Learn 12 new crochet stitches all summer long! These tutorials will include written and video instructions.
What are we crocheting?
Each week, I will release a written pattern along with a video tutorial to teach you a different crochet stitch.
You can make these sample swatches with cotton yarn to use them as dishcloths/washcloths OR work them up in acrylic yarn to ultimately make a blanket made of 12 sample swatches.
Of course, you can get creative and do whatever you’d like with your samples!
When and How to Sign Up
This crochet along starts June 13th. You can sign up here to receive emails when it starts and for each week I release a new stitch tutorial. After the crochet along, you will no longer receive emails from me unless you are subscribed to my regular newsletter.
Crochet alongs primarily live on my Facebook group page – Maria’s Yarn Friends. It’s where we share, encourage, and ask questions. It is not required for you to be in the group to crochet along.
Yarn
You can chose to make dishcloths/washcloths with cotton yarn OR use acrylic yarn to put all the samples together in the end as a blanket.
I used both cotton and acrylic yarns to make my samples so I can show you how the stitches look in both materials. I have made a set of 12 dishcloths as well as 12 samples swatches to put together as a blanket in the end.
Cotton Yarn
I used Paintbox Cotton Yarns Aran. While I love the acrylic yarn from this brand, this cotton yarn does have a tendency split. Other than that, I do like working with it and it has beautiful colors.
The following cotton yarns are my favorite and I would recommend using them: Lion Brand 24/7 cotton, Knit Picks Dishie, or I Love This Cotton!
I chose to pick 12 different colors for my dishcloths. The sizes of my dishcloths are roughly 8-9″ squares and I needed only one skein (93 yards) for each.
Acrylic Yarn
For the sample swatches in acrylic yarn, I used Paintbox Simply Aran. I also chose 12 different colors for these swatches.
You can use any yarn for these swatches that you would like to make into a blanket. Scrap yarns and leftover skeins of yarn would work very well for this.
I made my acrylic swatches 12″x12″ so I can have a good sized blanket. I used one skein (201 yards) for each sample swatch.
Summer Stitchin’ Crochet Along
Notes for Blanket Option:
You can use any yarn weight and an accompanying crochet hook size as you will be choosing what size to make your squares and measuring as you go.
The dimensions of your blanket is your choice. I made my squares 12” x 12” and arranged the squares 3 x 4 to get a 36” x 48” lapghan.
Be sure to make each square the same size. It may be impossible to get the exact measurement for some stitch samples, but it will still work if it is within 1/2”. Once joined, they will stretch out uniformly.
For each sample, chain up the stitch multiple provided for each stitch until it is the width desired. Be sure to measure after crocheting the first row to be sure the measurement is still the same. Continue crocheting until the height is the same as the width desired.
Purchase the ad-free pattern for all 12 stitch patterns on Etsy or Ravelry.
Week #1
Week #2
Week #3
Paired Half Double Crochet Stitch
Week #4
Week #5
Week #6
Week #7
Week #8
Week #9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Joining for Blanket
Using a 6.00mm hook and white yarn, join squares by crocheting them together.
I faced the wrong sides of the squares together and then single crocheted them together. You can see a tutorial on how to crochet together squares here. This creates a bump/texture of where the squares are joined so each square looks outlined in white.
There may not be an even amount of stitches on each square, but do your best to crochet them together evenly. I used stitch markers to “pin” the beginning, middle, and end of the squares together. For some squares, I had to skip or add stitches while joining.
Border: Single crochet around in white, making 3 single crochets in each corner. Second round in half double crochet, making 3 half double crochets in each corner.
This is so fun. I love the different stitches. Is there an easy way to figure out how to get the square close to the right measurements? I’m getting it but I have to chain and rip out a few times before I get close to the right size. Just curious.
I had to restart some squares as well to get the right size. I chained to the size I want and after 2 rows I would measure to see if it was the right size or not then go from there. Some stitches are more finicky than others. Sorry, I’m not sure if there is an easier way!
Enjoying these so much. Love learning new stitches. Going to give the dish cloths as gifts for Christmas. A couple were hard to understand,for instance #9,,and can’t remember the other one but look forward each week for new stitch.