I am excited for what 2023 will hold!

We have no plans to move (we’ve lived in 4 different places since I started designing crochet patterns in 2020). We are settling into a nice routine. And I think at least part of me has accepted that this dream-life of art and crochet to support my family is actually real.


The End of 2022

My final pattern of 2022 is this oversized afghan square with the year “2023” on it.

Earlier this year I came out with 2021 and 2022 to go with the 2020 I made in 2020.

These squares all include left-handed instructions because the numbers will only be legible when they face the right way. See more patterns with lefty options:


2022 Summary

I published 49 new patterns to Ravelry in 2022. It started with “January Cat” from my 2022: A Year of Cats series. And has ended with this square that says “2023”.


What’s New for 2023?

In 2023, my first pattern will be “January Knot” from my 2023: A Year of Celtic Knots series.

I have all 12 squares ready for that series and I have a bundle of patterns in my upcoming “Tranquil Leaves” set along with a pattern I’ve been teasing for a few months called “Purpureus Grandiflorus”.

Other than that, I don’t have a whole lot set in stone for 2023 yet.

I have 2 projects that I can’t say much about. And one or two projects that I am debating on whether to turn them into a CAL (Crochet-A-Long) or not.

I have a LOT of drafts in my folder. I really need to sort through them and see what’s worth finishing.

I have plans for a few more YouTube walk-thrus and tutorials.

I would really like to finish a few of these random projects that have been hiding in bags for years. Ha!

Some of them are patterns I’m trying to develop. Some of them are other designer’s patterns that I just wanted to make. Some of these bags are just squares that I need to join into something functional.


I did really well with not overspending on yarn in 2022. I succeeded mostly because I had a lot to rely on from my 2021 purchases. *guilty grin*


But, back to the current pattern: Ashlee’s 2023 Block.

This is a 40-window square which means it begins with 40 windows in the foundation when you use the interlocking crochet technique. The chart is 81 x 81 and will be about 20″ if you match my gauge.

The mosaic version has been adjusted to remove the mesh dots. The extra border lines were removed as well, so this chart is 77 x 77. If you meet gauge it should be 20″ x 22″.

Both crochet techniques come with a full written pattern and chart. The mosaic chart has been marked with x’s to show the dropped double crochets.

Both techniques also come with the full left-handed written pattern. I create left-handed patterns for my patterns with words so that they don’t have to read each line backwards.

And, as always, I am indebted to my testers. Thank you to Linda Bakker & ScorpiosHook for the samples for this square.


Thank You

There have been so many people who have helped me this year. Testing, sharing, liking, listening. Whatever kind of support I have needed, I have found online in my global community. I could not have done this without you and I am so grateful.

Get the Pattern

Members of my Facebook Group (Ashlee Brotzell Designs) have a BOGO promotion code valid until Jan 4, 2023. (expired)

Interlocking Crochet Details

  • Crochet hook: 4.5 mm (US7)
  • Stitch marker
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 8 rows in one color = 4” square
  • Finished size: 20″ x 20″ / 51cm x 51cm
  • Worsted Weight Yarn (460 – 485 yards)
  • Main Color (MC) – 230 yards plus 25 yards for optional SC border
  • Accent Color (AC) – 230 yards

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Details

  • Crochet hook: 5 mm (H-8)
  • Scissors
  • Gauge: 14 stitches x 15 rows = 4″ square
  • Finished size: 20” x 22” / 52cm x 56cm
  • Worsted Weight Yarn (600 – 900 yards)
  • Main Color (MC) – 280 yards
  • Coordinating Color (CC) – 320 yards
  • Optional Envelope Border – 300 yards