My "Arlene" Crochet Block

My "Arlene" Crochet Block

This design is one that I came up with as I was crocheting the Vibrant Vintage CAL designed by Rachele Carmona. The pattern is available on Ravelry and there is a group devoted to the project.  As Rachele Carmona named each of her designed squares after friends, I did the same with this one.

Arlene

By: Anne Goodwin

www.blogger.com/knittingwithanne

SC – Single Crochet

HDC – Half Double Crochet

DC – Double Crochet

Special Stitches: 

Beg DC: = (SC + SC through back of second loop of just-made SC)

Beg TC: = (SC + SC through back of second loop of just-made SC + another SC through back of second loop of second SC

Beg 2 DC Cluster - Beg DC and DC in same stitch.

Beg 2TC Cluster – Beg TC and TC in same stitch.

Note: Beg DC and Beg TC does not count as stitch. When joining, join with slip stitch in TC, skipping over Beg TC.

2TC Cluster – (YO twice, insert hook in magic circle, YO, pull through 2 loops, YO, pull through 2 loops; then repeat all of that and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

2DC Cluster – (YO, insert hook in stitch, YO, pull up loop, YO, drawn yarn through 2 loops on hook) twice, YO and draw yarn through all 3 loops on hook.

Popcorn – 4 DC in indicated spot, release loop from hook in first DC, pull loop to front, closing popcorn.

Foundation: Ch-5 and join in first Ch to make ring OR, use magic loop.

Round 1: All in ring, Beg 2TC Cluster, ch 2; **( 2 2TC Clusters, ch 2) 3 times, 1 2TC Cluster, join at top of first 2TC Cluster with slip stitch. _8_2TC Clusters, 4 ch-2 space total_ [8 stitches + 4 spaces]

Round 2: Slip stitch into first stitch and into chain 2 space, chain 6, DC into next stitch, ch 1, DC, ch 1; **slip stitch into next ch 2 space, chain 6, DC, ch 1, DC, ch 1** 3 times, join by slip stitching into the first 3 loops of the chain 6 loop. _4_ch-6 spaces, 8 DC, 8 ch-1 spaces_ [8] [2 stitches + 3 spaces per side]

Round 3: Beg 2DC Cluster, chain 2, 3 2DC Clusters all into Chain 6 space (start of first corner); **SC into 1^st DC stitch, chain 2, 4 DC in chain 1 space, chain 2, SC in DC stitch, slip stitch into the next chain 1 space, make corner (3 2DC Cluster, chain 2, 3 2DC Cluster)** 3 times, 2 2DC Clusters to complete first corner, join with a slip stitch to top of Beg 2DC Cluster. _24 2DC Clusters, 16 DC, 8 SC, 8 ch-2 spaces, 4 ch-1 space_ [48] [12 stitches + 3 spaces per side]

Round 4: Slip stitch into the next DC stitch (first stitch before corner space). Then, into the chain 2 (corner) space, Beg DC, chain 2, 3 DC into chain 1 space (start of first corner); **3 HDC in next 3 stitches, SC into SC stitch, slip stitch into chain 2 space, chain 6, skip the next 4 DC, SC into the chain 2 space, SC into the next SC stitch, 3 HDC in next 3 stitches, make corner (3 DC, chain 2, 3 DC)** three times, 2 DC to complete first corner, join with a slip stitch to top of Beg DC. _24 DC, 28 HDC, 12 SC, 4 ch-6 spaces_ [64] [16 stitches + 1 space per side]

Round 5: Popcorn, chain 1, Popcorn (corner made); **3 SC in next 3 sts, 3 DC in next 3 sts, slip stitch into next stitch, 6 SC in chain 6 loop, slip stitch into next stitch, 3 DC in following 3 sts, HDC in next st, 3 SC in next 3 sts, make corner (Popcorn, chain 1, Popcorn)** three times, join with a slip stitch to first chain (corner). _24 DC, 4 HDC, 24 SC, 8 Popcorn, 4 ch-1 spaces _ [80] [20 stitches + 1 space per side]

Round 6: 3 SC in chain 1 space (but NOT in tops of popcorns); then, ignoring any slip stitch spaces (after stitches #9 and #15 on each side), SC in all stitches around, placing 3 SC in corners. After final SC, join with a slip stitch in the first SC. Cut yarn and finish off ends. _88 SC total _ [88] [22 stitches per side)]

Note: Avoid picking up the first DC stitch that is INSIDE (and to the left) of the corner loops when doing Round 5.

Suggestion: When using this square for making a blanket, it is recommended that it gets trimmed with a double crochet round, probably in a different color, and putting either 5 DC in each corner, or, 2 DC, chain 1, 2 DC in each corner.

Final Note: This square has not been test-crocheted except by the designer. The designer welcomes anyone who wishes to test-crochet it and to provide feedback. To do this, email at: ea_goodwin@hotmail.com. The square shown in the photo was crocheted with Knit Picks Mighty Stitch yarn (worsted weight) and using a 5.5 mm crochet hook. However, the square can be crocheted with any yarn and appropriate crochet hook to yarn being used.