2020 VVCAL
Published on July 31, 2020

2020 VVCAL Week 17, Post 1 of 2: Chicago Square

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Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 17 of the 2020 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here! It’s our last week of squares; how exciting is that?

Announcement

I have made a bundle of all of my VVCAL related patterns on Etsy and Ravelry:

  • 101 VVCAL squares, all with the same final stitch count – mix and match!
  • 9 Joining methods – Celtic Lace Join, Original, Junior, Mini, and Mini II / Whip st join / SC JAYG and Continuous JAYG with PLT Join / Granny Stitch JAYG and Continuous JAYG
  • 3 Lace Borders

The full 2020 VVCAL PDF pattern is up on Ravelry and Etsy! Includes entire pattern – squares, join, and border, and BOTH US and UK Terms PDFs are included. Yay!! The response has been overwhelming. I humbly thank you for your support.

What to Expect Today

  • 2 blog posts, each with a square – Chicago Square (this post), and Prague Square
  • Scroll down on the Plain Granny Square page and find the “Week 17” section to see which granny squares to make for this week
  • Patterns include written instructions in US and UK Terms, chart, step-by-step photos, and YouTube video (US Terms).

Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles

2020 VVCAL Quick Links

Chicago Square

Find the Ravelry Page for this square here and add your project!

5 Chicago Fun Facts

  • The name Chicago comes from the Algonquin word “Chicagou” or “Shikaakwa,” which translates to “onion field” or “wild garlic.”
  • The Field Museum owns the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. Its name is Sue.
  • Chicagoans can’t resist messing around with their river. On St. Patrick’s Day, the Plumbers Union dyes it a bright shade of Irish green and every summer the Special Olympics holds a fundraiser where tens of thousands of rubber ducks race down the waterway.
  • In 1930, the Twinkie was invented in Chicago.
  • Tall-building construction was invented in Chicago and the city is known as the “Home of the Skyscraper.” It currently has four of the country’s ten tallest buildings.
Chicago Cityscape from Chicago River Waterfront at Dusk. Small boats and tourist ferries cruising on the Chicago River towards the Michigan Lake. Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Chicago Square Pattern

“Catona 10g Colour Pack” Version: Make 2 – Use colors 252 and 515

Catona “Shy Violet” Version: Make 2 – Use colors 519 and 520

Catona “Fresh Earth” Version: Make 2 – Use colors 245 and 522

Colour Crafter Version: Make 1 Note: I’m just using my stash.

Stone Washed / River Washed 10g Colour Pack Version: Make 2 – Use colors 958 and 827

Measurements and Materials

  • Measurements: Blanket will measure about 64x72in for all colorways/yarns
  • Gauge: Squares measure 4.25in for Catona, 6in for Colour Crafter, 4.5in for Stone Washed/River Washed
  • Notions: US Size 3mm hook for Catona, 4.25mm hook for Colour Crafter, 3mm for Stone Washed’/River Washed
  • Yarn: Scheepjes Catona or Scheepjes Colour Crafter or Stone Washed/River Washed (See Main Info Page for quantity and colors)

Chart

Video

Note: Video is spoken in US Terms. Watch on mute to avoid confusion for UK Terms.

Subscribe on YouTube for more videos like this one!

Video coming shortly!

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

Note: Scroll down for UK Terms.

  • beg beginning
  • beg dc (sc, ch1) – counts as 1 dc
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • rep repeat
  • rnd round
  • sc single crochet
  • sp space (chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (US Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg dc, (ch1, 3dc) 3 times, ch1, 2dc, ss in beg dc. [12 dc, 4 sp]

Rnd 2 (3sc in sp, sc in 3 sts) 4 times, ss in first sc. [24 sc]

Rnd 3 Beg dc in corner sc, * ch2, 3dc in same st, (sk2, 3dc in next st) 2 times, rep from * 3 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [36 dc, 4 sp]

Rnd 4 (3sc in sp, sc in 9 sts) 4 times, ss in first sc. [48 sc]

Rnd 5 Beg dc in corner sc, * ch2, 3dc in same st, (sk2, 3dc in next st) 4 times, rep from * 3 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [60 dc, 4 sp]

Rnd 6 Beg dc in same sp, * ch2, 3dc in same sp, (ch1, sk3, 2dc between previous and next dc) 4 times, ch1, 3dc in next sp, rep from * 3 times omitting final dc, ss in beg dc. [56 dc, 24 sp]

Rnd 7 (Sc in all sts/sps to corner sp, 3sc in corner sp) 4 times, sc in all sts/sps to beginning, ss in first sc, cut yarn and weave ends. [88 sc]

Stitch Guide (UK Terms)

Note: Scroll up for US Terms.

  • beg beginning
  • beg tr (dc, ch1) – counts as 1 tr
  • chN chain N number of times
  • dc double crochet
  • lp loop
  • MR make ring: slip knot, ch3, ss in third ch from hook
  • rep repeat
  • rnd round
  • sp space (chain space)
  • ss slip stitch
  • st stitch
  • tr treble crochet
  • yoh yarn over hook

Written Instructions & Step-by-step Photos (UK Terms)

Rnd 1 MR, beg tr, (ch1, 3tr) 3 times, ch1, 2tr, ss in beg tr. [12 tr, 4 sp]

Rnd 2 (3dc in sp, dc in 3 sts) 4 times, ss in first dc. [24 dc]

Rnd 3 Beg tr in corner dc, * ch2, 3tr in same st, (sk2, 3tr in next st) 2 times, rep from * 3 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [36 tr, 4 sp]

Rnd 4 (3dc in sp, dc in 9 sts) 4 times, ss in first dc. [48 dc]

Rnd 5 Beg tr in corner dc, * ch2, 3tr in same st, (sk2, 3tr in next st) 4 times, rep from * 3 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [60 tr, 4 sp]

Rnd 6 Beg tr in same sp, * ch2, 3tr in same sp, (ch1, sk3, 2tr between previous and next tr) 4 times, ch1, 3tr in next sp, rep from * 3 times omitting final tr, ss in beg tr. [56 tr, 24 sp]

Rnd 7 (Dc in all sts/sps to corner sp, 3dc in corner sp) 4 times, dc in all sts/sps to beginning, ss in first dc, cut yarn and weave ends. [88 dc]

Links to Completed Squares

Pin the Chicago Square!

Thank you so much for stopping in for Week 17 of the 2020 VVCAL!

Happy Crafting,

Rachele C. – The Art of Crochet Blankets

2020 VVCAL Quick Links

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