Copyright Disclosure
This pattern is for your own personal use. No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part (i.e. copying and pasting this pattern into your own document, altering this pattern in any way and calling it your own, etc.), or distribution of this pattern or content (i.e. sharing this pattern in its whole form on your own blog) is allowed. You can use this blog post in blog round-ups. I give permission to sell your items made from this pattern. Please credit “While They Dream” in your listings. The pattern and all photos are the property of While They Dream. You are welcome to share my patterns across all social media forms as long as you link back to my blog directly.
Inspiration - My Life in Yarn
I began crocheting in 2011, about a year after my son, Gabriel, was born. I thought it would be special for him to have things that his Momma took time to make for him. I am completely self-taught. I don’t have any sweet stories about my Grandma teaching me (although, come to find out many years later, that both my maternal and paternal grandmothers, as well as my maternal great-grandmother did, indeed, crochet as well - my great-grandmother even wrote a few patterns!). I don’t remember what my very first project was…I think it was a hat, but I quickly went from a hat to Dirk the Dragon by Lalylala. It was sort of a “go big or go home” moment for me. I nailed that project and was totally hooked from that point on.
Like many, I started out by selling the things I made and took custom orders. I always had projects going. In 2015 I wanted to dive into knitting. I had a ton of projects saved on Ravelry that I dreamed of one day creating. However, knitting seemed really hard to me and I was painfully slow at it. I would pick up my needles here and there and then quickly go back to my hooks.
A lot happened in my life in 2016 and for one reason or another, I put down the yarn altogether. Things were not the happiest at that time and I guess I didn’t even feel joy from my favorite hobby. I got to talking with a fellow knitting and crochet friend of mine in 2017 and I dove back into yarn. I was still continuing to create things for sale and make things just for myself and my family members at this time.
As some of you may know, 2018 brought the pain of miscarriage. It was after this loss that I decided I needed to take my business in a new direction. Give myself a new and different focus. I never dreamed that I would be capable of writing my own patterns, but suddenly things were just pouring out of me in July of 2018. I experienced yet another pregnancy loss in the Spring of 2019 and in the Fall, my Step-Dad passed away very unexpectedly. If I didn’t have this craft, my kids, and all of the beauty I found through Instagram, I think I would have had a very hard time making my way out of bed some mornings.
It’s been a very special experience to be a part of this Traveling Afghan. I didn’t choose a stitch that I’ve worked with before. I chose a new stitch to work with for this new project; one that I’ve had my eye on for quite sometime. This square only uses knits and purls and it creates a wonderful squishy texture!
Finished Dimensions: 10 in (25 cm) x 10 in (25 cm)
Supplies Needed
- Knitting Needle: 5mm/US 8
- Yarn: 85 yards of Lion Brand Wool-Ease in the color Fisherman (or any Worsted weight 4 yarn)
Stitch Abbreviations
BLO – Back Loop Only
BO – Bind Off
CO – Cast On
K – Knit
P – Purl
Wyif – With Yarn in Front
Important Notes
Gauge: 18 sts x 24 rows in 4 in (10 cm) x 4 in (10 cm) stockinette stitch
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Pattern
CO 46 sts
Row 1 (RS): Knit first stitch blo. *K1, P1* until 1 stitch remains. K last stitch.
Row 2 (WS): Slip first stitch purlwise wyif. *K1, P1* until 1 stitch remains. Slip last stitch purlwise wyif.
Row 3: Knit first stitch blo. *P1, K3* until 1 stitch remains. K last stitch.
Row 4: Slip first stitch purlwise wyif. *P3, K1* until 1 stitch remains. Slip last stitch purlwise wyif.
Row 5: Knit first stitch blo. *K1, P1* until 1 stitch remains. K last stitch.
Row 6: Slip first stitch purlwise wyif. *K1, P1* until 1 stitch remains. Slip last stitch purlwise wyif.
Row 7: Knit first stitch blo. K2, *P1, K3* until the last 3 stitches. P1, K2.
Row 8: Slip first stitch purlwise wyif. P1, *K1, P3* until the last 4 stitches. K1, P2, Slip last stitch purlwise wyif.
Repeat Rows 1-8 for a total of 56 rows.
Repeat Rows 1-5 once more (for a total of 61 rows)
Bind off: Begin with slipping the first stitch purlwise wyif. Continue to bind off in a K1, P1 manner. Knit the last stitch and slip your first stitch on the needle over your last stitch. Fasten off.
I do not recommend blocking this square. You want the little diamonds to stay squishy and I feel blocking this type of stitch flattens it out too much.
I chose to whip stitch my square to Julia’s square to the left and Jerica’s square above mine.