Hi friends! And welcome to TLYCBlog. Today, I’m so excited to share my contribution to the 2021 Crochet Traveling Seasons Afghan.
Need another reason to love fall? How about crocheting your own sampler afghan to represent the best of all four seasons! Whether you’ve been following along since January or you’re just stumbling across this amazing project, keep reading for details on how to get involved.
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PIN IT NOW, MAKE IT LATER
Get the ad-free printable version of this pattern for $1 on Ravelry and TLYarnCrafts.com!
What is the Traveling Seasons Afghan?
Last year, the Traveling Afghan trekked around the world, visiting 25 different makers. Each crochet designer added another square to the blanket, resulting in a uniquely textured afghan.
This year, the Traveling Afghan has a seasons theme, with each square tied to fond memories from Spring to Summer, Fall, and finally Winter. The Traveling Afghan has seen 7 makers in 2 countries so far this year and it has finally made its way to me.
How Can I Get Involved?
It’s not too late to join in the fun of the Traveling Seasons Afghan. Here’s how to get started:
- Purchase your yarn + supplies. The Traveling Seasons Afghan uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease, a wool-blend yarn, in one color. There are 12 squares total, each using less than one ball of yarn, plus the border. It is recommended that you purchase 13 balls of yarn to ensure that you will have enough for the full afghan. You can swap in any worsted weight yarn of your choice. In addition to the yarn, you should have a J/6mm crochet hook, scissors, a tapestry needle, locking stitch marker and blocking supplies (recommended products linked in the pattern below).
- Get the patterns. Visit the Seasons Traveling Afghan landing page for links to the patterns already available. Then check back on the 1st of each month in 2021 as new patterns become available.
- Share, Share, SHARE! We all can’t wait to see your afghans. Be sure to share your journey with us on Instagram and Facebook. Tag @MyLifeInYarn, @LionBrandYarn, and the designers when you post your squares. And use these hashtags – #LBTravelingSeasonsAfghan, #SeasonsAfghan2021.
- Keep scrolling for the Square 8 free pattern, or get a printable PDF versions from TLYarnCrafts.com.
- Still have questions? Check out the Traveling Seasons Afghan landing page.
Meet the Designers
The Lion Brand Yarn team brought together 13 of the most talented crochet designers on the scene right now. If the current state of the Traveling Seasons Afghan is an indication, the finished blanket is going to be spectacular! Check out each of the designers to see what they come up with.
- January – WhistleandWool
- February – EClaire Makery
- March – Two of Wands
- April – Pink Plumeria Maui
- May – Little Red Knits
- June – Evelyn and Peter
- July – Knits and Knots by Ame
- August – TL Yarn Crafts
- September – Rohn Strong
- October – Meghan Makes Do
- November – Capitol Crochet
- December – Coco Crochet Lee
- Border – Rain and Bolt
Crochet In Fall
As makers, I feel like there’s an unspoken agreement that autumn is our time to shine. Cool, dreary days, quality television, and unlimited skeins of yarn keep us content in the months leading up to the holidays. The Leaf Square I designed foreshadows leaves gently falling outside my window as I stitch the fall days away.
It is still summertime as I’m writing this blog post, but I’m surrounded by all of my favorite fall things. There’s a candle lit, soft lofi music flowing from my speakers, and a (now cold, lol) cup of coffee within reach. This square represents not only the hopeful expectancy of fall but taking on a welcome challenge and being pleased with one’s own abilities.
Crochet Traveling Seaons Afghan, Square #8
DESCRIPTION:
The crochet Traveling Seasons Afghan Square #8 centers on a crochet spike stitch that mimics a 5 finger leaf. With a backdrop of smooth, symmetrical single crochet stitches and a simple border, the columns of leaves work up quickly and make a big statement.
MATERIALS:
- 170 yards Lion Brand Wool-Ease (worsted weight) in the color Grey Heather
- US Size J (6mm) crochet hook (these are my favorites)
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Locking stitch marker
- Blocking supplies – blocking boards, t-pins, handheld steamer
Skip the ads – get the Traveling Seasons Block #8 for $1 HERE!
FINISHED SIZE:
13″ x 13″ square
GAUGE:
4″ = 12 sts x 14 rows
ABBREVIATIONS:
Ch = chain
Rep = repeat
RS = right side
Sc = single crochet
Sl st = slip stitch
St = stitch
WS = wrong side
NOTES:
- The finished square is seamed to the blanket upside down to better represent leaves. Flip the square in whichever direction you like before seaming.
- The Leaf has a tendency to cover the next stitch in the row. Place a locking stitch marker in the stitch AFTER the Reference Stitch so you don’t miss it.
SPECIAL STITCH – LEAF
The LEAF is the special stitch in this pattern. The Leaf uses a Reference Stitch to identify where to pull up the next loop. The Reference Stitch will be the next stitch in the current row. When pulling up loops, keep your tension loose and pull up the loops to the height of the current row.
Follow these steps to complete a Leaf:
- Yarn over, pull up a loop in the space 2 stitches to the right and 1 row down from the Reference Stitch.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop in the space 1 stitch to the right and 2 rows down from the Reference Stitch.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop in the space 3 rows down from the Reference Stitch.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop in the space 1 stitch to the left and 2 rows down from the Reference Stitch.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop in the space 2 stitches to the left and 1 row down from the Reference Stitch.
- You will have 11 loops on your hook. Yarn over, pull through all loops. Chain 1. Leaf complete.
Use the photo below photo for reference when completing the Leaf. First, find the Reference Stitch. Then yarn over and pull up your loops, beginning with the space indicated by the black arrow to the far right and work toward the left.
PATTERN
ROW 1 (WS): Ch 38, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across row, turn. (37 sc)
ROWS 2-5: Ch 1, sc across row, turn.
ROW 6 (RS): Sc 3, Leaf, (sc 5, Leaf) to last 3 sc, sc 3, turn.
ROWS 7-11: Ch 1, sc across row, turn (37 sc).
ROW 12: Rep Row 6.
Rep Rows 7-12 6 times for 7 total rows of Leaves.
NEXT ROW (WS): Ch 1, sc across row, turn.
NEXT ROW (RS): Ch 1, sc across row. Do not turn. Do not fasten off.
BORDER (RS): Ch 1, rotate to work along row ends, sc in each row to corner, ch 2, rotate to work along beginning ch, sc in each st along beginning ch to corner, ch 2, rotate to work in row ends, sc in the end each row to corner, ch 2, rotate to work along last row, sc in each st to corner, ch 2, sl st in first sc of round. Fasten off.
FINISHING: Weave in all ends. Using a blocking board and Knit Blockers and/or T-pins, pin finished square to 13″ x 13″. Steam lightly with a steam iron or garment steamer. Allow the square to dry completely. Use a length of yarn to whip stitch Block #8 to the Traveling Seasons Afghan upside down and weave in the remaining ends. Learn Blocking Basics HERE.
Sheba the Cat and I can’t wait to see your squares and afghans! Be sure to tag me, @TLYarnCrafts, in your posts.
Follow the crochet Traveling Seasons Afghan on the remainder of its journey!
Really in love with afghans? Check out these FREE patterns on TLYCBlog.com:
I’ve been crocheting for years but I have to say that your Crochet Academy is just mindblowing. Talk about learning something new with every post! I’ve been a basic afghan kind of girl but the more I learn from your academy the more I’m tempted to venture into the world of sweaters. I can’t thank you enough for this learning experience. You are awesome!
Could you bring along another color so you had lovely red Maple leaves? I think you’d just crochet over it with the grey and then switch for the leaves. Am I picturing it right?
Hi! You certainly could! I’d do it with the intarsia color change method, that way you can work only the leaf in the contrasting color and maintain the solid background. Have fun!!
Would love to see a full blown video on this square. I’m so visual and the instructions have my mind confused. Thanks for pondering this! LOVE your videos 🙂
I love this pattern and have bought yarn to make it. I’ll work on it after I finish my Crochet Academy project,the Kima Cardi. Thanks Toni for sharing so much knowledge, you’re the best teacher that I’ve seen online!!!