Have you ever joined in a CAL?
A *what?* you ask…
CAL- Crochet-A-Long
So much fun! It’s where a bunch of people get together and stitch on the same project at the same time.
Heather, TheUnraveledMitten, is hosting a FREE to join, stash busting sampler afghan cal.
Rusted Fence is my stash busting sampler square, I just love the texture created by using the post stitch. I hope you enjoy this square and have fun with the CAL.
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HOW IT WORKS
If this is the first you’ve heard of the Unraveled Sampler Afghan CAL, you need to go HERE for the details. This is the main page for the CAL it is where you will find the master list of crochet squares.
Every couple of weeks in 2021 there is going to be a new, 12″ square posted somewhere on one of your favorite designer’s website.
This is Square 4. Go HERE for links to the first three squares.
About the yarn
This project meant to be stash busting, using up all the remnants and partial balls of your worsted weight yarns to create your sampler squares.
The yarn I have chosen for this square is Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand yarn. It is a worsted weight acrylic with SO MANY color options.
I really like this yarn for afghans because it has a bit of a plumpness to it and it washes very well. I made a granny square afghan using the Vanna’s Choice yarn probably 10 years ago. It has been well used by my family of 6 and is still going strong on movie nights.
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Yarn
Other yarns to consider for your Sampler Afghan
Although not stash busting for your sampler square… but who doesn’t love squishy mail? Besides, how else are we supposed to get stashes to bust later??
SPLURGE
Knit Picks, Swish Bulky-
#4 | Worsted
-
80% Fine Superwash Highland Wool, 20% Donegal Tweed
The sizes available
At the end of the year, 20- 12″ squares will have been published.
This is going to make for a 4 square X 5 square throw.
After joining and border, you will end up with a throw that is approximately 50-52″ wide and 62-64″ long. Perfect cuddle size for the couch.
The skills you need
As a “Sampler Afghan”, every square for this CAL is going to vary in stitching.
For this square, Rusted Fence, the stitches used are:
chain – single – double – post – together – double treble (triple)
Getting started
Yes, I say this with every pattern – because it’s important. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times- My friend, ya need to swatch. I know it’s no fun. I know you want to get right to the good stuff. I know it feels like a waste of yarn, and yarn ain’t cheap.
I know. Truly, I know.
But– You want your square to be the right size, too small or too big and your afghan will not work. This means you need to know how your stitching sizes up to my stitching.
We are all different. Heck, we’re different from ourselves at any given time. I know my gauge is tighter when watching a show than it is if I’m in my stitching chair listening to a book.
Grumble and grump about it (I do), but do it.
To make the process easier and more enjoyable, I’ve created this FREE worksheet for you to use. It helps with the steps, the math, and the organization.
Blocking Worksheet
The pattern
RUSTED FENCE
A free crochet afghan square pattern, by Rebecca Velasquez
#2021unraveledCAL & #RustedFenceSquare
SHOW IT OFF! Tag @RV.designs & @theunraveledmitten (instagram) and use the #2021UnraveledCAL and #RustedFenceSquare hashtag to share in-progress pics of your amazing afghan!
MATERIALS & TOOLS
YARN Worsted weight (#4 medium); Total 166 yds [151 m], C1 89 yds [82 m], C2 77 yds [71 m]
Shown Lion Brand, Vanna’s Choice, (100% acrylic; 170 yd [155 m] / 3.53 oz [100 g]), remnants; Brick (C1), Dark Grey Heather (C2)
*Amount given is for square as shown | written. Yardage will vary with any alterations of pattern.
HOOK H- 5.00 mm; or size needed to obtain gauge; the hook I used for this and most projects is a Tulip Etimo Crochet hook.
NOTIONS Stitch markers (3), tapestry needle
For a complete list of all the tools | supplies I use, find it HERE
Gauge
13 sts and 5.5 rows = 4” [10 cm] in dc with light blocking.
Finished MEasurements
HEIGHT 12″ [30.5 cm]
WIDTH 12” [30.5 cm]
Project Level
Intermediate
TECHNIQUES USED chain – single – double – post – together – treble
DESIGNER NOTE: As it turns out, I’m human. I made an error in my square. DO NOT count the diamonds on my sample expecting to get the same number of diamonds on your square. Mine has 1 too many, widthwise. The instructions as written will produce the proper square size.
NOTES
GENERAL
- Pattern is written in US terms with imperial and metric measurements.
- Read through each line before beginning to avoid any confusion during stitching.
- Refer to SPECIAL STITCHES instruction {below} as needed.
- Take time to save time. Using same yarn as intended for square, stitch, wash, and block a gauge swatch in the same manner you will be using for your project to ensure proper measurements. Please refer to Gauge information above.
CONSTRUCTION
Square is worked from bottom up, carrying the unused yarn up the side as necessary, border is then added in 2 parts.
ABBREVIATIONS & SPECIAL STITCHES
C1 – color 1
C2 – color 2
CH – chain
DC – double crochet
DTR – double treble (triple)
FP – front post
PM – place marker
Rep – repeat
RS – right side
Sl – slip
St(s) – stitch(es)
Tog – tog
WS – wrong side
SPECIAL STITCHES
PM (place marker) Place marker in stitch just made or as instructed.
Stacked dc (stacked double crochet) Sc in indicated st, insert hook from front to back in back vertical bar of sc just made and pull up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook. You may replace this with traditional ch 3 if desired.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
FPdtr2tog (front post double treble 2 together) Yo 3 times, insert hook around first stitch as instructed, pull up a loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops) 3 times, yo 3 times, insert hook around second stitch as instructed, pull up a loop (yo, draw through 2 loops) 3 times, through all 3 loops on hook.
Updated 10 March 2021
SQUARE
C1- Rust C2- Charcoal
Row 1 Using C1, ch 36, sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in each ch across to end, PM through any stitch of row to mark RS, turn. 35 sc
Row 2 Ch 1, sc in each st across to end, changing to C2 with last loop of last stitch {see Photo Tutorial Below}, turn.
Row 3 Stacked dc {see Special Stitches instruction above or VIDEO} in first st, dc in each st across to end, turn.
Row 4 Ch 1, sc in each st across to end, changing to C1 with last loop of last stitch, turn.
Row 5 Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, Fpdtr2tog around marked 2nd and 6th sc of Row 1, *sc in next 3 sts, Fpdtr2tog over same sc as second leg of previous Fpdtr skip 3 sc using next sc for second leg of current Fpdtr2tog; rep from * across, sc in last 3 sts, remove markers, turn.
Row 6 Ch 1, sc in ea st across to end, changing to C2 with last loop of last stitch, turn.
Rows 7-8 Rep Rows 3-4.
Row 9 Ch 1, sc in first st, Fpdtr around Fpdtr of 4 rows below, *sc in next 3 sts, Fpdtr2tog around same Fpdtr as second leg of previous Fpdtr and next Fpdtr of 4 rows below; rep from * across, sc in next 3 sts, Fpdtr around same Fpdtr as second leg of prev Fpdtr, sc in last st, turn.
Row 10 Rep Row 6.
Rows 11-12 Rep Rows 3-4.
Row 13 Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, Fpdtr2tog around first and second Fpdtr of 4 rows below, *sc in next 3 sts, Fpdtr2tog around same Fpdtr as second leg of previous Fpdtr and next Fpdtr of 4 rows below; rep from * across, sc in last 3 sts, turn.
Row 14 Rep Row 6.
Rows 15-16 Rep Rows 3-4.
Rows 17-32 Rep Rows 9-16.
Rows 33-38 Rep Rows 9-14.
Fasten off.
Border
Side 1
Row 1 Having WS facing, join C1 to side edge of first sc of Row 38 (last row) with Standing sc {see Photo Tutorial below}.
Making certain to work around yarn strand carried up the side (floats) {see Below}, sc evenly across side edge of square as follows:
*Skip next sc row, sc in side edge of next sc, 2 sc in next dc by making 1 sc in top of dc and making 1 sc through lower portion of the dc post, sc in side edge of next sc; rep from * across, until 2 sc rows remain, skip next sc row, sc in side edge of last sc, turn. 37 sc
Row 2 Ch 1, sc in each st across to end. Fasten off.
Side 2
Row 1 Having WS facing, join C1 to side edge of first sc of Row 1 with Standing sc, sc evenly across side edge of square as follows:
Skip next sc row, *2 sc in next dc by making 1 sc through lower portion of the dc post and making 1 sc in top of dc, sc in side edge of next sc, skip next sc row, sc in side edge of next row*; rep from * across to end. 37 sc
Row 2 Ch 1, sc in each st across to end. Fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in ends.
Lightly steam to measurements for best results. •
Stitch & Share
#2021unraveledCAL #RustedFenceSquare #RVdesigns
I truly hope you enjoy this stash busting sampler square, thank you for allowing me to be apart of your project by adding Rusted Fence in. When you’re showing off your gorgeous handmades on social sites, please tag all your in-progress and completed postings – I really do love to see the different variations!
Are you on Ravelry? If you create from one of my patterns, help fellow stitchers and fill out a project page of your piece.
QUESTIONS about this pattern?
Join the RV design group on facebook. Its a great place where you can ask questions, share project pictures and chit-chat with the rest of us.
Other free patterns you may like
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I love this pattern. It would be like making two blankets in one, since either side would be a changed design. Thank you.
🙂 thank you for noticing, making sure the square was reversible for your afghan was important when deciding what to contribute to the CAL.
~r
I’m not on Facebook but do have a question, please. What is the the stitch number for the repeat? I’d like to make a larger size than this square ……perhaps a rug or table runner.
Thanks in advance…..this square reminded me of Moogly blog’s latest rug pattern & wondered if I could do the same w/ this pattern.
The repeat is 4 plus 2, I would love to see your new creation in this stitch. Please tag me when you post pictures.
~r