Inspired by Joy Stitch Along 2022 Crochet Blanket + Tutorial

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The next full stitch along that is scheduled is called 'Inspired by Joy' designed by Jeanne Steinhilber. Developed in late Spring 2022, our testers have worked their way through the prototype. This is a five-week stitch-along. As the Inspired by JOY Stitch Along continues, more of the pattern will be revealed. 

While you are at JOANN or shopping on JOANN.com, you can collect some supplies if you are up for this challenge.

• Afghan Size is 59" x 59".
• Hook is 5.5 mm / I/9.
• Gauge is 13 dc x 6 rows = 4" [10 cm]
• Yarn required.

CaronⓇ One Pound™ (453.6 g/16 oz, 742 meters/812 yards).

• Color A - Bright White (as seen on JOANN) or (White as seen on Yarnspirations.com) - 2 balls.
• Color B - Rose - 1 ball.  (I'd like to note that I had very little yarn left of Color B.  You may consider have a little extra on hand if you are a bit loose when you crochet).

CaronⓇ Jumbo™  (340 g / 12 oz, 544 m / 595 yds)

• Color C - Rosewood - 2 balls.

You can also find this yarn on Yarnspirations.com.

Version 2

CaronⓇ Jumbo™ Ombre™ (340 g / 12 oz, 544 m / 595 yds)

Color - White Water - 6 balls.

Version 3

CaronⓇ One Pound™ (453.6 g/16 oz, 742 meters/812 yards).

• Color A - Lavender Blue - 2 balls.
• Color B - Lilac - 1 ball.  (I'd like to note that I had very little yarn left of Color B.  You may consider have a little extra on hand if you are a bit loose when you crochet).

CaronⓇ Jumbo™  (340 g / 12 oz, 544 m / 595 yds)

• Color C - Garden Grows - 2 balls.

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DOWNLOAD WEEK 1 INSTRUCTION

Inspired by JOY Afghan

By Jeanne Steinhilber

Abbreviations List 

• Beg = Begin(ning)
• Bet = Between
• BLO = Back loop only
• Ch(s) = Chain(s)
• Dc = Double crochet
• Dcbp = Double crochet back post
• Dcfp = Double crochet front post
• Esc = Extended single crochet
• Fptr2tog = Front post treble crochet 2 together
• Hdc = Half double crochet
• Pc = Popcorn stitch
• Rem = Remain
• Rep = Repeat
• Rs =  Right side
• Sc = Single crochet
• Sk = Skip
• Sl st = Slip stitch
• Sp(s) = Space(s)
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• Tr = Treble crochet
• Yoh = Yarn over hook

Special Stitches

Extended single crochet = Insert hook into st or sp, yoh, draw up a loop, yoh, draw through one loop, yoh, draw through both loops.

Front post treble crochet 2 together - wrap yarn 2 times around your hook, insert hook under front post of stitch to be worked, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice, leaving 2 loops on hook, repeat for other leg of st and then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. 

Hdc Join = Join certain rounds with hdc to first st (sc, top of ch 3). This is equivalent to a ch-2 sp corner. When joining new yarn to a corner space, use the hdc post that is joining as the ch-2 sp.

Standing Sc = Form slip knot and insert onto the hook. Insert hook into st, yoh and pull loop through, yoh through 2 loops.

Instructions

Week 1 - Download Instructions Here

1st rnd: (RS) With color A, ch 2, in 2nd ch from hook, 8 sc, sl st to beg sc. 8 sc.

2nd rnd: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around, sl st to beg dc. Break A. 16 dc.

3rd rnd: With B, standing sc in any st, ch 1, *1 sc in next st, ch 1; rep from * around, join with sl st to beg sc. 16 sc, 16 ch-1 sps.

4th rnd: [1 sc in each of the next 2 ch-1 sps, ch 6] eight times, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 16 sc, 8 ch-6 sps.

5th rnd: With A, standing sc at the top of any ch-6 sp, 4 sc in same sp, *(5 dc, ch 2, 5 sc) in next 7 ch-6 sps, 5 dc in beg sp, ch 2, sl st to beg sc. Break A.  80 sts, 8 ch-2 sps.

6th rnd: With C, lean a petal forward to access the empty sc from 3rd rnd, join with sl st, ch 4 (counts as a tr), 2 tr in same st, push the petal back to normal position, 1 sc in first sc past the ch-2 sp of 5th rnd, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 tr in sp bet the next 2 sc in 4th rnd working over the top sts in 5th rnd, *push next petal forward, 3 tr in next empty sc in 3rd rnd, push the petal back to normal position, 1 sc in first sc past the ch-2 sp of 5th rnd, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 tr in sp bet the next 2 sc in 4th rnd working over the top sts in 5th rnd; rep from * around, join with sl st to beg ch 4. Break C. 72 sts.

Tip: It will appear to be buckling at this moment. The next 3 rounds will settle down the circle to be flat.

7th rnd: With A, sl st to any st, ch 3 (counts as dc), 1 dc in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch 3. Break A. 72 dc.

8th rnd: With B, sl st to the back post of any st, ch 3 (counts as a dcbp), 1 dcfp in next st, *1 dcbp in next st, 1 dcfp in next st; rep from * around, sl st to beg ch 3. Break B. 72 sts.

9th rnd: With A, standing sc in any st, 1 sc in each st around. 72 sc.

10th rnd: Ch 4 (counts as tr), 1 tr, ch 2, 2 tr in same st, *1 dc in next 3 sts, 1 hdc in next 3 sts, 1 sc in next 5 sts, 1 hdc in next 3 sts, 1 dc in next 3 sts,** (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, sl st to beg ch 4. Break A. 21 sts per side (between ch-2 corners).

11th rnd: With C, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break C. 25 dc per side.

12th rnd: With A, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dcfp in next st, [1 dcbp in next st, 1 dcfp in next st] to corner,**  (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break A. 29 sts per side.

13th rnd: With B, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *working in the BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 31 sc per side.

14th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. 35 dc per side.

15th rnd: Ch 1, 1 esc in same sp, *1 dcbp in each st to corner,** (1 esc, ch 2, 1 esc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 esc in beg sp, hdc join. Break B. 37 sts per side.

Measures 12.5”.

Week 2 - January 2, 2023

DOWNLOAD WEEK 2 INSTRUCTIONS

 Special Stitches 

Popcorn stitch = 3 dc into next st from 2 rounds below current one, drop hook and insert into first dc on group and pull free loop through, ch 1 to close.

Note the way the popcorn stitch is made in the special stitches section.

16th rnd: With C, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *ch 4, sk 4 sts, pc in next st, [ch 3, sk 3 sts, pc in next st] until 4 sts rem, ch 4, sk 4 st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. Break C. 8 pc, 2 sc per side.

17th rnd: With B, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *sk next st, working in front of ch, 1 sc in the next 4 sts from previous rnd, ch 1, sk pc, [1 sc in next 3 sts, ch 1, sk pc] until 5 sts rem, 1 sc in next 4 sts, sk last st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 31 sc, 8 ch-1 sps per side.

18th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st and ch-1 sp to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break B. 43 dc per side.

19th rnd: With A, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 1 esc in same sp, *1 dcbp in each st to corner,** (1 esc, ch 2, 1 esc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. Break A. 45 sts per side.

20th rnd: With B, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *ch 2, sk 2 sts, pc in next st, [ch 3, sk 3 sts, pc in next st] until 2 sts rem, ch 2 sk 2 st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. Break B. 11 pc, 2 sc per side.

21st rnd: With A, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *sk next st, working in front of ch, 1 sc in the next 2 sts from previous rnd, ch 1, sk pc, [1 sc in next 3 sts, ch 1, sk pc] until 3 sts rem, 1 sc in next 2 sts, sk last st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 36 sc, 11 ch-1 sps per side.

22nd rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st and ch-1 sp to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break A. 51 dc per side.

23rd rnd: With C, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 1 esc in same sp, *1 dcbp in each st to corner,** (1 esc, ch 2, 1 esc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. Break C. 53 sts per side.

24th rnd: With A, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *ch 4, sk 4 sts, pc in next st, [ch 3, sk 3 sts, pc in next st] until 4 sts rem, ch 4 sk 4 st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. Break A. 12 pc, 2 sc per side.

25th rnd: With C, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *sk next st, working in front of ch, 1 sc in the next 4 sts from previous rnd, ch 1, sk pc, [1 sc in next 3 sts, ch 1, sk pc] until 5 sts rem, 1 sc in next 4 sts, sk last st,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 43 sc, 12 ch-1 sps per side.

26th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st and ch-1 sp to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break C. 59 dc per side.

27th rnd: With B, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 1 esc in same sp, *1 dcbp in each st to corner,** (1 esc, ch 2, 1 esc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 61 sts per side.

28th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break B. 65 dc per side.

29th rnd: With C, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 1 esc in same sp, *1 dcfp in next st, [1 dcbp in next st, 1 dcfp in next st] to corner,** (1 esc, ch 2, 1 esc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 esc in beg sp, hdc join. Break C. 67 sts per side.

30th rnd: With A, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *working in the BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 69 sc per side.

31st rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. 73 dc per side.

32nd rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 75 sc per side.

33rd rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. 79 dc per side.

Measures 25” square.

Week 3 - January 9, 2023

DOWNLOAD WEEK 3 INSTRUCTIONS

34th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *[sk next st, 1 trfp in next st, 1 dc behind trfp in skipped st] until 1 st rem, 1 dc in last st,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break A. 83 sts per side.

35th rnd: With B, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. Break B. 85 sc per side.

36th rnd: With C, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *ch 1, sk next st, [1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break up C. 46 dc per side.

37th rnd: With B, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *1 sc in next 2 sts, working in front of ch-1 sp, 1 tr in next st in previous rnd, [1 sc in next dc, 1 tr in next st in previous rnd] until 2 sts rem, 1 sc in next 2 sts,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 91 sts per side.

38th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *ch 1, sk next st, [1 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break B. 49 dc per side.

39th rnd: With C, rep 37th rnd. Break C. 97 sts per side.

40th rnd: With A, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *working in the BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 99 sc per side.

41st rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. 103 dc per side.

42nd rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 105 sc per side.

43rd rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. 109 dc per side.

44th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *[sk next st, 1 trfp in next st, 1 dc behind trfp in skipped st] until 1 st rem, 1 dc in last st,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break A. 113 sts per side.

45th rnd: With B, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in next st, [sk next st, 1 trfp in next st, 1 dc behind trfp in skipped st] to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break B. 117 sts per side.

46th rnd: With C, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp,*[sk next st, 1 trfp in next st, 1 dc behind trfp in skipped st] until 1 st rem, 1 dc in last st,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break C. 121 sts per side.

47th rnd: With B, rep 45th rnd. Break B. 125 sts per side.

48th rnd: With A, rep 40th rnd. 127 sc per side.

49th rnd: Rep 41st rnd. 131 dc per side.

50th rnd: Rep 42nd rnd. Break A. 133 sc per side.

51st rnd: With C, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break C. 137 dc per side.

52nd rnd: With A, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 1 esc in same sp, *1 dcfp in next st, [1 dcbp in next st, 1 dcfp in next st] to corner,** (1 esc, ch 2, 1 esc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 esc in beg sp, hdc join. Break A. 139 sts per side.

53rd rnd: With B, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *working in the BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 141 sc per side. Do not break your yarn as you will continue on with this color next week.

Measures 42”.

Week 4 - January 16, 2023

DOWNLOAD WEEK 4 INSTRUCTIONS

Special Stitches

• Shell = 7 dc in same stitch.
• V-st = (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) in same stitch. Instructions

54th rnd: Ch 1, 1 sc in same sp, *sk 2 sts, 1 shell in next st, [sk 3 sts, 1 sc in next st, sk 3 sts, 1 shell in next st] until 2 sts rem to corner, sk last 2 sts,** 1 sc in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break B. 18 shells per side.

55th rnd: With C, sl st in corner sc, ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), 1 dc in same st, ch 3, V-st in same st, *[ch 5, sk shell, V-st in next sc] until 1 shell rems, ch 5, sk last shell,** (1 V-st, ch 3, 1 V-st) in corner sc; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4. Break C. 19 V-sts per side.

56th rnd: With A, standing sc in any corner ch-3 sp, *1 shell in next ch-1 sp, [working over ch-5, 1 sc in 4th dc of shell from previous rnd, 1 shell in next ch-1 sp] to corner,** 1 sc in ch-3 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Break A. 19 shells per side.

57th rnd: With B, rep 55th rnd. Break B. 20 V-sts per side.

58th rnd: With C, rep 56th rnd. Break C. 20 shells per side.

59th rnd: With B, rep 55th rnd. Break B. 21 V-sts per side.

60th rnd: With A, rep 56th rnd. Break A. 21 shells per side.

61st rnd: With C, rep 55th rnd. Break C. 22 V-sts per side.

62nd rnd: With B, rep 56th rnd. Break B. 22 shells per side. Measures 51”.

Week 5 - January 23, 2023

DOWNLOAD WEEK 5 INSTRUCTIONS

Special Stitches

Picot = Ch 3, sl st in first st of chain to close picot.

Picotted shell = 4 dc, picot, 3 dc in same stitch.

63rd rnd: With C, sl st in corner sc, ch 3, 1 dc in same st, *working in BLO, 1 dc in next st, [1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts] until last shell, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in last st,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner sc; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in same st as beg, hdc join to beg ch-3. Break C. 179 per side.

64th rnd: With A, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *working in the BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. 181 sc per side.

65th rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. 185 dc per side.

66th rnd: Ch 1, sc in same sp, *1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, hdc join. Break A. 187 sc per side.

67th rnd: With C, sl st in corner sc, ch 3, 1 dc in same st, *1 dc in each st to corner,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 2 dc in beg sp, hdc join. Break C. 191 dc per side.

68th rnd: With A, sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 1 esc in same sp, *1 dcfp in next st, [1 dcbp in next st, 1 dcfp in next st] to corner,** (1 esc, ch 2, 1 esc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 esc in beg sp, hdc join. Break A. 193 sts per side.

69th rnd: With C, standing sc in any ch-2 sp, *working in the BLO, 1 sc in each st to corner,** (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, 1 sc in beg sp, ch 2, sl st to beg sc. 195 sc per side.

70th rnd: Sl st to next st, ch 1, 1 sc in same st, picot, *sk 2 sts, 1 picotted shell in next st, [sk 3 sts, 1 sc in next st, picot, sk 3 sts, 1 picotted shell in next st] until 5 sts rem, sk 3 sts, 1 sc in next st, picot, sk last st, 1 picotted shell in ch-2 sp,** sk next st, 1 sc in next st, picot; rep from * twice, then from * to ** once, sl st to beg sc. Fasten off. 24 picotted shells, 25 picots, 4 corner picotted shells.

I like to damp block my textured afghans, but this is your choice. I rinse in the washing machine, then lay out flat on a hard floor, gently shaping, squaring off and stretching stitches into place.

A Look-Back

Jeanne has become known for excellent and thoughtful stitch alongs with textured projects. Such as her Healing Stitches Afghan a few years ago. It came to her in a time of need for self-healing. The pandemic struck as a way to hook past the pain of the moment. We believe 1000's of these afghans have been made as Jeanne met the moment in time when many people were struggling through the lockdowns.

Tutorials

It is to be launched when the Stitch Along Begins. Dec 26, 2022 at 10 am Eastern Time to the general public.

Rnds 1 to 15

Rnds 16 to 33

Rnds 34 to 53

Rnds 54 to 62

Rnds 63 to 70

Launching at 10 am, January 23, 2023. YouTube Journey Membership has exclusive early access to this video and other exclusive tutorials not available to the general public. 

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