In 2015, we had just started with Yarnspirations, and they wanted to test a Stitch Along with our community. Being new to Yarnspirations, I wasn't sure what to expect for complexity or steps. The work of deciding, designing and putting in the groundwork had already been done.
We used Caron Simply Soft for this stitch-along. It was so much fun.
The photo below was completed by Chris Wiltshire, and they sent us a photo after it was done. The colours were their own personal touch.
The Mystery Stitch Along Afghan was done in the complete dark. No clues to what it looked like. Crocheters knew it would be an afghan and several colour options were suggested.
Yarn
Caron® Simply Soft® (6 oz/170 g; 315 yds/288 m)
Contrast A Taupe (39783) 4 balls
Contrast B Gold (39782) 2 balls
Contrast C Off White (39702) 2 balls
Contrast D Country Blue (39710) 1 ball
Size U.S. H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge 13 sc and 14 rows = 4" [10 cm].
Abbreviations
Approx = Approximately
Ch = Chain(s)
Dc = Double crochet
Dc5tog = (Yoh and draw up a loop. Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) 5 times in indicated stitch or space. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook.
Hdc = Half double crochet
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
Sc = Single crochet
Scbp = Insert hook from back to front around post of next stitch and draw up a loop. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook.
Scfp = Insert hook from front to back around post of next stitch and draw up a loop. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook.
Sl st = Slip stitch
Sp(s) = Space(s)
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Tr = Treble crochet
Yoh = Yarn over hook
Instructions for the Entire Blanket
The free download includes all crochet diagrams. Tutorial is below.
Motif (make 20)
With A, ch 5. Join with sl st into first ch to form a ring.
1st rnd: Ch 3 (counts as dc). [2 dc. (Ch 3. 3 dc) 3 times. Ch 1] in ring. Join with 1 hdc to top of ch 3.
2nd rnd: Ch 3 (counts as dc). 2 dc around post of last hdc made. Ch 1. Skip next 3 dc.
*(3 dc. Ch 3. 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp. Ch 1. Skip next 3 dc. Rep from * twice more. 3 dc in
next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Join with 1 hdc to top of ch 3.
3rd rnd: Ch 3 (counts as dc). 2 dc around post of last hdc made. Ch 1. Skip next 3 dc. 3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Skip next 3 dc.* (3 dc. Ch 3. 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp. Rep from twice more, then rep from * to ** once. 3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Join with 1 hdc to
top of ch 3.
4th rnd: Sl st back into ch 1 before last hdc of 3rd rnd. Ch 3 (counts as dc). (2 dc. Ch 3. 3 dc) in first corner. (Ch 1. Skip next 3 dc. 3 dc in next ch-1 sp) twice. Ch 1.* (3 dc. Ch 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp. Rep from * twice more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Fasten off.
Complete all 20 before proceeding.
5th rnd: Join B with sl st to 2nd dc to right of any corner of 4th rnd. Ch 1. 1 sc in
same sp as last sl st. Ch 1. Skip next dc. (1 sc. 1 hdc. 3 dc. 1 hdc. 1 sc) in next ch-3 sp. Ch 1. Skip next dc. 1 sc in next dc. Working towards center of Motif, ch 3. 1 scfp around center dc of next 3-dc group of 3rd rnd. Ch 3. 1 scfp around center dc of next 3-dc group of 2nd rnd. Ch 3. 1 scfp around center dc of next 3-dc group of 1st rnd. Working back up towards next corner, ch 3. 1 scfp around center dc of next 3-dc group of 2nd rnd. Ch 3. 1 scfp around center dc of next 3-dc group of 3rd rnd. Ch 3.* sc in center dc of next 3-dc group of 4th rnd.* Rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Complete all 20 before proceeding.
6th rnd: Join C with sl st around post of middle dc of center 3-dc group of 3rd rnd.
Ch 1. 1 scfp in same sp as sl st. Ch 5. (1 sc. 1 hdc. 1 dc. 1 tr) in next ch-1 sp of 4th rnd. Ch 1. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp of 5th rnd (just before corner group). 1 scfp around next sc of corner group. 1 scfp around next hdc. 1 scfp around next dc. Ch 3. Skip next dc. 1 scfp around next dc. 1 scfp around next hdc. 1 scfp around next sc. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp (right after corner group). Ch 1. (1 tr. 1 dc. 1 hdc. 1 sc) in next ch-1 sp of 4th rnd. Ch 5.* 1 scfp around middle dc of center 3-dc group of 3rd rnd. Rep from * twice more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to first st. Fasten off.
7th rnd: Join D with sl st to center ch-1 sp between two center 3-dc groups of 4th rnd. Ch 1. (1 sc. 1 hdc. 1 dc. 1 hdc. 1 sc – shell made) in same sp as last sl st. Ch 4. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp of 6th rnd. Ch 20. Skip next corner (4 sts, ch 3, 4 sts). 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 4.* Shell in center ch-1 sp of 4th rnd. Rep from * twice more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Complete all 20 before proceeding.
8th rnd: Join A with sl st around back post of center dc of any Shell of 7th rnd. Ch 1.
1 scbp around same st as last sl st. Working in front of 7th rnd, 3 dc in next sc of 6th rnd. Ch 1. 1 dc in next sc of 7th rnd. Ch 1. Working behind ch-20 loop into 6th rnd, 3 dc in next sc. Skip next sc. 1 dc in next sc. Ch 1. [(1 dc. Ch 1) twice. 1 dc] in next corner ch-3 sp. Ch 1. Skip next sc. 1 dc in next sc. Skip next sc. 3 dc in next sc. Ch 1. 1 dc in next sc of 7th rnd. Ch 1. Working in front of 7th rnd, 3 dc in next sc of 6th rnd.* 1 scbp around back post of center dc of next Shell. Rep from * twice more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to first st.
9th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as sl st. 1 sc in each st or ch-1 sp around, working 3 sc in each corner dc. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. 120 sc.
Sew in all ends. Block Motifs to square shape.
Add Centerpiece to All Squares
Join C with sl st to bottom scfp (closest to center) of 5th rnd. Ch 5. [(Yoh) twice and draw up a loop in 5th ch from hook. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice] 3 times. Yoh and draw through all 4 loops on hook– Cluster made.* Sl st in next bottom
scfp of 5th rnd. Rep from * twice more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to first
sl st. Fasten off.
Twisted Braid Joining of Square
See the tutorial for how it's done.
Note: Twisted Braid: To work this join-asyou-go technique you need to work with
cut lengths of yarn (yarn not attached to your ball). Cut yarn to approx 8 yds [7.5 m]
long and wind into small balls as follows:
B - 6 balls for 6 Motifs
C - 7 balls for 7 Motifs
D - 7 balls for 7 Motifs
After working each Join St, pull yarn tail through the chain sp completely so it
does not get tangled.
Alt using B, C and D when joining, so no 2 like colors are joined tog. See Chart
Indicating Colors Used Around Each Motif in Joining Round on page 2.
When working 10th rnd, work through both thicknesses where center of
ch-20 loop will align with corner sc.
1st Motif: 10th rnd: Join appropriate color with sl st to center sc of any 3-sc corner group of 9th rnd, (catching center of ch-20 loop at same time). Ch 1. (1 sc. Ch 3. 1 sc) in same sp as last sl st. *(Ch Skip next 2 sc. 1 sc in next sc) 9 times. Ch 3. Skip next 2 sc.** (1 sc. Ch 3. 1 sc) in next sc (catching center of ch-20 loop at same time). Rep from * twice more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Joining one side: 10th rnd: Join appropriate color with sl st to center sc of any 3-sc group of 9th rnd, (catching center of ch-20 loop at same time). Ch 1. (1 sc. Ch 3. 1 sc) in same sp as last sl st. (Ch 3. Skip next 2 sc. 1 sc in next sc) 9 times. Ch 3. Skip next 2 sc. (1 sc. Ch 3. 1 sc) in next sc. Rep from * to* once more. (1 sc. Ch 3. Drop loop from hook. Insert hook from front to back through corner ch-3 sp of corresponding Motif and pick up dropped loop. 1 sc) all in next sc (catching center of ch-20 loop at same time) - Corner Join made. [Ch 3. Drop loop from hook. Insert hook through next ch-3 sp of corresponding Motif and pick up dropped loop. Skip next 2 sc. 1 sc in next sc (catching center of ch-20 loop at same time) – Join St made] 10 times, omitting last sc in last rep. Corner Join. (Ch 3. Skip next 2 sc. 1 sc in next sc) 9 times. Ch 3. Skip next 2 sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Joining two sides: 10th rnd: Join appropriate color with sl st to center sc of any 3-sc group of 9th rnd, (catching center of ch-20 loop at same time). Ch 1. (1 sc. Ch 3. 1 sc) in same sp as last sl st. (Ch 3. Skip next 2 sc. 1 sc in next sc) 9 times. Ch 3. Skip next 2 sc. [Corner Join (catching center of ch-20 loop at same time). (Join St) 9 times] twice. Corner join (catching center of ch-20 loop at same time). (Ch 3. Skip next 2 sc. 1 sc in next sc) 9 times. Ch 3. Skip next 2 sc.* (1 sc. Ch 3. 1 sc) in next sc (catching center of ch-20 loop at same time). Rep from * to ** once more. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Border
1st rnd: Join A with sl st to top right corner of Afghan. Ch 1. 5 sc in same sp as last sl st. Place marker on last st. (Skip next sc. 3 sc in next ch-3 sp) 10 times. Skip next sc. *2 sc in each of next 2 joined corner sps. (Skip next sc. 3 sc in next ch-3 sp) 10 times. Rep from * around, working 5 sc in each Afghan corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. 616 sc.
2nd rnd: Join B with sl st one st to left of st marker. Ch 4 (counts as tr). Working behind ch just made, 1 tr in marked st (to the right). *Skip next sc. 1 tr in next sc. Working behind tr just made, 1 tr in skipped sc – Crossed tr made. Rep from * 66 times more. Skip next sc. 1 tr in corner sc. Working behind tr just made, 1 tr in skipped sc. Ch 3. 1 tr in next sc. Working behind tr just made, 1 tr in corner sc (already worked once) – corner Crossed tr made (worked over 3 sts). (Crossed tr over next 2 sc) 84 times. Corner Crossed tr over next 3 sts. (Crossed tr over next 2 sc) 67 times. Corner Crossed tr over next 3 sts. Rep from ** to ** once more. Join with sl st top of ch 4. Fasten off.
Edging: 3rd rnd: Join A with sl st to any corner ch-3 sp of 2nd rnd. Ch 1. **[(1 sc. Ch 1) twice.1 sc] in corner ch-3 sp. Ch 1. Skip next Crossed tr pair. *1 sc in next sp between next Crossed tr pairs. Ch 1. Skip next Crossed tr pair.* Rep from * to * to next corner ch-3 sp. Rep from ** around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Note: Work 4th rnd with WS facing to emphasize Dc5tog if desired.
4th rnd: (WS). Join B with sl st to corner sc (center sc of group worked into ch-3 sp). Ch 3 (counts as dc). 2 dc in same sp as last sl st. [Dc5tog in next ch-1 sp. 1 dc in next sc. Dc5tog in next ch-1 sp. Rep from * to * to next corner sc. 3 dc in next corner sc] 3 times. Rep from * to * around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off.
The colour options for this were incredible. It was using Caron Simply Soft yarn which provided stunning opportunities.
There are over 3,600 examples of afghans in all different colours available to inspire you further. See the entire gallery. To date, it has been the biggest mystery stitch along presented in our history.
For me, this pushed my boundaries on crochet. The joining is something I have never seen done before.
The joining was called Twisted Braid Join. It requires advanced patience and is a look that cannot be achieved any other way.
Tutorial
Twisted Braid Join
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Jane Krauss says
It was so much fun to make this afghan in 2015. Are there more Mystery Crochet projects coming?
Florence Langrell says
crochet the kangaroo but need a pattern to put it together where can I get it
Mikey says
stand by... Let me use the search engine to get it. Hang on a moment.
Mikey says
It's here: https://thecrochetcrowd.com/crochet-kangaroo-tutorial/
Sandra Williams says
The Mystery Blanket was so much fun to do! Thanks for challenging us!