Every weekend I post a Link Love roundup of the best crochet information and patterns from around the web. I’ve been looking through this year’s posts so far and decided it would be a good idea to aggregate some of the patterns into themes to make them easier to find. Today I’ve got a collection of the best 2014 patterns for crochet washcloths, dishcloths and potholders.
I did this last year but I wanted to do it again because it seems like a good way to celebrate 4th of July. So here’s my roundup of crochet-related American flag stories.
Back in 2011 I wrote about this then-72-year-old woman who was crocheting flags up to 18 hours a day to help support herself as she tried to live on social security but more important to help calm her mind as she dealt with the reality of her daughter dying of AIDS.
2. American Flag Blanket Donations
 “On June 19 (2013), The Plainville Senior Center’s Knit and Crochet class, led by Evelyn Morin, made and donated lap blankets and afghans, created to look like the American flag, to the Veteran’s Hospital in Newington. The volunteers in charge of welcoming new residents were thrilled to receive these beautiful handmade afghans, and they will be part of the welcome baskets handed out when a Veteran moves in. These gifts are given to make the residents feel comfortable and safe in their new homes.” Read More.
3. Best of Show Crochet Flag
I adored the sweet 2007 forum post that reads, in part, “My wife Linda is very talented at crochet work. Last year she won 29 1st out of 30 entry’s in two county fairs. This year she is going for “Best of Show” in the Oregon State Fair. She has been crocheting this American Flag for over a year now with the goal of taking Best in Show at the state fair. It is the size of a queen size bed.”
One of my favorite stitch patterns is just a repeat alternating front post and back post double crochet stitches across the row. Here’s a basic crochet tutorial showing how I made a square with this technique and finished it off with a round of regular double crochet all the way around. This would make a good washcloth pattern or pattern for square motifs for a blanket.
How to Crochet FPDC/ BPDC Square (in words)
Step One:
So it starts with a foundation chain of even-numbered crochet stitches.
Step Two:
Then a row of regular double crochet (still an even number).
Step Three:
Then turn and chain two.
Step Four:
Then fpdc, bpdc across the entire row.
Step Five:
End with a regular double crochet in the second stitch of the final double crochet from the row below. (I do this instead of into the top of the double crochet because it makes the ends even in height with the post stitches.)
Step Six:
Repeat steps 3-5 for as many rows as you want. Always work a front post into a front post and a back post into a back post.
This is the pattern that I’ve used to make various post stitch crochet projects that I’ve showcased here on the blog in the past. In the case of this particular square, I just added the border of regular dc all the way around.
