Center-Start Block Stitch Crochet

CENTER-START BLOCK STITCH (BRICK STITCH) BLANKET (Crochet)

Introduction

I learned the diagonal or corner-start block stitch* (aka brick stitch) and liked the look of it. But I often have an unknown amount of yarn to work with, so I wanted a way to start in the middle of the piece and continue until I ran out of yarn. (Those of you who make giant granny square afghans know the principle.) What follows is the method I came up with (or "discovered" or "unvented"...).

* Instructions for the corner-start method are available at several Web sites, including:

http://stitches.crochetcabana.com/stitches/ltc-diag-box-st.htm

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8mnnp/cornerstart.html

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8mnnp/diag.html

It may be helpful to be familiar with block stitch (brick stitch) before attempting this center-start pattern.

Description

In this pattern, the finished block normally shows only 2 dc, the third dc (or a chain-3) being covered by working around the post. Yet the blanket is still very warm, does not have large holes (such a granny square would), and the design uses much less yarn than if a 3-dc block were used (an important consideration for charity work or otherwise needing to stretch resources). The edges will have a scalloped appearance, and no additional border is necessary. (If you do want straight edges so you can add another border, please contact me for possibilities and instructions.) The corners of the large square will consist of two blocks (not a single block).

Size

Approximately 40 to 45 inches square.

Materials

Red Heart worsted-weight acrylic yarn:

solid colors: 32 ounces (that is, 4 skeins @ 8 ounces each)

variegated**: 30 ounces (that is, 5 skeins @ 6 ounces each)

Caron Rainbow Dreams worsted (maybe DK?) weight acrylic yarn:

variegated**: 30 ounces (that is, 3 skeins @ 10 ounces each)

(I regret I can't give yardages because the companies do not list that information on the labels. These are the yarns I have used, and the amounts given should produce the size indicated.)

Crochet hook, US size H / 5mm (or whatever gives you a comfortable gauge or fabric)

**Because of the nature of this pattern, the colors in variegated yarns are quite "randomized" and seem to work very well.

Notes And Hints

1. In most patterns, the word "turn" normally indicates a left/right motion to get the opposite side of the fabric to face you. In this pattern, the word "FLIP" has been used instead, to indicate a "top/bottom" motion. The word "rotate" has been used to mean moving the fabric clockwise, keeping the SAME side of the fabric facing you, the normal direction when crocheting in rounds (as your hook moves right-to-left).

2. The first round or two will probably seem rather mysterious (they were difficult to work out when I "discovered" this pattern), but trust the process and follow the instructions. How the pattern works will probably not "reveal" itself to you until you have completed 4 or 5 rounds.

Instructions

Round 1:

A. Ch 6, dc in 4th, 5th, 6th chains from hook.

B. Work the following 3 times:
Ch 3, rotate clockwise, work 3 dc around post.

C. [If changing color for next round, drop old color, pick up new color now.] Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in the first block of this round.

Round 2:

A. Ch 5, dc in 4th, 5th chains from hook.

B. Keeping new block facing you, FLIP main piece so wrong side of previous round now faces you.

C. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

D. Ch 3, work 3 dc around post. Rotate clockwise.

E. Work the following (steps 1, 2, and 3) 3 times (that is, once on each of 3 edges):

1. Ch 3, work 2 dc around post.

2. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

3. Ch 3, work 3 dc around post. Rotate clockwise.

F. [If changing color for next round, drop old color, pick up new color now.] Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in the first block of this round.

Round 3:

A. Ch 5, dc in 4th, 5th chains from hook.

B. Keeping new block facing you, FLIP main piece so wrong side of previous round now faces you.

C. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

D. Ch 3, work 2 dc around post.

E. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

F. Work ALL of the following (steps 1, 2a and 2b) 3 times (that is, once on each of remaining 3 edges):

1. Ch 3, work 3 dc around post. Rotate clockwise.

2. Work the following (steps a and b) 2 times (that is, for blocks on each edge):

a. Ch 3, work 2 dc around post.

b. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

G. [If changing color for next round, drop old color, pick up new color now.] Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in the first block of this round.

Round 4:

A. Ch 5, dc in 4th, 5th chains from hook.

B. Keeping new block facing you, FLIP main piece so wrong side of previous round now faces you.

C. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

D. Work ALL of the following (steps 1 and 2) 2 times (that is, for blocks on this edge):

1. Ch 3, work 2 dc around post.

2. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

E. Work ALL of the following (steps 1, 2a and 2b) 3 times (that is, once on each of remaining 3 edges):

1. Ch 3, work 3 dc around post. Rotate clockwise.

2. Work the following (steps a and b) 3 times (that is, for blocks on each edge):

a. Ch 3, work 2 dc around post.

b. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

F. [If changing color for next round, drop old color, pick up new color now.] Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in the first block of this round.

Round 5:

A. Ch 5, dc in 4th, 5th chains from hook.

B. Keeping new block facing you, FLIP main piece so wrong side of previous round now faces you.

C. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

D. Work the following (steps 1-2) 3 times (that is, for blocks on this edge):

1. Ch 3, work 2 dc around post.

2. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

E. Work ALL of the following (steps 1-2) 3 times (that is, once on each of remaining 3 edges):

1. Ch 3, work 3 dc around post. Rotate clockwise.

2. Work the following (steps a-b) 4 times (that is, for blocks on each edge):

a. Ch 3, work 2 dc around post.

b. Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in block of previous round.

F. [If changing color for next round, drop old color, pick up new color now.] Sl st in ch-3 space (left) - in the first block of this round.

Rounds 6 and following: Continue in a similar manner, for every round adding one block between the first and last (corner) block on each edge of the square.

Copyright And Usage Of This Pattern

This printed pattern may be reproduced and shared for charity or non-profit situations ONLY. You must include the pattern in its entirety, and the copyright notice must remain intact. Sale of this pattern or items produced using this pattern is prohibited except with written permission of the author and copyright owner.