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.

12 thoughts on “The point of no return”

  2. Fantastic, to be honest I was worried that the yo yo would take you too long to put together, I have put 8 together and it’s not quick and easy.

    Love the square. I think it’s going to look amazing. However could you not make the centre squares, sew them up, then do the rectangles, like a log cabin blanket? To cut down on the sewing you will need to do.

  3. Love it, Love it, Love it! Can’t wait to see the progress and the finished work.

  4. my mind spins with delight and questions about the other blocks: will they all be made of the same colors in varying arrangements or perhaps they’ll be randomly made of colors and then joined somehow, I’ll be waiting with baited breath for the next piece of eye candy to arrive!!!!! HAPPY HOOKING!

  5. That looks like it’s going to be a lot of work! I wouldn’t be able to do one square at a time, I would have to make the parts and make the squares every so often. As long as you can get it done the way you want to make the afghan, that’s all that matters. Have fun! 🙂

  7. You have the patience of a saint. I could never do this project. It is going to be gorgeous.

  9. Cool Idea, love the colors, hate the thought of sewing them all together and then the real icky part…all those tails to work in. What method are you using for joining? From the picture it doesn’t look like you’re whip stitching them?

  10. what an ambitious project, especially in the limited time frame! I’m curious though, wouldn’t this be simplier to add each piece to the next, without sewing? At least the 4 center pieces would be easy to do in one piece & that would save some time, especially over 169 squares.

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