Scandinavian Pastel Crochet Stitch Sampler Square - Free Pattern
Introduction
This Scandinavian Pastel Crochet Stitch Sampler Square is a gentle, beginner-friendly project that lets you practice the three most useful crochet stitches while you build a tidy 6-inch block. It is made for anyone who has just learned single crochet and wants to try half double and double crochet without committing to a big project. The square is worked in soft horizontal stripes of mint, peach, lavender, lemon, baby blue, and white, so it looks like a little stack of pastel candy. It lies flat, feels smooth and light in worsted acrylic, and finishes with a crisp white border that makes it ready for afghans, pillows, or a sampler blanket.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn in 6 colors: A (mint) 10 yd, B (peach) 10 yd, C (lavender) 10 yd, D (lemon) 10 yd, E (baby blue) 10 yd, F (white) 15 yd
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional), blocking mat and pins
- Finished size: 6 inches x 6 inches (15 cm x 15 cm)
Abbreviations
- ch: chain — a loop made by pulling yarn through a loop on the hook.
- sc: single crochet — the shortest basic stitch.
- hdc: half double crochet — a medium-height stitch, slightly taller than sc.
- dc: double crochet — a taller stitch with a more open texture.
- st(s): stitch(es).
- sl st: slip stitch — a joining stitch with no height.
- Rnd: round — a row worked around the outside edge.
Gauge
16 sts and 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, work a small sc swatch and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Count your stitches at the end of every row — each row of the body should have 24 stitches, and the border should total 100 sc.
- Change colors on the last pull-through of the final stitch of a row so the new color begins cleanly at the start of the next row.
- Keep your turning chains loose but not oversized; the ch 1 for sc and hdc rows and ch 2 for dc rows should not add extra stitches.
- Work the border stitches evenly rather than tightly so the square stays flat and measures 6 inches after blocking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Square (worked in rows)
With A, ch 25.
Row 1 (A): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 2 (A): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Change to B.
Row 3 (B): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 4 (B): Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. (24 hdc)
Change to C.
Row 5 (C): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 6 (C): Ch 2, dc in each st across, turn. (24 dc)
Change to D.
Row 7 (D): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 8 (D): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Change to E.
Row 9 (E): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 10 (E): Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. (24 hdc)
Change to F.
Row 11 (F): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 12 (F): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Change to A.
Row 13 (A): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 14 (A): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Change to B.
Row 15 (B): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 16 (B): Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. (24 hdc)
Change to C.
Row 17 (C): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 18 (C): Ch 2, dc in each st across, turn. (24 dc)
Change to D.
Row 19 (D): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 20 (D): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Change to E.
Row 21 (E): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 22 (E): Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. (24 hdc)
Change to F.
Row 23 (F): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Row 24 (F): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)
Do not fasten off.
Border
Rnd 1: With F, ch 1, sc evenly around entire square, working 24 sc along each side and 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st to first sc. (100 sc)
Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
This square has no seaming because it is worked as one flat piece. Weave in all ends on the wrong side with the tapestry needle, threading each tail through several stitches in its own color so it stays hidden. Block the square to 6 inches x 6 inches (15 cm x 15 cm): mist it lightly with water, pin each side straight and each corner square on a blocking mat, and let it dry completely. If you are joining several squares, block them all to the same size first so the seams line up evenly.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Make a set of squares in different pastel color orders and join them into an afghan or pillow front.
- Swap the white border for a contrasting color, or add a second border round of sc for a wider frame.
- Use the same 24-stitch, 24-row layout to practice other stitches, such as a row of hdc in the back loop only for a ridged texture.
