Hi Makers!
September is here, and I AM SO READY for the wispers of crisp autumn sweater weather to begin gracing us yarn lovers! Not only does September make me dream of sweater weather, it makes me dream of warm drinks, a crackling firplace, and cozying up under handmade afghans.
To say that I am excited to participate in the Traveling Crochet Afghan project, is an understatement. One of my favorite things has been seeing the creativity each designer infuses into their individual square. And upon the opening of the box that contained the afghan, you just get this overwhelming sense of awe and appreciation for the magic of our craft, the stories behind each of the squares, and feeling of being connected to so many crochet friends (both new and familiar faces) from around the world; especially amidst a time where many of us are apart to keep each other safe/healthy.
Join in all the crochet connection by purchasing a Lion Brand crochet kit, HERE. Visit the Traveling Crochet Afghan hub page, HERE.
As for my design, I wanted to highlight the quintessential Visuvio’s Crafts crochet experience of hopping on that train to TEXTURE TOWN! Toot toot.
Dip your toes into my easy-to-follow crochet chart - get the printable PDF version HERE for $1 USD.
Embodying comfort and the elegance of easy-to-work/rhythmic textures, this is the pattern for my Traveling Crochet Afghan Square #18. The design is a texture filled square inspired by peaceful hammock crocheting time, the simple linear motifs of pine needles, and the magical connections one can create through yarn. I often enjoy crafting in my hammock when the weather permits, and I can see all the pine tree branches interlacing with each other in the canopy above me. So I thought this stitch perfectly fits and evokes that sight of nature and the calming energy of the outdoors.
Yarn:
Approx. 1/2 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool, 197 yds/85 grams)
Color: Grey Heather (98 yds used)
Finished Dimensions:
10” wide x 10” tall (after blocking)
Skill level:
Adventurous Beginner [1/5]
Gauge:
14 sts & 16 rows/4” or 10 cm in pattern worked flat
Hooks & Notions:
Blunt Tapestry Needle
Scissors
Abbreviations:
All instructions are written in US terminology.
ch = chain
fsc = foundation single crochet
rs = right side
sc = single crochet
sl-st(s) = slip stitches
st(s) = stitch(es)
ws - wrong side
Technique Tutorial - Foundation single crochet
Note: Ch 1 at beg of row doesn't count as st.
Begin Pattern Instructions:
Row 1 (RS): Fsc 32, turn.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc 1 in first st, skip 1 st, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in next st, skip next 2 sts* repeat from * to * 10 times total, sc 1 in last st, turn.
Row 3 (RS): Ch 1, sc 1 in first st, (sc, ch 2, sc) in first chain space, *skip next 2 sc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch space* repeat from * to * 9 times total, sc 1 in last st, turn.
Rows 4-33: Repeat row 3 instructions, making sure to omit the turn at the end of row 33.
Border round (RS): Ch 1, sc 1 in each of the 33 row ends, ch 2, rotate clockwise, sc 1 in each of the 32 fsc, ch 2, rotate clockwise, sc 1 in each of the 33 row ends, ch 2, rotate clockwise, sc 1 in each of the first two sts, *sl-st in ch space, sc 1 in each of the next two sc* repeat from * to * 10 times total, ch 1, sl-st to fisrt sc of the round.
Cut a minimum 4" tail and weave in all your ends. Then secure the square to the afghan with an additional length of yarn and the whip stitch seaming method.
You have officially created your very own crochet square #18! Hooray! Don’t forget to tag me - @visuvios_crafts on Instagram - so we can share in the joy of all the squares, color combinations, and progress!
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I received the afghan from my gal Toni of TL Yarn Crafts, and it was such a ear to ear smile moment to squish her handcrafted artistry. So I hope Tia of Simple Things Crochet gets that same blissful experience as I hand off this work of art to her creative hands. Even more so, I cant wait to see the final 7 makers bring this international, crochet community heirloom to its final form.
Excited for MORE crochet square patterns? Check out the wonderful designers featured in the traveling crochet afghan itinerary below.
#1 - 11/1-1/13 - New York City, USA - Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands
#2 - 1/15-1/28 - Barcelona, Spain - Cecilia Losada of Mamma DIY
#3 - 1/29-2/11 - Utrecht, The Netherlands - Wilma Westenberg of Wilmade
#4 - 2/12-2/25 - Gloucestershire, UK - Lindsey Newns of Lottie and Albert
#5 - 2/26-3/10 - New Brunswick, Canada - Kimberley Giggie of Lakeside Loops
#6 - 3/11-3/24 - Ontario, Canada - Lee Sartori of Coco Crochet Lee
#7 - 3/25-4/7 - Alberta, Canada - Janine Myska of Knits n' Knots
#8 - 4/8-4/21 - Alberta, Canada - Abigail Ellazar of Knits and Knots by AME
#9 - 4/22-5/5 - California, USA - Arica Presinal of Skeinsnsticks
#10 - 5/6-5/19 - California, USA - Meghan Ballmer of Meghan Makes Do
#11 - 5/20-6/2 - California, USA - Nicole Riley of Nicki's Homemade Crafts
#12 - 6/3-6/16 - Arizona, USA - Bailey Williams of Hooked on Tilly
#13 - 6/17-6/30 - Colorado, USA - Jess Coppom of Make & Do Crew
#14 - 7/1-7/14 - Kansas, USA - Emily Davies of Hooked Hazel
#15 - 7/15-7/28 - Michigan, USA - Jennifer Pionk of A Crocheted Simplicity
#16 - 7/29-8/11 - Michigan, USA - Melissa Fisher of Woods and Wool
#17 - 8/12-8/25 - Ohio, USA - Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts
#18 - 8/26-9/8 - Georgia, USA - Vincent Williams of Visuvio's Crafts
#19 - 9/9-9/22 - North Carolina, USA - Tia Edwards of Simple Things Crochet
#20 - 9/23-10/6 - North Carolina, USA - Ashleigh Kiser of Sewrella
#21 - 10/7-10/20 - North Carolina, USA - Rohn Strong of Rohn Strong
#22 - 10/21-11/3 - Pennsylvania, USA - Jessica Benvenuto of Fly the Distance
#23 - 11/4-11/17 - New York, USA - Brianna Iaropoli of Life and Yarn
#24 - 11/18-12/1 - New York City, USA - Teresa Carter of Debrosse
#25 - 12/2-12/16 - New Jersey, USA - ChiWei Ranck of 1 Dog Woof