August Gnome: Cherries

*Radio crackle and static* We interrupt your Ocean baby blanket series to return to your previously scheduled series: A Year of Monthly Gnomes! (I am totally funny, right?)

August is a busy month in my household. We have a lot of birthdays! We will celebrate my husband’s birthday! đŸ„ł Then a few days later my baby girl turns two! đŸ„ł A week later is my first daughter’s 7th birthday! đŸ„ł

And birthdays mean cake. And cake means ice cream. And ice cream should have cherries on top!

Plus, cherries scream SUMMER to me! August means hot, summer days around here.

I was worried this design isn’t busy enough. It is definitely less busy than last month’s design. But I hope you like the simplicity of it.

Each monthly gnome on Ravelry and all of the mosaic files in the eBook have been updated now to include a chart with X’s. If you purchased any of my patterns (not just these gnomes) on Etsy and would like an updated X-marked chart please send me an email!

This listing comes with two files: an interlocking crochet pattern and chart, and an overlay mosaic crochet pattern and X-marked chart.

“August Gnome” on Ravelry
“A Year of Gnomes” on Ravelry
“August Gnome” on Etsy
“A Year of Gnomes” on Etsy
Overlay Mosaic sample crocheted by CarolinevdB

Here’s our master list of Gnomes so far:

We are still continuing the Friends Around the World 6th Anniversary CAL: Adventure in Mosaic Crochet and I love seeing everyone’s projects! Even if you start late you can still join in! Make sure you join the Facebook group and event for all the new FATW6 releases every Monday and Thursday: https://www.facebook.com/calcrochetalong

When I finish with this Baby Ocean series I am hoping to have a new Crochet-A-Long as well! The “Summer Direction CAL” will have video walk thru’s for both techniques! I just finished the interlocking technique and I have only one more video to do for the mosaic one. And then I have to get my webpages set up for it all. And make sure my written pattern is ready. But first, in a few days, I will have the final pattern in the Baby Ocean and Others eBook – and it’s a special one for me, so keep your eyes peeled!

ashleebrotzell

Baby Whale: 5 of 6 patterns in the Baby Ocean & Others eBook

These ocean-themed baby blankets have been fun to design! I have finally decided upon six baby ocean patterns for the eBook on Ravelry. Would you like me to put the eBook on Etsy too once it’s complete?

This adorable whale started his life looking quite different but I am happy with the final outcome. My art leads me most of the time. At least this time it is still a whale! I gotta go with the flow, you know?

Sometimes I ask my husband for his opinion. Sometimes I ask a friend online. And sometimes I ignore everything they say.

I get a little defensive, “this is MY art, stop telling me what to do!”

But sometimes I listen when my husband says the eye needs to go back farther and maybe change the curve of his back? And, wouldn’t you know it, my artsy husband can even be right! (some of the time)

Sample crocheted by CynCityCrochets using the interlocking crochet technique. Her fun purple ombre yarn really adds to this design!

As always, my pattern is written for two techniques: interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet. You get one file with written line-by-line instructions for locked filet mesh (that’s what I call interlocking crochet) and a one-page chart. The single-page chart is good for viewing on a screen because you can easily zoom in on the section you’re working on.

The other file has written line-by-line instructions for the overlay mosaic crochet technique and a multi-page chart with X’s showing where to do the drop-down double crochets. These charts are best used printed off and taped together. It can be confusing to scroll between the pages when you’re not sure which row to look at next.

This pattern, along with the others in my Baby Blankets section on Etsy and Ravelry all begin with 60 windows when you use the Locked Filet Mesh technique or 121 foundation single crochets for the overlay mosaic method.

These extra-large squares have been designed with the thought that if you join four together you could get a full 60″ blanket. I have a tutorial on YouTube for joining squares but this is only one of many ways you could do it.

Since this is not the first pattern in my Baby Ocean series, you should already know about the eBook on Ravelry called “Baby Ocean & Others“. It will be updated to include each of these ocean-themed baby blanket patterns as I publish them. And I have finally concluded that there will be a total of six (6) patterns in this eBook.

“Baby Ocean & Others” eBook on Ravelry

I have more than six Ocean-themed blankets but I have decided to create a new eBook next month with the designs that don’t really fit into the “baby” theme.

Get “Baby Whale” on Etsy or Ravelry. Use code, “BABY21” to get 20% off* all my baby blanket patterns!

“Baby Whale” on Ravelry
“Baby Whale” on Etsy

*20% discount is valid in my Etsy Shop on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle and Baby Whale; and in my Ravely store on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle, Baby Whale, and Baby Ocean & Others eBook. Code “BABY21” must be used at the time of purchase, and is not retroactive. Offer ends 11:59 pm CST July 31, 2021. OFFER EXTENDED TO AUGUST 10, 2021.

This offer will be extended to August 10, 2021 because I didn’t create the patterns fast enough! I have a 6th pattern to publish in this eBook. The final pattern has a special place in my heart – you’re going to love it! It should be ready for you in one week!

ashleebrotzell

Two fluffy baby blankets finished this week

Site icon
Two fluffy baby blankets finished this week
Children for size reference 😅 the blankets are 33" square, but they elongate when hanging on the line.

I have never used the “story mode” on wordpress before. It didn’t let me write enough words. 😅 And you have to click on the photo above to see the other pictures in this series. Weird.

These blankets are both included in the current baby blanket sale but Feline the Deer is not part of the Baby Ocean & Others eBook. She was designed by my 6 year old daughter about 8 months ago.

Baby Sea Turtle, which has 3 turtles in it actually, IS in the eBook. It is the 4th pattern to be added there. I was hoping to have the eBook finished by the end of July but it looks like I have too many ideas!

ashleebrotzell

Baby Sea Turtle: the 4th pattern but there will be more!

My four-year-old son LOVES sea turtles. He really like all ocean-things but there’s something special about a baby sea turtle.

For months, every time we took the (chicken) egg carton out of the fridge he would want to come play with the baby sea turtles. It was a bit hard to bake with him during that phase. Usually we like to make cookies and cake but it was hard for me to keep the eggs safe from his quick, but not-so-nimble hands.

This little blanket will be for him. I used my preferred technique, interlocking crochet (also called Locked Filet Mesh or LFM) because I can crochet it much quicker than when I do mosaic crochet. This blanket took me a week – I am sure some of you will be much quicker and many of you will take much longer for a blanket of this size. That’s ok!

I used a discontinued yarn for my sample. It was on clearance and I love a good bargain. The fluffy yarn I used (Premiere Pixie Dust) is considered a worsted weight yarn but the labels suggests you use a 5.5 mm hook. I really like the stitches to be quite small with interlocking crochet because it keeps those chain-gap-squares small and then the other color doesn’t show through too much, so I used a 5 mm hook.

Because it is so fluffy it does make the details of the design a bit less defined. And even though I used a 5 mm hook instead of my favorite 4.5 mm hook, I still used less than 500 yards per color. My finished square, including the simple single crochet border, is 33″ square.

You can use any weight yarn for my blankets, just make sure you use an appropriately-sized hook.

I titled this pattern “Baby Sea Turtle”, singular, but then I drew it with 3 little turtles swimming in the sea. đŸ˜ŹđŸ€·â€â™€ïž I did the same with the dolphin pattern. The title is singular but the image shows more than one animal. One of my weird quirks, I guess.

My interlocking crochet version of “Baby Sea Turtle”

And, as always, the pattern is written up for interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet. The two files each include written instructions and an appropriate chart.

The chart that is attached to the mosaic instructions has X’s where you need to do your dropped double crochets. I hope to make my own tutorial video for using the chart with X’s soon. But for now it is mostly useful for people who are already familiar with that style.

Natalie Caruso has been amazingly helpful in creating these charts with X’s for you guys. Thank you, Natalie!

If you’ve seen the previous patterns in this series, then you already know I created an eBook on Ravelry called “Baby Ocean & Others“. All of the patterns in this eBook have a chart size of 121 x 121 and have an ocean theme.

“Baby Ocean & Others” eBook on Ravelry

These blankets – when matching the gauge stated in the pattern – will be about 30″ square. My sample with the fluffy yarn and large hook came out to about 33″ square.

All of the patterns in my Baby Blankets section on Etsy and Ravelry are the same size.

You can get “Baby Sea Turtle” on Etsy or Ravelry. Use code, “BABY21” to get 20% off* all my baby blanket patterns!

“Baby Sea Turtle” on Ravelry
“Baby Sea Turtle” on Etsy

*20% discount is valid in my Etsy Shop on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle and Baby Whale; and in my Ravely store on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle, Baby Whale, and Baby Ocean & Others eBook. Code “BABY21” must be used at the time of purchase, and is not retroactive. Offer ends 11:59 pm CST July 31, 2021. OFFER EXTENDED TO AUGUST 10, 2021.

And, sorry for the delay in adding Baby Crab to the list of sale patterns – I forgot it doesn’t happen automatically!

The wrong side, using interlocking crochet. If you use the mosaic technique it will be striped on the back instead.

ashleebrotzell

Baby Crab: 3rd Ocean Blanket

We were at the park the other day when we learned our city puts on a summer program. There were two workers doing crafts and playing games with the kids.

My youngest just played in the splash park, but the older two enjoyed making a crabby craft! Their favorite part was putting glue on the paper and then going over to the sandbox and putting REAL SAND on their picture!

Alice & Remi really enjoyed the craft at the park

Their little pictures are so adorable but I am not sure where to put them without getting sand all over the house. 😬

I hope you think my Crab pattern is adorable too! It is just one crab mostly. A few snappy pincher claws from some friends have made their way into the frame too. And I was thinking those small “circles” were bubbles or maybe strings of pearls, but they are actually squares so I am not sure if they look as well as my imagination wanted.

Crocheted by Altona Newcombe, using the overlay mosaic technique.

Let me know if you’re enjoying this series! Can you see yourself joining some baby blankets together to create one big blanket? Or do you have lots of new little ones in your life that need blankeys? (That’s not a typo, I mean “blankey”)

You probably already know I created an eBook on Ravelry called “Baby Ocean & Others”. This is the 3rd pattern I am adding to it – but I have 6 drawn up already so who knows how big it will get!?

“Baby Ocean & Others” eBook on Ravelry

These baby blankets finish to 30″ square when you use worsted weight yarn and match my gauge. You can use any yarn and hook really, just do a gauge swatch to see how large yours will be. The chart is 121 x 121.

Like all of my patterns, I have included the written instructions for interlocking crochet AND overlay mosaic crochet, plus one of the charts includes X’s for overlay mosaic crochet!

Interlocking crochet sample by CynCityCrochets – red/orange used as the Main Color.

You can find more Baby Blanket patterns in my “Baby Blanket” section on Etsy and Ravelry.

If you just want this single pattern, you can get “Baby Crab” on Etsy or Ravelry. Use code, “BABY21” to get 20% off* all my baby blanket patterns!

“Baby Crab” on Ravelry
“Baby Crab” on Etsy

*20% discount is valid in my Etsy Shop on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle and Baby Whale; and in my Ravely store on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle, Baby Whale, and Baby Ocean & Others eBook. Code “BABY21” must be used at the time of purchase, and is not retroactive. Offer ends 11:59 pm CST July 31, 2021. OFFER EXTENDED TO AUGUST 10, 2021.

“Baby Crab” crocheted by Angela using the overlay mosaic crochet technique.

ashleebrotzell

Baby Dolphin: 2nd in the series

Just a few days ago we saw the beginning of a short series: ocean-themed baby blankets! The first blanket has some waves and shells and a starfish and a sand dollar.

The first baby blanket in this series, “Baby Ocean”. Sample crocheted by Penny Groves McPherson.

This blanket has two dolphins swimming in a circle with some seaweed and bubbles. The swirl in the middle was supposed to be a bit of a whirlpool. Dolphins use bubbles and water to catch fish! They swim around and around to create a wall that traps the fish – good teamwork on their part!

Crocheted by Altona Newcombe. Black as MC, extra white border added after.

I created an eBook on Ravelry called “Baby Ocean & Others” and it is going to be a great deal for you! I originally said I will have at least 4 blankets in this series (so you can create a big blanket if you want) but I have already got 5 ready and it could be 6 or more baby blanket patterns by the time I’m done!

“Baby Ocean & Others” eBook on Ravelry

These blankets, when matching my gauge using 4 – medium, worsted weight yarn, will be about 30″ square. The chart is 121 x 121 and includes X’s for overlay mosaic crochet! Of course, using a lighter or thicker yarn works perfectly well too – just adjust your hook appropriately and expect that the yardage and finished size may change.

The chart attached to the interlocking pattern does not have X’s because that would be distracting for that technique. This pattern, along with the others in my Baby Blankets section on Etsy and Ravelry all begin with 60 windows when you use the Locked Filet Mesh technique.

You can get “Baby Dolphin” on Etsy or Ravelry. Use code, “BABY21” to get 20% off* all my baby blanket patterns!

“Baby Dolphin” on Ravelry
“Baby Dolphin” on Etsy

*20% discount is valid in my Etsy Shop on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle and Baby Whale; and in my Ravely store on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle, Baby Whale, and Baby Ocean & Others eBook. Code “BABY21” must be used at the time of purchase, and is not retroactive. Offer ends 11:59 pm CST July 31, 2021. OFFER EXTENDED TO AUGUST 10, 2021.

Interlocking crochet sample done by CynCityCrochet.

ashleebrotzell

Baby Ocean: small blanket or part of a large blanket

This summer needs more ocean!

I live in the Canadian Prairies; there are a few lakes nearby, but no oceans.

The finished size of this blanket, when using medium, 4 – worsted weight yarn, is about 30″ square. This is the perfect size for a baby blanket! It is not so large that it becomes unmanageable in the summer heat but it is not so small that it feels like it will be outgrown too quickly.

Mosaic crochet sample done by Penny Groves McPherson, dark blue used as Main Color

The chart is 121 x 121. This is larger than my selection of Large Squares (these have a chart size of 81 x 81 and finish to about 20″ square). I often put the number “-40” in the title of those squares because they begin with 40 windows when you’re using the interlocking crochet method.

A selection of large squares (July Gnome, Hobby Stencil, Rose in Bloom, and Evelyn’s Motif), these are smaller than the baby blankets.

This “Baby Ocean” pattern, along with my other patterns of this size (“Preemie Love Blanket“, “Feline the Deer“, and “Many Hugs“) begin with 60 windows when you use the interlocking crochet technique. You can see a list of baby blankets of this size on Etsy or Ravelry.

“Preemie Love Blanket” was the first pattern I designed of this size. With an envelope border and a larger hook size, the blue and orange blanket in the image above came out to 35″ square.

When you use the overlay mosaic crochet method you begin with with 62 single crochet stitches (60 for the pattern and one on each side for the joining and ending stitches).

And, for all of you Mosaic Crochet fans, you will be happy to know that this pattern includes a chart marked with X’s! I have been updating my old patterns as fast as fellow designer, Natalie Caruso, can create these charts! Thank you, Natalie!

One thing I love about blanket patterns is that gauge is not super critical. I use a 4.5 mm hook with my worsted weight yarn because I like my stitches to be quite tight. Sometimes, with mosaic crochet, I will use a 5 mm hook instead. It uses a little bit more yarn and the finished piece is a tiny bit larger but if I am not joining it to something else than it doesn’t matter to me.

I have used very thin yarn for some pieces and bulky yarn for others. As long as the hook size gets adjusted to match you can really use any kind of yarn!

As much as I believe this “Baby Ocean” blanket is perfect on its own, I also have some more ocean-themed blankets in the queue! You could join 4 of these baby blankets together to create one large blanket. So, keep your eyes peeled for the next pattern in this baby ocean series! If you know you’re going to be getting the whole series anyway then grab the eBook on Ravelry – it will be cheaper for you in the long run! I’ve called it “Baby Ocean & Others” because they will all be ocean-themed baby blankets.

“Baby Ocean & Others” eBook on Ravelry

You can get the single pattern, “Baby Ocean” on Etsy or Ravelry. Use code, “BABY21” to get 20% off* all my baby blanket patterns!

“Baby Ocean” on Ravelry
“Baby Ocean” on Etsy

*20% discount is valid in my Etsy Shop on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle and Baby Whale; and in my Ravely store on Preemie Love Blanket, Feline the Deer, Many Hugs, Baby Ocean, Baby Dolphin, Baby Crab, Baby Sea Turtle, Baby Whale, and Baby Ocean & Others eBook. Code “BABY21” must be used at the time of purchase, and is not retroactive. Offer ends 11:59 pm CST July 31, 2021. OFFER EXTENDED TO AUGUST 10, 2021.

Interlocking crochet sample done by CynCityCrochet, white used as Main Color

ashleebrotzell

Plus Flower: a large crochet square pattern

Sometimes I doodle.

This doodle was about me exploring what the wrong side looks like when done in interlocking crochet. Of course, the front looks good whether done in interlocking or overlay mosaic crochet!

Nessa Miller used the interlocking crochet technique for this sample.

The stitches are opposite but that doesn’t mean the wrong side shows an opposite image. It isn’t an inverse of colors. It is sometimes not even pretty on the wrong side even though technically you can create dual-sided, reversible fabric with this technique.

This is the wrong side when using the interlocking crochet technique (crocheted by Nessa Miller). The mosaic version will just be striped on the back.

When crocheted using the interlocking crochet method, the plus-signs all turn into boxes in this design.

I think it is a fun flower regardless of what the back looks like.

The chart is 81 x 81 which means it is the same size as all my other large squares. See a list here: ashleeslint.com/patterns#large

You can mix-and-match to create a blanket or use 2 squares for a pillow. I’ve thought about using them for a purse or bag as well. In that case I would use a thinner-weight yarn and smaller hook.

The suggested yarn is a worsted weight, medium – 4 but as long as you use an appropriate hook for your yarn you can really use any yarn you’d like. Keep in mind, your yardage used may not match my pattern if you don’t match the gauge swatch.

Altona Newcombe used the overlay mosaic technique for this square

And, as always, I’ve included written line-by-line instructions for the interlocking crochet technique and the overlay mosaic crochet technique. Each technique comes with a chart; the mosaic chart has x’s for my experienced fans who are familiar with that setup. I hope to have a tutorial on reading that kind of chart soon.

Grab your pattern on Ravelry before 11:59 pm CST, July 17, 2021 and get an automatic 20% off your entire cart!

“Plus Flower 40” on Ravelry
All my patterns on Ravelry

If you don’t use Ravelry, you can buy the pattern directly from me here. Keep in mind this requires me to personally respond to the email notification so there may be a delay of a few hours to get your pattern to you.

Plus Flower 40 – Interlocking and Mosaic Crochet Patterns and Charts

You will receive one file containing the written, line-by-line instructions for the interlocking technique, and a one-page chart (81 x81). And another file containing the written, line-by-line instructions for the overlay mosaic technique (including instructions for an envelope border), and a multi-page chart with X’s marked (81 x81)

CA$3.50

ashleebrotzell

Blooming Owl Wall Hanging

My musical husband has a guitar strap on his classical wooden guitar with these floral motifs. Everytime I see it I think of an owl.

Obviously I couldn’t just draw it as it is, but I think I captured the idea of a flowery owl in my newest wall hanging: Blooming Owl.

My husband loves it!

I used fingering weight yarn. This is also called 4-ply or 8/4 depending on where you live. Craft Council lists it as a weight 1 – super fine and states it can also be called sock yarn.

The black yarn is “110 Jet Black” Scheepjes Catona. It is 100% mercerized cotton. The small balls are only 50 grams and have 125 metres of yarn. Scheepjes suggests a 2.5 – 3.5 mm needle (I believe that specifically refers to knitting needles). I used a 2.5 mm crochet hook.

I used a full 2 balls. There was barely anything left over (see photo below). So, make sure you match my gauge or grab an extra skein. If you’re going to grab an extra one you might as well grab two! 😉

The gold yarn is actually called “Copper” (oops, it is called “Ginger”). It is from SweetGeorgia Yarns’ Tough Love Sock Yarn line. We looked online at YarnCanada.ca and I gave Mitch a few options. He said this color was “it” and he didn’t care that it was also the most expensive.

It comes in a twisted hank of 115 grams which gives you 425 yards of soft, silky wool. I only used half the skein.

It cost me $3.65 CAD per ball of Catona, so $7.30 total (but I did buy a 3rd ball just in case). The Tough Love Sock yarn was $33.95 but I only used half, so it cost me about $17 for this project. It felt really expensive to buy the fancy color Mitch wanted but it was so worth it because this is just beautiful to look at.

It was my first time using my fancy yarn swift! It is fun having toys! This is one of the more expensive things I own (related to yarn crafts). I don’t usually buy yarn that comes twisted because it just gets all tangled up. This was easy to set up and I turned the hank into a cake in a few short minutes!

The “Tough Love Sock Yarn” is 80% merino wool with 20% polyamide. Because it is a hand-dyed yarn it gives my finished piece a sort of mottled look where the dying process created slightly different shades in the yarn.

Like all of my patterns, this pattern is written for my two favorite techniques: interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet. You can choose to use your favorite method or you can try something new!

I used the mosaic method because I wanted the fringe on the bottom and I wanted to use the strings at the top to attach the wooden dowel. I created a short YouTube tutorial with some tricks for attaching the dowel.

YouTube tutorial: Adding a Dowel

If you use interlocking crochet for your project you can add fringe to the bottom and whipstitch the dowel to the top. Instructions are included in the PDF pattern.

Both techniques work the design starting at the top-right corner going down to the bottom-right corner. I designed it to sideways because of the mosaic fringe.

The PDF includes written line-by-line instructions for both techniques and two charts; one is marked with x’s for overlay mosaic crochet. I haven’t created a YouTube video on how to use the x-marked charts yet. I have only just started updating my patterns to include a marked chart.

The other chart can be used for both techniques and I have tutorials on YouTube for that!

YouTube: Read Interlocking Crochet Chart
YouTube: Read Chart Without X’s for Mosaic Crochet

Grab your copy of my “Blooming Owl Wall Hanging” on Etsy or Ravelry and get 15% off your entire cart*!

Etsy
Ravelry

*no code needed, offer ends 11:59 pm, CST, July 13, 2021.

Pin this! https://pin.it/6jorpDe

ashleebrotzell

FATW6: Mosaic Coral Strip

Introduction

This is a pattern for an overlay mosaic crochet strip that belongs in the Friends Around the World 6th Anniversary CAL (FATW6) “Adventures in Mosaic Crochet” hosted by CAL – Crochet A Long. Links to all past and future patterns can be found on their blog: https://calcrochetalong.com and you can join their facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/668646249929007/

My section (this Mosaic Coral Strip) can be found here on the blog (scroll down) or downloaded on Ravelry: https://ravel.me/mosaic-coral-strip

Download on Ravelry

You can also crochet with my YouTube video to guide you! Please note: the video does not show the foundation rows. You can add sections onto each other, but if this is your first section you must start with a foundation row; see my other YouTube tutorial on creating a Mosaic Foundation: https://youtu.be/RqgmJQMaB7A for more information.

When I first designed this piece I didn’t know I would be the first section in the blanket. That’s why my Coral video mentions that you will be joining to a project you already have. But I have created a video on crocheting the foundation rows now!

Quick Bio

I published my first pattern less than a year ago (April 1, 2020) and, honestly, that was a dream come true! My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was about 8 years old, and it has been a favorite hobby of mine in an on-again-off-again kind of way. I finished my first blanket in high school and created a few projects over the years to fit my needs (how about a bag that fits this book exactly and nothing else).

Three years ago, I picked up my hooks in earnest again as a coping method after the traumatic delivery of my son. Crocheting – and now, pattern designing, too – are therapy for me. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me and made it a little easier to stay at home with my 3 beautiful children.

I was also able to achieve another dream of mine in April 2021: I got published in a magazine! My Eiffel Tower Wall Hanging can be found in Crochet Now! Magazine, issue 68. I feel a little famous now!

The Coral Strip

I love how wiggly and intricate coral can look. It is almost abstract enough that if you didn’t know it was called “Coral” you might just think it was random lines.

My single repeat used 30 g of yarn (Medium 4 – worsted weight, acrylic). I used Caron Kindness in Tomato and Robin’s Egg Blue because it was what I had on hand. Unfortunately, this is a discontinued yarn. You can use any yarn medium (4) weight yarn. If you’d like some suggestions, try Yarnsub.com for a list of similar yarns.

Like the other patterns in this CAL, each repeat is 48 stitches wide. An extra stitch is added at the beginning of each row, and two extra stitches are added to the end. Each designer may have different ways of explaining things but all the pieces in this CAL are designed to work together!

My chart does not show those extra 3 stitches (the joining stitch, balancing stitch, and end stitch), it only shows the repeated section.

Chart is included in the ravelry download

If you share your works on Instagram, I would love for you to tag me: @AshleesLint

YouTube

I created a YouTube video to go with this pattern! You can see each stitch being done and crochet with me! Please note: the Coral video does not show the foundation rows. You can add sections onto each other, but if this is your first section you must start with a foundation row.

Foundation Row YouTube Video

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Mosaic Coral Strip YouTube Video

Important Details

  • US crochet terminology
  • Chart is 48 x 19, add 1 extra stitch at the beginning of each row and 2 extra stitches at the end of each row. Repeat is 48 + 3 stitches wide.
  • 5 mm hook (H-8)
  • 18 g / 21 yards of Main Color (MC) = coral
  • 12 g / 30 yards of Contrasting Color (CC) = light blue
  • One repeat finishes at 10” x 4” / 26 x 10 cm
  • Gauge: 18 stitches x 18 rows = 4” / 10 cm

Key (US terminology)

MC = Main Color: coral in chart

CC = Contrasting Color: light blue in chart

ch = chain

SC = single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook

sc = SC into Back Loop only

DC = double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, *yarn over, pull through two loops* twice

dc = dropped double crochet: skip next single crochet, and instead double crochet into Front Loop of stitch in the row below

JS = Joining Stitch: create slip knot, insert hook under both loops, complete a normal single crochet

ES = End Stitch: single crochet under both loops, chain 1, cut yarn and pull through tightly

Mosaic Technique

Please see the YouTube tutorial for more details. I use a single-row mosaic technique. Each square on the chart corresponds to one stitch. There is an additional stitch (not visible on the chart) on each side of the chart for joining and ending (for this pattern only, add an extra balancing stitch at the end of each row before doing the “ES = end stitch”). You start at the bottom-right corner of the chart.

dc = the dropped DC goes into the same-colored stitch, 2 rows below, front loop only. Skip the (pink) single crochet behind this dc.
sc = a single crochet in the body of this pattern goes into the back loop only
  • The front of your work is always facing you (this is the right side, the side showing the design)
  • You are always working from the right to the left (opposite for left-handed crocheters)
  • You tie on a new yarn at the beginning of each row and cut it at the end
    • Tails don’t need to be longer than an inch and a half (unless you want to use them as fringe, like on scarf)
  • Yarn colors can be anything you like
    • They need to contrast well (try a black and white photo to see if they are too similar)
    • They need to be the same weight (size/thickness)
  • Odd-numbered rows use MC (coral), even-numbered rows use CC (light blue)

Optional “Locked Double Crochet”

To prevent the small flaps on the back of your work, consider locking-in your stitch.

Begin like a dropped double crochet: skip the next stitch, and work into the Front Loop of the stitch in the row below; yarn over, insert hook into front loop below (see first image below), pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, insert hook into back loop of skipped stitch (see second image below), yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook.

Time to start crocheting!

(There was an error with this blog but it has been fixed! I am so sorry! And majorly embarrassed 🙈)

Row 1 can be your foundation row OR you can add it to another section.

Repeat between *’s as many times as required for your project.

Foundation Row:

Row 1 MC – Can use a chainless single crochet foundation or you can chain the desired number of stitches, plus one for turning chain. Turn, skip turning chain, single crochet into each chain.

Repeats of 48 +3 = desired number of stitches

For example, if you want to repeat the design twice: (48 x 2) + 3 = 99 sc needed (chain 99 + 1 = 100, skip 1 stitch, sc into the rest of the 99)

Or, if you want to repeat the design three times: (48 x 3) + 3 = 147 sc needed (chain 147 + 1 = 148, skip 1 stitch, sc into the rest of the 147)

OR when added to another project:

Repeat between *’s as many times as required for your project.

1 MC – JS, *sc48*, sc1, ES

2 CC – JS, *sc48,* sc1, ES

3 MC – JS, *sc5, dc3, sc3, (dc1, sc3) x2, dc3, sc3, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc3, sc3, dc1, sc3, dc3, sc3, dc1,* sc1, ES

4 CC – JS, *dc3, sc5, dc1, sc3, (dc1, sc5) x2, dc1, sc3, (dc1, sc1, dc1, sc5) x2, dc3, sc1,* sc1, ES

5 MC – JS, *sc3, dc1, sc1, dc3, sc1, (dc1, sc1) x2, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc3, sc1, (dc1, sc3) x2, dc3, sc1, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc3, sc3, dc1,* sc1, ES

6 CC – JS, *(dc1, sc3) x2, (dc1, sc1) x3, (dc1, sc3) x2, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc5, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc5, dc1, sc1,* sc1, ES

7 MC – JS, *sc1, (dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1) x2, dc1, sc5, dc1, sc1, (dc1, sc3) x2, (dc1, sc1) x2, (dc1, sc3) x2, (dc1, sc1) x2, dc1, sc2,* sc1, ES

8 CC – JS, *dc1, sc1, (dc1, sc3) x2, dc1, sc1, (dc1, sc3) x3, (dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3) x4,* sc1, ES

9 MC – JS, *sc3, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc5, (dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3) x2, dc1, sc3, (dc1, sc1) x2, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc5, dc1,* sc1, ES

10 CC – JS, *(dc1, sc3) x2, dc1, sc5, (dc1, sc1) x2, (dc1, sc3) x2, (dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3) x3, dc1, sc3,* sc1, ES

11 MC – JS, *(sc1, dc1) x2, sc3, (dc1, sc1) x2, (dc1, sc3) x2, dc1, sc5, dc1, sc3, (dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3) x2, (dc1, sc1) x2, dc1, sc2,* sc1, ES

12 CC – JS, *sc2, dc1, sc3, (dc1, sc1) x2, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc5, (dc1, sc3) x2, dc1, sc1, (dc1, sc3) x2, (dc1, sc1) x4,* sc1, ES

13 MC – JS, *sc3, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3, (dc1, sc1) x2, dc1, sc3, (dc1, sc1) x6, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc5, (dc1, sc3) x2, dc1,* sc1, ES

14 CC – JS, *dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3, (dc1, sc1) x2, dc1, sc3, (dc1, sc1) x5, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc5, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3, dc3, sc1,* sc1, ES

15 MC – JS, *sc1, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, (dc1, sc3) x5, (dc1, sc1) x2, dc1, sc5, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc8,* sc1, ES

16 CC – JS, *(dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3) x2, dc3, sc1, dc3, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc3, sc1, dc1, sc1, (dc1, sc3) x2, dc1, sc1, dc8,* sc1, ES

17 MC – JS, *sc3, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc11, dc1, sc7, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc1, sc12,* sc1, ES

18 CC – JS, *dc3, sc1, dc1, sc1, dc3, sc1, dc11, sc1, dc7, sc1, dc1, sc3, dc1, sc1, dc12,* sc1, ES

19 MC – JS, *sc31, dc1, sc16,* sc1, ES

20 CC – JS, *dc31, sc1, dc16,* sc1, ES

Trim the fringe, if needed.

Continue with the next FATW6 ocean-themed section!

ashleebrotzell1 Comment