Block 42 of the Block a Week CAL (hosted by Kimberly Slifer) is Donna Kay Lacey’s Super Sampler Square. I am getting a break this week because Donna has already done a photo tutorial for the square. I will still, however, give you a few tips and tricks. Or I should probably say I will show you how NOT to do it :)
Super Sampler Square
{Pattern © Donna Kay Lacey}
Pattern
Both the Pattern AND Tutorial are available as Free Ravelry Downloads.
Suggested Materials
- 5.5 mm Clover Amour Crochet Hook (US I/9 UK 5) AND 5 mm crochet hook (US H/8 UK 6)
- Worsted weight yarn
Size
- If you use the hook and yarn specified, your square should be a nice even 12″ when complete.
- Using a 4 mm crochet hook (US G/6 UK 8) and double knit yarn, as I have done, your finished square will be about 8.5″ big.
My Yarn and Colour Choices
I am using Stylecraft Special DK.
- Saffron (Rounds 1 and 14)
- Turquoise (Rounds 2 and 3)
- Sherbet (Rounds 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, and 16)
- Meadow (Rounds 6, and Optional 17 and 18)
- Magenta (Round 8)
- Pomegranate (Round 11)
Notes
- US Crochet Terminology used (see this comparative chart if you need help transcribing from US to UK).
- Where the pattern tells you to change hook sizes, DO SO!
Special Stitches
There are a lot of special stitches in this pattern. I am just listing the ones that I have tutorials for.
- Double crochet 3 together (Dc3tog) – see this tutorial (both for the beginning dc3tog and for subsequent dc3tog)
- Beginning Cluster – see this tutorial and use the instructions for the First Bobble Stitch
- Bobble Stitch – the principle is the same as for this Bobble Stitch Tutorial, but you will need to make 5 partial dc’s instead of 3 (into the same stitch)
- Invisible Join – see this tutorial.
Corrections
Instructions for the Cable and Corner Cable: Sc in the next 3 ch’s as specified in the photo tutorial, NOT 2 as indicated in the written instructions.
How my Square Grew
(AKA How NOT to Make this Square, hehe)
Rounds 1 – 3 were a breeze. Here is Xander modeling the square for me with his favourite “on the nose” pose, specially for Carolyn Robinson King. (Carolyn is one of the CAL participants, in case you haven’t come across her yet, and she is a sweetheart!)
It is worth noting that this little square has a tendency to twist slightly in the final square. Nothing a little creative blocking can’t fix :)
In Round 4 you will be using dc3tog‘s and 3-dc bobbles/clusters.
I didn’t change my hook size because I foolishly thought I could just crochet even tighter. I was very much mistaken. Please change your hook size as instructed in the pattern. If you are using a 4 mm hook for this square, go down to a 3.5 mm hook for Rounds 4 – 6.
If you need evidence, scroll on down to the photo with the yellow popcorns to see what happens if you don’t!
When you get to Round 7, remember to change back to the larger hook and read the instructions for the corners carefully. You want to make 15 sc’s across each side and 3 sc’s in each corner. Donna instructs you to make the corner as follows: “Make 2 sc’s in the next chain. Sc in the next chain.” These “chains” are the 2 ch st’s in the corner. Alternatively, you can just make 3 sc’s into the ch-2 space.
Whichever way you decide to go, make sure that you have 3 st’s in each corner and 15 across each side.
When making the cable round (Round 8), read carefully and follow the photo tutorial closely. Remember that the written instructions tell you to “sc in the next 2 ch’s”, but this should be “sc in the next 3 ch’s” (as per the photo tutorial).
Round 11…getting there.
In Round 14 you will be making 5-dc bobbles. You make them the same way as you would a 3-dc bobble, but using 5 partial dc’s instead of 3. These bobbles have a tendency to “pop” to the back of your work. I suggest leaving them all popped to the back until you have completed the round. Once the round is done, “pop” them all to the front of your work.
Now remember what I said about not going down to a smaller hook for Rounds 4-6? This is what happens when you don’t. Poor unhappy, distorted square.
But luckily (after a bit of severe blocking on my DIY Blocking Station) she turned out ok in the end. Rounds 4 and 5 are not as neat and lacy as I would like, but that will teach me not to listen to the designer!
I ended up adding 2 additional rounds to get this square to the same stitch count as the first square, which I am using as my measuring rod. I used 2 sc rounds because I blocked the square so severely, but if you go down that hook size when instructed, you might need to change the final round to an hdc round instead. You can find the instructions for the additional rounds HERE.
Join the Block a Week CAL
If you would like to be part of the Block a week CAL on Facebook, please join the Official CCC Social Group (you must be logged into Facebook to do so) so that you can access and utilize the support and encouragement of all the lovely ladies on there.
You can also join the Block a Week CAL Flickr Group so that you can inspire others and be inspired yourself.
For those of you who do not like Facebook, you can always follow along with me here. I will be posting the blocks every week.
Remember to subscribe to my Weekly Newsletter if you would like to be kept in the loop. You can also like my Facebook page or follow me on Bloglovin, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram.
More Blogs Following the CAL
- San from Loopsan – using Stylecraft in sophisticated Parchment, Denim, Mocha and Meadow
- Lou Mander from Tea, Crochet and Me – using Stylecraft in White, Mocha and Raspberry
- Wendy from Little Wendy Crochet (Dutch photo tutorials)
Happy Hooking!
BJ Todd says
Hi Dedri,
I just discovered this. Unfortunately there are no more downloads on revelry for this one. My house caught on fire in 2013 and it’s taken me this long to acquire extra money to start doing this again. Any suggestions for locating the pattern?
BJ
Dedri Uys says
I have contacted the designer and will update the page as soon as I know. Thank you for highlighting this.
Dedri
Angela Brown says
I decided on a whim to see if I could find the pattern as I was so late to the CAL and was glad to see it was available again….but I must say I really did miss your concise tutorial as I found the pattern quite difficult especially the cable stitch…after having already done the Sophie Universe I can definitely say you have spoilt us with your lovely patterns and pictures…thank you so much Dedri
Dedri Uys says
Hi Angela. Thank you for telling me that the instructions are available again on Ravelry. I have amended my post. Donna does have a downloadable photo tutorial. Did you have a look at it?
Dedri
Angela Brown says
Hi Dedri…yes I did download her tutorial….but as I say…you have spoilt us…after a full Sophie without using the video, only your pattern, and now all those squares I am well and truly entrenched in your style…I also live in Bloemfontein South Africa so I get your lovely sense of humour too!!!
Love and Gratitude
Angela
Dedri Uys says
Bloemfontein is beautiful, Angela! The last time I was in Bloem, it was the middle of the winter and it was -4! Not something I was used to, growing up in the Klein Karoo.
Angela Brown says
Dedri I just wanted to show you a finished pic of my Block a Week…gifted to my daughter and her fiance who live in Durban so I made it in Vinnis Serina…which I am sure you know is 100% bamboo. By sheer luck the weather turned the day after we arrived and they actually got to use it too. Not too sure how to send you a pic? Love and Gratitude…Angela
Dedri Uys says
Angela, I would LOVE to see it. I am a big fan of Vinnis. You can use the Contact Me button at the top of the website to send me an email and we can take it from there.
Ginny says
this square is available again on ravelry for free…just downloaded it on 22nd October 2016
Lisa says
Dear Dedri,
I just wanted to tell you how much I love your creative patterns, your abundant use of colour, and your very helpful photo tutorials. Also, FYI, this pattern is back up on Ravelry under the link that is stroked out at the top of the page.
Cheers, and thanks again.
Lisa
Doris says
An interesting pattern indeed!
I found the original tutorial with pics here:
https://donnakaylacey.wordpress.com/?s=Mystery+Crochet+Along+
Just in case someone else would like to try it :)
Doris says
Oh, dear…
I wished I saw Alison’s post before doing all the search ha ha :)
Alison Simons says
I love a challenge so I did a bit of Internet sleuthing
You can still access instructions here:
https://donnakaylacey.wordpress.com/2012/10/07/mystery-crochet-along-super-sampler-block/
https://donnakaylacey.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/mystery-crochet-along-clue-2/
https://donnakaylacey.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/mystery-crochet-along-clue-3/
https://donnakaylacey.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/mystery-crochet-along-clue-3-2/
https://donnakaylacey.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/mystery-crochet-along-clue-5/
I’ve downloaded them for myself in case they disappear!
Hope this helps someone!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Alison!
Cobie says
My blanket is almost finished. am so happy with it. I just can not complete it because this pattern is not available for download . does anyone know how I like to have this pattern may come ? ravelery.com through because it really does not work anymore . And as I’ve read, I ‘m not the only one there. I hope someone cold help me.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Cobie. I am trying to find out why the pattern is no longer available. All I can suggest is that you continue on with the other squares and come back to this one at a later date? I am sorry for the inconvenience, but I don’t have any more information than you do.
Dedri
Pallie says
This pattern is not available on Ravelry and the website says the domain name may be for sale.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Pallie. I am trying to make contact with Donna Kay.
Carmen says
PRECIOSO Como todos.
Gracias,
Carmen
Ruth says
This tutorial series is SO fabulous, thank you for writing and posting it. Part of why it is so useful is because you have all the mini tutorials on how to do a stitch, extra rounds, block, or other technique. I found this CAL just recently (followed a trail from the puzzle ball/animals) so I am not nearly current on making the blocks. Will you keep all these great tutorials on each block –and the explanations– on your site after this CAL is finished so I will be able to refer to all your great tips?
Dedri Uys says
Hi Ruth. The tutorials will all stay up on my site indefinitely (and the patterns will remain available on Ravelry), so there is no rush.
Kim says
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes…and I just love your son’s favorite pose! :)
Dedri Uys says
You’re welcome. He does it every time I ask him to hold something for me. And every time it makes me think of Carolyn :)