Don’t Fence Me In

everytrickonthehook.com/patterns-2/dont-fence-me-in/

Don’t Fence Me In is the third square (second free) of the Stardust Melodies Crochet
Along from Polly Plum – a texture-rich afghan square crochet along. Click here to read
more about the event and how you can participate and get more great textured afghan
square patterns.

Details
Pattern written in US crochet terms

Skill level: easy

Finished Size: 9 inch square (with Aran or Worsted Weight yarn)

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Gauge: See this post and scroll to section on gauge

Hook size: 5.5mm/I

Yarn: Worsted Weight (Or any yarn of your choice with an appropriately sized hook)

Final Stitch Count: 31 sts per side

Pattern Notes
Click here for a blog post all about tips and tricks you’ll want to know for making the
Stardust Melodies squares.

IMPORTANT: Each round starts by working a stitch into the same stitch you slip
stitched to join in the previous round. But for the sake of repeats, sometimes the
first st isn’t pointed out. Sometimes the pattern starts you off by saying to make a
stitch into the next stitch. If you’re just starting a round and all you’ve done so far is
the ch1 at the very beginning and the very first thing the pattern says to do is to
stitch into the “next stitch,” that means the first stitch, the one with the slip stitch
already in it. (I know, I know, this is a bit unconventional for me and my pattern
writing, but hang in there. When you see how this and the other CAL patterns go
you’ll understand why I took some liberties with the pattern writing.)
Stitch counts will start with 1 stitch per side in round 1 and increase by 2 stitches
every round. Not counting ch2 corners.
When slip stitching to join, slip stitch to both loops and then pull the slip stitch
tight.
When you make a stitch into a lower round you will always leave the sc behind it
unworked.
For the crochet along we’ll be making the pattern’s 16 rounds as written, but if
you’d like to use it elsewhere at a larger size, I’m sure you’ll get the idea of the
pattern by round 14. It’s really easy!

Click here to favorite, queue, and hook up a project page for this pattern on Ravelry.

Check out the new “Print Friendly” button at the bottom of the page to print your own
copy of the pattern.

If you need help or have any questions, scroll to the bottom of this page. There are links
to where you can find lots of support.

This pattern is Copyright © 2017 Polly Plum. All rights reserved.

If you would like to share this pattern, please share the link to this webpage or the Ravelry
pattern page (link below). Please do not distribute this pattern or the accompanying photos in
any other form. Please read more in the Copyright section.

Abbreviations
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 BLO – back loop only
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
FLO – front loop only
hdc – half double crochet
htr – half treble {see special stitches}
r(#) – round number
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
slst – slip stitch
sp – space
st– stitch
tr – treble crochet
yo – yarn over

Video Tutorial

Watch Video At: https://youtu.be/ajTwYlXISJw

Special Stitches
htr – {half treble} yo two times, insert hook into indicated st or sp, yo and pull up a loop,
yo and pull through 2 loops on hook, yo and pull through all 3 remaining loops on hook

Commence Pattern
Begin with magic circle.

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Round 1: Ch1. [Sc into magic circle, ch2] 4 times. Close magic circle. Slst to first st to join
{do not pull slst tight}.

Hint: when you slst to join, that slst will act as the top two loops of the sc in which you made it.

Hint: R1 – R4 seem like plain rounds of sc in the BLO, but the join is slightly different in this
square so pay close attention

Round 2: Slst into next ch2 sp. Ch1. [(Sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of next sc] 4
times.

To join: slst to corner ch2 sp after first st {skip the first st and go straight to the ch2 sp }
allowing the slst to count as the top two loops of the first st. Do not pull the slst tight, you
want it to be the same width as the sc.

Round 3: Ch1. [(Sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of each st across side] 4 times. Slst
to first st to join.

Round 4: Ch1. Sc in BLO of first st.

Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of
each st across side.

To complete last side: (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of last 4 st. Slst to first st to
join.

Round 5: Ch1. Sc in BLO of first 2 st.

Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: *(sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of
next 2 st, [htr in FLO of st 2 rounds below next st] 3 times,* sc in BLO of next 2 st.

Repeat from * to * of the previous section to complete the last side. Slst to first st to join.

Round 6: Ch1. Sc in BLO of first st. Sc in BLO of each st across to corner.

Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of
each st across side.

To complete the last side: (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of each st across to first
st. Slst to first st to join.

Round 7: Repeat round 6.

Round 8: Ch1, htr in FLO of the st 2 rounds below the first st, [htr in FLO of the st 2
rounds below the next st] twice, sc in BLO of next 2 st.

Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: *(sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of
next 2 st, [htr in FLO of the st 2 rounds below the next st] 3 times, sc in BLO of next 3 st,*
[htr in FLO of the st 2 rounds below the next st] 3 times, sc in BLO of next 2 st.
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Repeat from * to * of the previous section to complete the last side. Slst to first st to join.

Round 9: Repeat round 6.

Round 10: Repeat round 6.

Round 11: Ch1, sc in BLO of first 3 st, [htr in FLO of the st 2 rounds below the next st] 3
times, sc in BLO of next 2 st.

Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: *(sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of
next 2 st, [htr in FLO of the st 2 rounds below the next st] 3 times, {sc in BLO of next 3 st,
[htr in FLO of the st 2 rounds below the next st] 3 times},* repeat section in { } once, sc in
BLO of next 2 st.

Repeat from * to * of the previous section to complete the last side. Slst to first st to join.

Round 12: Repeat round 6.

Round 13: Repeat round 6.

Round 14: Ch1, htr in FLO of the st 2 rounds below the first st, [htr in FLO of the st 2
round below the next st] twice, sc in BLO of next 3 st, [htr in FLO of the st 2 round below
the next st] 3 times, sc in BLO of next 2 st.

Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: *(sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BLO of
next 2 st, [htr in FLO of the st 2 rounds below the next st] 3 times, {sc in BLO of next 3 st,
[htr in FLO of the st 2 rounds below the next st] 3 times}*, repeat section in { } twice, sc
in BLO of next 2 st.

To complete last side: repeat from * to * of the previous section, sc in BLO of last 3 st. Slst
to first st to join.

Round 15: Repeat round 6.

Round 16: Ch1, sc in BOTH loops of each of the next 15 st.

Work the following on each of the next 3 sides: (Sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BOTH
loops of each of the 29 st across side.

To complete last side: (Sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch2 sp, sc in BOTH loops of last 14 st. Slst to
first st to join. Fasten off.

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That’s it for pattern 3. I hope you love what you made!

If you’d like to show your support and/or say thank you for this free pattern – the most
helpful thing you can do is share a picture of your work on Ravelry or Facebook.
Seriously! That’s it. If you liked the pattern, tell your friends and show them what you
made.

If you loved the pattern and want to make more, we’re doing an entire crochet along of
fun textured squares starting May 18, 2017. Check out the event here.

If you’d like to see more of my work, visit the Patterns page here on Every Trick on the
Hook or my Ravelry store.

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The best way to keep up with my goings-on is to follow Every Trick on the Hook on
Facebook. You can also message me there, post on the wall, and follow my posts for the
latest news.

If you’re looking for a more interactive Facebook experience, join the Polly Plum Pattern
Posse Facebook group. We’re a fun and supportive group. Really! There’s so much help
there that chances are your question will be answered by someone before I even see it.
It’s the best place to go with a question. It’s also a great place to share your Polly Plum
makes and see what others are making.

If Facebook isn’t your thing you can also join the Ravelry group – Polly’s Place or follow
@polly_plum_crochet on Instagram.

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