If you want to learn to crochet, join us in making this cozy Afghan.  Each month, beginning in February, 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 ninth part of the twelve-month series.   Refer to Part 1 for links to all eight of the past posts.

Let’s start crocheting!

We have been using a basic chain to create our foundation but did you know that you can make your foundation chain AND first row of stitching all together.  This is something I just learned and you should too.  It makes that first row fast and easy without fumbling with the chains.

The foundation rows can be used with all the basic stitches as well as some of the fancier stitches.  As we have already covered our basic stitches, let’s discover some new stitch combinations while using the foundation rows to start our squares.

Foundation rows are very confusing to start, but once you master them they are very versatile.  They are stretchy and easily match the stitches you will be creating.  Basically, you are making a chain and the first row of stitches together at the same time.  If you keep this in mind, you will find the stitches less confusing.

SINGLE CROCHET FOUNDATION ROWS

To make a single crochet foundation – CH2, insert hook into first chain,  pull yarn through,  you will have 2 loops on your hook,  yarn over and pull through only ONE loop (this is your chain).  There will still be 2 loops on your hook,  Yarn over and pull through both of these loops (this is your single crochet). 

For the next stitch, insert your hook into the “chain” loop (see picture) of the stitch below, pull yarn through and repeat the stitch – yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through two.  Continue until your foundation row is the desired length.

HALF DOUBLE FOUNDATION ROWS

The half double crochet foundation is made the same as the single crochet foundation, however, you will be making a chain, followed by a HDC.

CH2, yarn over, then insert hook into first chain,  pull yarn through,  you will have 3 loops on your hook,  yarn over and pull through only ONE loop (this is your chain).  There will still be 3 loops on your hook,  Yarn over and pull through all three loops (this is your half double crochet). 

For the next stitch,  yarn over, insert your hook into the “chain” loop of the stitch below, pull yarn through and repeat the stitch – yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through three.   Continue until your foundation row is the desired length.

DOUBLE CROCHET FOUNDATION ROWS

Now that you understand the concept, making the double foundation will be easy!!  You guessed it, you will be making a chain, followed by a double crochet.

CH2, yarn over, then insert hook into first chain,  pull yarn through,  you will have 3 loops on your hook,  yarn over and pull through only ONE loop (this is your chain).  There will still be 3 loops on your hook,  Yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two (this is your double crochet). 

For the next stitch,  yarn over, insert your hook into the “chain” loop of the stitch below, pull yarn through and repeat the stitch – yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through two, yarn over, pull through two again.   Continue until your foundation row is the desired length.

For some reason the lighting in this video makes my hands look purple and dirty?? I will produce a new video when I am back from vacation. In the meantime, please concentrate on the stitches and ignore those ugly things!!

BLOCK 22 – EXTENDED SINGLE CROCHET (ESC) STITCH WITH SINGLE CROCHET FOUNDATION

A single crochet is a tight, dense, closely woven stitch. The extended single crochet (ESC) stitch is made slightly taller which makes your work drape better which is fabulous for sweaters and other garments.  And it feels very soft! 

The extended single crochet stitch is very easy to make. If you already know the single crochet, you should learn this stitch in just a few minutes.

The extended single crochet (ESC) is actually the same stitch as the foundation row except you will crochet into the previous row rather than the chain of previous stitch.  To make the extended single crochet (ESC) you will start your stitch as a single crochet (SC).  Insert hook into stitch of previous row.  Yarn over and pull through.  You will have two loops on your hook. Instead of pulling the yarn through both loops on the hook like with a regular SC, pull through only one.  You will still have two loops on the hook.  Then yarn over again and pull through both loops.

TO MAKE THE BLOCK

ROW 1 – Make a single crochet foundation 10 inches in length.  Stretching  to measure!! (mine was 30 stitches). Turn

ROW 2 – CH 1 (turning chain). ESC in each stitch across row.  Turn.

Repeat until the square measures 10 inches.

EDGING

Make one SC into each ESC across top, one SC in each row along sides and one SC into each “chain” across bottom.  As always, make 3 SC into each corner.

You can also use the extended technique for Half Double Crochet (EHDC).   To do so, you will simply start the stitch the same as a Half Double Crochet, (yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull yarn through the stitch).  You will have 3 loops on the hook.  Instead of pulling through all three, first make your “chain” (yarn over, pull through one stitch).  You will still have 3 loops on the hook.  Finish your HDC (yarn over, pull through all 3 loops). 

BLOCK 23 – HERRINGBONE STITCH WITH HALF DOUBLE CROCHET FOUNDATION

The herringbone stitch is a fun variation of the Half Double Crochet stitch. Because the stitch is tilted it creates an arrow-shaped herringbone look when worked back and forth in rows.

To make a herringbone half double crochet stitch (HHDC)

Yarn over (YO) , insert hook into stitch, and pull through the stitch (you will have 3 loops on hook). Pull first loop through the second loop on the hook, YO, pull through last 2 loops on the hook.

TO MAKE THE BLOCK

ROW 1 – Make a half double crochet foundation 10 inches in length.  Stretching  to measure!! (mine was 30 stitches). Turn

ROW 2 – CH 1 (turning chain). Make a herringbone HDC (HHDC) in each stitch across row.  Turn.

Repeat until the square measures 10 inches.

EDGING

Make one SC into each stitch across top, one SC in each row along sides and one SC into each “chain” across bottom.  As always, make 3 SC into each corner.

BLOCK 24 – POPCORN STITCH WITH DOUBLE CROCHET FOUNDATION

Crocheters often are confused between the three cluster stitches – bobble, puff and popcorn.  Way back in Block 6, you learned how to crochet a PUFF stitch.  Today you will learn the popcorn stitch.

Because there is a right side and wrong side to this stitch, the popcorn is made in every other row with a row of single or double crochet in between.

To make a popcorn stitch, double crochet five times into the same stitch.  Remove your hook and insert through the first DC, pick up the loop you just took the hook out of and pull through. 

TO MAKE THE BLOCK

FOUNDATION ROW– Make a foundation double crochet 10 inches long when stretched.  Mine was 20 stitches in total. Turn

ROW 2 – CH 2.  Popcorn stitch into the next stitch, Single crochet (SC) in next.  Continue across row ending with a SC.

ROW 3 – CH 3,  Double crochet in each stitch across ending with a DC into the chain space at end of row.  (24 DC).    (PIC – showing where to DC into popcorn)

Continue Row 2 and Row 3 until square measures 10 inches ending with a DC row.

EDGING

Single crochet across the top, SC3 into the corner, One single crochet in each chain one space and two single crochets in each chain 2 spaces down the side, SC into the corner, SC into each chain across bottom, SC3 in corner, SC in each CH1 space and SC2 in each CH2 space up the other side, SC3 in corner, join with a slip stitch to first SC, and finish off.

Your extra projects based on this month’s stitches:

Infinity scarf uses foundation SC – https://crochetitcreations.com/fringe-infinity-scarf/

 I hope you enjoy this month’s squares.

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. 

I WILL BE OUT OF THE COUNTRY WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND EMAIL UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20. I WILL TRY MY BEST TO GET BACK TO YOU EARLIER BUT NO PROMISES!!

OUR NEXT PART WILL BE READY FOR RELEASE  OCTOBER 7. GET READY FOR SOME FABULOUS ADVANCED STITCHES!!