Update

This looks like it's turning into a craft blog. The theme is tied, really. Reusing, refashioning . . . it's all about saving energy and garbage out of landfills.

I made three and a half more squares this weekend. That equals two mostly used skeins that were filling up my yarn drawer that had no other use. Yay for cleaning!

I'm really excited about the support I've gotten so far. Several people have offered to knit squares. For others interested in knitting instead of crochet, I'm going to let you use your own creativity for the pattern. The only pattern I'd suggest staying away from is ribbing because of the stretchiness.

I should start a list a la Crunch on the side of those interested so I can keep track. : )

Crochet pattern

Excuse the optical illusion, they are the same size.

This will be the pattern for the crocheted afghan. I stole the pattern from 63 East-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches.

Using an H-hook and worsted weight yarn, please make sure your unblocked square measures 6 inches.

Chain 8, join with slip to form a ring.
RND 1: Work beginning Cluster as follows: chain 3, (YO, insert hook in ring and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook (beginning Cluster made), ch 5, work Cluster in ring as follows: (YO, insert hook in ring and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook (Cluster made), ch 2, *work (Cluster, ch 5, Cluster) in ring, ch2; repeat from * 2 times more; join with slip st. to top of beginning Cluster: 8 clusters.

RND 2: Slip st in first ch-5, work (beginning Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, *work (Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in next ch-5 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2; repatet from * around; join with slip st to top of beginning Cluster.

RND 3: Slip st in first ch-3 sp, work (beginning Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in same sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, *work (Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2; repeat from * around; join with slip st to top of beginning Cluster.

RND 4-5: slip st in first ch-3 sp, work (beginning Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in same sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, *work (Cluster, ch 3, Cluster) in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, work 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, repeat from * around; join with slip st to top of beginning Cluster.

RND 6: Slip st in first ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 sc, sc in every stitch to next corner (about 21 st), 3 sc in corner. Continue around, slip st. in top of first sc and finish off.

crocheters, knitters, do gooders

Dear friends, stalkers, and lurkers,

I need your help. Many of us have scrap yarn lying around. Why not put it to use? I am asking folks to help me make an afghan out of granny squares to be donated to Treehouse or a local Seattle homeless shelter.

This is a great opportunity to learn how to knit or crochet! And I am not asking you to purchase yarn but to use what you, or a friend, has lying around the house.

Please let me know if you are interested. I have to run to the gym now, but this afternoon I plan on settling on patterns and final instructions.