Squares Sampler Afghan ~ 8 Blocks Done ~ 12 to Go!

 

This morning after my cup of coffee, I added the single crochet border to my second block for the 

Squares Sampler SAL ~ Pattern 4 ~ Vertical Ribs

@ The Inspired Wren

I had a rare late cup of coffee last night and sat up to finish the center of this block.  Then I went to bed feeling accomplished.

After I figured out how to make this pattern stitch work for me ,

I made both blocks in three days.

For my blocks I chained 38 and made 36 HDC stitches in the first row.

I started my pattern stitch with 2 SC and then began the pattern stitch of [1 FPDC and 3 SC] to make 8 vertical ribs and ended with 2 SC.  I turned with 1 Chain Stich and repeated the row for the rest of the center of the square.

I really like the look of this pattern stitch. 

My 8th block is pinned and sprayed with water and drying on my blocking board.

On to the next pattern stitch in the 

Afghan Sampler Crochet SAL

The 5th Pattern Stitch looks, like one I have done long ago 

and should be a much easier stitch for me.

This is the Afghan Sampler Layout with three colors or yarn.

I actually really like this simple layout.

However I decided on using four colors, two pinks and two grays

 so my afghan will look different.

I have been thinking of my setting and layout as I crochet and have an image in my mind that adds "sashing" between the blocks. It musty be the quilter in me that likes to play with my blocks.  I hope I can figure out how to do this with yarn.

I do love the creative element of stitching.

I may play with four of my blocks soon to see how this idea might work up.

Or maybe I will just make all 20 blocks and put them on my quilt design wall.

I have never done that with crochet blocks before.

It sounds like fun!

Mr. Scrapatch has a long weekend starting tonight and we have a home improvement project in our plans, so I hope I have time to stitch.

What are your plans? 

May you have  happy weekend! 

Squares Sampler Afghan ~ First Pattern Blocks done!

 

I have completed the second block of the first block pattern

for my Squares Sampler Afghan ~ Started Here. 

Crochet Squares Sampler ~ Block 1 Pattern 

for the 

 Here is the main page for this crochet sampler: 

Crochet Sampler Crochet Along @ The Inspired Wren

I crochet much faster than I sew. 

This is also a pattern stitch that I have done long ago.

It is called the "Rib Crochet Stitch."

This is a baby afghan that I made over 38 years ago for my second baby in the rib pattern stitch.

It was part of a set that included this zipper sweater bag 

which was made in a different stitch. 

My second baby was born in November in a cold climate so he needed to be bundles up in the baby carriage when hid older brother went out to play on the snow. 

This set also cuddled and warmed my baby girl and her baby girl.

I gave away most of the things that I made so long ago, but this was a keeper.

Mayne someday it will warm a new baby somewhere.

 I am happy to crocheting again.

What are you working on?

My Stitch Sew and Show Linky Party will be back tomorrow.

See you then ... :) 

Monday Morning ~ Brrrr!

 

Monday Morning ~ Cold, Sunny, Windy ~ Yarn!

I am on the second block in the

 Crochet Squares Sampler ~ Block 1 Pattern

and I have chosen this dusty gray yarn. This was not in my yarn bag as that was for pastel granny squares,  I had a few more odd skeins in my small yarn stash. 

I have decided I want to make a pink and gray

 Squares Sampler Afghan ~ Started Here.

As it is bitterly cold outside, it is a good day to stay in and sit and crochet.

I've got my yarn (and my long underwear and thermal knee socks) to keep me warm ... and my lap cat ...or two or three.  As I have only one lap, they must take turns.

This is my lap Katniss.  

Katniss says, "No disturbing the Kat, I am cozy here under the fleece blanket."

Yarn Colors ~ Plan A

I have two pinks and two grays in my

  Red Heart Super Saver Worsted Weight Yarn.

These colors are "Dusty Gray, Perfect Pink, Light Gray and Petal Pink" from left to right.  I do not have enough of these to make the sampler afghan.  I have to make the choice or adding more colors or buying more gray yarn. 

Yarn Colors ~ Plan B

I have a few skeins of white, so if I add this to the pink and gray, I should have enough to complete the afghan.  I may still need more pink as one of the skeins was not complete. 

Yarn Colors ~ Plan C

I have one and a half skeins of this pretty aqua called "Aruba." 

I think that I am liking these colors together. 

Yarn Colors ~ Plan D 

If I go with these colors, I am pretty sure that I have all I need.

I am feeling very unsure about the white, though.

Right now I am leaning towards Plan A or Plan C.

I may see if I can find more light gray yarn.

Decisions ... decisions ??

Which would you choose? 

A New Crochet Sampler Start

A New Crochet Sampler Start

While I am waiting for the next monthy kit and pattern to arrive for my

 Christmas Candy Crochet Sampler Row Quilt I decided to play with some of the yarn from my old yarn bag and I have started a squares sampler afghan based on this free crochet along: 

 Here is the main page for this crochet sampler: 

Crochet Sampler Crochet Along @ The Inspired Wren

As you can see this crochet-along is from 2015. 

The individual block pages are still available for free or you may purchase the whole pattern for only $4.99. 

Here is the pattern page for the first block: 

Crochet Squares Sampler ~ Block 1 Pattern

This is the pattern stitch for block 1

It is called Single Crochet Back Loop Only.

The pattern abbreviation for this is "sc blo" 

Here is a video tutorial showing how to do this stitch:

"SC BLO" Free Instruction Video by JeansMcQueens

If you are never crocheted before or wish to revive old skills as I am doing, there are many video tutorials out there on the internet to show you what you need to know. Here are some videos top help you get started ... 

Here is a good beginner's video for right-handers:

How To Crochet for Absolute Beginner's by SimplyDaisy

Here is a goo beginner's video for left-handers

How to Crochet Left Handed by Bella Coco

I think the squares sampler crochet along is suitable for advanced beginners.

I am enjoying it as a "getting back to crochet" plan.

Nutmeg continues to be very helpful with this effort and is clearly laying claim to the future crocheted blanket.

My blocks will be 12" square.

The pattern calls for 9" finished blocks, but the yarn is lighter weight than what I have on hand.

I am using worsted weight yarn and a size J - 6.0mm hook.

I have added the single crochet border called for in the pattern

 and my first block is done! 

The crochet along pattern calls for making two blocks in each pattern in two colors.

I am still determining colors as I do not have the called for number of skeins in my small yarn stash.

Block 2 coming soon!

Anyone interested in crocheting along with me and making your own version of this pretty sampler afghan? 

I hope you and yours are having a happy healthy and safe weekend.

<3

I Like Thursday # 118 ~ I Like Thursday

 

I Like "I Like Thursday."

This is my 118th post for 

I Like Thursday @ Not Afraid of Color

I made this image soon after I started participating.

I may not have been able to post every Thursday,

 but long ago this became the focal post of the week for my blog.

I have made wonderfully supportive friends who always try to find the good things in life to share even when we our hearts are torn or heavy. 

This year I hope to be more "present" in my posts and comments

in appreciation for this community.

This week has found me playing with my yarn.

I have lots of fabric stashed but only this bag of worsted yarn and another small box of light weight yarn. 

I made a small project with these a few years ago and then started making granny squares, but as you can see, I did not get very far with this endeavor. At the time, sewing and quilting was my main daily creative endeavor. This year I picked up the crochet hooks again.

I have completed work on the 1st Month Kit of the 

I started this project on Day 1 of 365 

and hope to have my finished

 Christmas Candy Striped Sampler Afghan 

complete by the end of 2022. 

I have brought out my big bag of yarn today because I am thinking to make a second one of these in this pastel rainbow of yarns. I am finding crochet a fun and relaxing pastime this year as I process and navigate my health issues. If you have not read about this, it is in the link above of my first post of the year. 

After reading LeeAnna's Post, I am editing to add the recipe I made yesterday ...

Ham an Cheese Quiche Recipe @ Delish

It was delish! 

This used up leftover ham and cheese ...

... and an extra crust from my holiday making.

This recipe is so easy to make. 

I have made variations of this recipe using up whatever leftovers are in my fridge.

Enjoy! 

Since I am trying to post every day again this year, I hope to post every Thursday.

It is a new year and anything is possible.

I welcome the new year and all that it shall bring.

I shall look for the positive.

I am hopeful.

I am also grateful for those who share their life with me.

Thank You, Friends.

May you have a Happy Thursday! 

Christmas Candy Crochet Sampler ~ Stripe 2 Done

 

Day 3 of 2022 found me still working on the second stripe of the

Christmas Candy Crochet Sampler

This stitch is a HDC (Half Double Crochet) variation.

After watching the same small section of the instruction video a few times and starting this row over, I almost mastered the stitch. It is a stitch that I believe I had done over 40 years ago but I can not quite recall.  After I got the stitch placement down, I found I had picked up several extra stitches in the row.

After pulling it out again and completing the rows for this narrow red stripe

I checked my gauge and it is spot on. 

One of the things I really like about crochet is that there is only one stitch on the hook at a time so if you have to take out and fix stitches, it is easy to do.  There are only 136 stitches in the rows for this project, so this is not very time consuming to pull it out and and get it right.

On to Stripe 3 in Clover green tomorrow!  

I am a contented crocheter tonight.

Do you crochet?