Play On Color

                        Play On Color
          The Single Crochet Stitch @2004
                        By N.L. Banks

If you look at the two pictures below, you will see two different colored swatches. One swatch in Fern and the other in a Rose color. Just row after row of single crochet. Now you can do a lot with the single crochet stitch, from afghan squares to full size blankets, lap robes, potholders and more. You name it and with this one stitch, you can do it. Each square is started out by chaining 17, single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook, and in each chain across row. 2nd row is, ch. 1, single crochet in each single crochet across row, turn. Repeat this until you have a square.




But it is sure boring with just using one color, so lets try mixing the two together, and see what happens. So, using Fern, ch. 17, single crochet in each chain across the row, turn. 2nd row: ch. 1, single crochet in each single crochet across row, turn. Now we'll introduce the second color. Drop Fern, and attach Rose, do two rows the same way, drop Rose, attach Fern and repeat these four rows until you have a square. See swatch 3.



And finally a third color, Victorian Rose. This is a variegated color. Now repeat the same pattern till square. Start with Fern, two rows, then two rows of the Victorian Rose, then 2 rows of the Rose color, then two rows of the Victorian Rose. Now repeat these rows from the fern until square. See swatch 4.

Nice. But what if we change the pattern some, and still use the same single crochet. Let's try with Fern, chain 17, single crochet in 2nd chain from hook, and in each row across, ch 1, turn. 2nd row, 1 single crochet in each single crochet across row, turn 1, turn, drop Fern, attach Rose, (rows 3 & 4) and do the same two rows. Row 5: Drop Rose and attach Victorian Rose, chain 1, now single crochet in first stitch, * do a single crochet (long V stitch) two rows below this row (in the last row of Fern), single crochet in next 2 single crochet, and repeat from * across row, ch 1, turn. Row 6: single crochet across row, ch 1, turn. Row 7: Drop Victorian Rose, attach Fern, and single crochet cross row, ch 1, turn. Repeat from row 2 until square. See swatch 5. The changing of color, and just one change in the stitch pattern really makes a difference.


Now, lets try a simple chevron pattern. This pattern uses the single crochet stitch, is also worked in the same three colors, and is based on a multiple of 13 +12. For the sample chain 51.

Row 1: With Fern, 1sc in 2nd ch form hook, 1sc in each of next 4ch, 3sc in next ch, *1 sc in each of next 5 ch, skip 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, 3 sc in next ch, repeat from * across, end 1 sc in each of last 5 ch, ch 1, turn.

Row 2: through back loops only, skip 1sc, work 1 sc in each of next 4sc, * 3 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, skip 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, repeat from * across, end 3 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, skip 1 sc, 1 sc in turning ch, ch1, turn, fasten off Fern, attach Rose.

Working two rows of each color, repeat row 2 for pattern. Now look at swatch #6. And see what a play on color can do for your crochet.

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The yarn for this article is Honeysuckle Yarns, article #810 in Rose #9, Fern #20, and Victorian Rose #110 finished by Elmore-Pisgah, Inc. at http://www.elmore-pisgah.com/

For more patterns using Elmore-Pisgah, Inc. products to go: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Atmyhouse.