Wednesday 20 September 2017

BLOCK STITCH, INTERLOCKING BLOCK STITCH, ROWS SQUARE AND CIRCLE...All in one post

Block stitch is one of my favourite simple stitches easy to do with some fabulous effects just using colour. It can be dome in the round in a square, straight rows...in lots of colours or just a few. It can also be done as an interlocking stitch and stripes and squares can be created 


BLOCK STITCH AND INTERLOCKING BLOCK STITCH

This pattern is still as popular as the day i did the original way back in 2012, on this post i've pulled all the variations together in one post and its still a favourite stitch and some of the projects I have used the stitch...



BLOCK STITCH SQUARE:

worked like a granny square in the round with the sc/ch2 loops between each round 
Using a Rainbow yarn for the chain loops adds just the spot of lots of colours

Finger wrap of 5 wraps, 
ROW 1: ch2 counts as first dc, 2dc, into circle, ch3, 3dc, into circle repeat, 4 sides, sl st to complete [3dc each side]
ROW 2: Att rainbow yarn with a sc in corner sp, ch3, sc, in same corner, ch3 repeat in all 4 corners, sl st to complete [8 xch3 loops]

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you square is as big as you require.
 A great stitch for making a granny square big enough for a cushion too..

NOTE: Can be joined on either the ch loop rows or the granny shell rows

Block Stitch Baby Blanket 
 Interlocking Block stitch
for a Noro Cowl
for the block stitch section not the edging stitch 

Block Stitch in a Rainbow of Merino Colours for a throw from 2012
Block Stitch in the round circle stool covers



Block Stitch Square and Circular cushions for Stylecraft



WRAP CUSHION made form a large Block stitch square.
as a wrap cushion, just make a large square in block stitch and wrap around a cushion to join in the centre nachos  fabulous cushion

Interlocking Block Stitch Purse
interlocking Block stitch bag


in a limited colour palette 

Block Stitch wrap

Block Stitch throw in Merino 

when done as an interlocking stitch it can create checks and stripes




BLOCK STITCH BLANKET
  in colourful rows or you can do colour on just the sc rows and use a plain cream, grey or black as the body of the blanket giving just a hint of colour.



BASIC BLOCK STITCH BLANKET PATTERN
It can have lots of ends!..... so i use my favourite circle/ flower/square to start and finish each row, so no awkward ends to deal with with in the blanket itself.

CIRCLE DANGLE: avoiding ends
finger wrap of 10 wraps 


14sc, into the circle, sl st into first st, (14sts)
2sc, into each st (28sts)
ch10, 


Then start the pattern proper of.....
I have done a dangle on each end of the random dyed yarn and not on the black, but you can do a dangle on each end of each colour

Block stitch and Interlocking block stitch

UPDATED: US AND UK terms
it's an easy and quick stitch to do,
simply alternate rows of 3dc [3tr], into the chain stitch loops making the blocks and 
chain stitch loops to take the next row of 'dc [tr], blocks'
I like the effect and the speed of this stitch

UPDATED AND MORE DETAIL BLOCK STITCH HOW TOO 
for this block stitch pattern

 ch the length you require 
multiples of 3sts plus 2sts for a scarf or multiples of 3 and work the stitch in the round

For a scarf approximately 10 blocks wide 32ch sts

For a blanket you would need 200/300 hundred sts plus 2sts depending on the size you require

ROW 1: ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 1dc [1tr], in first st, 1dc [1tr], all ch sts.


NOTE 1: this row should have 4dc to start and finish and multiples of 3 dc as a stitch count
NOTE 2: Do a colour change before completing the last st. 



ROW 2:new colour attached, ch1, turn, sc [dc], in first st, ch2, count 3dc sts,  sc [dc], in next space between not st, ch2, count 3dc [3tr], sc [dc], in next space, repeat to end, finish with sc [dc]
in the top of the last dc [tr].


NOTE 3: By making 2ch loops and not using 3ch sts, the blocks will be nicely compact and less open,  but if you want a more open and lacy effect then use ch3 loops


ROW 3: att, next colour, ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 3dc [3tr], into first ch loop, 3dc [3tr], in every ch loop to end, finish with 4dc [4tr], in last loop.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for as many times as you require.

NOTE: EACH BLOCK ROW MUST START AND FINISH WITH 4 DC [4TR] for this pattern


TIP: 
COLOUR CHANGES ON A STRAIGHT PIECE
If you are changing colour every row then cut off and weave in ends on each row, but if you are working with just 2 colours one for the sc/ch sts and one for the blocks then do a colour change before completing the last st on each row when possible....it will help with the number of ends

INTERLOCKING BLOCK STITCH.....
I first saw this stitch as a clutch bag design in the 
Lets Get Crafting magazine.

I've since seen it in a Victorian print too...

instead of doing separate rows as in ordinary block stitch you just do the dc [tr], over the chain stitches of the row below and into the top of the dc [tr], of the previous row.
Encasing them in the dc [tr], it looks a little wavy when you first start out, but evens out as it grows and the checks aren't quite side by side but over all look like checks.

INTERLOCKING BLOCK ST PATTERN
US TERMS UK TERMS IN RED 
DK 4mm hook
Aran 5mm hook

Ch multiples of 6ch plus 3ch extra or work in the round and do multiples of 6ch sts. only
Change colour every row for this checked pattern after the base chain and first row,
worked on one side, not back and forth...so there will be a right and a wrong side
BASIC PATTERN
base chain in first colour 
ROW 1: cont. in same col. sc [dc], in every st, cut and weave in end

ROW 2: Att, new col. ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 1dc [tr], in next 2 sts, ch3 miss 3 sts, 1dc [1tr], in next 3sts, repeat to end, cut and weave in end.
ROW 3: att. new col. ch3, miss the first 3sts (top of the dc [tr]), 1dc [1tr], in next 3sts, of the base ch, (the 3 sts that are free), ch3 miss next 3 sts, 1dc [1tr], into the next 3 base ch sts...repeat to end of row.

ROW 4: Repeat row 3.


continue to repeat row 3 in a different colour to give a checked look, but if you work with two colours and change alternately you will get vertical stripes as picture below


two of my favourite stitches and a great way to use up all those small balls of left over yarns


My Block Stitch cushions and blanket Stylecraft pattern no. 8851 
Block Stitch in the round
Large square as lap blanket or wrap around a cushion 








5 comments:

  1. Lovely stitches, Sue. I've made a couple of stool covers from your colourful pattern already!

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    Replies
    1. HI Sandra, thanks still one of my favourites too..hope you and yours are all ok xxx

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  2. I am going to do this, thank you. BTW...How do you make those flowers in the pic at the top of the page??? I want to make some!!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, I will look forward to seeing your blanket grow? Flowers another pattern floating around some where i think xx

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  3. Hi Sue I love the round cushion with the orange/yellow/red centre and block stitch further and want to crochet it - do you have the pattern free or for sale somewhere - I cannot find it on your website?
    Thank you so much!
    Kindest
    Christina

    ReplyDelete