Mack the Knife is the seventh square (fourth free) of the Stardust Melodies Crochet Along – a texture-rich afghan square crochet along. Click here to read more about the event and how you can participate and get more great textured afghan square patterns.
Details
Pattern written in US crochet terms
Skill level: intermediate
Finished Size: 9 inch square (with Aran or Worsted Weight yarn)
Gauge: See this post and scroll to section on gauge
Hook size: 5.5mm/I
Yarn: Worsted Weight (Or any yarn of your choice with an appropriately sized hook)
Final Stitch Count: 31 sts per side
Pattern Notes
- IMPORTANT: Each round starts by working a stitch into the same stitch you slip stitched to join in the previous round. But for the sake of repeats, sometimes the first st isn’t pointed out. Sometimes the pattern starts you off by saying to make a stitch into the next stitch. If you’re just starting a round and all you’ve done so far is the ch1 at the very beginning and the very first thing the pattern says to do is to stitch into the “next stitch,” that means the first stitch, the one with the slip stitch already in it. (I know, I know, this is a bit unconventional for me and my pattern writing, but hang in there. When you see how this and the other CAL patterns go you’ll understand why I took some liberties with the pattern writing.)
- Stitch counts will start with 1 stitch per side in round 1 and increase by 2 stitches every round. Not counting ch2 corners.
- When slip stitching to join, slip stitch to both loops and then pull the slip stitch tight.
- When you make a stitch into a lower round you will always leave the sc behind it unworked.
- For the crochet along we’ll be making the pattern’s 16 rounds as written, but if you’d like to enlarge this pattern you’ll get the idea by round 15, then you can just repeat rounds 8 through 15 with a few more triangles each time.
Click here to favorite, queue, and hook up a project page for this pattern on Ravelry.
Check out the new “Print Friendly” button at the bottom of the page to print your own copy of the pattern.
If you need help or have any questions, scroll to the bottom of this page. There are links to where you can find lots of support.
This pattern is Copyright © 2017 Polly Plum. All rights reserved.
If you would like to share this pattern, please share the link to this webpage or the Ravelry pattern page (link below). Please do not distribute this pattern or the accompanying photos in any other form. Please read more in the Copyright section.
Abbreviations
- BLO – back loop only
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- FLO – front loop only
- hdc – half double crochet
- r(#) – round number
- sc – single crochet
- sk – skip
- slst – slip stitch
- sp – space
- st– stitch
- tr – treble crochet
- yo – yarn over
Video Tutorial
Special Stitches
Note: You don’t have to use the triangle stitches – they are a bit complicated, so I’ve provided an alternative stitch. I encourage you to try the triangles a few times though, once you get the idea they flow fairly easily.
Triangle st: {see the instructions for a tr5tog for an alternative to the triangle st}
Place first leg of st into the FLO of the st that is 3 rounds below and 2 sts behind the next st of your current round, place the next four legs into the FLO of the next 4 sts of the same round as the first leg was placed
- Yo twice and insert hook into FLO of first st {as described above}, yo and pull up a loop, [yo and pull through 2 loops on hook] twice {2 loops on hook}
- Yo once and insert hook into FLO of next st, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook {3 loops on hook}
- Repeat step 2 {4 loops on hook}.
- Repeat step 2 {5 loops on hook}. Yo and pull through 3 loops on hook {3 loops on hook}
- Yo twice and insert hook into FLO of next st, yo and pull up a loop {6 loops on hook}, [yo and pull through 2 loops on hook] twice {4 loops on hook}
- To finish stitch: yo and pull through 3 loops on hook {2 loops on hook}, yo and pull through last 2 loops on hook
Tr5tog – {see triangle st instructions for placement} ^yo twice, insert hook into indicated st and pull up a loop [yo and pull through 2 loops on hook] twice,^ repeat from ^ to ^ 5 times {6 loops on hook}, yo and pull through 5 loops on hook, yo and pull through last 2 loops on hook
Commence Pattern
Begin with magic circle.
Round 1: Ch1. [Sc into magic circle, ch2] 4 times. Close magic circle. Slst to BOTH loops of first sc to join.
Hint: R2-R6 are just basic rounds of sc in the BLO with (sc,ch2,sc) in the corners.
Round 2: Ch1. [Sc in BLO of next st, (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp] 4 times. Slst to BOTH loops of first st to join.
Round 3: Ch1. Sc in BLO of first st, sc in BLO of each st across to corner.
Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of each st across to next corner.
To complete last side: (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of each st across to first st. Slst to BOTH loops of first st to join.
Round 4: Repeat round 3.
Round 5: Repeat round 3.
Round 6: Repeat round 3.
Hint: R7 – the triangle st is worked into each st of R3.
Round 7: Ch1. Work triangle stitch, sc in BLO of next 5 st.
Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: *(sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of next 5 st,* triangle st, sc in BLO of next 5 st.
To complete last side: repeat from * to * of previous section. Slst to first st to join.
Round 8: Repeat round 3.
Round 9: Repeat round 3.
Round 10: Repeat round 3.
Hint: R11 – to place the triangle stitches:The first leg of the first triangle goes into the FLO of the first st of R7; The first leg of the second triangle goes into the FLO of the st 2 sts after the R7 triangle.
Round 11: Ch1. Sc in BLO of first 4 st, triangle stitch, sc in BLO of next 5 st.
Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: *(sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of next 5 st, triangle st,* sc in BLO of next 7 st, triangle st, sc in BLO of next 5 st.
To complete last side: repeat from * to * of previous section, sc in BLO of last 3 st. Slst to first st to join.
Round 12: Repeat round 3.
Round 13: Repeat round 3.
Round 14: Repeat round 3.
Hint: R15 – to place the triangle stitches: The first leg of the first triangle goes into the FLO of the first st of R11; The first leg of the second triangle goes into the FLO of the st 2 sts after the first R11 triangle; The first leg of the third triangle goes into the FLO of the st 2 sts after the second R11 triangle
Round 15: Ch1. Work triangle stitch, sc in BLO of next 7 st, triangle st, sc in BLO of next 5 st.
Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: *(sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of next 5 st, triangle st,* [sc in BLO of next 7 st, triangle st] twice, sc in BLO of next 5 st.
To complete last side: repeat from * to * of previous section, sc in BLO of last 7 st. Slst to first st to join.
Round 16: Ch1, sc in BOTH loops of each of the next 15 st.
Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: (Sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BOTH loops of each of the 29 st across side.
To complete last side: (Sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BOTH loops of last 14 st. Slst to BOTH loops of first st to join. Fasten off.
If you’d like to show your support and/or say thank you for this free pattern – the most helpful thing you can do is share a picture of your work on Ravelry or Facebook. Seriously! That’s it. If you liked the pattern, tell your friends and show them what you made.
If you loved the pattern and want to make more, we’re doing an entire crochet along of fun, textured squares that started on May 18, 2017. Check out the event here.
If you’d like to see more of my work, visit the Patterns page here on Every Trick on the Hook or my Ravelry store.
The best way to keep up with my goings-on is to follow Every Trick on the Hook on Facebook. You can also message me there, post on the wall, and follow my posts for the latest news.
If you’re looking for a more interactive Facebook experience, join the Polly Plum Pattern Posse Facebook group. We’re a fun and supportive group. Really! There’s so much help there that chances are your question will be answered by someone before I even see it. It’s the best place to go with a question. It’s also a great place to share your Polly Plum makes and see what others are making.
If Facebook isn’t your thing you can also join the Ravelry group – Polly’s Place or follow @polly_plum_crochet on Instagram
