Hello, my friends!
Can you believe it is almost March and I have hardly posted anything new this month? I am very sorry for the lack of new content, but I do have some good news for you- today I have a brand new FREE pattern to share with you, and my amazing testers are finishing up their notes on another great pattern that will be coming in the next couple of weeks!
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Have you been participating in the Friendship Blanket CAL hosted by my friends at Sunflower Cottage Crochet? I really hope you have. I have designed 2 squares for the blanket, and today is the release of my first square!
If you have missed any of the previous squares, or you just want to have all of the patterns at once, you can purchase the entire bundle through my affiliate link for just $10 HERE
My first square, The Dolphin Stitch Square, features my signature stitch. The Dolphin Stitch is my own innovation, and is so fun to work up and super versatile. You can use the Dolphin Stitch with any size yarn or hook, and it creates some amazing texture! Here are some of my other patterns I have designed using the Dolphin Stitch:
These are just a few of the great things you can make using the Dolphin Stitch. The Ice Cap Beanie and Stars and Stripes Head Wrap also utilize the Dolphin Stitch, and both patterns are available for FREE right here on the blog!
I have also created a tutorial video for the Dolphin Stitch Square:
You can download the ad-free PDF below:
*If you are unfamiliar with the process for getting a free pattern from me, please read my FAQ page*
And now, the FREE Dolphin Stitch Square pattern:
Materials:
Worsted weight (4) yarn
5.5mm hook
Stitch markers
Finishing needle
Scissors
Abbreviations:
mr- magic ring
sc-single crochet
ch-chain
dst- Dolphin Stitch
incdst- Increase Dolphin Stitch
slst- slip stitch
st-stitch
Gauge: 2” square after Rnd 3
Special Stitches:
Dolphin Stitch (dst):
The Dolphin Stitch is a modified cluster of tc, dc, hdc, and sc across 4 sts:
Step 1: yo 2x, insert hook in first st,(or in ch- space if indicated) yo, pull up a loop,[yo, pull through 2loops] twice. (2 loops on hook)
Step 2: yo, insert hook in next st, (or in ch- space if indicated) yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops. (3loops on hook)
Step 3: yo, insert hook in next st, (or in ch- space if indicated) yo, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook)
Step 4: (This step is your anchor stitch) Insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all 6 loops, ch 3 to complete stitch.
Increase Dolphin stitch (incdst):
You will be placing 2 dsts in one st.
Begin the first 3 steps in the top of the dst below (5 loops on hook) and place your anchor loop in the ch3 sp (6 loops on hook) and complete the st.
Then work your next dst as normal, beginning with your first 3 steps in the same ch3 sp as your anchor loop from the first part of the incdst, and then placing your anchor loop in the loop made when completing the dst below.
Notes:
This pattern is worked in the round, but you will turn after each round as indicated.
You may wish to place a stitch marker over the ch3 in between each incdst to help you remember where the corners are. Note: do not place your stitch marker in a loop, but rather over the entire ch3 so your marker is able to be slid across the ch3
Pattern Instructions:
Rnd 1. Begin with mr, ch1, sc 12 in mr, slst to first sc (12)
Rnd 2. ch2, dst around, placing your first loop in the same st as your last loop from the previous dst, slst to top of first dst, turn. (4 dst)
Rnd 3. ch2, beginning in the top of the dst where you made your slst, incdst around, slst to ch2, turn. (8 dst)
Rnd 4. ch2, *dst, incdst* 4x, slst to ch2, turn. (12 dst)
Rnd 5. ch2, dst, *incdst, dst 2* 3x, incdst, dst, slst to ch2, turn. (16 dst)
Rnd 6. ch2, dst 2, *incdst, dst 3* 3x, incdst, dst, slst to ch2, turn. (20 dst)
Rnd 7. ch2, dst 2, *incdst, dst 4* 3x, incdst, dst 2, slst to ch2, turn. (24 dst)
Rnd 8. ch2, dst 3, *incdst, dst 5* 3x, incdst, dst 2, slst to ch2, turn. (28 dst)
Rnd 9. ch2, dst 3, *incdst, dst 6* 3x, incdst, dst 3, slst to ch2, turn. (32 dst)
Rnd 10. ch2, dst 4, *incdst, dst 7* 3x, incdst, dst 3, slst to ch2, turn. (36 dst)
Rnd 11. ch2, dst 4, *incdst, dst 8* 3x, incdst, dst 4, slst to ch2, turn. (40 dst)
Rnd 12. ch2, dst 5, *incdst, dst 9* 3x, incdst, dst 4, slst to ch2, turn. (44 dst)
Rnd 13. ch1, sc around, placing 3 sc in each ch3 sp and 1 sc in the top of each dst. (sc 2, ch2, sc 2) in each corner. slst to 1st sc, finish off and weave in ends. (180 sc)
And now you have a completed Dolphin Stitch Square to add to your Friendship Blanket!
****If you get stuck, there is a tutorial video available now in my Straight Hookin’ Crochet Community facebook group. Click HERE to join the group and see the video!****
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Until next time,
Happy Hooking!
~Malena
