300 CLASSIC BLOCKS FOR CROCHET PROJECTS Crochet begins with a chain, and the way the stitches are formed determines the pattern. Simple, yes? Yet it’s remarkable how many varied and beautiful patterns can be made this way. And all with just a hook and some yarn. Linda Schapper focuses exclusively on blocks in this invaluable reference that anyone who crochets will want to keep handy. The three hundred patterns range from small to large, and from circles and squares to triangles and hexagons. Some of the designs are sculpted, while others are worked in the shape of rosettes and other floral motifs. You'll find single, double, treble, and double-treble crochets. There are clusters and bobbles. Puff, popcorn, and post stitches. Picots are also included. And so many more. Here’s a guide that you'll reach for whenever you want to create your own project, whether it’s continued on back flap300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects z LARK BOOKS ‘A Division of Staring Publishing Co,, In New York / LondonEditor: Susan Mowery Kieffer Technical Editor: Karen Manthey Art Director: Shannon Yokeley Cover Designer: Cindy LaBreacht Photographer: Steve Mann Mlustrator: Orrin Lundgren Diagrams: Karen Manthey ; ene. eee Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publcaion Data ‘Schapper. Linda. 300 classic blocks for crochet projects / Linda P. Schapper. -- Rev. ed. cm, Includes index ISBN-13: 978-1-57990-913-0 (hbk ak paper) ISBN-10: 1-57990-913-2 ok = ak. paper) +, Grocheting-Patterns. |. Tile. Tile: Three hundred classic blocks for crochet rojacts ‘77820.$277 2007 746.43°4041 4022 2o07046181 10987654321 Revised Ecition Published by Lark Books, A Division of Steting Publishing Co, ne 387 Park Avenue South, New York N.Y. 10016 Tea © 2008, Linda P. Schapper Photography © 2008, Lark Books Iiustrations © 2008, Lark Backs unles otherwise specified First published in 1987 by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc Distributed in Canada by Sterling Publishing fo Canadian Manda Group, 165 Outerin Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6K 3H6 Distributed in the United Kingdom by GMC Distribution Services, Castle Place, 166 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England BN7 1XU Distributed in Australia by Capricorn Link (Australia) Pty Lt. P.0. Box 704, Windsor, NSW 2756 Australia ‘The wen instructions, photographs, designs, pattems, and projects in tis volume are intended fr the personal use ofthe reader and may be reproduced for that purpose only. Any other use, especially commercial us, is forbidden ‘under law without written permission ofthe copyright holder Every elfrt has been made to ensure thal all the information inthis book is accurate. However, due ta difering conditions, tools, and individual skis, the publisher cannot be responsible for any injuries, lasses, and other damages that may resull rom the use of the information inthis book you have questions or comments about this book, please contact, Lark Books 67 Broadway Asheville, NC 26801 828-253-0467 ‘Manufactured in China All rights reserved ISBN 13: 978-1-57990-913-0 ISBN 10. 1-57990-913-2 For information about custom editions, special sales, premium and corporate ‘urchases, please contact Sterling Special Sales Department at 800-805-5482 (or specialsales@sterlinggub.comContents Introduction Basic Stitches Joining Blocks International C Patterns Single Crochets & Chains Double Crochets & Filet Double Crochets & Chai Clusters Bobbles 7__Pulf Stitches 8 Popcorn Stitches 9 Post Stitches 10. Shells 11 Picots 12 Mixed Stitches 13. Triangle Blocks 14 Circles 15. Hexagons 16 Floral Patterns 17_ Sculptured Blocks 18 Small Blocks 19 Sampler Blocks Crochet Terms and Abbreviations _ Treble Crochets & Double Treble Crochets 285 256 2566 © Introduction Introduction about the early history of crochet. However, we believe thal the craft dates back fo the Stone Age, when a crude hook was used to join sections of clothing, In all probabily, we ‘adopted the French wor for hook—eracht—as the name ofthe crall because the French did more than anyother group to record crochet patterns ‘As with many handcraft, crochet developed and flourished, ‘aught ftom generation to generation without writen instructions. Patlerns survived by being handed down theough families. New pattems were copied by examining designs with a magnitying lass. In the 19th century, wien instructions became more ‘opular as the reading level of women improved, instructions, however, can be often long and tecious and, athough perfectly clear to the writer, frequently dificult forthe crochetr. Here in Crochet Blocks | provide written instructions for each pat- ter 28 well as instruction inthe International Crochet Symbols system. The diagrams fr these symbols are easy to read ater you have memorized a few of the basic stitches. This system enables you to see the whole pattern in proportion, and itis an enjoyable experience to pick up a crochet book witten for a Russian, French, or Japanese audience and be able fo under- sland the crochet symbols. The symbols themselves look a great deal tke the actual crochet stitches and, as you will see, ae not at al dificult to follow. Ww fry lite has survived in the way of a writlen record Crochet begins with a chain, and the way the sltches are formed determines the pattern, You need only @ hook, your hand, and the thread. Iisa portable crat and can be done almost anyahere and itis dificult to make mistake that cannot be corected immediately. Crochet is versatile. You can make lace patterns, both large and small, mimic kiting, patchwork. of weaving, and you can create any number af tele patrns This book focuses on blocks and includes an extensive variety of shapes ang sizes. Patterns range ftom small to large, and from Circles and squares to triangles and hexagons, Sore ofthe 0at~ tems are sculptured, while Some are in the shape of rosettes and other tora patterns. ‘When | frst discovered crochet blocks 20 years ago, | was ‘enchanted withthe sheer number ofiferent patterns that could be made with a simple crochet nook and the same white thread. It brought to mind al the infinite possiblities we have with our lives, The slow build up of the pattem, block-by-block, sug- ‘gested to me that, with small steps, we c2n get through anything, ‘Aclose friend had gied, and | was going through a particularly sad time in my til, and crocheting the blocks was a comforting ‘exetcise. Since then, my ile has gone through may highs and mare lows and, al these years later, | am stil enchanted by the beautitul patterns we can make with a lite bit of organization anc ‘determination. ‘With the resurgence of intrest in crochet today, it hes become popular with both newcomers to the craft and veteran crocheters alike, My hope is that with this book, you, t00, will discover or perhaps even rediscover the joy f crochet Notes for those using the written instructions: + The abbreviations used throughout are ones used in the United States, A lst of basic terms used in the U.K, and Pages they are much easier to p fe s, a5 they are follow than the instructions. When in doubt about the ‘mitten instructions, check them against the diagrams, = To make the molifs reversible, turn at the end of each ‘ound, and work the wrong-side rows in reverse— clockwise—following the diagram. Many of the motifs. ‘were worked this way to make them reversible. ‘* The division of stitches into chapters is somewhat arbitrary. ‘because many of the pattems can fit into several chapters. ‘tried to place them where they were most typical.Basic Stitches = 7 = Basic Stitches = PAs Lec Tho TP ULIE (I rr } LA | 1: Yam over hook raw yam though Helaperote ered SLIP STITCH (sl st) -s C2 m™ = 4. (VY ‘Step 1: Insert hook in designated stitch. ‘Step 2: Yo, craw yam through sich and the loop on hook (sist made).8 * Basic StitchesBasic Stitches = 9 P CZ My ZRF ZEAL,10 * Basic StitchesBOBBLE ‘Can be made with 2 10.6 loops. Shown for 4 loops. ‘Step 1: Yo, insert hook in designated st. {firstloop). ‘Step 9: (Yo, insert hook in same st, yo, draw yar trough <) as many times as requied (3 more limes for looped bobble st—11 loops on hook). ‘Step 4: Yo, draw yam through al loops on hank (bobble made). Basic Stitches = 11 PUFF STITCH Can be made with 2 to 6 sts. Shown for 3 de. Step 1: Yo, inst hook in designated st (4th ch from hook {or first putt st), yo, draw yam through st. yo, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook (half-closed de made—2 loops remain on hook). Step 2: Yo, inert hook in same st; yo, draw yarn through st, 4, draw yam through 2 loops on hook for each additional de Fequired (2 more times for 3-0c put sitch—4 loops on hook). Step 3: Yo draw yarn through all loops on hook (putt stitch made).