FREE PATTERN: Advent CAL-endar 2020 - Day 1

Welcome to the free Crochet-Along for the 2020 Crochet Society Advent Calendar. Each day we'll provide instructions for the next part of the pattern.

Wherever possible, we've linked to tutorials for the stitches used in the pattern but if you need any help, pop over to our friendly Facebook group to chat with other crocheters and share the fun! All the posts about the CAL and each instalment is now together in its own section of the website here.

IMPORTANT: THIS PATTERN USES UK CROCHET TERMS

ESSENTIALS Designer This pattern was designed by Rosina Plane. She used a lot of Sarah-Jayne's video tutorials as her starting point, but she's added some of her own and put the stitches together with real style, to create a beautiful blanket you'll love to cosy up with all year round.

We'll only be showing one part at a time, because we don't want to spoil any surprises but we promise it'll be worth the wait!

Yarn Crochet Society Advent Calendar 2020 Yarn If you didn't get the calendar, check out our blog post here for some substitution suggestions.

Hook 3.75mm for main panel Optional: 3.5mm and 4mm recommended for border, depending on your tension

Tension 17 sts x 18 rows = 10cm measured over dc using 4mm hook

Other supplies Locking stitch markers

Finished size 89cm wide x 106cm long (including border, which is 3cm on each side)

PATTERN NOTES Don’t worry about weaving in your ends, as we will be hiding them inside the border. Beg 1 ch does not count as a st

BASIC ABBREVIATIONS Beg beginning BLO work in back loops only ch chain ch-sp chain space dc double crochet dc2tog work two double crochet stitches together fdc foundation double crochet FLO work in front loops only htr half treble crochet pul pull up a loop Rnd round sl st slip stitch sp space st(s) stitch(es) tbl through the back loop tr treble ttr triple treble tr2tog work two treble crochet stitches together WS wrong side yrh yarn round hook Special Stitch Spike double crochet (spike dc): insert hook in st 2 rows below, yrh, pul to height of working row, yrh, draw through both loops on hook.

Day 1 Pattern: Royal Ridge Stitch

With Watermelon and 3.75mm hook (or size needed to match given tension), chain 118.

Row 1 (RS): Starting in 2nd ch from hook, dc across. Turn. 117 sts Rosina's Tips: for a neater edge, work into the back ‘bump’ of the chain; If you find your bottom edge bunches up, try using a larger hook for the chain only.

Row 2 (WS): 1 ch, htr across. Turn.

Rows 3–6: 1 ch, *1 htr in 3rd loop; rep from * to last st, 1 htr. Turn. Tip: to help you keep track of the RS of your work, place a locking st marker around any st from the RS

Row 7 (RS): 1 ch, dc across. Fasten off. Turn.

Day 1 Videos

Getting started and working a chain. Click HERE to watch our helpful tutorial!

For a double crochet tutorial, click HERE

Now let's get on to the stitch!

More help on the Third Loop from Sarah-Jayne

This photo shows which loop/bar you are working into, this is referred to as the 'third loop'. You will be working into THIS bar (which is always the one facing you as you work) for rows 3-6 which will create a ridge effect on BOTH sides. (The video tutorial that was directed to in the post is the camel stitch which is a little different. It was simply to show you which loop/bar to work into)