Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Mystery Afghan BlockSquare

designed by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014

Materials
Vanna’s Choice or similar aran-
weighted yarn Colors A and B—
9” block: A/B—20 g (.7 oz /35 yd)
12” block: A/B—30 g (1 oz /50 yd)
Optional C~10 g (.35 oz/18 yd)

Recommend US H or I (5.0 or 5.5

mm) hook

Tapestry Needle, split stitch

marker

Skill/Terms: Intermediate to
Advanced Tapestry work in
American Terms

Photo in Color A is Lamb, Color B is Sweet Pea,

and Optional Color C is Rose, with Rounds 15
and 16 switched up.

Notes and Stitches

Tapestry-style: Whenever you can, place the non-working yarn in line on top of the existing
round of stitches, and work it ‘inside’ the new crochet stitches. If you do it neatly, and
occasionally pull the non-working yarn so it doesn’t curl and bunch up, you won’t see it through
the other color. You will need to untwist your yarns frequently. It does get rhythmic after a while.

Tapestry-style chaining: Alternate with an ‘under/over’ motion. In other words, work the first
chain under the line of non-working yarn, and the second chain on top of it. If there are more
chains to be made, work the third one under it, and the fourth one on top of it. When you need
to ‘switch’, pull the non-working yarn through from ‘under’ the working yarn, at which time it
becomes the working yarn and the working yarn becomes non-working yarn. TUTORIAL below.

Switch: To switch, bring the non-working yarn under the working yarn, and pull the yarn through
the indicated stitch or chain. The non-working yarn then becomes the working yarn. Each
‘switch’ is considered a ch 1.

BLO: Back loop only

Invisible join: http://mrsmicawber.blogspot.pt/2012/06/pardon-me-but-your-slip-stitch-is.html

Air crochet: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/vannas-choice-fan-club/1206917/201-225#223

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 1
Instructions
RND 1:

Option 1: Starting with Color A, ch 7 and join with a sl st to form a circle. (do not use an
adjustable loop as it will not be wide enough). *Ch 5 as trc + ch 1, 15 (trc, ch 1) in circle; join
with a sl st in 4th ch of beg ch-5. (16 trc, 16 ch-1)

Option 2: If you want a little circle of Color B in the middle, then start with Color B (or C if you
are using Color C), ch 2, 7 sc in second ch from hook, fasten with Invisible Join (8 sc). BLO:
Join Color A with a sl st in BLO any st, ch 5 as (trc + ch 1), trc + ch 1 in same st; (trc, ch 1, trc,
ch 1) in next 7 st; join with a sl st in 4th ch of beg ch-5. (16 trc, 16 ch-1 sp)

RND 2: Continue with Color A, sl st in ch-1 sp before the next trc, ch 1 and sc into same sp, (ch
2, sc in ch-1 sp btwn next two trc) 15 times; ch 2; join with a sl st in 1st sc. (16 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

RND 3: Continue with Color A, sl st in next ch-2 sp, $ch 1, 2 sc in same sp. Picking up Color B,
ch 1 with Color A under Color B (trapping it). (Switch to Color B—see notes on switch as ch 1,
2 sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 1 under Color A*, Switch to Color A as ch 1, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 1
under Color B) 8 times, ending last rep at *. Switch to Color A as ch 1; join with a sl st in 1 st sc.
(32 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

RND 4: Continue with Color A, sl st under Color B and in the next sc, then sl st in the next ch-2
sp, work from $ in RND 3 to end of RND 3, ignoring reference to picking up Color B other than
switches. (32 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

RND 5: Continue with Color A, sl st under Color B and in next sc, then sl st in next ch-2 sp, ch
1, 2 sc in same sp, ch 1 under Color B, ch 1 over Color B. (Switch to Color B as ch 1, 2 sc in
next ch-2 sp, ch 1 under Color A, ch 1 over Color A*, switch to Color A as ch 1, 2 sc in next ch-2
sp, ch 1 under Color B, ch 1 over Color B) 8 times, working to * only on last rep. Switch to Color
A as ch 1; join with a sl st in 1 st sc. (32 sc, 16 ch-3 sp)

RND 6: Note: After every 3 sc, give the non-working Color a little tug to stop it from
bunching. Continue with Color A, sl st under Color B and in next sc, then sl st in next ch-3 sp,
ch 1, 3 sc in same sp, ch 1 under Color B, ch 1 over Color B. (Switch to Color B as ch 1, 3 sc in
next ch-3 sp, ch 1 under Color A, ch 1 over Color A*, Switch to Color A as ch 1, 3 sc in next ch-
3 sp, ch 1 under Color B, ch 1 over Color B) 8 times, working to * only on last rep. Switch to
Color A as ch 1; join with a sl st in 1 st sc. (48 sc, 16 ch-3 sp)

9” Block RNDS (move to 12” instructions if you are working the 12” block)

RND 7 (9”): BLO: Continue with Color A, sl st into next sc BLO, ch 1, sc in same st. Sc in next
sc BLO, sk next ch, sc in BLO next 2 ch. Work around, sc in BLO of two of every three sc, and
in BLO of two of every three ch; join with a sl st in 1 st sc (or Fasten off Color A here with invisible
join if using Color C for Rnd 8.) (64 sc)

RND 8 (9”): Work in both loops. Continue with Color A (this is the best time to switch to Color C
if you are using Color C for flower effect, join here with sl st). Ch 3 as dc; dc in next st trapping
Color B under this dc for use later one time only, [corner as 3 trc in next st, dc in next 2 st, hdc

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 2
in next 2 st, sc in next 7 st, hdc in next 2 st, dc in next 2 st] 4 times, omitting last 2 dc on last
rep; join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (12 trc, 16 dc, 16 hdc, 28 sc)

RND 9 (9”): Continue with Color A (or C). Ch 1, sc in same st—trapping Color B yarn behind
first st only—, sc in next 2 st, [4 sc in next trc as corner, sc in next 17 st] 4 times, omitting last 3
sc on last rep; join with a sl st in beg sc. (84 sc)

RND 10 (9”): Continue with Color A (or C). Ch 3 (as hdc and ch 1), sk next st, hdc in next st, ch
1, sk next st, hdc in next st, [ch 3 as corner, hdc in next st, (ch 1, sk 1 st, hdc in next st) *10
times] 4 times, working to * only on last rep and working last part 7 times only, ch 1; join with a
sl st in 2nd ch of beg ch-3, place loop on stitch marker and leave Color A yarn hanging behind
(Fasten off Color C if using). (44 hdc, 40 ch-1 sp, 4 ch-3 sp)

RND 11 (9”): Note: work the hdcs with a bit longer loop than normal. Pull up Color B loop
through next skipped st, working UNDER/BELOW (through the hole) next ch-1 sp, ch 1; working
OVER same ch-1 sp, ch 1 (the two ch acts as hdc); working over same ch-1 sp, hdc in same sk
sp below; sk next hdc, working over next ch-1 sp encasing it, 2 hdc in next sk sp, [corner as 2
hdc over ch-3 and into same st next hdc is in—but to the left of that stitch, ch 1, 2 hdc over
same ch-3 sp and into same st next hdc is in—but to the right of that stitch; (sk next hdc,
working over ch-1 sp—2 hdc into next sk st following)x 10] 4 times, working last rep as x 8; cut
Color B to 6 inches, and work invisible join over second ch of beg ch-2 (in front of Color A loop)
to finish Color B. (96 hdc, 4 ch-1 sp)

RND 12 (9”): As needed for size. I

used Color A, working BLO in dc,
pull up a loop of Color A through the
invisible join BLO, ch 3 as dc, dc in
each BLO around, working (2 dc, ch
1, 2 dc) in BLO of corner ch-1; work
invisible join to finish Color A. (112
dc, 4 ch-1 sp)

If you need sc or hdc for size,

consider using just 3 sc or hdc in
BLO of corner ch-1 sp.

Weave in ends.

Photo in Sweet Pea, eggplant, barley

12” Block RNDS

RND 7 (12”): Continue with Color A, sl st under and over Color B in next 2 sc and then into next
ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same sp, work as RND 6. (48 sc, 16 ch-3 sp)

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 3
RND 8 (12”): Continue with Color A, sl st under Color B/over Color B in next 2 sc and in next
ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same sp, ch 1 under Color B, ch 1 over Color B, ch 1 under Color B,
(switch to Color B as next ch 1, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1 under Color A, ch 1 over Color A, ch 1
under Color A*, switch to Color A as next ch 1, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1 under Color B, ch 1
over Color B, ch 1 under Color B) 8 times, working to * only on last rep, switch to Color A as ch
1; join with a sl st in first sc. (48 sc, 16 ch-4 sp)

RND 9 (12”): Continue with Color A. In this rnd, you will work the same as RND 8 (12”), except
there will be one more sc per ch-4 sp. So work 4 sc in each ch-4 sp, and ch 3 with working
Color, switching on the 4th ch; join with a sl st in first sc with Color A. Fasten off Color B (since
you won’t be using it again until RND 13). (64 sc, 16 ch-4 sp)

RND 10 (12”): Note: Work in BLO of all st and chains. You will be working 5 sc in each
‘group’—2 in the ch-4, and 3 in the sc. Sl st in BLO of next sc, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in BLO
of next 2 sc, (sk next ch, sc in BLO next 2 ch, sk next ch, sk next sc, sc in BLO of next 3 sc) 15
times, sk next ch, sc in BLO of next 2 ch; join with a sl st in both loops of first sc, being careful to
bypass the slipped st. If you wish to have ‘flowers’ in the corners, fasten off Color A, and switch
to Color C for Rnds 11-13. (80 sc)

RND 11 (12”): Note: Corners are worked over two stitches. Continue with Color A (or Join
Color C with a sl st in same sc), ch 4 as trc, [corner as (2 trc in next sc, ch 2, 2 trc in next sc),
trc in next 2 sc, dc in next 2 sc, hdc in next 2 sc, sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc ,
hdc in next 2 sc, dc in next 2 sc, trc in next 2 sc] 4 times, working 1 trc only at end of last rep;
join with a sl st in 4th ch of beg ch-4. (32 trc, 16 dc, 16 hdc, 28 sc, 4 ch-2 sp)

RND 12 (12”): Note: This round will ‘cup’ but that will work out in Rnd 13. Continue with
Color A, sl st in next st, ch 3 as (hdc + ch 1), [sk next st, corner as (dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in ch-
2 sp, ch 2, dc in ch-2 sp), (ch 1, sk next st, hdc in next st) 11 times, ch 1] 4 times, omitting last
hdc on last rep; join with a sl st in 2 nd ch of beg ch-3; put loop on stitch marker, and hang Color
A behind (or Fasten off Color C if using). (12 dc, 44 hdc, 8 ch-2 sp, 48 ch-1 sp)

RND 13 (12”): Note: Work the hdcs in the sk sps a bit longer loop than normal. Join Color
B with a sc in 1st ch-2 sp of any corner (or if you switched it up, you could use Color A instead),
sc in same sp, ch 2, sk next dc, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp, [(working over ch-1 sp encasing it, and into
sk st below skipping all hdc, 2 hdc in next sk st, skip next hdc)12 times, sk next dc, corner as (2
sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk next dc, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp, sk next dc)] 4 times, omitting corner on
last rep, finish Color B with an invisible join in front of Color A. (96 hdc, 16 sc, 4 ch-2 sp)

RND 14 (12”): BLO (correcting ‘dips’ with dc): Pull up a loop of Color A (or rejoin any desired
Color with a sl st if you fastened Color C earlier) in BLO of 1st hdc of a 2 hdc group before that
corner, ch 3 as dc, [dc in BLO next hdc, hdc in BLO of next 2 sc, hdc in BLO next ch, ch 1, hdc
in BLO next ch, hdc in BLO next 2 sc, dc in BLO next 3 st, hdc in BLO next 18 hdc*, dc in BLO
next 2 hdc] 4 times, working to * only on 4 th rep, dc in BLO next hdc; join with a sl st in 3rd ch of
beg ch-3. (24 dc, 96 hdc, 4 ch-1 sp)

RND 15 (12”): Continue with Color A. Ch 3 (as hdc+ch1), (sk next st, hdc in next st, ch 1, sk
next st, hdc in next st (this is the st next to the corner), [corner as (ch 2, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 2), sk
next st, hdc in next st (yes, we are skipping the one next to the corner, even though we didn’t on
the other side), (sk next st, ch 1, hdc in next st) 14 times] 4 times, working last rep as 11 times
instead of 14 times, sk next st, ch 1, join with invisible join in 2 nd ch of beg ch-3 to finish off Color
A. (4 dc, 60 hdc, 8 ch-2 sp, 56 ch-1 sp)

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 4
RND 16 (12”): Note: Work the hdcs in the sk sps a bit longer loop than normal. (worked
same as Rnd 13) Join Color B with a sc in 1st ch-2 sp of any corner, sc in same sp, ch 2, sk dc,
2 sc in next ch-2 sp, [(working over ch-1 sp encasing it, and into sk st below, 2 hdc in next sk st,
skip next hdc)14 times, sk next hdc, corner as (2 sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk next dc, 2 sc in
next ch-2 sp, sk next hdc)] 4 times, omitting corner on last rep, finish Color B with an invisible
join. (112 hdc, 16 sc, 4 ch-2 sp)

RND 17 (12”): BLO: Join Color A with an Air Crochet dc in BLO of 1st of any corner ch, dc in
same st, ch 2, 2 dc in BLO next ch, [working BLO in all sts, dc in next 32 st, corner as (2 dc in
next ch, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch] 4 times, omitting corner on last rep; work invisible Air Crochet join
as in tutorial. (144 dc, 4 ch-2 sp)

RND 18 (12”): If needed for size. I worked a round of sc in BLO in Color C, with 3 sc in corner
ch-2 sp for a final count of (152 sc)

Tapestry Tutorial

Picking up Color B, ch 1 with

Color A under Color B (trapping it).

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 5
 Putting Color B into position,
UNDER Color A

Switching as Ch 1 with Color B

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 6
 Lining up Color A on top of
stitch line, and preparing to stitch with Color B

Make 2 sc with Color B,

trapping Color A on top of the stitch line, in the stitches of Color B

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 7
 Ch 1 with Color B, inserting
hook UNDER Color A

Here I chained 1 with the Color

B, and I’m preparing to switch again, by putting Color A UNDER Color B

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 8
 Color A in position

Switch by Ch 1 with Color A

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 9
 Ch 1 Switch completed

Reposition Color A yarn

because you’ll now be working with it, and trapping Color B under

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 10
 2 sc in Ch-2 sp with Color A

Here are sets of them.

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 11
ROUND PHOTOS:

RND 1 (16 trc, 16 ch-1)

RND 2: (16 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

RND 3 (32 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 12
 RND 4: (32 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

RND 5: (32 sc, 16 ch-3 sp)

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 13
 RND 6: (48 sc, 16 ch-3 sp)

RND 7: (64 sc BLO)

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 14
 RND 8: (12 t, 16 dc, 16 hdc, 28 sc)

RND 9: (84 sc)

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 15
 RND 10: (44 hdc, 40 ch-1sp, 4 ch-3
sp)

RND 11: (96 hdc, 4 ch-1 sp)

RND 12: See end of 9” block for photo.

Spiralling into Spring 9”/12” Afghan Crochet Block by Margaret MacInnis c. 2014 Page 16