Texture Time

Ever since designing the Stardust Melodies crochet along blocks I’ve fancied myself on a bit of a texture quest. Honestly, when I began designing those blocks I had no idea just how far I would take their textures. My two most recent texture designs are much simpler, classic textures. If you haven’t already, please meet Rebel Ripple:

And After a While, Argyle:

I’d originally intended to get these both published and available to you last November, but my month didn’t go quite as planned. I was 8 months pregnant, Mr. Plum got really sick (he’s all better now), we were running around New Mexico trying to get all our pre-baby to-doing done, and at the last minute our doula quit and we had to find a new one! Ok, ok, I’m just whining. It was super stressful but it all worked out in the end and for the better, I believe. We got all the important stuff done and Mr. Plum healed up just in time and we found new doula that was a much better fit for us (we loved her!). I was even able to squeeze out the Rebel Ripple pattern just days before I squeezed out Little Miss Plum! I’m sort of impressed with myself for that.

Fortunately, I also got most of the work done for After a While, Argyle in that time. So, even though I wasn’t ready to publish, I sure did make it easy on myself to get back to work with a newborn in the house which has been interesting. I’ve already learned several ways to crochet and work at my desk with her napping on me (babywearing rocks!) and even breastfeeding a couple times.

But enough about me. How about those textures?

Both afghans are created with back and forth rows of double crochets, a little negative space, and popcorn stitches. They’re really easy to make if you don’t mind popcorns and a little bit of counting.

In keeping with my new standard, both patterns are available in US and UK terms and both have traditional crochet charts as well as written instructions. You can find them on Ravelry, my Etsy shop, and yarn kits are available in my designer shop at Deramores.com (only Rebel Ripple is available at the time of writing this, but After a While, Argyle will be there soon too). And right now through February 8, 2019, After a While, Argyle is on sale on Ravelry and Etsy with coupon code ARGYLE.

Let’s talk about color! Both afghans are made in colors of Stylecraft Special DK. While I did have yarn kits put together for you (see previous paragraph) I also made it as easy as I could for you to come up with your own color palettes. Special DK comes in SO MANY colors, the possibilities for these afghans are endless. Each pattern includes color placement tables and yardage estimates so you can get the same effect I did with your own colors in groups of 6, 7, 8, or 9 plus a border color making them great stash busters.

And, yes, I did think about yarn cakes. After a While, Argyle was tested in Lion Brand Mandala and it worked great! I’d highly recommend using your favorite yarn cakes if that’s what you prefer.

Finally, here are the nitty-gritty details on both afghans. Both are written with instructions for three sizes and instructions for customizing your size. I hope you’ll give them a whirl and that you’ll love making them too.

After a While, Argyle

Details 
Crochet terminology: both US and UK 
Skill level: Easy 
Stitches used: (listed in US terms) Foundation double crochet (optional); Chainless starting double crochet (optional); double crochet; chain; popcorn; single crochet 
Sizes: Baby, 41” x 41” (Medium Throw, 41” x 59”; Adult throw, 50” x 59”) 
Hook size: 4mm or size needed to obtain gauge 
Gauge: 16 dc and 8 rows is about 4 inches before blocking 
Additional materials: Stitch markers (optional); yarn needle for weaving ends

Yarn 
Stylecraft Special DK, 1 ball each (A) Lipstick, (B) Tomato, (C) Spice, (D) Stone, (E) Spring Green, (F) Aspen, (G) Empire, (H) Royal, and 2 balls of (J) Dark Brown 
Yarn packs will be available soon. The yarn pack makes either the baby or medium size. 
Yardage: Baby 1800 yd (Medium 2600 yd; Adult throw 3175 yd)

Get it on Ravelry.

Get it on Etsy.

Coupon code for $2 off, good through February 8, 2019: ARGYLE

Rebel Ripple

Details 
Crochet terminology: both US and UK 
Skill level: Easy 
Stitches used: (listed in US terms) Foundation double crochet (optional); Chainless starting double crochet (optional); double crochet; chain; popcorn; single crochet; front post double crochet 
Sizes: Baby, 42” x 42” (Kid, 42” x 52”; Adult throw, 52” x 62”) 
Hook size: 4mm & 4.5mm or size needed to obtain gauge and one hook size up from that 
Gauge: 16 dc and 8 rows is about 4 inches before blocking 
Additional materials: Stitch markers (optional); yarn needle for weaving ends

Yarn 
Stylecraft Special DK, 1 ball each (A) Mustard, (B) Lime, (C) Meadow, (D) Cypress, (E) Storm Blue, (F) Denim, (G) Violet, (H) Grape, and (J) Parchment 
Yarn packs are available from Deramores, click here. The yarn pack makes either the baby or kid size. 
Yardage: Baby 1700 yd (Kid 2100 yd; Adult throw 3100 yd)

Get it on Ravelry.

Get it on Etsy.

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