BLOCKS 4 –6  Of the Learn to Crochet Series

If you want to learn to crochet, join us in making this cozy Afghan.  Each month,  you will learn how to crochet three different blocks.  After 10 months (in November), you will have 30 different blocks in total that we will learn to stitch together in December to make a wonderful lap-sized afghan perfect for Christmas gift giving, although, you may be tempted to keep this for yourself to use for snuggling on the couch.

Our crochet along is finished, but you can start anytime and work at your own pace.

This is the third part of the twelve-month series.  

It is highly recommended that you read the general instructions before beginning Part 3.  You can view Part One here and Part Two here which includes Blocks 1-3.  

LET’S START CROCHETING!!!

How did you enjoy the single crochet stitches? 

This month, we will be learn how to crochet the half-double crochet (HDC) stitch.  You are going to LOVE this stitch!   This stitch is the fastest of the basic stitches and the basic stitch that is used most often.

To make a half-double crochet (HDC)

Place yarn over (YO) the hook, insert hook front to back into the stitch of the previous row and pull the yarn through the stitch.  For your first row this will be the chain.  Remember to insert your hook into both loops of the stitch directly below it in the row.

 You will have three loops on your hook.  Place yarn over (YO)the hook and pull yarn through all three loops. 

TADA! You just learned how to crochet the half-double crochet (HDC)

Turning chain

When you crochet in rows, you begin the row with a turning chain. The height of the turning chain depends on the height of the crochet stitch.  For the HDC, the turning chain will be CH2.  When you begin the first row, you don’t need to chain more because you’re already working into a chain. Because for a half double crochet, a turning chain is two, you will crochet your first half double crochet into the chain that is three chains away from your hook. 

Check your gauge.  If you have forgotten how, go back to Part Two!

BLOCK 4 – Half Double Crochet

As I thought, my gauge for the half double crochet (HDC) was the same as the single. I would need 32 stitches to make the 10 inches.  As the turning chain is 2 stitches, my foundation chain needs to be 34 chain stitches.

Attach yarn to hook with a slip stitch.  Crochet a foundation chain with 34 chains or the number you need for 10 inches plus 2 turning chain stitches. Do not count the slip knot as a stitch.

Row 1 – Half Double Crochet (HDC) in third chain,  Half Double Crochet (HDC)  to end of chain ( 32 Stitches).

Row 2 – Chain 2 (CH2) ,  Half Double Crochet (HDC) to end of row including one Half Double Crochet (HDC  into the Chain 2 (CH2) turning chain of the previous row.

Repeat Row 2 until block measures 10 inches.  Fasten off.

To refresh your memory

To fasten off, pull the yarn through the last loop.  Tighten and cut yarn leaving about a 2 inch tail.  Weave the tail through the last few stitches to hide it.

EDGING: 

To add the edging, single crochet (SC) into each stitch of the last row, Single crochet(SC) 3 times into the corner (all three single crochets will be in the same space),  Single crochets (SC) into each row down the side, Single crochet (SC) 3 times into the corner, single crochet(SC) into each chain (CH) of the first row, Single crochet (SC) 3 times into the corner, Single crochet (SC) into each row down the side, Single crochet(SC) 3 times into the corner, then attach with a slip stitch into the beginning chain (CH) stitch.  (To slip stitch-insert hook into the hole of the chain and pull yarn through the hole and through the remaining loop on the hook.) Finish off by pulling yarn through remaining loop on the hook and pulling tightly.

Using your yarn needle, weave  approximately 3 to 4 inches of your loose yarns into the block and cut off neatly.

BLOCK 5 – THE V-STITCH

Now that you know how to crochet the Half Double Crochet (HDC) and the Chain stitch (CH) in Part Two, let’s use them together to create the V-Stitch.  NOTE:  The V-stitch can also be created using the Single Crochet (SC) which we learned in Part 2 and the Double Crochet (DC) which we will learn next month.

Gauge – this was a tough one for me.  I must have had a mental block because I had to frog it four times to get it right!! After crocheting the same 2 inches over and over, I finally figured out that I needed 13 V-stitches to get my 10 inches! 

To create the block 

Chain-   Base chain works out to be in multiples of 2 plus 4.  As I needed 13 V-stitches times 2 that equalled 26 plus 4, therefore, my base chain would be 30.

Attach yarn to hook with a slip stitch.  Crochet a foundation chain with 30 chains or the number of V-stitches you need for 10 inches times 2 plus 4 turning chain stitches. Do not count the slip knot as a stitch

Row 1 –  In the 4th chain from hook, Half Double Crochet (HDC), Chain 1 (CH1), Half Double Crochet(HDC).  *Skip next chain, HDC, CH, HDC, into the next stitch*.  Repeat ** across row.  Half Double Crochet  (HDC)  into the last chain. Turn

Row 2 – Chain 2(turning chain) *HDC, CH, HDC, into the chain one space that you will find in between the two HDC’s of the previous row* . Repeat **  across row.  HDC into the space the turning chain two created.

Repeat Row 2 until the block measures 10 inches.  Fasten off.

EDGING – Single crochet into each half double crochet stitch of the previous row.  Do not single crochet in the chain stitches.  Continue the  edging as above – down the side, across the bottom chain and up the other side. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Did you notice the change in the instructions?  I am going to start leaving out the long version of the stitch and get you to become more familiar with abbreviations.  Most patterns are written using only the abbreviations so we should get used to reading this way.

BLOCK 6 – THE PUFF STITCH (sometimes called a Bean stitch)

Just so you aren’t getting bored with basic stitches, we are going to try something a little more daring and  learn a slightly more advanced stitch, the puff stitch.  The puff stitch is a lot like the half double crochet, but with added yarn overs and loops pulled through before completing the stitch. Puff stitch is abbreviated as “puffst”.

To complete a puff stitch

Yarn  over (YO) and insert it into the stitch as if making a half double crochet (HDC). Hook the yarn and pull it through the stitch but instead of making a half double crochet, place the yarn over the hook again. Insert the hook into the same stitch as before, then hook the yarn and pull it through. Repeat the same steps once more. You should have 7 loops on your hook.

Finally, place the yarn over your hook, grab it and carefully pull it through all the loops on your hook.

To make the block

I hated to frog this stitch because the hardest row was starting the stitch into the foundation chain. But my gauge was off, so I frogged to get my 10 inches!  It was worth it! The texture of the stitch is gorgeous.

Crochet a foundation chain with a multiple of 2 + 4 stitches.  I needed 15 puffs to make 10 inches, therefore, my chain was 34 stitches (15 x 2 PLUS 4). 

Row 1:  Puff stitch (puff st)  in 4^thchain (ch) from hook.  chain 1, skip next stitch. *puff st, ch 1, skip next st*  Repeat to end of the row.  You should end with a puff stitch. Turn

Row 2:  chain 3 (turning chain)   *puff st in the chain-1 space of previous row, ch 1*  Rep the sequence in ** across the row, ending with a puff stitch in the turning chain.

Repeat row 2 until the block measures 10 inches. Fasten off.

EDGING

To add the edging, single crochet (SC) into each puff stitch AND each Chain space of the last row, Single crochet(SC) 3 times into the corner (all three single crochets will be in the same space),  Single crochet (SC) one stitch into each row that ends with a puff stitch and single crochet  two stitches into the turning chain of the next row down the side, (See PICTURE below) 

Single crochet (SC) 3 times into the corner, single crochet(SC) into each chain (CH) of the first row, Single crochet (SC) 3 times into the corner, Single crochet (SC) into each row down the side as per above, Single crochet(SC) 3 times into the corner, then attach with a slip stitch into the beginning chain (CH) stitch.  (To slip stitch-insert hook into the hole of the chain and pull yarn through the hole and through the remaining loop on the hook.) Finish off by pulling yarn through remaining loop on the hook and pulling tightly.

You’ve finished all six blocks – Now What?

As promised, here are some projects that I have pinned that you can make with what you have learned so far!!

HAPPY HOOKING!  And remember to share your blocks with us on Facebook!  And if you have any questions, please comment below or send me an email.   See you April 1.   

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