LB Traveling Seasons Afghan Square #1
I'm so excited to announce the 2021 Traveling Afghan journey has begun!!This year-long Collaborative Project 2021 CAL, sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn called the "Traveling Seasons Afghan" is now ready for my square #1, the start of the Afghans journey!!
Starting today, January 1st, my square will be the 1st of 12 Afghan square designs to begin its seasonal journey to a new designer every month, spanning across the U.S. and Canada. Each designer creating a 13" x 13" square, designed with their favorite memories behind that season. As we create these squares just before the season starts we can share in all the memories we hold onto year after year. Each row representing fond memories of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Creating with yarn is a way for us to connect with one another and with memories built in. A completed border will be the last destination on the journey, bringing our theme to a close.
You can find the patterns published free online so you can follow along with us and create your own crochet Afghan!
My square is #1 and all the materials needed are below in my pattern. You can also purchase a PDF version of this pattern in my Ravelry for $1.
Below is a list of this year's designers from Lionbrand Yarn and links to their sites. Follow the designers on social media for a new square each month, as the Afghan travels around for each season.
Traveling Seasons Afghan Designers
For more information and a complete list of all the designers involved, flight map, FAQs, please visit https://www.whistleandwool.com for the landing page of the project, hosted by Angie, from Whistle and Wool.
Want to have some virtual maker fun?
Host a virtual CAL with your maker friends! Getting together online to share in your favorite memories along the way as you create your squares. Tag @MyLifeInYarn and @LionBrandYarn on your Instagram posts and use the hashtags #mylifeinyarn #travelingseasonsafghan #lbtravelingseasonsafghan and #seasonsafghan2021.
My squares' stitch detail is a pattern of raindrops. Influenced by my favorite Spring memory of jumping in the puddles after a rain storm. Year after year, anytime I think of Spring this is one of the fond memories that always brings a smile, transporting me back to a moment in time which I always remember being such a carefree and joyous time. Did you puddle jump? Splash as high as you could?
This square is reminding me of all the smiles the falling rain drops bring. Puddle jumping may be one of my favorite memories as a kid, but it also has becomes one of my kids' favorite Spring memories too! Hearing those first few raindrops fall, listening to the calming sound of rain outside, followed by the moments of joy when we see it letting up to where we could safely venture out to play. Then we would get all dressed up after the rainstorm, racing to grab our raincoats and Wellie Boots, to look for all the puddles we could find and see just how big of a splash we could make!
It’s always so full of smiles and laughter, a spring tradition that transcends all ages. Getting soaked from head to toe, then coming in from the cold and get bundled up in our warmest (dry) clothes. Haha! Maybe we would start a fire or simply laugh and chat about some of the more memorable splashes we made!
I hope this square brings back to mind some of your own happy memories you've made in a simple rain storm. Finding your own puddles to jump in or sitting inside with a nice cup of hot cocoa staring out the window as the drops drip! All sorts of cozy moments can be had during a day of rain and I always find it's the little moments spent with your family that often bring the most comfort as the years go!
Thank you so much for your shop support! I hope you love it!! If you need any help or have questions along the way, please contact me via Email: whistleandwool@gmail.com
NOTES:
I’ve included a chart and written instructions so you can pick your favorite method for creating this pattern.
Worked from the bottom up.
Texture created using sc’s and a modified bobble stitch. Please see “Stitches to Know” for an easy tutorial on the modified bobble stitch I used throughout the pattern to create the raindrops. Use the correct Hook size to obtain gauge so you can match the square size.
The bobble clusters can pull in the shape and blocking, as well as help it to relax and lay flat.
Finishing:
This needed a Steam blocking to relax and calm the stitches.
GAUGE **Please check your gauge before you start this Pattern: Swatching for gauge is very important. It does take a few minutes to do, but it ensures that the finished size of your piece will match the size given in the pattern. A change in your stitches per inch can affect your overall width measurements. A difference in your rows can affect your length for this piece.
*Start with the suggested hook size:
If your swatch per inch is larger in stitch count, then you need to swatch again using a smaller hook.
If your swatch per inch is smaller in stitch count, then you need to swatch again using a larger hook.
Getting an accurate swatch will get you to the exact measurements given for the pattern.
***This pattern is a copyright of Whistle and Wool© so you may not copy, alter, adjust, share, record, redistribute or resell my pattern. No tutorials or any kind of demonstrations may be made using any information contained in my pattern. I do not mind if you wish to sell a completed HANDMADE item and you are a small independently owned business, however, you do not have permission to use ANY of my photos. If you do sell a completed item, please list credit of the design belonging to me, Whistle and Wool and a link to my shop. www.WhistleandWool.etsy.com
Want to pick up the PDF pattern? Click here Ravelry
Crochet Square #1, 2021 Seasons Blanket
What you need:
YARN: (190 yards) - 1 skein of Lionbrand Woolease, worsted #4, 197 yards, featured in ”Grey Heather” (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool)
HOOK: Clover Amour J Hook (6.0) or a Hook needed to obtain gauge
OTHER: Tapestry Needle for weaving in your ends
Finished size in inches: 13” x 13” square
Gauge (blocked): 6.5 sts x 9 rows = 2 in. of sc
OR
7scs and 1 bobble (at the widest point) x 8 rows and 1 bobble (at the longest point) = 4 inches in pattern
Use the correct Hook size to obtain gauge.
Stitches to know:
WS- Wrong Side of the project facing you
RS - Right Side of the project facing you
sc- Single crochet
yo- Yarn over your hook
mbo- A modified bobble stitch : Follow the steps below to work this slight alteration to the classic bobble stitch. It’s using two less dc wraps
*yo, insert into your stitch and pull up a loop. yo, pull through two loops on your hook (as if to dc the stitch), repeat after * until you have 4 loops on your hook. yo, pull it through all 4 loops on the hook.
NOTE: A standard bobble stitch (bo), would have 6 loops on the hook before closing it off, we stop at 4 for this modified smaller version.
See the Chart for pattern instructions OR the Written version below.
Chart instructions: All rows begin with a ch1, turn. Every square space represents a stitch.
All odd rows are sc rows and read right to left on the chart ←
All even rows (mbo stitch rows) read left to right on the chart →
A blank square is a sc stitch, all oval dash squares will have a mbo stitch worked into it.
Repeat Rows 4-23
Repeat Rows 4-13
Cut yarn and weave in your ends
Steam block to relax the stitches. Pin to size/shape. The bobble clusters can pull in the shape and blocking will help it to relax and lay flat.
Voila! You’re done!
Written version:
Chain 42
Row 1: in the second chain from the hook, sc 41
Row 2-3: ch1, sc the row - 41 stitches, row count remains the same throughout the pattern.
All odd Rows (RS) will be sc rows as follows: ch1, turn, sc the row
Row 4 (WS) : ch1, turn, sc15, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc13, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc7
Row 6: ch1, turn, sc14, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc11, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc6
Row 8: ch1, turn, sc15, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc13, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc7
Row 10: ch1, turn, sc16, mbo, sc15, mbo, sc8
Spacing between the Raindrops, Row 11-13: ch1, turn, sc the row
Row 14: ch1, turn, sc7, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc13, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc15
Row 16: ch1, turn, sc6, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc11, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc14
Row 18: ch1, turn, sc7, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc13, mbo, sc1, mbo, sc15
Row 20: ch1, turn, sc8, mbo, sc15, mbo, sc16
Spacing between the Raindrops, Row 21-23: ch1, turn, sc the row
Repeat Rows 4-23
Repeat Rows 4-13
Cut yarn and weave in your ends
Steam block to relax the stitches. Pin to size/shape. The bobble clusters can pull in the shape and blocking will help it to relax and lay flat.
Voila! You’re done!
