I finally feel like I'm hitting my designing stride this year. I scheduled a small staycation earlier this month and did as much as I could towards this business. I even took some time and learned how to grade patterns. This year there is a pair of traveling afghans being sent around the world as part of a KAL/CAL sponsored by Lion Brand. This is part of their "My Life in Yarn" 2020 series. Before you ask, no I wasn't invited. In fact, I don't even think that I had started designing when these afghan squares were first released. However, the blanket is designed as a 4x6 and I wanted a 5x5 blanket, so I knew this was an opportunity to design something. Here's how I came up with the design.
The Inspiration
The staff of Asclepius is a well known medical symbol that I knew I wanted to use. It is commonly confused with the caduceus symbol. I'm just going to be honest here and let you know that I was confused too. That would be the one with two serpents wrapping around a winged staff. That one is actually the staff of Hermes. Anyway, the symbol is well known, but the meaning is unclear. Some like to reference the shedding skin as being reborn. It probably makes the most sense, but I like a lesser theory: that the snake can be a symbol of death or rebirth depending on if they're venomous or not. That is a lot like medicine. Some medicines are toxic and must be used in the correct amount with the correct intent in order to avoid harm.
I am a healthcare worker and 2020 has been pretty difficult for me and my peers. Everything has changed in the way we conduct patient visits. I hate to think this is the new normal. However, I wanted to design a square that encompassed my life in yarn this year, including being a doctor. Earlier this year I made the Queen tote by DesignsbyKey and remembered how easy it was to make more intricate patterns with the filet crochet technique. So I got out a sheet of graph paper, a pencil, and with the hour, I had the pattern done. The square was finished soon after.
The Pattern
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Yarn
Pound of Love by Lion Brand in Hunter Green
Worsted weight #4
32g OR 73 yds
Hook
J/10 – 6.0 mm
Other Materials
Blunt end tapestry needle
Scissors
Gauge
14 sts x 8 rows = 4” x 4”
Finished size
10 x 10”
Abbreviations
Ch – chain
Sp – space
Sk – skip
St(s) – stitch(es)
DC – double crochet
FO – finish off
Notes
A simple crochet afghan square using the filet crochet technique and just a few different stitches.
The pattern is worked in rows. Skip the first st in each row and make sure to work the last st in the chain st from the last row. This will help make the edges straighter.
Make sure to stay conscious of your right and wrong side. The most complicated thing about filet crochet to me is reading the pattern “backwards” on the wrong side.
For reference, here is a chart:
Pattern
Ch 2 counts as a DC in all rows.
Ch 36
· Row 1: DC in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn. (35)
· Row 2: Ch 2, DC 16, ch 1, sk 1, DC 17, turn. (35)
· Row 3: Ch 2, DC 14, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x2, DC 16, turn.
· Row 4: Ch 2, DC 14, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x3, DC 14, turn.
· Row 5: Ch 2, DC 16, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, ch 1, sk 1, DC 13, turn.
· Row 6: Ch 2, DC 14, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x3, DC 14, turn.
· Row 7: Ch 2, DC 12, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, ch 1, sk 1, DC 17, turn.
· Row 8: Ch 2, DC 4, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x2, DC 4, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x4, DC 6, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, turn.
· Row 9: Ch 2, DC 2, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, ch 1, sk 1, DC 9, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x2, DC 2, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, turn.
· Row 10: Ch 2, DC 2, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x2, DC 2, ch 1, sk 1, DC9, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x3, DC 2, turn.
· Row 11: Ch 2, DC 2, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, ch 1, sk 1, DC 5, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x5, DC 4, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x2, DC 4, turn.
· Row 12: Ch 2, DC 16, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x2, DC 10, turn.
· Row 13: Ch 2, DC 10, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x2, DC 2, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x3, DC 8, turn.
· Row 14: Ch 2, DC 6, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x8, DC 12, turn.
· Row 15: Ch 2, DC 16, ch 1, sk 1, DC 3, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x3, DC 8, turn.
· Row 16: Ch 2, DC 16, ch 1, sk 1, DC 17, turn.
· Row 17: Ch 2, DC 14, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x3, DC 14, turn.
· Row 18: Ch 2, DC 14, (ch 1, sk 1, DC) x3, DC 14, turn.
· Row 19: Ch 2, DC 16, ch 1, sk 1, DC 17, turn.
· Row 20: Ch 2, DC in each st.
Cut yarn, FO, and weave in ends.
If you have any questions about the pattern or notice any errors, feel free to comment below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Copyright The Crafty MD, 2020 All Rights Reserved.
Feel free to make and sell items from this pattern in small quantities, but please give credit and link to my page. Do not sell, distribute, or reproduce the pattern.