Welcome to week 4 of the Fruit Salad CAL! Today we are finishing up the fruit squares. Next week we will work on joining them together and actually making our “salad.”
If you’re just joining us, make sure you check out the previous posts: prepping, picking a size, part 1, part 2, part 3.
Both squares today are appliqued onto plain white squares. Below is the pattern for the square, followed by the pattern for each of the appliques. I have to say, my sample squares look a little imperfect. I didn’t center the grapes, and the watermelon looks like someone took a bite out of it. Just keeping it real for you all! Seriously though, I do believe there is a lot of perfection in imperfection. It’s what makes each blanket unique.
Abbreviations:
- MR – Magic Ring, I prefer to use this one.
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sc – single crochet
- yo – yarn over
- BPdc/BPhdc/BPsc – Work stitch as normal around the indicated stitch inserting the hook from back to front
- ch – chain
Hook: I-hook or J-hook. I used an I-hook, but it’s a little tight. It is totally your preference. NOTE: On a number of rounds your work will curve up, but it will flatten as you crochet the next rows.
Yarn: I used Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn, but any worsted weight yarn should work.
Gauge: The finished square should measure 6″.
Plain Square
Round 1: Make a Magic Ring (MR). Ch 1, 8 hdc in MR. Join with sl st to first st. (8 hdc)
Round 2: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around. Join with sl st to first st. (16 dc)
Round 3: Ch 2, dc in same st. [Ch 2, dc in next st, hdc in same st. Sc in next 2 st.* Hdc and dc in next st.] 4 times ending with *. Join with sl st to the top of ch 2. Sl st to corner space. (6 st and ch 2 on each side)
Round 4: Ch 2, dc in corner space, ch 2, 2 dc in same space. [Dc in next 6 st,* (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner space] 4 times ending with *. Join with sl st to the top of ch 2. Sl st to corner space. (10 st and ch 2 on each side)
Round 5: Ch 2, dc in corner space, ch 2, 2 dc in same space. [Dc in next 10 st,* (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner space] 4 times ending with *. Join with sl st to the top of ch 2. Sl st to corner space. (14 st and ch 2 on each side)
Round 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in corner space, ch 1, 2 sc in same space. [Sc in next 14 st,* (2 sc, ch 1, 2 sc) in corner space] 4 times ending with *. Join with sl st to the first sc. Sl st to corner space. (18 st and ch 1 on each side)
Round 7: Ch 2, sc in corner sp. (Ch 2, skip 2 st, [sc in next st, ch 2] to corner.* Sc, ch 2, sc in corner space.) Repeat 4 times ending with *. Join with sl st to the first ch. Fasten off.
Grape Square
I don’t believe I told you to purchase purple yarn, but I just had some lying around, so I used it. You can feel free to use green, red, or black yarn as grapes come in all different colors. This square has many parts that are sewed onto it and some embroidery. Pick which parts you want to use. I do think the vine really sets it off, so I’m glad I added that.
Grapes – Make 6
With preferred color, make Magic Ring. Ch 2, 8 dc in MR. Join to first st. Fasten off leaving a long end for sewing it on to the square.
You’ll want to weave in the end from the center of the circle, but leave the other one for joining. Sew the circles onto the square in a pyramid type shape. Try to center them better than I did.
Stem
With brown, ch 5. Dc in 3rd ch from the hook. Dc in last two ch. Fasten off and join to square above the grapes.
Vine
With green, embroider a small vine using curlicues and free form.
Watermelon Square
I tried many different versions of the watermelon square. I was hoping to make it part of the square and not rely on having it appliqued, but it didn’t work out for me. I was finally able to make this watermelon, which I think people will recognize at first glance. I chose to use pink for the flesh, but you could use red instead. It definitely isn’t perfect, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. I’m actually getting hungry for watermelon…
Row 1: With pink, make MR. Ch 2, 7 dc in MR. DO NOT JOIN.
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. Dc in same stitch as ch 2. 2 dc in next 2 st. 3 dc in next st. 2 dc in each of next 3 st.
Row 3: Ch 2 turn. Dc in same stitch. [Dc in next st, 2 DC in next st] across.
Row 4: Do not turn. Ch 1 and sc evenly across the top of the watermelon.
Row 5: Join with white in the side of the last stitch. Ch 1, sc in the same st. Sc in each st around. Fasten off.
Row 6: Join green to the first white st. Ch 2, hdc in same st. [Hdc in next 2 st,* 2 hdc in next st] around ending at *. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing onto the white square.
Finishing
Using brown, sew seeds onto the watermelon at random.
Weave in ends and attach to the square.
How are your squares coming along? Have you managed to figure out my instructions? Do you have a favorite fruit so far? I’d love to hear from you!