Assembling the finishing touches to 2021’s Traveling Afghan

Another year is coming to an end, and we’ve completed our Lion Brand Traveling Seasons Afghan squares. I’m finishing the project by adding a fun Pineapple Stitch border to bring it all together.

When I was chosen by Whistle and Wool to complete the border of this afghan I was super pumped… and then a little panicked that I needed something spectacular to complement all 12 squares. There are so many talented makers involved in this project. I went for something classic and simple and thought of the pineapple stitch — who doesn’t like pineapple?! We all love to bring joy into our homes and the Pineapple represents hospitality in many cultures.

This collaboration of 12 designers from across North America had its challenges during another long pandemic year. As I was adjusting to a new normal daily rhythm, I found myself excited to watch the collaborative afghan grow. Even though we were each physically distanced, receiving the squares that had been in everyone’s hands created such an exhilarating sense of connection.

You can check out the designer’s blogs for their free afghan square patterns, and visit our sponsor Lion Brand Yarn for the Wool Ease yarn suggested for this project.

THE DESIGNERS

1- January @whistleandwool
2- February @eclairemakery
3- March @twoofwands
4- April @pinkplumeriamaui
5- May @littleredknits
6- June @evelynandpeter
7- July @Knitsandknotsbyame
8- August @tlyarncrafts
9- September @rohnstrong
10- October @Meghanmakesdo
11- November @capitalcrochet
12- December @cococrochetlee

Sponsored by @lionbrandyarn and @mylifeinyarn

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Pineapple Stitch Border Instructions:

Yarn: 2 skeins of Lion Brand – Wool ease – (3 oz. / 197 yds.) Hook:  Size J/6.00mm crochet hook  

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INSTRUCTIONS

(Note: not all squares have the same number of stitches and that’s ok, the pattern is a multiple of 2 and whether you have an even of odd number of stitches won’t make a big difference, when you reach the corners on round 3, make sure you have a sk1 before working the PS, which means you might have to sk2).

Turning Ch1 and Ch2 do not count as a stitch. Work the first stitch in the chain space.

Adjust hook size if needed - go down hook size if border looks wavy or go up a hook size if the border bunches up. You could also adjust your tension to ensure the border lays flat.

Round 1: With right side facing - Attach the yarn with a standing single crochet in the 2nd stitch after any corner. Work sc evenly around the afghan, working (sc1, ch3, sc1) in the corners. Join to the first sc with sl st.

Round 2: Ch1, sc around, working (sc1, ch3, sc1) in the corners. Join to the first sc with sl st.

Round 3: (Ch2, PS) ch1, sk1, *PS, ch1, sk1* repeat  *-* to first corner, (PS, ch3, PS) in the ch3 space of corner, ch1, sk1, repeat until all sides and 4 corners are complete, ch1, sk1, join to the top of PS with a sl st.
(Note: The first PS stitch will be slightly thicker because it is worked around the ch2 and hdc)

Round 4: Ch1 *sc in sk1 space, ch1,* repeat *-* to corner, (sc3, ch1) in corner. Repeat around. Join to the first sc with a sl st.
(Note: The first sc in sk1 space will be worked 1 stitch back, then continue around in pattern)

Round 5: Ch1, sc in each sc and ch1 space around, with (sc2 in each of the 3 sc’s) in corner. Repeat around. Join to first sc with a sl st.

Round 6: Ch1, hhdc around, join to first hhdc with a sl st or invisible join.

Fasten Off and weave in your ends.

ABBREVIATIONS - US TERMINOLOGY
ch - chain
sc  - single crochet
sk - skip
sl st - slip stitch
sp - space
hdc - half double crochet
st(s) - stitch(es)
yo - yarn over
hhdc - herringbone half double crochet - yarn over and insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull yarn through BOTH the stitch and the 1st loop, 2 loops on hook, yarn over and pull through both loops.
PS - pineapple stitch - Work 1 half double crochet. Then work around the post of the hdc you just made as follows *yarn over hook, insert the hook behind half double crochet, place yarn over hook again, and draw up a loop* 3 loops on hook. Repeat this step 2 more times; you will have 7 loops on hook. After this process has been completed, place yarn over hook and draw through 7 loops on hook.  

Video tutorial - Pineapple Stitch Border

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