Mystery Crochet-a-long Part 7 (last Part - Edging) - FREE pattern

Welcome to Part 7 of my Mystery Crochet-a-Long 2020! 

You can still find Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here, Part 5 here, and Part 6 (summary) here

Thank you so much for making it this far with me. You're awesome.

This is the last part where you will discover how we're going to edge your blanket.  It goes without saying that you have to finish making the whole blanket first before you can start this Part, so carry on until you've got to a length you like and sew in all your ends before you start.  You'll be glad you did!

I know, I did promise you an amazing, magical, cure-all Edging (within reason!), and the first set up round 1 is key to evening out all those bumps.  You'll change down to a size 4mm hook for the entire edging.  This is to give you a sharper point when you dig into the edges, and also to stop it going frilly later.  But be mindful that you don't work too tightly.  Try to keep an eye on things as you go.  Round 1 should be neither too loose or too tight (and you won't be able to fix it later).

Ready then?  Let's go!

You will need either:
-  Approx 1000g+ ( = Blanket) lots of different colours of double knitting yarn, the more varied in colour the better
- OR 200-300g ( = Scarf) double knitting yarn in lots of different colours if possible
- 4mm, 4.5mm and 5mm hooks (or scale up or down a hook size if you're either very tight or very loose

 PATTERN NOTES:
    1. Pattern is written in UK terms
    2. IMPORTANT: Change hook size as instructed to prevent distortion
    3. Change colour at the end of every row and turn every row.  Aim to avoid a set sequence and try not to repeat the same row in the same colour
    4.  To change colour: Cut previous colour and pull through to secure.  Join new colour up through the first stitch (or wherever indicated) and chain the number instructed for the next row
    5. Work the chains on this row fairly loosely as they can be hard to find on the next row
    6. Stitch Multiple = 6+5 (add 1 for turning ch)
    7. Keep track of your rows, mark them off as you go
    8. This round is essentially Row 9 worked all around the edges of your blanket, with an additional 3ch-loop at each corner.  Work this Round fairly loosely
    9. As a rule, place your dc where the 3ch would naturally lean to, without over-stretching
    10. Make only 1ch (instead of 2) before and after each corner

IMPORTANT TIPS:

1. Keep track of your rows as you go.  You'll be glad you did!
2. If your often find the first and last stitches hard to identify, place markers (or safety pins) in them as you go

SPECIAL STITCHES - For Video Tutorials check out my YouTube channel
    • 2trCl (2treble Cluster) = *yarn over hook, insert hook in indicated place and draw up a loop, yo and draw through two loops; rep from * once more, yo and draw through all three loops on the hook
    • 3trCl (3treble Cluster) = (yo, insert hook in indicated stitch/space and draw up a loop, yo and draw through two loops) 3 times, yo and draw through all four loops on the hook
    • ExtDc (extended double crochet) = insert hook into indicated stitch and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through one loop, yarn over and draw through both loops
    • Dtr (double treble) = yarn over twice, insert hook into indicated stitch and draw up a loop, *yarn over and draw through two loops; repeat from * twice more
    • V-st = (1tr, 1ch, 1tr) all into indicated st
    - Scallop = (1dc, 4ch, 1tr) all into same place


EDGING - Worked in rounds without turning as follows:

Round 1 (see Note 8): Change to 4mm hook and choose any yarn - preferably one of the larger balls
Top edge: Ch1, 1dc into very first dc, *ch3, skip 2sts, 1dc into next st; rep from * across to last 4sts, ending skip 2sts, 1dc into next st, (1dc, 3ch, 1dc) into last stitch (Corner made)

**Rotate work to crochet along the Side Edge in the same way as follows: *ch3, skip 2sts (or the equivalent of 2sts), 1dc into next place (see Note 9 and Photo for reference); rep from *, using spacing as per the top row as a guide to where to place your dc, working (1dc, 3ch, 1dc) at next corner.

Along the Bottom Edge, repeat from * working into the opposite side of the foundation chain, working (1dc, 3ch, 1dc) at next corner.

Up the Side Edge, repeat from ** as before, ending with ch3, (1dc, ch3) into same place as first st, join with a ss to first dc.  Change colour

Round 2: Draw new colour up through any corner space, ch3, (2trCl, 3ch, 3trCl) in same space (Corner made), ch1, 3trCl in next 3ch-sp, *ch2, 3trCl in next space; rep from * up to and including last space before the corner, then ch1, (3trCl, 3ch, 3trCl) in corner space, then ch1, 3trCl in next 3ch-sp, rep from * around all sides, working (ch1, 3trCl, 3ch, 3trCl, ch1 – see Note 10 and photo) at each corner space, ending with ch1, join with ss to top of first Cluster. Change colour

Otherwise Chain 2 for the rest of the edge

Edging Round 2 complete

Round 3: Join new colour into any corner space, ch1, (1dc, 3ch, 1dc) into same corner space, ch3, skip next Cluster (= 2nd Cluster of the Corner), 1dc into next ch1-space, *ch3, skip next Cluster, 1dc into next ch2-space; repeat from * around, being sure to work 1dc into the small ch1-space before and after each Corner (see Photo), and working (1dc, 3ch, 1dc) into each corner space, ending with ch3, join with ss to first dc, change colour

Round 4: As Round 2, change colour

Round 5: As Round 3, DO NOT change colour

Round 6: Ch4, 1tr into same place as last ss, (1dc, 4ch, 1tr) all into corner space (Scallop made - see Special Stitches and photo), Scallop into next dc (= 2nd dc of the corner), *skip next 2ch-space, Scallop into next dc; rep from * around to next corner.
At corner work (see Photo): Scallop into 1st dc of corner (1), Scallop into corner space itself (2), Scallop into 2nd dc of corner (3).
Repeat from * around, join with ss to base of beg-ch4, fasten off.

At the corners, work a full Scallop into all three places as indicated.  It might seem cramped at first, but it takes it to get round the edge

Finished sampler of the blanket complete with Edging

Sew in all ends. And...you're done!  Are you feeling fantastic?  Thrilled?  Exhausted?  Are you ready for a cosy night in watching some news (in moderation), followed by your favourite shows back-to-back on TV, with breaks only to fetch another treat from the kitchen?  And are those visits to the biscuit tin more frequent than the adverts on ITV?  (I thought so.)

I hope you enjoy making this border which might take a bit longer than you'd think, but is a nice way to end our journey together.  It's farewell for now, but you can follow what else is going on in my crochet world via Facebook and Instagram and also sign up to my newsletter if you'd like the very occasional bit of crochet gossip, patterns  and invitations to workshops delivered straight to your inbox.
And if you've found this pattern enjoyable to read, you could take a look at some of the other patterns I've published in my Etsy Shop.

Thank you so much for following on and for making this unique time very special indeed.  Stay safe and well, everyone.  And be sure to share pictures of your finished blankets and scarves with me.  I'm looking forward to seeing them!

Best wishes
Nina x

PS. I've just published a few extra FREE patterns here on the rest of my blog for crocheted hearts and rainbows, all very important for the morale of NHS staff and patients right now.  Thanks for all you're doing, even if that's just staying home for another while yet.  You're awesome xx