French Country

Afghan Schematics are for those who already have some experience in crochet.  The afghans were all made using a Basic Round Ripple afghan pattern.  The variations of each afghan is listed in the "Afghan Schematics"  found on the individual photo page of each afghan.

This post shows the photos and lists the materials used for this afghan and also a description or "Schematic" of how it was created.

If you are new to this style afghan please read my page

Tips and Tricks of the Round Ripple Afghan.

http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/p/tips-and-tricks-of-round-ripple-afghan.html

The basic Round Ripple Afghan pattern

http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/p/basic-round-ripple-afghan-pattern.html

Written in American terminology 

This afghan was a donation to a local church to be used in a raffle.

French Country

Size:  Width point to point about 50 - 52 inches.

Gauge:  N/A
Materials:  Red Heart Super Saver
14 oz French Country  (Color A)
7 oz Delft Blue            (Color B)
8 oz Light Blue            (Color C)
Small amounts less than 4 oz each  (Amounts vary with hook size and your personal crochet gauge)
Bright Yellow  (Color D)
White               (Color E)
Green               (Color F)
Susan Bates Hook size 5.50 mm  US 9 / I  UK 5

Special Stitches:
Berry Stitch = Sc in first stitch, pull yarn through next stitch, holding back on first loop on hook chain 3, yarn over pull through 2 loops on hook, sc in next stitch. Keep loops of right side of work. Berry Stitch Complete
Vine = slip stitch

Round   01 - 12:  Color A Double Crochet
Round          13:  Color D Berry stitch
Round          14:  Color E  Double Crochet
Round   15 - 17:  Color B Double Crochet
Round   18 - 20:  Color C Double Crochet
Round   21 - 27:  Color A Double Crochet
Round          28:  Color D Berry stitch
Round          29:  Color E  Double Crochet
Round   30 - 32: Color B  Double Crochet
Round   33 - 36:  Color C Double Crochet

Border
With Color E , Ch 3, skip one stitch, in next stitch work *dc, picot in top of same stitch, 4 times, dc in same stitch; sk next st, dc in next st, skip one stitch* repeat from around. Join in top of beginning ch 3.

Vine
The vine is worked as a slip stitch in the space between the rows. The leaves are worked in the crocodile stitch while the vine is added.  Holding yarn on top of work, insert hook in space between rows, under the stitch, front to back to front, under the stitch bar, as if the hook were a sewing needle. Catch yarn and pull it through to the front of the piece. Holding the loop on hook, insert hook under the next stitch front to back to front, under the stitch bar, pull yarn through to front and through loop on hook completing a slip stitch. Repeat process to create a slip stitch.



The Leaf: is a single crocodile stitch, with a picot, at the point, worked while adding the slip stitch vine. 

There are many tutorials for the crocodile stitch on You-TUBE.

A leaf requires 2 double crochet stitches as a base. When you wish to add a leaf, rotate your piece to the left or right, slip stitch into the space between the double crochet stitches. Chain 3, make 4 double crochet working across the bar of the double crochet stitch. Chain 2, drop loop from hook, place hook (front to back to front) under bar between next row, pick up dropped loop and pull it through, chain 1, sl st in first chain. This creates the first half of the leaf and secures the tip so it will not fold back on itself. At this point you will need to rotate your piece so you can work the second series of double crochet stitches across the second crochet and back toward the the vine. Work 4 dc across the bar for the second side of the leaf, chain 3, slip stitch back into the vine. Leaf completed and secure.

If this leaf seems too involved you may choose to use the simple Heart Leaf Pattern that was used on the Raspberry Sherbert Throw.

Heart shape Leaf pattern (or use leaf pattern of choice)

Using color D, start with magic circle, Sl st in ring chain 4, 5 tr, 5 dc, ch 3, sl st in first ch to form picot, 5 dc, 5 tr, chain 4 sl st, all in ring.Pull yarn tail and draw ring tightly closed. Tie, work in ends.   Make 24

Crochet Flower Buttons  make 12 yellow and 12 white
Sl st in ring, chain 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl in ring; repeat three more times, join to first st for 4 petal flower.
Pull yarn tail to close center of flower, tie. Do not trim yarn.  Use yarn tail to form shank of button or if you desire to sew on the flower, the next step may be eliminated and you may use the yarn tail to sew the button.

Lay crochet hook across the chosen back of button and stitch over hook several times to create the shank of the button.  Afghan has 24 flowers and leaves but more may be added if desired.  Flowers and leaves may be sewn on or you may secure them with a slip stitch,  such as you would apply beads, while the vine is crocheted onto the afghan.

To crochet leaves and flowers in place:
Working on front of afghan Join yarn in first space between rows 34 and 35.   Count stitches on one side of  point.  Slip stitch in each space, on the first side of a point, to half way position between the valley and the point.  Thread the working yarn through center of leaf and complete sc. Sc in next two spaces.  Thread yarn through shank of button flower and complete sc.  Sl st around the point to the half way position between the point and the valley, on the second side, and attach flower and leaf.  Alternate color of flowers or position of leaf as desired. Slip Stitch in each sp to bottom of point. Sc in both spaces at bottom of point and continue around placing leaves and flowers as you progress, work around. End off, work in yarn ends.

Berry Stitch 
Berry Stitch adds texture without bulk

Sc in first stitch, pull yarn through next stitch, holding back on first loop on hook chain 3,
yarn over pull through 2 loops on hook, sc in next stitch, repeat.
Keep loops of right side of work. Berry Stitch Complete

Details   see also    

http://idealdelusions.blogspot.com/p/squiggles.html