*, repeat from *to* 7 times. Join with slip stitch in the top of ch 3 (ex.3).

ex.1

ex.2

ex.3

Row 4: sc in next dc, (2dc, tr, ch, tr, 2dc) in next ch 2 space (ex.4), skip next st, sc in next dc which is the second dc, *(2dc, tr, ch, tr, 2dc) in next ch 2 space, skip next st, sc in next dc*, repeat from *to* 6 times. (2dc, tr, ch, tr, 2dc) in next ch 2 space, slip stitch in next st which is the hidden stitch of the next dc. Tie off. (8 flower petals) Change yarn color.

ex.4

Row 5: Join yarn to top of first flower petal in the ch 1 space with a standing sc, ch 3, *(dc, ch, dc) in next sc (base of flower petals), ch 3, sc in ch at top of petal, ch 3*, repeat from *to* 7 times, (dc, ch, dc) in next sc, ch 3, slip stitch in 1st ch. Tie off. Change yarn color.

Row 6: Join yarn in any ch 1 space with a standing sc (in center of the 2 double crochet V), ch 2, hdc in same space, 4sc in next ch 3 space, ch 1, *(hdc, 2dc, 2tr) in next ch 3 space, ch 2, (2tr, 2dc, hdc) in next ch 3 space, ch 1, 4sc in next ch 3 space, 2hdc in next ch space (between 2dc), 4sc in next ch 3 space, ch 1*, repeat from *to* 3 times, (hdc, 2dc, 2tr) in next ch 3 space, ch 2, (2tr, 2dc, hdc) in next ch 3 space, ch 1, 4sc in next ch 3 space. Join with slip stitch to top of ch 2. Do not tie off.

Row 7: [Note:  I've changed the corner directions from what I used on the afghan.  Originally it was 3 dc, however, it lays better with the new (3dc, ch, 3dc).]

Ch 2, hdc in next 4 sc, dc in ch 1 space, skip next st, hdc in next 4, *(3dc, ch, 3dc) in ch 2 space which makes your first corner, skip next st, hdc in next 4 st, dc in ch 1 space, skip next st, hdc in next 9 st, dc in ch 1 space, skip next st, hdc in next 4*, repeat from *to* 3 times, (3dc, ch, 3dc) in ch 2 space, skip next st, hdc in next 4 st, dc in ch 1 space, skip next st, hdc in next 4 st. Join with slip stitch to top of ch 2. Tie off.

I connected all 48 squares with a Lattice join.

(REVISED)

LATTICE JOIN

The squares are put together with a lattice join.  I couldn’t find a pattern so I came up with this.  In your first square, connect your yarn with a standing single crochet in the first dc after the ch 1 corner at the beginning of any row.

Ch 3, skip next 2 stitches, sc in the next stitch, *ch 3, skip next 2 stitches, sc in next stitch.*  Repeat from * to * 7 times. Ch 5, sc in the next dc skipping ch 1corner space. (*Ch 3, skip next stitches, sc in the next stitch, repeat from * to * 7 times. Ch 5, sc in the next dc skipping the ch 1 corner space.) Repeat ( ) 2 times skipping last sc on final side.  Slip stitch to first sc. Tie off

You will now have one square with chain 3’s on all 4 sides. 

The next square you will follow the above pattern on only 3 sides stopping before the ch 5.

To join this block to the first blocke, ch 2, slip stitch into the 3^rd chain of any corner of the first square, ch 2, sc in the next dc, *ch 1, slip stitch into the 2^nd ch of the first squares next ch 3 set, ch 1, sk next 2 stitches of second squares previous row, sc into next stitch.*  Repeat from * to * 8 times.

Ch 2, slip stitch into the 3^rd chain of the 1^st squares corner 5 ch, ch 2, slip stitch into next sc.  Tie off.  You will connect your first row of blocks this way.  

 

Join your first block of second row exactly like you did your first and second blocks by ch 2, slip stitch into previous rows third ch of the corner ch 5 which already has a joining stitch in it, ch 2, sc in the next dc, ch 1, slip stitch into the second ch of the above block’s next ch 3 set, ch 1, sk next 2 stitches of new block’s previous row, sc into next stitch.  Continue to next corner, ch 2, slip stitch into third ch of ch 5 of second rows first block which already has a joining stitch in it from the previous row, ch 2, slip stitch into starting sc.  Tie off.

The next block of the second row, crochet around the first 2 sides using the sc, ch 3, sc, ch 5 pattern described above.  When you get to your second corner join to your previous row of blocks as follows. 

To join this block to the previous row, ch 2, slip stitch into the third chain of ch 5 corner of the above block which already has 2 joining stitches in it, ch 2, sc in the next dc, ch 1, slip stitch into the second ch of the above block’s next ch 3 set, ch 1, sk next 2 stitches of second block’s previous row, sc into next stitch.  Continue to next corner, ch 2, slip stitch into third ch of previous blocks corner ch 5, ch 2, slip stitch into starting sc.  Tie off. 

BORDER

Next, I single crocheted around the entire afghan and (hdc, dc, ch, dc, hdc) in the corners. 

For the leaf border, I used a V stitch (dc, ch, dc in same stitch) with a ch between.  I found the prettiest little rose clump stitch on Pinterest and followed the chart directions found here.

 

The final row was a scalloped border of (5 dc, skip 1 stitch, sc in next stitch, skip 1 stitch), repeat ( to ) all the way around.  I did not block my squares so my center petals have curled up giving a nice textured look.  You may want to block them if you prefer the flatter look. 



Lotus Flower Crochet Pattern

This was my October make that I'm finally getting to blogging.  The time got away from me with all the traveling and Holiday festivities.  One of my goals for this new year is to stay on top of this blog.  Hope you'll continue to join me on this creative journey and let's discover some fun, new projects together.



I really enjoyed this pattern, though, I have to say, you do have to keep close count.  The increases will sneak up on you and you'll miss them if not careful.  This beautiful pattern is a free crochet pattern called Lotus Flower Blanket and is offered by www.byrobin.blogspot.com.  As she did, I used Scheepjes Whirl.  I chose Watermelon Hellraiser and one Whirlette Liquorice to give it a fall/halloween feel.  I used a F/5 3.75 hook and I love the drap of this blanket.  I actually used it as a small table center for fall decorations.  Sorry, I missed getting photos of that.

 

Ebony insists on sticking her nose in my business!  And so usually ends up in a couple photos.

Watermelon Whirl Shawl

 

So...I'm hooked!  I'm in love with the look and feel of the Scheepjes Whirl yarn.  I also love that I can make a whole garment without a ton of color changes and no ends to weave. That makes this yarn just that more fantastic!

My second Scheepjes Whirl project was another shawl using Watermelon Hell Raiser, crocheted with a F/3.75 hook.  This free pattern can be found at Garnstudio.com, See You Soon Shawl.  You must be able to read a graph pattern.  I used almost the entire skein of yarn.  I was looking for something that was a little different and not yet "discovered" by the crochet groups online.  It's a gorgeous piece and I'm so pleased with how it turned out. This piece can be worn as a shawl or wrapped around the neck as a beautiful lace scarf.

I did have to change up the last repeats as I wouldn't have enough of the Whirl to complete the pattern.  It's possible, if you used a smaller hook, you could complete the pattern as written.  You could also purchase a whirlette in the black allowing enough yarn to finish the full repeat and border.  As it came out a bit long, I think if I try this one again, I'll use a 3.0 hook as it will make it a bit smaller and hopefully complete the pattern.  If you are petite, definitely use a smaller hook.  Here's what I did with my one skein.

US terms

I followed the pattern as written until the 3rd set of ch 6 rows.  I made six rows of the ch 6 rows instead of 9 then followed the pattern for the next 2 rows.  I created my own border row.  At this point I had 62 ch spaces on each side of the center chain  (multiples of 3 + 1).  After finding an error in my final border row, I made some changes so the pictures of the black corner look a bit different than yours will look.

The final row: ch1, sc in first ch space, ch2, *(sc, 2ch picot, sc) in next sc, ch2, sc in next ch space, (5dc, 2ch picot, 5dc) in next ch space, sc in next ch space, ch 2*, repeat * to * to end of side. (sc, 2ch picot, sc) in next sc, ch2, sc in next ch space.  (3dc, 2ch picot, 3dc) in corner ch space. sc in next ch space, ch 2, *(sc, 2ch picot, sc) in next sc, ch2, sc in next ch space, (5dc, 2ch picot, 5dc) in next ch space, sc in next ch space, ch 2*, repeat * to * to end of side.  (sc, 2ch picot, sc) in next sc, ch2, sc in last ch space. 

If you give this one a try, I'd love to see your results!

Crocheted Kitties

I've finished a special pair to be given to a very special pair!  I was so excited when my Alize Cotton Gold yarn arrived from Turkey.  I could hardly wait to start these guys.  I made them for Christmas presents for my niece and nephew who are 3 and 5 and they were so much fun to make.  The pattern is by Amigurumi Today.  I did make a few minor adjustments to the pattern.  The paws I made to look more like paws and the faces are a little different, easy adjustments if you choose to do it.  Continue to scroll for the directions on making the paws.  I also ordered the eyes and nose parts from a shop on Etsy.  You can find them here.  I used a 3mm crochet hook with ease, you might be able to squeeze down another step.  However, the pattern called for a 1.7mm hook...I couldn't do it!  I'd say experiment a little.  You want your amigurumi stitches tight enough so that the stuffing doesn't show through. 

The yarn was easy to work with and the company, Perfect Yarns, was very quick to get my ordered processed. They are based in Turkey as I couldn't find anyone in the states who sold this brand and it was very expensive on Amazon.

They turned out darling!  I can't wait to see the little people's faces when they open them.

The adorable wood buttons are another Etsy find...JS Laser Craft based in the UK. And I was super thrilled when I got them as now I can personalize my work.  

Here's a quick update for making the paws
Feet
Rows 1 to 3 same as original.
Row 4:  (sc, sc, inc) x 2, 6 inc, (sc,sc inc) x 2.   (28)
Row 5:  10sc, inc, 6sc, inc, 10sc.  (30)
Row 6-9: 30sc each row.
Row 10:  10sc, dec, 6sc, dec, 10sc.  (28)
Row 11: 8sc, 6 dec, 8sc. (22)
Row 12:  5sc, 6dec, 5sc.  (16)
Row 13-36: 16sc

Hands
Row 1 to 2 same as original.
Row 3:  3sc, 6inc, 3sc. (18)
Row 4:  6sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, 6sc. (21)
Row 5-7: 21sc each row.  (21)
Row 8: 6sc, dec, sc, dec, sc, dec, sc, 6sc.  (18)
Row 9:  3sc, 6dec, 3sc. (12)
Row 10-42: 12sc.