Monday Projects - Crocheted Blocks

Thursday I put up a quick post about the Land's End Warm Up America Campaign so that any of you who wanted to receive free yarn to work on the knit or crochet blocks could do so.  My understanding is that Friday was the last day to request the yarn, but you can still make blocks to send in from your own yarn.  Or you can make blocks for yourself and put together your own blanket!  Blocks are a really good way to use up left over yarn.

The information about the Land's End program is here, along with instructions for two knitted and two crocheted blocks.  Talking Crochet's latest newsletter has more information.

It's nice to have several different types of blocks, though, when putting together blankets this way, so I've made up three additional patterns you can use.

A few hints first when crocheting blocks:
1.  Land's End needs blocks that measure 7 x 9 inches.  This is important for putting the blankets together - if you make your own blanket and want to vary the size of blocks, that's another story.  However, if you are making the blocks for Land's End, you may need to switch the size of your crochet hook.  My blocks turned out too big, so I had to go from the suggested H hook to a G hook.  If your blocks are turning out too small, switch to a bigger hook.  Measure the width after you have crocheted a couple of rows.
2.  In my instructions, I am also including pattern diagrams.  These use the following symbols (American stitch vocabulary):

3.  If you don't crochet yet or need a refresher, blocks are a great project.  Lion Brand's website has good video tutorials along with drawings.

Rose Block:
This uses alternating rows of single crochet and half-double crochet.

Use a G hook and worsted weight yarn.
1.  Chain 28.
2.  In second chain from hook, make a single crochet, chain one and skip the third base chain, single crochet in the fourth base chain, chain one and skip the fifth base chain.  Repeat to end of row.
3.  Chain 1 and turn.  In the first single crochet, make a half-double crochet, chain one, in the next single crochet, make a half-double crochet, chain one.  Repeat to end of row.
4.  Chain 1 and turn.  In the first half-double crochet, make a single crochet, chain one, in the next half-double crochet, make a single crochet, chain one.  Repeat to end of row.
5.  Repeat rows 3 and 4 until you have 9 inches.

Cream Block:
This is an alternating type of V-stitch pattern.

Use a G hook and worsted weight yarn.
1.  Chain 26.
2.  In fourth chain from hook, make two double crochets (a V stitch), skip next base chain, make two double crochets in the next base chain, skip the next base chain.  Repeat to end of row.
3.  Chain 3 and turn.  Make two double crochets in each space between V stitches.
4.  Repeat Row 3 until you have 9 inches.

Bright Pink Block:
This is a type of shell pattern.

Use a G hook and worsted weight yarn.
1.  Chain 25.
2.  In fourth chain from hook make two double crochets, one chain, and two more double crochets (called a shell stitch).  Skip the next 3 base chains.  In the following base chain, make a shell stitch.  Repeat to the end of the row, making a double crochet in the last base chain.
3.  Chain 3 and turn.  Make a shell stitch in the chain one space of each shell stitch in the row below.  End with a double crochet in the top of the previous row's turning chain.
4.  Repeat Row 3 until you have 9 inches.

If you are putting your blanket together, use a tapestry needle (dull point and very big eye) and sew blocks together with yarn.  Crochet Cabana  (scroll down on the site page) has instructions on different types of stitches you can use.

Happy Creating!  Deborah