Batik (n.): a fabric printed by an Indonesian method of hand-printing textiles by coating with wax the parts not to be dyed
─m-w.com
This week, I jumped into another colorway. This time I used Stylecraft Batik DK in a rainbow of colors. I originally purchased this yarn for a temperature blanket, but as the scope and size of the blanket became known, it was not cost effective to continue with it, so I started the project over. The yarn itself is beautiful though a quick perusal of the Stylecraft website leads me to believe that it is no longer in production. That’s what this project is about though─using up yarn scraps that would not be another for a project of greater magnitude.
If this is your first time reading about my current crochet challenge, make sure you go back and read this post for a refresher of my self-imposed rules.
As I post each square, I will post the name and difficulty rating given to each square by Diana Krenz in her book 100 Vibrant Granny Squares, which I’m using for this challenge. Then I will give my difficulty rating and notes about the yarn I used and any new stitches, etc., that I encounter. See squares 1-2 here and squares 3-5 here and 6-11 here and 12-19 here.
What’s New
I did two new things this week.
First, I decided to blindly choose the colors for each of the squares by reaching my hand into this high-tech sandwich bag and pulling out a string. I had eight colors in total, though some have run out. I am considering pulling apart my unfinished temperature blanket to get more yarn, but I have to find it first! My rules for pulling yarn were that (1) I had to use the color I chose and (2) I could redraw if I chose the same color the second time.
The second new thing was that I decided I was only going to do the 12″ squares in this colorway. Because I was using a DK weight yarn, this meant that my squares came out to 11″ blocked (and I did block five of the squares already!).
The Squares
Because all of these squares have similar patterns and difficulty, I am going to rate them all together and then show the individual squares.
Difficulty rating: Basic to Intermediate
My Rating (1-5): 2.5
Yarn: Stylecraft Batik DK
Hook: H (5 mm)
I decided to give each square a difficulty rating of 2.5 for three reasons. First, they are 12″ squares. This requires a greater level of patience as they take longer to make. Second, there are many layers with stitches crocheted below, behind, in front of other stitches. Third, some of the instructions are easy to overlook if you think you have a handle on it. The author often skips the first stitch after a corner space in order to fix the stitch count.
If you have been able to crochet the patterns up to this point, you WILL be able to crochet these squares. I often recommend that beginner crocheters jump right to these types of patterns (especially if you have a mentor around) because it quickly grows a better understanding of the different stitches and techniques.
Hera Square (20/100)
Difficulty rating: Intermediate
My Rating (1-5): 2.5
I wasn’t sure about these colors when I started out because I had so many brighter colors to use. I actually really like it. Did you catch the little pop of green toward the center?
Popcorn Dance Square (21/100)
Difficulty rating: Basic
My Rating (1-5): 2.5
This square has a LOT of popcorns, but it gives it such great temperature. You can’t be mad at that.
Jeremiel Square (22/100)
Difficulty rating: Intermediate
My Rating (1-5): 2.5
I especially like the outer border on this square.
Zadkiel Square (23/100)
Difficulty rating: Intermediate
My Rating (1-5): 2.5
On this square I did use the pink through all the popcorn stitches without picking each time. I was so excited that the green to blue ombre happened even though I was picking at random!
Victoria’s Square (24/100)
Difficulty rating: Intermediate
My Rating (1-5): 2.5
I ran out of the medium green in the middle of round four and had to substitute it with some of the blue. If you were looking for it, you might able able to find it, but otherwise you can’t tell!
Rachel’s Flower Square (25/100)
Difficulty rating: Intermediate
My Rating (1-5): 2.5
There you have it. Not only did I complete 6 squares this week, I am 25% of the way through this challenge!
As far as projects go, I’m still sitting at 2/10, but I’ll get more done soon.
Projects 2/10
What has been your favorite project/square so far?
I can’t pick.
Keep stitching, Heidi