MATERIALS

Caron International's Simply Soft (100% acrylic; 6 oz/170 g, 315 yds/288 m skein): 2 skeins each in 3 colors

Shown in: #9742 Grey Heather (A); #9727 Black (B); #9750 Chocolate (C)

Caron International's Simply Soft Shadows (100% acrylic; 3 oz/85g, 150 yds/137m ball): 3 balls

Shown in: #0008 Opal Twist (D)

Caron International's Simply Soft Heather (100% acrylic; 5 oz/141.8 g, 250 yds/228 m skein): 3 skeins

Shown in: #9502 Truffle (E)

Caron International's Simply Soft Paints (100% acrylic; 4 oz/133 g, 200 yds/182 m ball): 3 balls

Shown in: #0009 Sticks and Stones (F)

One pair US size 8 (5 mm), or size to obtain gauge

One crochet hook US size H-8 (5mm)

Yarn needle

GAUGE

In Garter stitch, 15 sts and 28 rows = 4"/10 cm

Gauge is not critical for this project.

ABBREVIATIONS

sk2p (double decrease): Slip 1 as if to knit, k2tog, pass slipped st over knit st (PSSO).

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

Knit Cast-On: Using knit cast-on will create a more attractive edge where blocks are joined.

Begin with a slip knot on left-handneedle; * Insert the right-hand needle into st on left-hand needle knitwise;  wrap yarn around needle and knit a stitch, forming a new st on right-hand needle, but do not drop st from left-hand needle;  transfer new st from right-hand needle to left-hand needle;  rep from * until desired number of sts have been cast on.

KNIT STITCHES USED

Garter stitch (Garter st): Knit all sts every row.

Slip stitch: Slip all sts as if to knit.

CROCHET STITCHES USED

Chain (ch): Wrap the yarn around the hook (yarn over) and pull up a loop, [draw the yarn through the loop on the hook to form the chain].

Single Crochet (sc): Insert hook in stitch indicated, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.

Slip Stitch (slip st): Insert hook in the stitch indicated, yarn over and draw through both the stitch and the loop on the hook.

NOTES

1. Blocks are joined to previous Blocks as work progresses.

2. All blocks are worked in the same manner after the Foundation row, using colors indicated (see diagram).

3. The Foundation row of each Block is either cast-on all sts (Block A), pick-up sts from the previous Block, then cast-on sts (Block B), cast-on sts and then pick up sts (Block C), or pick up sts from 2 previous Blocks (Block D) .

4. Garter st looks the same on both sides; changing colors every 2 rows will produce a solid-color garter ridge on the RS; a multi-color ridge on the WS. 

5. Carry color not in use loosely up side of work. 

HELPFUL

Use a small crochet hook to pick up corner stitches.

BLOCKS

Strip 1 – Block 1- A

Foundation Row: Using first color (see diagram), cast on 97 sts (see Special Techniques).

Row 1 (WS): Knit across to last st, p1.

Drop first color; join second color (see diagram).

Row 2: Slip 1, k46, SK2P, k46, p1.

Row 3 and all rem WS rows: Using same color as previous row, slip 1, knit across to last st, p1.

Row 4: Using first color, slip 1, k45, SK2P, k45, p1.

Row 6: Using second color, slip 1, k44, SK2P, k44, p1.

Rows 8 – 93: Changing colors every RS row, continue as established as follows:

(RS) Rows: Slip 1, knit 1 st less that previous row, SK2P, knit 1 st less that previous row, p1.

(WS) Rows: Repeat Row 3.

Row 94: Slip 1, SK2P, p1.

Row 95 (WS): Slip 1, p2tog—1 st remains.

Strip 1 – Blocks 2- B and 3- B

Foundation Row (RS): With 1 st from previous Block on needle, using first color (see diagram), pick up 47 sts along left edge of previous Block, pick up 1 st in corner of previous Block; cast on 48 sts—97 sts.

Work Rows 1 – 95 as for Block 1- A.

Fasten off after Block 3- B.

Strips 2, 3, 4 and 5 – Blocks 4- C, 7- C, 10- C and 13- C

Foundation Row (RS): Using first color (see diagram), cast-on 48 sts; pick up 1 st in corner of Block from previous Strip to be joined (see diagram), pick up 48 sts along top edge of the Block—97 sts.

Work Rows 1 – 95 as for Block 1- A.

Strips 2 and 3 –Blocks 5- D, 6- D, 8- D, 9- D, 11- D, 12- D, 14- D and 15- D

Foundation Row (RS): With 1 st from previous Block on needle, using first color (see diagram), pick up 47 sts along left edge of previous Block, pick up 1 st in corner of previous Block; pick up 48 sts along top edge of Block from previous Strip to be joined—97 sts. 

Work Rows 1 – 95 as for Block 1- A.

Fasten off last st after Blocks 6- D, 9- D, 12- D and 15- D.

AFGHAN

Following Diagram, beginning at lower right-hand corner (Block 1-A), work across Strip 1, joining Blocks as-you-go.

Work Strips 2 – 5 in the same manner, beginning at right-hand side of diagram, and working from right to left, using colors indicated for each Block.

BORDER

With RS facing, using crochet hook and color B, join yarn with a slip st in any corner.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 2 sc in same st as joining; work in sc evenly around all 4 sides,working 3 sc in each remaining corner, join with a slip st to beginning-ch.

Rounds 2 and 3: Ch 1, work 2 sc in same st as joining, sc in each sc around, working 3 sc in each remaining corner st, join with a slip st to beginning-ch.

Fasten off color B; join color E with a slip st in any corner.

Round 4: Using E, repeat Round 2.

Fasten off. 

ASSEMBLY

Using yarn needle, weave in all ends.