bauhaus blocks

The point of no return

Leslie Stahlhut

Today was one of those languorous summer days that almost slipped away from me.

Almost.

But by 3:00, I was back on track, purposefully crocheting away.

In early July I began the work of organizing my crochet empire/guestroom. I discovered any number of “lost” and unfinished projects in the process, and one item that I came across while sorting through my crochet empire was this square that I made last August when I went to the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tennessee:

crochet quilt block
My rendition in crochet of a quilt block at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tennessee

Based on a quilt that I saw in the gift shop while I was there, I used my Bauhaus block technique to create the pieces necessary to replicate the quilt block in crochet.

Fast forward to this summer:

With just 63 days until I need to have my entries into the state fair, I was still not certain what motif to make for my 2011 North Carolina State Fair project.

I decided that despite my fascination and love of yo-yos, I had too many details to work out to be able to get it done for this year’s fair. I would go with my Bauhuas block rendition of the quilt block I saw last year at the Museum of Appalachia.

Made with a 4.0 mm hook and worsted weight yarn, the square measures 6.5″. At that size, I would need and additional 224 squares to make the 8′ x 8′ project I envisioned.

So today, I got out my 4.5 mm hook and made these pieces:

crochet squares and crochet rectangles
The pieces for my Bauhaus crochet quilt block made with a 4.5 mm hook and worsted weight yarn

Then I began the process of assembly.

First, I joined the four squares in the center into two rows of two:

four crochet squares crochet blocks
Two rows of two crochet Bauhaus blocks each

and then joined the two rows, one to the other:

four crochet squares crochet blocks
The four central crochet Bauhaus blocks joined

Next, I began adding the border of Bauhaus rectangles. First one:

four crochet squares crochet blocks crochet rectangle border
I add the cherry red Bauhaus crochet rectangle

then another:

four crochet squares crochet blocks crochet rectangle border
Next I add the dark orchid Bauhaus crochet rectangle

and another:

four crochet squares crochet blocks crochet rectangle border
Then I add the paddy green Bauhaus crochet rectangle

and then I added the final rectangle:

four crochet squares crochet blocks crochet rectangle border
The pumpkin Bauhaus crochet rectangle completes the crochet square

The new square measured 7.5″ x 7.5″. I can get the 8’x 8′ project I envision with just 169 squares.

As for the whether or not I chose the right motif, I can’t look back now. What ever doubts, regrets, and uncertainties I have, they will have to wait; I have an afghan to crochet.