Pink Crochet – More Swap Squares

Whew, birthdays wear me out! We had a very exciting day yesterday celebrating my youngest’s special day, and the festivities continue on today as the other side of the family comes with gifts and good wishes. It’s been fun, but I’m definitely looking forward to the quiet days coming once everything settles down again. For all my love of celebrating and holidays, it’s those quiet, in-between days that are always the closest to my heart.

So, today I’m here to share a few more squares from the Pink Lemonade Swap. I’ve also received most of the squares that others have made for me. Their choices are inspiring and beautiful, and I know this afghan is going to be just lovely once it’s finished. If you want to see the squares that I’ve gotten, the link to my Ravelry project page is here. There are a few more that should be making their way in, and then hopefully I’ll get a chance to assemble them all before the big moving day.

Here’s the first square for today, called Magic Spike Mandala Square. This is another one of those squares that looks complicated, but is actually pretty easy. I love the way it turned out, but I think I would go up to an H or I hook size instead of the G with worsted weight yarn. However, I still think it turned out well, and once it’s assembled into an afghan, the normal pull will stretch it out into perfect shape. The square is a free pattern and can be found here.

Next up is the Polka Dot Heart square. I like to think that this squares was fated for this swap! I was running out of pattern ideas as the deadline for getting the swap squares out was looming near. I wanted something unique that was fun to make. As I was browsing Ravelry’s newest patterns, this one showed up. I bought it and made it within a couple of hours. And I really like it! The pattern is a little more complicated in that you need to know how to carry unused yarn through in order to make the color changes in the rows, but if you’ve got that down, the pattern is a cinch. The pattern is $2 and can be purchased through Ravelry.

Third up is this square is called Tussy-Mussy. I know that this pattern had been in my queue at one point, and so I was happy to find a use for it and make it for this swap. I have to say that this is one of the most unique and brilliant patterns. When I first started making it, I thought I had screwed the whole thing up, but then by the time you get a few rows in, everything settles in its place perfectly and the end result is just stunning. This is another $2 pattern and can be purchased on Ravelry here.

And lastly for today, to end with another free pattern, is this Katharine’s Rose square. The pattern is by Melinda Miller, who has a ton of great patterns and her own Ravelry group (check it out here!). I admit I took this pattern on the road with me running errands and realized that I only brought along half of it with me, so I improvised a little on the last round of petals and on the square. But when all was said and done, I decided it was just fine that way. The rose has a great three-dimensional texture and was another fun and easy square to make. The pattern is a free Ravelry download found here.

Yesterday, after all our family had left, and the kids were finally asleep, I headed on over to the Vanna’s Choice Board to browse, and I came up on their brainstorming list for upcoming swaps. I have to tell you, there are so many gorgeous color schemes there for crocheting afghans; if you’re ever at a lack for color inspiration, there’s enough over there to make you want to head out to the yarn store today. I marked down one or two (or seven) of my favorites, and even though I have an awful lot on my plate right now to participate in another swap, I may join in as a crochet-along if one of my favorites are chosen for an upcoming swap. If you’re looking to join, head on over there and jump right in!

~ Mellie ★