The First Stripes: Baby Groovyghan CAL (3)

At this stage of the CAL we have two rows of squares.   One row of 8 x  RAINBOWS AND DAISIES SQUARES;  and one row of  8 x RAINBOW HALF GRANNIES SQUARES

We are going to be working "bottom" to "top", your "bottom" row being your Rainbows and Daisies Squares.

If you are a seasoned crocheter you will not have any trouble joining the completed striped rows to the next row of squares in an even manner.    I do find, however, that the more inexperienced crocheters struggle to get an even finish here - so I am going to teach you a little "trick".

We are going to crochet 10 rows of stripes - 5 onto the top of the row of Rainbow Daisies and 5 onto the bottom of the row of Rainbow Half Grannies - and then we will join stripe to stripe!

Crochet 5 Stripes onto the top of the row of Rainbows and Daisies as follows:

Row 1:   Join your white yarn (or whatever colour you are using as your border colour) into the corner 3ch of the first square in the row; 1dc into the top of each dc, when you reach a corner on a block 1dc into corner, 1dc into loop of  join, 1dc into corner on next block.   Repeat this to the end of the row of blocks.  1dc into the last corner 3ch.

Row 2 - 5:   In the colour of your choice join yarn into first dc of previous row;  3ch (counts as first dc), 1dc into top of each dc;  repeat  to end 

Crochet 5 Stripes onto the bottom of the row of Rainbow Half Grannies as follows:

Row 1:   Join your white yarn (or whatever colour you are using as your border colour) into the corner 3ch of the first square in the row; 1dc into the top of each hdc, when you reach a corner on a block 1dc into corner, 1dc into loop of  join, 1dc into corner on next block.   Repeat this to the end of the row of blocks.  1dc into the last corner 3ch.

Row 2 - 5:   In the colour of your choice join yarn into first dc of previous row;  3ch (counts as first dc), 1dc into top of each dc; 1dc into the 1ch over each join;  repeat to end

NOTE:  Rows 1, 3 and 5 are worked on the right side of your work;   Rows 2 and 4 are worked on the wrong side of your work.

Your two sections should now look like this (ignore the bottom part of the Rainbows and Daisies Section - I am working ahead there).   The rows are quite straight but the photo was taken on an uneven surface.

Now work the two sections together using the VISIBLE JOIN

Your Baby Groovyghan is now starting to take shape - with a lovely even stripe between your rows of squares:

I need to go and contemplate the next square (something easy but interesting)....... Part 4 will be posted by next week Wednesday!

Happy hooking until then!