Tag Archives: Afghan Square

KCACO-UK Afghan CAL 2015 – Block 24

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

This is it folks! The very last block in the CAL! Sometimes it really doesn’t seem so long ago since we started does it – but here we are ready to hook up our remaining square.

However, we are not quite finished yet! After today we still have the joining and the border to do which I have actually realised I haven’t provided you all with a huge amount of time for.  So to allow catching up time and actually doing the joining and borders I’m changing the the end dates slightly…make sure you check out important next steps at the bottom of this post too!

  • Joining squares together details will now be released on: 2nd December 
  • Border details will be released: 9th December
  • Grand reveal of our blankets: 16th December

How does that sound to everyone? Better? And don’t worry if this is the first you are hearing about this CAL you can find the full schedule  here and I promise to keep all the details on the blog FOREVER x

Okay lets get onto the last block…

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since September 2015.

Mountain Majesties by Funny dieBarbarin

Notes:

  • Hook: UK 5.5 mm / US Size I
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: Works best in at least 3 different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms: see the following link for a printable conversion chart: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70437470329344/

Specialist stitches:

  • Air dc: Holding tail of yarn with finger on hook YO twice. Insert hook into starting space/stitch, YO, and draw through space/stitch. YO and draw through two loops, YO and draw through two loops. After working next stitch tail may be let go of.
  • Air sc: With yarn on hook (using slip knot if needed), work an sc into designated stitch.
  • Beginning dc: Any of the following, as preferred. (sl st, ch3), standing dc, or air dc.
  • Beginning sc: Any of the following, as preferred. (sl st, ch1, sc), air sc, standing sc.
  • FPDTR: YO three times, insert hook from front of work across back of designated stitch and return to front of work then YO, [YO and draw through two loops]four times. 
  • Standing dc: Raise loop to same height as a dc stitch. Twist loop in a clockwise motion. Place finger on top of loop to help hold in place and insert hook behind both strands of loop. YO and bring around. YO and draw through two loops, YO and draw through last two loops.
  • Standing sc: Without using a ch1 for height, work a sc as normal.
  • FPTR: YO two times, insert hook from front of work across back of designated stitch and return to front of work then YO, [YO and draw through two loops]three times.
  • FPTTR: YO four times, insert hook from front of work across back of designated stitch and return to front of work then YO, [YO and draw through two loops]five times.
  • V-stitch: Work (dc, ch2, dc) into same stitch YO: yarn over

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here).  This was a really fun square to finish off on, I really love how the border is done, I think it looks so effective! I didn’t add the last row of tr/dc changing it instead to dc/sc to make it up to the 12 inches; you may wish to measure as you go for the last few rounds to check you meet your size.  It’s unfortunate with these dark UK winter days that I couldn’t get enough light to get, what I would class, as a proper photo as it really is a gorgeous block!

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Getting Ready for Joining!

So to get ready to join all your blocks together I would suggest that you:

  1. Either check the end pattern count or count manually the stitches for the last row on all your blocks and write it down on a piece of paper.
  2. Then you will need to decide how many stitches you want each block to have – use a ch 2 in each corner for ease of joining.
  3. Then add either 1 rnd of dc /sc  (or alternative stitches like htr/hdc or tr/dc to add height if required) to either add or decrease stitches to your required amount.
  4. Then have a bit of fun trying to work out how you want the layout of your blanket to be by swapping all your squares about until you are pleased with how it looks.  Write down your plan on a bit of paper and save it for 2nd December.

KCACO-UK Afghan CAL 2015 – Block 23

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

Can you believe that this is the second to last block?!? I really doesn’t seem that long ago when we started block 1!  So without further ado lets get onto our next block…

Though if this is the first you are hearing about this CAL you can find the full schedule  here.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since November 2013.

Frostbloom 12″ Afghan Square by Shan Sevcik

Notes:

  • Hook: UK 5.5 mm / US Size I
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: Works best in at least 4 different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms: see the following link for a printable conversion chart: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70437470329344/

Specialist stitches:

  • Back loop only (BLO):Work new stitch in back loop of indicated stitch only.
  • V Stitch (V st):Work (dc, ch 1, dc) in indicated stitch. If you chain tightly or the round bows up, please feel free to chain 2.
  • Extended dc (edc): yo, insert hook in st, yo and pull through (3 loops on hook), yo and pull through 1 loop (still 3 loops on hook), yo, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), yo and pull through remaining 2 loops.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here).   I just love, love, love the ruffle on this one and thought it would fit in nicely with some of the other 3-D squares that we have made. 

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Don’t forget to stay tuned for the LAST block to be released on  25th (or 26th) November.

KCACO-UK Afghan CAL 2015 -Block 22

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015, Free Patterns, Pattern Release, Stitches by

So it’s time for block 22  and it’s a brand NEW design from me!  Born out of my own desire to learn how to do Bavarian crochet our next block ticks that off my to do list and brings, what I hope you will agree, a fun addition to the CAL.

I’m not going to lie, Bavarian crochet is a little tricky to master at first but once you get into the swing of it you should be fine!  I have added photos of the first 6 rnds in the pattern as extra guidance but should you find it just not to your taste a list of alternative blocks you could use can be found here. If this is the first you are hearing about this CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue. This square is currently free on Ravelry and will be forever.

Bavarian Beauty by Heather C Gibbs

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Notes:

  • Hook: UK 5.5 mm / US Size I
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: Works best in at least 4-5 different colours
  • Pattern uses UK and American crochet terms.

Specialist stitches:

  • UK Half Double Treble / US Half Double Crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
  • UK Double Treble / US Treble (dtr/tr): Yarn over twice, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (four loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.
  • UK Double Treble 4 together / US Treble 4 together (dtr4tog/tr4tog): * Yarn over hook twice, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over hook, pull yarn through stitch (4 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops left), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook (2 loops left) * repeat * to * 3 times, yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on the hook.
  • UK 4 Back Post Double Treble Decrease / US 4 Back Post US Treble Decrease (4 BPdtr-dec/4 BPtr-dec): When working back post sts you insert hook from back to front to back around post of indicated stitch (your hook should now be positioned horizontally behind of the st that you’re working around). * Yarn over hook twice, insert hook around post of indicated st, yarn over hook, drawn yarn through stitch, (yarn over hook, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook) twice * repeat * to * 3 times around the next 3 st posts, yarn over hook, draw yarn through 5 loops on hook.
  • UK 8 Back Post Double Treble Decrease / US 8 Back Post US Treble Decrease (8 BPdtr-dec/8 BPtr-dec): Working the same as the 4 BPdtr-dec/4 BPtr-dec but continuing to * hold the last loop of each stitch on hook, bptr/bptr around each of next 4 stitches *, skip sl st between sts and then on next group of dtr/tr’s, repeat * to * once, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook. 

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here).  I did enjoy doing the Bavarian crochet though it can be a bit fiddly if you use a covered hook with the 8 BPdtr-dec/8 BPtr-dec’s.  It was also fun to work out the colour placement and I know that you guys are going to come up with some amazing combinations – can’t wait to see!

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Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on 11th or 12th November.

KCACO-UK Afghan CAL 2015 -Block 21

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

Throughout this CAL I have been trying to look for blocks that are all a little different so our resulting Afghan will be a multitude of creativity and fun!  That’s why I love this next block; stripes, ruffles, texture, segments…there really is something for everyone! 

If this is the first you are hearing about this CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since Feburary 2015.

 Fan Club by Polly Plum

Notes:

  • Hook: UK 5.5 mm / US Size I
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: Works best in at least 4-5 different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms: see the following link for a printable conversion chart: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70437470329344/

Specialist stitches:

  • Standing sc – to start a round, with slip knot on hook, insert hook into indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through two loops on hook
  • Standing hdc – to start a round, with slip knot on hook, wrap yarn around hook and hold in place with thumb or fi nger and insert hook in indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, carefully yo and draw through all three loops on hook
  • Standing dc – to start a round, with slip knot on hook, wrap yarn around hook and hold in place with thumb or finger and insert hook in indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, carefully yo and draw yarn through two loops on hook twice
  • fpsc/fptr – like normal sc,or tr, but instead of inserting hook at the top of indicated stitch, insert it from front to back around the post of stitch

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my, as yet unblocked, version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). It’s annoying that my camera sometimes seems to insist that the purple yarn I’m using is blue!

I was super excited to see how this unique block would look in my colours and I really love how it’s turned out.  I did have to add a row of htr/hdc to mine as I crocheted quite tightly but it was a perfect 12 inches once I’d added those.

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Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on 28th or 29th October.

KCACO-UK Afghan CAL 2015 -Block 20

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

Can you believe it’s time for block 20!!! It’s also kind of sad now we are almost coming to the end of the CAL but also exciting as we are not far from our complete blanket.  Now whether you are an Afghan square enthusiast or not you’ve got to love the designs of Julie Yeager.  Her Afghan squares in particular are always stunning and the ones I love the most are those that resemble a stained glass window.  As a big fan of hers I knew I wanted to add one of her designs in the CAL.   

This square will be available as a free Ravelry download throughout the end of the year 2015 (December 31, 2015).

Sun Catcher Afghan Square by Julie Yeager

Notes:

  • Hook: UK 5.5 mm / US Size I
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: Works best in at least 4-5 different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms: see the following link for a printable conversion chart: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70437470329344/ 
  • Specialist stitch: Front Post Single Crochet (FPSC) – see a good video tutorial here if you are not sure how to do this stitch; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvdqqR2Kkho

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here).  I love how it turned out! I love, love, love the stained glass window effect and how it highlights the pinks and purples in the centre!

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Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on 14 or 15th October.

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 19

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

I just love the ingenuity of our next block and think you will too! Picots stitches are usually seen as a decorative edging on a crochet piece but our next designer has cleverly incorporated them into her design.  It’s a really interesting pattern to work up too as you are pretty much doing something different on each round.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since May 2015.

If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Sorrel by Sadie Cummings

Notes:

  • Hook: 5 mm (US Size H)
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: I would suggest at least four or five different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

Picot stitch: ch 3 or ch 4, slip stitch in either the 3rd or 4th ch (depending on which type of picot) – picot done.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). This block is simply scrumptious with it’s perfectly positioned picots! I didn’t change colour every round and I also stopped at rnd 17 (which for me was htr/hdc) as I was spot on 12 inches.  

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Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on the 30th September or 1st October.

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 18

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

I have to confess that I am intrigued by tapestry crochet; just because you can be so creative with a design so I was very excited when our next lovely designer, from Crimson Clover, designed a tapestry crochet block for us to use in the CAL and what a unique design it is!

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and will be forever yay!

If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Aztec Square by Kim Green

Notes:

  • Hook: 5.5 mm (US Size I)
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: I would suggest at least two different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

None but you might want to research colour changing if you are not familiar with the technique:  Crochet Guru has a good video on Youtube.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). I love how this design looks in two colours but I really wanted to use all five of my colours – as I have in all of the patterns we’ve made so far. I had fun coming up with this finished version.

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Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on the 16th or 17th September.

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 17

Posted in Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

So for those of you that were wondering about the voting we usually have on every 8th block as we are getting nearer to the end with only a few blocks left it’s harder to assemble blocks for choice…sooooo voting has now ended and we will just continue to hook our way to the end…only 7 left to do in total squeee!!!  If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here. 

Our next block is just awesome!  I’m a little bit obsessed by spirographs and doodle them everywhere!  So when I saw this next block I just knew it had to be included in my blanket!  

I think some of you might have had the same idea as me as I know I’ve seen some of you hook this particular block and have shared it in the CAL group – well if you have made it check the CAL list page for loads of alternative blocks you could use instead of this one.

So on to the square; click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since February 2015. The lovely Helen has also recently just finished a photo tutorial to go along with this block for each round also available on Ravelry. 

Spiro Star by Helen Shrimpton

Notes:

  • Hook: 5 mm (US Size H)
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: I would suggest at least two different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

  • Fpsc – front post single crochet
  • Fpdc – front post double crochet, yarn over once
  • Fptr – front post treble crochet, yarn over twice
  • Fptr-tr – front post triple treble, yarn over 4 times!
  • Bphdc – back post half double crochet
  • Bpdc – back post double crochet

Great guidance from Moogly for standing tr/dc

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). I loooove how this turned out! It’s great how the stitches makes the star so pointy and how there is a star within a star – just a fabulous design!

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02+LogoDon’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on the 2nd or 3rd September.

HodgePodge Pillow Showdown 2015 – The Results | River Rose Pattern Release

Posted in Afghan Square, Competitions, Crochet, Pattern Release, Sale / Special Offer by

And so the results are IN!! And the winner of the Pillow Showdown is the most lovely Michelle at From Home with her awesome Classic Lace Bolster Pattern! Huge congratulations to her on her awesome winning design!

I join the line up of the other fabulous runners up and I can now reveal who’s great designs were who’s!

So did you guess which one was mine?  I’ll give you a clue…

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Yes my design was the River Rose Pillow!

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I had great fun designing this cushion and I am really proud of the way it turned out in the end. I think it is probably one of my favourite designs to date.

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At 20 x 20 inches it’s a nice big size to squish into and it looks fab in other colours (which my lovely testers proved!).

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And now for the exciting news….DISCOUNT PRICES!!! All the patterns featured in the competition are now available at a discount on Ravelry including mine!

The River Rose Pillow Cover has 50% discount on Ravelry right now for 1 week! Just £1.75 / $2.70. The River Rose Pillow Cover in now available for purchase from the pattern platforms below:

Ravelry
Etsy

Fabulous designer discounts:

Happy Hooking everyone!

http://keepcalmandcrochetonuk.com/

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 16

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

So have you all got your hooks at the ready for Block 16? Our next block is textural interesting to crochet with an unusual construction that will keep your interest. I especially like the inclusion of the tapestry crochet – though a good tip is to work loosely or block will curl!

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since March 2014. 

If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here. 

Beware the Ides of March 12″ Afghan Crochet Block Square 

by Margaret MacInnis

Notes:

  • Hook: 5 mm (US Size H)
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: I would suggest at least two different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

  • Air Crochet Link: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/vannas-choice-fan-club/1206917/201-225#223
  • Invisible Join Link: http://mrsmicawber.blogspot.pt/2012/06/pardon-me-but-your-slip-stitch-is.html
  • Tapestry-style: Join first Color with a sc, and work first stitches with first Color as indicated. On the last st of the first Color, instead of bringing the loop of the first color through the last step, bring the loop of the second color through. Holding the first Color so it gets worked inside the st (just hold it level over the line of stitching), work the next indicated sts to the last st in the second Color, then in the last st of the second Color, switch by pulling the first Color through, and holding the second Color in line. Continue in this fashion, switching Colors as indicated, periodically untwisting the yarns. I like to untwist them about every 12 stitches or so.
  • fpdtrc: front post double treble crochet (yo 3 times)
  • Btw: between two stitches fp: front post, work the st from the front, around the post of the indicated st
  • Around/Btw: around the chain sp, and between the two indicated stitches
  • Back bump: located behind the two top loops of a stitch, it is the horizontal thread in the back

If you are not sure about the air crochet you could substitute with a chain 3 or a standing tr/dc

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). Such a pretty and unique block to add to our collection! I did make a slight change to my square because I wanted to end with the emperor (dark purple) colour so I removed rnd 11 and added it onto the end instead!  

01+Logo02+LogoDon’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on 19th or 20th of August