Hi there! Today I am bringing you my contribution to the Bouquet of Flowers CAL - the Buttercup Square!
The CAL has been running since the 28th of February, but it's never too late to start a CAL!
As you might have guessed, the Bouquet of Flowers CAL follows a floral theme, with each designer contributing a square that captures the theme for them.
You can read all about the CAL here, at our host's blog: Sunflower Cottage Crochet - which also includes links to all the other squares, the codes for free downloads, and at the end of the cal, the beautiful border.
If you don't want to wait for the CAL squares that have not been released, there is the option to purchase the bundle now - and own all the patterns. you can do this by clicking on the 'Buy the Bundle' button below.
My square is called the Buttercup Square. I chose to make it in a single colour - buttercup yellow! but it's totally up to you if you want to try each round in a different colour, or experiment with whatever takes your fancy. The Buttercup Square has a 3d element, which is achieved by back post stitches - but i would say this square is suitable for anyone who has mastered the basics. i have included some 'unusual joins' to minimize cutting yarn if you choose to keep it one single colour. this pattern is written in us terms.
For my square, I used Stylecraft special DK, some other alternatives are Paintbox DK, Fiddlesticks 8ply or any great quality 8ply/dk weight yarn. I used approximately 30g, so this can be a great stash diving square!
I've also used a 4mm crochet hook. you'll also need a needle for the ends and scissors.
The pattern will remain free here on my blog (keep scrolling for the pattern) But if you would like to download the pattern, the PDF will be avaliable free on Ravelry for the duration of the CAL, and you can download that by clicking the button below. You will need the coupon code available on Sunflower Crochet Cottages blog, linked above. (Go to round up post button)
This link will take you to Ravelry, where you can download it for free, with the code on Sunflower Crochet Cottages blog. After the CAL finishes, I cannot guarantee it will remain a free pattern. The code goes live Friday 8th April GMT, so if you are early, don't forget to check back soon.
Abbreviations (US terms):
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
BPsc – Back Post single crochet
BL – back loop
2dc-cl – 2 double crochet cluster (see below)
sl st – slip stitch
st/s - stitch/es
sk - skip
sp- space
YO – yarn over
Special stitches:
2dc-cl – 2 dc worked together to form 1 st
Method: *YO, hook into next st, pull up loop, YO, pull hook through 2 loops on hook, rep from *, YO, pull hook through 3 loops on hook
Hdc join – half double crochet worked into the first stich of the row, to join round. This counts as chains, and starts the next row in the centre of the chain space just made. Also used sc/dc join.
BPsc back post single crochet
Method: Hook around next post (from back to front) YO, pull up loop, YO, pull hook through both loops on hook.
For more information on this join – please refer to this blog post
Pattern
Make a magic ring
R1: ch 3 (counts as dc) 11dc, sl st to close (12dc)
R2: ch 4 (counts as 1dc, 1ch) *1dc, 1ch, into next st, rep from * around, sl st to 3rd ch to join (12dc, 12ch)
R3: ch 3, dc in same st (counts as 2dc-cl), 2dc-cl in same st, ch1, *(2x2dc-cl, ch1) in next st, rep from * around, sl st to 1st st to join (24 2dc-cl, 12 ch)
R4: sl st in next 2dc-cl, *(sc in next chsp, ch3) rep from * around, sl st to 1st sc to join. (12sc, 36ch)
R5: sl st into next chsp, 3ch (counts as dc) 3dc in same chsp, ch1, *(4dc in next chsp, ch1) rep from * around, sc join to 1st st. (48dc, 12ch)
R6: ch 1, sc in chsp just made, sk 2 dc, 5dc in next st (3rd dc in cluster) *sc in next chsp, sk 2 dc, 5dc in next st, rep from *, sl st join (60 dc, 12 sc)
R7: ch 1, BPsc around sc, *6ch, *BPsc around next sc, rep from *10 times, ch3, dc join in 1st st. (12BPsc, 72 ch)
R8: ch3, 2dc into same chsp, (5ch, sc in next chsp,) (7ch, sc in next chsp) 5ch, *(3dc, 2ch, 3dc) into next chsp, (5ch, sc in next chsp,) (7ch, sc in next chsp) 5ch, rep from * twice, 3dc in next ch sp, hdc to 1st st to join. (8sc, 76ch)
R9: ch3, (counts as dc) 2dc into hdc sp, ch1, (4dc, ch1) into ch-5sp, (3dc, ch1, 3dc, ch1) into ch-7 sp, (4dc, ch1) into ch-5 sp, *(3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1) into next ch-2sp, (4dc, ch1) into ch-5sp, (3dc, ch1, 3dc, ch1) into ch-7 sp, (4dc, ch1) into ch-5 sp, rep from * twice, 3dc in hdc sp, hdc join. (80dc, 28ch)
R10: ch3, (counts as dc) 2dc into hdc sp, 25dc, *(3dc, ch2, 3dc) into next ch-2 sp, 25dc, rep from * twice, 3dc (in hdc sp), hdc join. (124 dc)
R11: ch 3, (counts as dc) dc into hdc sp, *[ch1, sk1, dc in next st] 14 times, ch1 (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch-2sp, rep from * twice, [ch1, sk1, dc in next st] 15 times, 2dc (in hdc sp), hdc join. (76dc, 72ch)
R12: ch2, (counts as hdc) hdc in hdc sp, 35hdc, *(2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in ch-2sp, 35hdc, rep from * twice, 2dc (in hdc sp), hdc join. (156 hdc, 8ch)
R13: ch2, (counts as hdc) hdc in hdc sp, 39BLhdc, *(2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in ch-2sp, 35BLhdc, rep from * twice, 2dc (in hdc sp), hdc join. (172 hdc, 8ch)
Finishing.
Fasten off and weave in ends
For best results block to 10 sq inches
As always, Happy Crocheting,
