Monday, August 19, 2013

Single Crochet Cluster Afghan





This afghan is rectangular in shape and is done in rounds, so you just keep going until you have it the size you desire. This pattern also makes a great dishcloth that is very absorbent and wrings out easily! 

This is the first one I started, but I ran out of yarn so will have to order more. Tip: Always keep the labels from the yarn if you are unsure if you are buying enough. Then if you run out you can be sure to get the exact same type and colour. I used a sportweight yarn for this as it is going to be a baby blanket. 

For the one below I used worsted weight yarn in black, white and gray. I am going to use it as a throw to put over an armchair. 

MATERIALS
Yarn: It doesn't really matter what type of yarn you use. Amounts will vary as it's up to you how many rounds you do for the size you want.
Hook: 7 mm for worsted weight yarn, 5 mm for sportweight yarn. 




Abbreviations used:
ch - chain
ss - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
sc cl - single crochet cluster

How To Make the Single Crochet Cluster - insert hook in first st and pull up a loop, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop, insert hook in third st and pull up a loop, yarn over hook and pull through all four loops on hook.


To Begin - Ch 19 


RND 1 - 1 hdc in 4th ch from hook, (this counts as first and second hdc) 1 hdc in next 15 chs, do not turn. (17 hdc)

RND 2 - Ch 1, 1 sc around post of last hdc (see photo) 






 ch 2, 1 sc (this makes the first corner) ch 2, 1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc for next corner. Now continue by going down the other side of the hdcs. Ch 2, sc cl in next 3 hdc, (see photo - it shows how I pulled up loops in the 3 sts, next I finish off the sc cl by putting the yarn over my hook and pulling through all 4 loops on the hook)  






*sc cl in next 3 hdc, ch 2*, repeat from * to * 4 times. You will have a total of 5 sc cl along this side. Around post of last hdc, make your next corner (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) ch 2, make next corner (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc), ch 2 (photo below shows the corners completed)


 
 
5 sc cl along next side, ch 2 and slip stitch to join to the first sc.

RND 3 - Slip stitch and ch 1 in ch 2 space of 1st corner, 1 sc, ch 2, 1sc in same space. Ch 1, in next ch 2 space make 1 sc, then ch 1, (see photo below. I switched to white here)

in next corner make 1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc. In next ch 2 space ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1 (this is an increase which is made at the beginning and end of each side), ch 2, sc cl over sc cl of previous Rnd by inserting your hook under the 2nd ch of the same space where you did the increase, pull up a loop, insert your hook in the loop at the top of the sc cl of previous round, pull up a loop, insert your hook in next ch 2 space, pull up a loop, yarn over hook and pull through all 4 hoops on hook, (see photo below, I have put some lines pointing to where you insert your hook to make the sc cl over the previous sc cl) 

ch 2, sc cl and ch 2 to last sc cl on this side, then ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1 in the last ch 2 space (for the increase), 1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc in the corner, ch 1, 1 sc in next ch 2 space, ch 1, in next corner 1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc. Working down other side, ch 1, 1 sc in next ch 2 space, ch 1 (increase), sc cl over all the sc cls of previous Rnd to end of this side, in last ch 2 space do an increase of ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1, slip stitch to join to first sc. 

RND 4 - Slip stitch in ch 2 space of 1st corner, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc. Ch 2 and sc cl over ch 1 space, 1 sc, ch 1 space of previous Rnd, ch 2. In next corner 1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc. Working down other side ch 2, sc cl over the next ch 1 space, 1 sc and ch 1 space (this is where you made the increase on the previous Rnd), ch 2 and sc cl over the sc csl of previous round to end of this side. Sc cl over next ch 1 space, sc and ch 1 space (where you made the increase), work the next corner, Continue in this pattern to end of Rnd, slip stitch to join to first sc.

RND 5 - Slip stitch and ch 1 in ch 2 space of 1st corner, 1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc in same space. In next ch 2 space, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1 (increase), sc cl in all the sc cl of previous Rnd. In last ch 2 space, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1 (increase), ch 2, then work the next corner. Continue in this pattern all around the afghan, slip stitch to join to first sc.

RND 6 - Slip stitch in ch 2 space of 1st corner, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc. Ch 2 and sc cl over ch 1 space, 1 sc, ch 1 space of previous Rnd ( where you made the increase), ch 2 and sc cl over the sc cls of previous round to end of this side. Sc cl over next ch 1 space, sc and ch 1 space (where you made the increase), work the next corner. Continue in this pattern to end of Rnd, slip stitch to join to first sc.
 
Repeat Rnds 5 and 6 to desired size. Note: all rounds done like Rnd 5 have the increase at the beginning and end of all 4 sides, which is right before and after each corner.
 
For a border and to prevent sides from curling, do a Rnd of all sc.  




 

No comments:

Post a Comment