The Dagny-Traveling Afghan Square 10
The Traveling Afghan Project
If you haven’t heard already, this year Lion Brand Yarn is doing something really amazing. They have teamed up with 49 knit and crochet designers to bring you a year long community building project. The Traveling Afghans Project started in January 2020 and will continue on throughout the entire year. Each designer is creating a unique 10”X10” square that represents their life in yarn. The squares then travel all across the globe and are attached together to create two beautiful afghans, one knit and one crochet. You can find more information on the Traveling Afghan Landing Page organized by Alexi of Two of Wands.
I was thrilled to be invited to participate in creating the crochet traveling afghan. It has been such a unique and eye opening experience to hear the stories of each designer and learn what yarn/the crafting world means to them.
For as long as I can remember I have always loved arts and crafts. I could spend hours drawing or coloring as a child. When I was twelve I decided I wanted to make a baby blanket for my new cousin. I didn’t know the first thing about crochet, but I was determined to figure it out. I can still remember sitting in the back seat of our car with my mom while on a family trip and her taking the time to figure it out so she could then show me. She was so patient with me while I struggled and encouraged me the whole time until it finally clicked. I get a lot of my creative side from my mom and I’m so thankful that we have that to share to this day.
When I first found out about the Traveling Afghan Project and the concept of sharing our “life in yarn” I immediately knew that I wanted my square to change shapes. Throughout my life there have been many events that have shaped who I am, but one thing has always remained constant, my love of the arts and crochet. One of the biggest events that has shaped me is when I became a mom. Nothing has changed my life more than being a mom to my two little ones. I struggled with postpartum depression with both my pregnancies and felt a bit lost as to what my new identity was. There were sleepless nights, lots of emotions and days that blended together. I remember thinking to myself “who am I now?” So much of my identity was wrapped up in these other little humans and their needs that it was easy to loose myself to motherhood. It was during those lost moments that I would pull out my hook and just start creating. It helped me to still feel like my old self while I figured out who I was in this new role. It has provided comfort for me in moments of sadness and has continued to bring me back to myself time and time again.
Left: me and my oldest, Right: me and my youngest just before being released from the hospital
I love that I get to share my Dagny Square with you on Mother’s Day. My craft started with being taught by my mom, centered me when I became a mom and now has come full circle as I get to share my love of yarn with my children too.
I hope that as you work up your Dagny Square you will remember all the ways that yarn has shaped your life too.
The Dagny Square Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Approx. 75 yards of Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease
Scissors
Stitch marker(s)
Abbreviations:
ch- chain
st(s)- stitch(es)
sl st- slip stitch
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
dc- double crochet
tr- treble crochet
3rd loop- the loop created in the back of a hdc stitch.
Notes:
Square is worked in joined rounds.
Chs at beginning of rounds do not count as a stitch.
Size:
Finished size is 10” X 10”
Gauge:
Rounds 1-2 = 2.5” across
Pattern:
Form a magic loop.
Ch 2
Round 1: work 12 dc into the magic loop, sl st to top of the 1st st to join. (12)
Round 2: ch 1, 2hdc in same st as join and in each st around, sl st to top of 1st to join. (24)
Round 3: (work all sts in the 3rd loop) ch 2, 2dc in same st as join, ch 1, sk 1, *2dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1, repeat from * around, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (36)
Round 4: ch 1, hdc in same st as join and in next st, *[hdc, ch 2, hdc] in next ch1-sp, hdc 2, hdc in ch1-sp, hdc 2, repeat from * 5 times, [hdc, ch 2, hdc] in next ch1-sp, hdc 2, hdc in last ch 1-sp, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (54)
Round 5: (work all sts in the 3rd loop except corner stitches) ch 1, sc in same st as join and in next 2 sts, *[sc, ch 2, sc] in ch2-sp, sc in next 7 sts, repeat from * 5 times, [sc, ch 2, sc] in last ch2-sp, sc in last four sts, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (66)
Round 6: ch 3, sk join st, dc 2, ch 1, sk 1, dc, *[dc, ch 2, dc] in ch2-sp, dc, ch 1, sk 1, dc 2, ch 1, sk 1, dc 2, ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * 5 times, [dc, ch 2, dc] in last ch2-sp, dc, ch 1, sk 1, dc 2, sl st to top of ch 3 st to join. (78)
Round 7: ch 2 , 3dc in same st as join, ch 2, sk 2, hdc in ch1-sp, ch 2, sk 2, sc in ch2-sp, *ch 2, sk 2, hdc in ch1-sp, ch 2, sk 2, 3dc in ch1-sp, ch 2, sk 2, hdc in ch1-sp, ch 2, sk 2, sc in ch2-sp, repeat from * 5 times, ch 2, sk 2, hdc in ch1-sp, ch 2, sk 2, sl st to 1st st to join. (84)
Round 8: ch 1, *hdc 3, 2hdc in ch2-sp, hdc in next st, 2hdc in ch2-sp, hdc in next st, 2hdc in ch2-sp, hdc in next st, 2hdc in ch2-sp, repeat from * around, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (84)
Round 9: (work all sts in the 3rd loop) ch 1, sc in same st as join and next st, hdc 4, dc 4, tr in next st, *[tr, ch 2, tr] in next st, tr, dc 4, hdc 4, sc 2, hdc 4, dc 4, tr, repeat from * 3 times, [tr, ch 2, tr], tr, dc 4, hdc 4, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (96)
Left: Round 9; Right: Round 10
Round 10: ch 1, sc in same st as join and in next 5 sts, hdc 3, dc 3, *[dc, ch 2, dc] in ch2-sp, dc 3, hdc 3, sc 10, hdc 3, dc 3, repeat from * 3 times, [dc, ch 2, dc] in last ch2-sp, dc 3, hdc 3, sc 4, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (104)
Round 11: ch 1, sc in same st as join and in next 12 sts, *[sc, ch 2, sc] in ch2-sp, sc 24, repeat from * 3 times, [sc, ch 2, sc] in last ch2-sp, sc 11. sl st to top of 1st st to join. (112)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Block so your square to ensure it is 10” X 10”
Since each square is different it is very helpful to attach the new square using stitch markers first. I attached mine in the corners and in the center then used a whip stitch in the back loops only all the way around.
If you need help I’ve also made a full video tutorial of The Dagny Square below.
It’s not too late to participate in this amazing project. You can find a list of all the crochet designers and links to their squares below. You can also purchase a full Traveling Crochet Afghan kit from Lion Brand Yarn. They will send you the yarn you need to make all 24 squares and make your very own afghan. Then just follow along throughout the year as each designer releases their square pattern. It’s a great way to connect with the whole Lion Brand community.
#1 - 11/1-1/13 - New York City, USA - Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands find square #1 here.
#2 - 1/15-1/28 - Barcelona, Spain - Cecilia Losada of Mamma DIY find square #2 here.
#3 - 1/29-2/11 - Utrecht, The Netherlands - Wilma Westenberg of Wilmade find square #3 here.
#4 - 2/12-2/25 - Gloucestershire, UK - Lindsey Newns of Lottie and Albert find square #4 here.
#5 - 2/26-3/10 - New Brunswick, Canada - Kimberley Giggie of Lakeside Loops find square #5 here.
#6 - 3/11-3/24 - Ontario, Canada - Lee Sartori of Coco Crochet Lee find square #6 here.
#7 - 3/25-4/7 - Alberta, Canada - Janine Myska of Knits n' Knots find square #7 here.
#8 - 4/8-4/21 - Alberta, Canada - Abigail Ellazar of Knits and Knots by AME find square #8 here.
#9 - 4/22-5/5 - California, USA - Arica Presinal of Skeinsnsticks find square #9 here.
#10 - 5/6-5/19 - California, USA - Meghan Ballmer of Meghan Makes Do find square #10 above.
#11 - 5/20-6/2 - California, USA - Nicole Riley of Nicki's Homemade Crafts find square #11 here.
#12 - 6/3-6/16 - Arizona, USA - Bailey Williams of Hooked on Tilly
#13 - 6/17-6/30 - Colorado, USA - Jess Coppom of Make & Do Crew
#14 - 7/1-7/14 - Kansas, USA - Emily Davies of Hooked Hazel
#15 - 7/15-7/28 - Michigan, USA - Jennifer Pionk of A Crocheted Simplicity
#16 - 7/29-8/11 - Michigan, USA - Melissa Fisher of Woods and Wool
#17 - 8/12-8/25 - Ohio, USA - Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts
#18 - 8/26-9/8 - Georgia, USA - Vincent Williams of Visuvio's Crafts
#19 - 9/9-9/22 - North Carolina, USA - Tia Edwards of Simple Things Crochet
#20 - 9/23-10/6 - North Carolina, USA - Ashleigh Kiser of Sewrella
#21 - 10/7-10/20 - North Carolina, USA - Rohn Strong of Rohn Strong
#22 - 10/21-11/3 - Pennsylvania, USA - Jessica Benvenuto of Fly the Distance
#23 - 11/4-11/17 - New York, USA - Brianna Iaropoli of Life and Yarn
#24 - 11/18-12/1 - New York City, USA - Teresa Carter of Debrosse
#25 - 12/2-12/16 - New Jersey, USA - ChiWei Ranck of 1 Dog Woof
I’d love to see your progress on The Traveling Afghan as well as your Dagny Squares. Make sure to tag me @meghanmakesdo on social media and use #travelingafghans, #travelingcrochetafghan, #mylifeinyarn, #lionbrandyarn and #dagnysquare.
Happy Crocheting,
Meghan
