The Moroccan Tile Rectangle takes one of my favorite crochet stitch patterns and turns it into a 7" x 9" rectangle, perfect for Warm Up America! Made with Caron Simply Soft, it's a great way to learn this stitch and do some good - and of course, it's a free crochet pattern on Moogly!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links; materials provided by Yarnspirations.
What Is Warm Up America?
Warm Up America is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1991. "It is committed to motivating, training and coordinating volunteers to knit and crochet afghans and clothing for people in need. To this end, the foundation:
- Promotes, trains and encourages individual volunteers and groups to adopt the WUA! program as a local activity.
- Supports and assists these local volunteers by providing information and instructional materials through its website and newsletters.
- Acts as a collection point for sections, oversees assembly into completed blankets and ships items to various charitable organizations and agencies for distribution to the homeless and persons in need. "
What are those "sections?" They are crochet and knit rectangles, all measuring 7" x 9", that are sewn together into blankets! And there are lots of patterns for these sections out there. These rectangles are perfect for trying out new stitches and stitch patterns, and using up odds and ends of yarn.
I've been a big fan of theirs for many years now, and I encourage you to CLICK HERE to find out more about how you can help - and where you can send your rectangles! Of course, you don't have to send them anywhere - you can make a bunch and put them together yourself to keep the love going!
Caron Simply Soft is Perfect for Charity Crochet Projects
I've crocheted for a variety of charities over the years, and almost all of them want you to use a soft, medium weight, machine washable and dryable acrylic yarn. Wool can be tough on the skin, and acrylic is easy to keep clean - this is especially important when the blankets go to people with medical needs! Caron Simply Soft is the perfect choice.
Soft, easy to care for acrylic, medium weight, and oh so affordable - that's Caron Simply Soft to a tee! If you've enjoyed the Moroccan Tile series of patterns here on Moogly, you'll love revisiting it now. And if you haven't tried it before, this is a great introduction to this versatile stitch!
Moroccan Tile Rectangle for Warm Up America
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US-H, 5.0 mm hook, Susan Bates
70 yds Caron Simply Soft (4 - Medium; 100% acrylic; 170 g; 288 m/315 yds)
Colorways Shown:
A - Dark Country Blue
B - Off White
Gauge: 4 pattern repeats x 12 rows = 4 in/10 cm in pattern
Size: 7" x 9"
HELPFUL LINKS AND TUTORIALS
Moroccan Tile Rectangle Tutorial
STDC (standing double crochet)
CSDC (chainless starting double crochet)
Moroccan Tile Afghan (Preemie - King)
SPECIAL STITCH:
V-stitch: (dc, ch 1, dc) in indicated stitch
NOTES:
You will work 2 rows, first Color A (odd rows), then Color B (even rows), going in the same direction, before turning your work and starting again with Color A and then Color B.
Use stitch markers to hold active loops open when not in use.
Moroccan Tile Rectangle Instructions:
Row 1: With Color A, ch 25, dc in 5th ch from the hook (counts as dc and skipped ch). Ch 1, dc in the same ch. (V stitch made) *Skip 2 ch, [dc, ch 1, dc] in next st. Repeat from * until 2 ch remain. Skip 1 ch, dc in the last ch. Remove the hook from the active loop, and pm (place marker) in loop (this is to keep the stitches from coming out). Do not turn. (16 dc, or 7 V sts)
Row 2. With Color B, STDC in the ch sp of the 1st V of the previous row. Ch 1, dc in the same ch sp. (V st made) [Dc, ch 1, dc] in ch sp of each V st to the end. Remove the hook, pm, turn. (14 dc, or 7 V sts)
Row 3: With Color B row held in back, replace hook in active loop of Color A. CSDC in the first st, ch 1, dc between the 1st and 2nd st of Row 1 (between the dc and the first V st). [Dc, ch 1, dc] between the V sts of Color A/Row 1 (NOT in the ch sps, enclosing Color B/Row 2 in each st) until 1 V st of Row 1 remains. Dc between the last V st and the last dc st, ch 1, dc in the last st. Remove hook, pm, do not turn. (16 dc, 8 V sts)
Row 4: Inserting the hook into the ch sp of the 1st V st of Color A, replace hook in active loop of Color B and pull it to the front. CSDC, ch 1, dc in the same ch sp. [Dc, ch 1, dc] in ch sp of each V st to the end. Remove the hook, pm, turn. (16 dc, 8 V sts)
Begin Repeat
Row 5: With Color B held in back, replace hook in active loop of Color A. CSDC in the first st. [Dc, ch 1, dc] between the V sts of Color A until 1 V st remains. Dc in the last st. Remove the hook, pm, do not turn. (16 dc, 7 V sts)
Row 6: Inserting the hook into the ch sp of the 1st V st of Color A, replace hook in active loop of Color B and pull it to the front. CSDC in the first st, ch 1, dc in the same ch sp. [Dc, ch 1, dc] in ch sp of each V st to the end. Remove the hook, pm, turn. (14 dc, 7 V sts)
Row 7: With Color B row held in back, replace hook in active loop of Color A. CSDC in the first st, ch 1, dc between the 1st and 2nd st of previous Color A row (between the dc and the first V st). [Dc, ch 1, dc] between the V sts of Color A until 1 V st remains. Dc between the last V st and the last st, ch 1, dc in the last st. Remove hook, pm, do not turn. (16 sts, 8 V sts)
Row 8: Inserting the hook into the ch sp of the 1st V st of Color A, replace hook in active loop of Color B and pull it to the front. CSDC, ch 1, dc in the same ch sp. [Dc, ch 1, dc] in ch sp of each V st to the end. Remove the hook, pm, turn. (16 dc, 8 V sts)
End Repeat
Row 9 - 26: Repeat Rows 5 – 8, ending on a Row 6 repeat. Break Color B.
Row 27: With Color B row held in back, replace hook in active loop of Color A. CSDC in the first st, dc between the 1st and 2nd st of previous Color A row (between the dc and the first V st). [Dc, ch 1, dc] between the V sts of Color A until 1 V st remains. Dc between the last V st and the last st, dc in the last st. Break yarn and finish off. (16 sts, 8 V sts) Block if needed.
Now that that's squared (rectangled?) away...
Ready for your next project? Check out the Moogly Free Patterns Page or Ravelry for even more inspiration!
If the Moroccan Tile Rectangle for Warm Up America pattern inspires you to make your own project, and you post a photo on social media, be sure to tag me @mooglyblog or #mooglyblog so I can check it out too!
The Fine Print
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Kristin Stiehr says
Oh, I love this! Thanks for the pattern and info on Warm Up America. I had forgotten about it and wanted to participate. Thank you!!