Circles of the Sun – CAL – Block 5

Another week has run away very fast and today is Friday again. It means those of you who follow my Circles of the Sun CAL will see a new – fifth! – block. You may probably recognize it from the picture, as it was used as an introductory sneak peek for this CAL. Today’s square is more graphic than floral, and it belongs to my personal favourites.

You may have noticed that all the squares from Circles of the Sun Mystery CAL have a certain amount of similarities. This was done not because I lacked creative imagination… Not at all! It was done quite on purpose. I wanted all the blocks, which will form a front decoration for a pillow cover in the end of this CAL, to be in one style, but different at the same time. The image of every square drawn into a circle was aimed to translate a little bit different energy and mood. But all of them together should create a completed and balanced picture. In the end of this CAL you will see my order of joining squares together, but you can choose your own.

So, let me introduce Block #5. As I've mentioned already, it is among my favourites. It reminds me of ancient symbolic drawings showing the sun. For example, this is one of the first sun symbols used by ancient Greeks. (Picture was found on History of Macedonia web-site)

And exactly design of this block inspired me to give the name to the whole CAL…

If this is the first time you came across Circles of the Sun CAL, please, check General Information, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 of this CAL.. All the parts are made in overlay crochet technique. If you are not familiar with it, please, make sure you read all the basics HERE.

TRANSLATIONS

Dutch by Dianne Baan
German by Libminna
Portuguese by Estela Mizukawa

Video tutorial by Esther Dijkstra of  It’s all in a Nutshell

Well, let’s begin!!

You will need:

• Yarn in 6 colors. I used yarn “Cotton Light” by DROPS (50g/1.76 oz., 105 m/115 yds.) Yarn weight: DK. Texture: 8 ply (11 wpi)

• Crochet hook 3,25 mm (D) or size needed to obtain acceptable gauge. (Please, feel free to choose another yarn weights and the hook to get larger or smaller square).

• Scissors, tapestry needle to weave in ends (I prefer crochet hook for weaving in).

Size

The size of the finished square depends on the yarn and hook you use. My square is approx. 12.5 cm (5 inches) large.

Stitch guide and Abbreviations

US standard abbreviations are used in this pattern. But if you are used to other terms, please check this Crochet Translation Project which might be helpful in translation to your language.

rnd - round
st(s) - stitch(es)
slst (slip stitch) - insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw yarn up and pull 2nd lp through the 1st lp on hook.
sc (single crochet) – insert hook in indicated stitch, yo, draw up a lp, yo and pull through both lps on hook.
ch - chain
sp(s) - space(s)
sc (single crochet) - insert hook in indicated stitch, yo, draw up a lp, yo and pull through both lps on hook.
hdc (half double crochet) - yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a lp, yo, pull through all three lps.
dc (double crochet) - yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a lp, *yo, pull through 2 lps* twice.
tr (treble crochet) - yo twice, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a lp, *yo, pull through 2 lps* three times.
tr2tog (treble crochet 2 together) - *yo twice, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a lp, [yo, pull through 2 lps] twice* twice, yo, pull through all 3 lps on hook.
tr3tog (treble crochet 3 together)  – *yo twice, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a lp, [yo, pull through 2 lps] twice* 3 times, yo, pull through all 4 lps on hook.
inc(s) - increase(s)
sc inc (single crochet increase) – crochet two sc in the same st.
dc inc (double crochet increase) – crochet two dc in the same st.
hdc inc (half double crochet increase) – crochet two hdc in the same st.
yo - yarn over
lp(s) - loop(s)
FL - front loop(s)
BL - back loop(s)
sk - skip st(s)
NJ - needle join
*…* - *crochet following directions* as many times as indicated

Copyright LillaBjornCrochet 2015. All rights reserved. This pattern is for unlimited personal use only. Do not reproduce or sell the pattern. The pattern may not be copied in any way (print or digitally), in part or in full. Items may be sold that are made from this pattern as long as the designer is credited. Shop owners, if you wish to make a kit with yarn using this pattern, please request permission and copyright details from me before offering any kits for sale. Please, read Copyright page for more information.

Color Key: C1 – Yellow, C2 – Beige, C3 – Orange, C4 – Green, C5 - Gray, C6 – Ruby.

Instructions

Rnd 1. Start with yarn C2.
Make magic ring, ch2 (counts as 1st dc) and 11 dc in magic ring; NJ in the 1st dc after ch2. (= 12 dc)

Rnd 2. Change to yarn C5. Attach yarn in any dc of rnd 1. Work this rnd in BL!
*1 dc inc in each st of rnd 1 (the 1st dc of the rnd will be ch2)* 12 times, NJ in the 1st dc of the rnd after ch2. (= 24 dc)

Rnd 3. Change to yarn C3. Attach yarn in 2nd dc (BL) of any dc inc of rnd 2. Work this rnd in BL!
Note: you’ll get 6 “V” on this rnd and each st (FL) of rnd 1 will be occupied by 1 tr.

*2 sc (the 1st sc of the rnd will be a ch), 1 sc inc, 1 sc, 1 tr2tog (FL) (work 1st tr (FL) in a st of rnd 1 where the previous dc inc of rnd 2 was made, make 2nd tr (FL) in next st of rnd 1), sk no sts on rnd 2* 6 times, NJ in the 1st sc of the rnd after ch1. (= 36 sts)

Rnd 4. Change to yarn C6. Attach yarn in any tr2tog (BL) of rnd 3. Work this rnd in BL!
Note: increases will be made in tr2tog’s and 1st sc of every sc inc of rnd 3.

*1 dc inc (the 1st dc of the rnd will be ch2), 2 dc * 12 times, NJ in the 1st dc of the rnd after ch2. (= 48 sts)

Rnd 5. Change to yarn C4. Attach yarn in 2nd dc (BL) of any dc inc of rnd 4 between two “V”. Work this rnd in BL!

Note: you will get 6 petals (tr3tog’s) and 6 solo tr’s on this rnd and there will be always one st skipped on rnd 3 between them.

*4 sc (the 1st sc of the rnd will be a ch), 1 tr (FL) in the underlying tr2tog of rnd 3, sk no sts on rnd 4, 4 sc, sk 1 st on rnd 3, 1 tr3tog (FL) (work 1 tr (FL) in each of three next sts of rnd 3), sk no sts on rnd 4* 6 times, NJ in the 1st sc of the rnd after ch1. (= 60 sts)

Rnd 6. Change to yarn C1. Attach yarn in any tr (BL) of rnd 5. Work this rnd in BL.
Note: increases are made in tr’s and tr3tog’s of rnd 5.

*1 dc inc (the 1st dc of the rnd will be ch2), 4 dc* 12 times, NJ in the 1st dc of the rnd after ch2. (= 72 sts)

Rnd 7. Change to yarn C5. Attach yarn in the 2nd dc (BL) of any dc inc of rnd 6. Work this rnd in BL! After this rnd you will get 4 corners.

*6 sc (the 1st sc of the rnd will be a ch), 1 hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, 2 tr in next st, ch2, 2 tr in next st, 2 tr, 2 dc, 1 hdc* 4 times, NJ in the 1st sc of the rnd after ch1. (= 80 sts + 4 ch2-sps)

Rnd 8. Change to yarn С2. Attach yarn in the 1st sc (BL) of any group of six of rnd 7. Work this rnd in BL!

*12 sc (the 1st sc of the rnd will be a ch), 1 hdc, 2 dc in next ch2-sp, ch2, 2dc in the same ch2-sp, 1 hdc, 6 sc* 4 times, NJ in the 1st sc of the rnd after ch1. (= 96 sts + 4 ch2-sps)

Make a decorative rnd with surface sl sts on the rnd 6 using yarn C3.

Please, don’t be shy to share your beautiful squares on Facebook and Ravelry. You can also find a pin for this block on Pinterest - please, feel free to repin it and share with your friends!

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Please, also watch video by Esther Dijkstra (It’s all in a Nutshell).