It's time, it's time, for Block #9! It's May Day, and time to move on in the 2014 Moogly Afghan Crochet-a-Long. If this is the first you've heard of the CAL, don't worry - it lasts til November, so there's still time to catch up! Start HERE to read how it works, and then get to crocheting! For those who've been following along so far, read on!
Here is the CAL schedule, with links to the previous blocks (click on the date to go to that blog post):
June 12th and 26th
July 10th and 24th
August 7th and 21st
September 4th and 18th
October 2nd, 16th, and 30th
November 13th and 25th
July 10th and 24th
August 7th and 21st
September 4th and 18th
October 2nd, 16th, and 30th
November 13th and 25th
And don't forget about the Moogly CAL group on Ravelry! They are rocking this crochet-a-long, and it's a great place to connect with other crocheters and ask for help with the squares. You can click HERE to check it out. And now for Block #9!
BLOCK #9: Op-Art by Jennifer Christensen
(Click the name of the pattern above to go to the pattern page on Ravelry, where the pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF)
Above is the original, made with 2 colors. Soon to come is mine - I'm running a little behind myself this month! But I'll update with my photo and notes on the pattern very soon. It's super graphic - I love the look! Be sure to check out the photo of the blanket made with just the squares on the Ravelry page - amazing! Love it with 2 colors, it'll be fun to see how it looks in lots of colors!
UPDATE! Here's my square - in need of blocking, but otherwise done! I used white for all the odd numbered rows, and cycled through the other colors on the even number rows.
Now for my notes! This was a tricky pattern for sure. Hopefully these tips will help! I'll be as explicit as I can while still respecting copyright.
- In the instructions for the first 3 special stitches, there's one phrase missing I think - after inserting your hook in the indicated st, pull up a loop, then continue on with the instructions. At least I think so - that's how I did it anyway. I tried it the other way, as written, but it didn't work out for me.
- If Round 1 has your head spinning, try starting with a magic circle or ch 4 loop, and then work the cluster and ch-3 combo 4 times into the ring. It will look a little different, but should work.
- The V-Stitch instructions confused many, as normally a V stitch is dc, ch1, dc... but there are lots of variations, and this is a valid one! I did make this stitch just as written in this pattern, and it looked perfect, so I'd recommend you just make it as instructed.
- The "X's" mean times, as in do it 3 times.
- For Rounds 7-11, follow the pattern previously established in Rounds 5 and 6. Looking at the photo will help you make sure you're on the right path!
- I got to 11.5" after only 10 rounds, so for Round 11 I worked the corners as instructed in Round 12 but with sc, then worked a sc in each of the "side" sts and previous corner sts, and worked 2 sc in between the posts of each V st. Got 12" after that on the nose! Closeup below:
I hope that helps, and I hope you enjoy making the Op-Art Afghan Square! If it isn't your thing, you can find a list of alternate free squares patterns by clicking HERE. Thanks so much for crocheting-a-long with me!
Zarnaz says
The blanket looks like an optical illusion! Amazing!
Tiffany says
Looks like fun!
The Ravelry PDF pattern defines a V stitch as 2 dc in a space, but it's (dc, ch, dc), isn't it?
Tamara Kelly says
V st is *usually* (dc, ch 1, dc), but there are lots of variations! 🙂
Heidi says
When I look at the picture closely, and as I stitch the square, I'm prety sure the instruction is a typo, and the V-stitch should read DC-CH1-DC for a standard V-stitch. That's just my logical guess. 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
It's possible! I made mine as instructed and it still looks good. (just gotta weave in these ends so I can get the photo!)
Carrie says
I don't know if I'll be making this one. Don't get me wrong, I think the square is really cool, especially made as a whole blanket, but just looking at stripes like that makes me dizzy. Boo. Maybe I could just make the cross part striped making the rest a solid color? Gah more work for me :). I think it'll be worth it though if I can produce the striped affect without making me get a headache.
Tamara Kelly says
The photo is indeed kinda jarring! I think working it in other colors makes it less so though. But there are lots of other options of course! 😀
carrie says
Hey, I love your version! I might even risk doing in to colors since the yarns I picked are pretty neutral. Cool!
Renee says
Yours looks great! Thanks for the notes - on my practice one it took me 4 or 5 tries to get round 1 right, and I'm still questioning my clusters even though I'm up to round 7. I am really glad I do one with my scrap yarn before I do the "good" one for my hubby's afghan. I really like the look of the square with multiple colors.....the pattern just could be written a little better.
Tamara Kelly says
I hope they help! It's one of the tougher ones so far!
Renee says
Well, I finished that one and it looked kind of scrunched because I did the clusters as written. I followed your advice for my second one and it came out beautifully! Thanks so much for posting all your tips and suggestions - they really make a difference! 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
I'm so glad to have helped Renee! 😀
Jean says
The black and white version of Block #9 reminds me of the 'test pattern on our 1950s t-v after programming went off the air for the night... intriguing, but intimidating.
Tamara Kelly says
I can see that! 😀 How funny! Yes, it is intimidating looking, but really pretty simple once you've established the stitch pattern. 🙂
Sherika says
Love the look of this square. Pattern is easy enough to follow after you get past the first two rows.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thanks Sherika!