Danyel’s Square

Get a stunning PDF version of this pattern on Ravelry for only $1.00, or use these instructions on my blog today for free!

Materials

Yarn: Vanna’s Choice, Lion Brand Yarn

Tools: US Size (I/9) 5.5 mm crochet hook, measuring tape, scissors

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: 12” x 12”

Gauge: 15 Sts and 6 pattern rows = 4”

Stitch Guide: Ch(s) – chain(s), Sc – single crochet, St(s) – stitch(es), Dc – double crochet, Sl St – slip stitch, RS – right side

Special Stitch

Popcorn: Work 6 Dc Sts into same place, remove hook from loop, insert hook into top of first Dc in group, insert hook into empty loop, pull loop through to close so that popcorn is apparent on RS.

Note: Use preferred method to change colors to taste.

Instructions

Form adjustable loop

Round 1 (RS):  Ch 3 (first Dc), work 11 Dc into loop, Sl St to join —12 Dc

Round 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a St, now and throughout), (Popcorn, Ch 3) into each St around, Sl St into first ch-3 space to join – 12 Popcorn, 12 Ch-3 spaces

Round 3: Ch 2, [(Popcorn, Ch 3, Popcorn, Ch 3) into Ch-3 space, (Popcorn, Ch 3) into next 2 Ch-3 spaces] repeat 4 times, Sl St into first ch-3 space join – 16 Popcorn, 16 Ch-3 spaces

Round 4: Ch 2, [(Popcorn, Ch 3, Popcorn, Ch 3) into Ch-3 space, (Popcorn, Ch 3) into next 3 Ch-3 spaces] repeat 4 times, Sl St into first ch-3 space join – 20 Popcorn, 20 Ch-3 spaces

Round 5: Ch 2, [(Popcorn, Ch 3, Popcorn, Ch 3) into Ch-3 space, (Popcorn, Ch 3) into next 4 Ch-3 spaces] repeat 4 times, Sl St into first ch-3 space join – 24 Popcorn, 24 Ch-3 spaces

Round 6: Ch 2, [(Popcorn, Ch 3, Popcorn, Ch 3) into Ch-3 space, (Popcorn, Ch 3) into next 5 Ch-3 spaces] repeat 4 times, Sl St into first ch-3 space join – 28 Popcorn, 28 Ch-3 spaces

Round 7: Ch 1 (does not count as a St, now and throughout), [(Sc, Ch 3, Sc, Ch 3) into Ch-3 space, (Sc, Ch 3) into next 6 Ch-3 spaces] repeat 4 times, Sl St around first  Sc to join – 32 Ch-3 spaces

Round 8: Ch 2 (first Dc), (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into Ch-3 space, [(Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into next 7 Ch-3 spaces, (3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc] repeat 3 times, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into next 7 Ch-3 spaces, Sl St into top of first Dc to join – 108 Dc, 4 Ch-3 spaces

Round 9: Sl St over to Ch-3 space, Ch 1, [Sc, Ch 3, Sc, Ch 3) into Ch-3 space, (Sc, Ch 3) into next 8 Ch-1 spaces] repeat 4 times, Sl St around first Sc to join – 40 Ch-3 spaces

Round 10: Ch 2 (first Dc), (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into Ch-3 space, [(Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into next 7 Ch-3 spaces, (3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc] repeat 3 times, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into next 7 Ch-3 spaces, Sl St into top of first Dc to join, fasten off – 108 Dc, 4 Ch-3 spaces

my craftsy trip: Before, courtship & after

Part 1: In the before time…

(Me & my boy – the reason I decided to crochet full-time)

I’m a crochet junkie. A feind. An obsessed soul.

You feel me?

When I turned my obsession into a small business around 2010, I knew I needed a lot of help. So, I turned to the internet to see how I could stay home with my boy, and make this business work!

About  that same time, Craftsy launched, too! I remember following this bright, cheery, forum to see how it would evolve, and I even signed up with my very own craftsy store to sell crochet patterns.

Rapidly, Craftsy grew.

With every new crochet class, and  the launch of each new crochet instructor, I remember trying harder,  working more, and learning anything I could to hopefully be the next one who might be considered to teach.

Remember, I am a junkie. I am obsessed, and this is my passion.

I wanted to excel in any possible avenue the crochet community had to offer, and Craftsy offered something that I wanted to work toward: being a crochet instructor!

Part 2: Our courtship took a bit of time…

(My Pink Mini Slouch Hat)

I think I submitted my first class proposal to Craftsy in 2010, or 2011.

It was a long process, and I did the best I could at the time. But, I did not receive a call.

I really don’t blame them though! Looking back, I know I wasn’t ready. I wanted it, but I had a long way to go before I could earn an opportunity with them.

I decided to continue networking, growing, and learning in the crochet world. In my eyes, for this to become a successful business, I needed to be an expert, and I needed some additional goals to reach.

Every year that I’ve been in business, I’ve learned a bit more. I’ve grown a bit more. And, I make new friends and partnerships every day. Above all else, building my crochet education, and  a strong crochet community, has felt like a huge success!

When you’re busy filling your pipeline with new goals, and working hard to accomplish them, time flies, and years pass…

Since my first Craftsy class proposal, I’ve:

• self-published over 200 crochet patterns,
• created the Design Wars Challenge,
• designed dozens of patterns for Red Heart Yarns,
• taught over 50 individual students from crochet beginner to expert,
• helped to build Happily Hooked Magazine, The Crochet Cafe, Happy Crochet Hooks and the American Crochet Association.

So, I really felt like I was ready…

Part 3: After (but, really we’re just beginning…)

(On set at the Craftsy studio)

I received a ravelry message early this year:

“We would like to talk to you about teaching at Craftsy, contact us if you’re interested.”

I replied without hesitation.

This felt right. It felt really good to be noticed for all the goals I’d been working to accomplish, and I finally felt like I was ready for Craftsy!

I remember my first call with them where the course outline was discussed, and I was asked if it was an opportunity I wanted.

YES!

I said that I had been a fan of Craftsy since their launch, and I already decided years before that should the opportunity ever come, I would say YES.

From my initial YES to now, a mere five months has passed. In that time, I’ve:

• designed three new patterns for my course,
• provided in-depth instructions, samples and multiple swatches for each,
• crafted a 37 page script,
• worked with a talent coach, producer, acquisitions editor and content editor,
• flew to Denver,
• worked eight to ten hour days,
• and, had room service 🙂

My class is set to launch in the very near future, but I’m afraid I can’t share many more details right now!

I did want to share my journey though; this career has been both the hardest job I’ve ever had, and the most gratifying.

I’ll share more details as they are available! Please enjoy these sneak peeks until then…

(The box of yarn Craftsy sent for my class)

(Sneak peek of my three projects; without ends being finished)

(Only three outfits, and a duffel bag full of yarn and finished class materials – all carry on!)

(Craftsy wants their instructors to be relaxed – so they book fancy accommodations)

(I had my very own studio, complete with a private dressing room)

(This was my set, before it was set for my crochet class)

(The first thing we did every day – hair and make up! I will miss this most of all)

(Sometimes, there is a lot of sitting and waiting patiently on set – perfect time for interesting selfies)

(A live video after my first full day of filming)

(A sneak peek at my set – they really did a great job building it for my class)

(Marly Bird and I – chatting and having some dessert together)

(This was one of my proudest moments – every dressing room has one, and instructors autograph a star on their last day of filming)

Follow my LIVE CHATS on Facebook for news and updates about this class!

Update…

My class is now live!

Click here to view it today < < < 

Vanna’s Square

Get a stunning PDF version of this pattern on Ravelry for only $1.00, or use these instructions on my blog today for free!

Materials

Yarn: Vanna’s Choice, Lion Brand Yarn

Tools: US Size (I/9) 5.5 mm crochet hook, measuring tape, scissors

Difficulty: Beginner

Size: 12” x 12”

Gauge: 15 sts and 6 pattern rows = 4”

Stitch Guide: ch(s) – chain(s), sc – single crochet, st(s) – stitch(es), dc – double crochet, sl st – slip stitch, RS – right side

Special Stitch

dc4tog: Double crochet 4 stitches together [yo, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop, yo, pull through two loops] x 4 (5 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 5 loops.

Note: 

• Use preferred method to change colors to taste.
• Change colors after 2 complete rounds to model example square.

Instructions

Make a magic ring.

Round 1 (RS):  Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc, now and throughout), 3 dc in ring, [ch 6, 4 dc into ring] 3 times, ch 6, sl st to top of first dc to join —16 dc, 4 ch-6 spaces.

Round 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st, now and throughout), [dc4tog, ch 3, sc into ch-6 space, ch 3] 4 times, sl st to top of first dc4tog to join – 4 dc4tog clusters, 8 ch-3 spaces

Round 3: Sl st to first ch-3 space, Ch 3, 3 dc into space, [ch 6, 4 dc into next ch-3 space] 7 times, ch 6, sl st to top of first dc to join – 32 dc, 8 ch-6 spaces.

Round 4: Ch 2, [dc4tog, ch 3, sc into ch-6 space, ch 3] 8 times, sl st to top of first dc4tog to join – 8 dc4tog clusters, 16 ch-3 spaces.

Round 5:  Sl st to first ch-3 space, ch 3, 3 dc into space, [ch 6, 4 dc into next ch-3 space] 15 times, ch 6, sl st to top of first dc to join – 64 dc, 16 ch-6 spaces.

Round 6: Ch 2, [dc4tog, ch 3, sc into ch-6 space, ch 3] 16 times, sl st to top of first dc4tog to join – 16 dc4tog clusters, 32 ch-3 spaces.

Round 7: Sl st to first ch-3 space, ch 3, 3 dc into space, [ch 6, 4dc into next ch-3 space, (ch 3, sc into next ch-3 space) 6 times, ch 3, 4 dc into next ch-3 space] 3 times, ch 6, 4dc into next ch-3 space, [ch 3, sc into next ch-3 space] 6 times, ch 3, sl st to first dc to join – 32 dc, 4 ch-6 spaces, 28 ch-3 spaces.

Round 8: Ch 2, [dc4tog, ch 3, sc into ch-6 space, ch 3, dc 4 tog, (ch 3, sc into next ch-3 space) 7 times, ch 3] 4 times, sl st to first dc4tog to join – 8 dc4tog clusters, 40 ch-3 spaces.

Round 9: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), [sc, ch 3] into each ch-3 space around, sl st to first sc to join – 40 sc, 40 ch-3 spaces.

Round 10: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into first ch-3 space, [3 dc into following 9 ch-3 spaces, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into the next ch-3 space] 3 times, 3 dc into following 9 ch-3    spaces, sl st to first dc to join – 132 dc, 4 ch-3 spaces. Fasten.