Peg Edwards demonstrates how to add "invisible appliques" to an afghan using yarn and an embroidery needle. Peg explains that with this method, the applique will not be visible on the back of the piece.
Heart Applique Baby Afghan
Materials:
Red Heart Baby and Fingering Weight Yarn, Art. E.254 (1-3/4 oz. skein), a yarn made of 100% Acrilan Acrylic Fiber
5 skeins #1 White
2 skeins each #802 Baby Blue, #224 Yellow, #722 Light Pink and #571 Light Lavender.
Crochet hook, size G, or size required to crochet to gauge
Size: About 34" X 45"
Gauge: 5 sc = 1"
Block: Make 12. With White, ch 25.
Steps:
Afghan
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across-24 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
Rows 3 through 27: Repeat Row 2.
Row 28: Sc in each sc across. Do not cut yarn.
Border Rnd 1: Turn piece to work across row ends, * 3 sc in corner, work 27 sc evenly spaced to next corner, 3 sc in corner, work 24 sc evenly spaced to next corner ; repeat from * once more, join with s-1 st to first sc. Cut yarn.
Rnd 2: Join Baby Blue in center sc of any corner, ch 3 for first dc, 3 dc in same st, draw up a loop in last st and remove hook from loop, insert hook in top starting ch-3, pick up dropped loop, draw through and tighten (starting popcorn completed ), ch 3, work 4 dc in same st, draw up a loop in last st and remove hook from loop, insert hook in first dc of 4-dc group, pick up dropped loop, draw through and tighten (popcorn completed), * (ch 2, skip 2 sc, popcorn in next sc) to corner, ch 2 **, in center sc of corner work popcorn, ch 3 and popcorn; repeat from * around, end last repeat at **, join with sl st to top of starting popcorn-1 1 popcorns on each side edge; 10 popcorns on each top and bottom edge. Cut yarn.
Rnd 3: Join White in any ch-3 corner, ch 3 for first dc, 4 dc in same corner, dc in popcorn, * (2 dc in next ch-2, dc in popcorn) to next corner **, 5 dc in ch-3 corner; repeat from * around, end last repeat at **, join to top of starting ch-3 . Cut yarn.
Rnd 4: Join Yellow in center dc of any corner, work starting popcorn, ch 3, popcorn in same dc, * (ch 2, skip 2 dc, popcorn in next dc) to next corner, ch 2 **, in center dc of corner work popcorn, ch 3, and popcorn; repeat front * around end last repeat at **, join 13 popcorns each side edge; 12 popcorns on each top and bottom edge.
Rnd 5: With White and repeat Rnd 3.
Rnd 6: Join Light Lavender in center st of any corner, work starting popcorn, ch 4, popcorn in same dc, * (ch 2, skip 2 dc, popcorn in next dc) to next corner, ch 2 **, in center dc of corner work popcorn, ch 4, and popcorn; repeat from * around , end last repeat at **, join 15 popcorns on each side edge; 14 popcorns on each top and bottom edge.
Rnd 7: Join White in any ch-4 corner, ch 3 for first dc, 8 dc in same corner, dc in next popcorn, * (2 dc in next ch-2, dc in popcorn) to next corner **, 9 dc in ch-3 corner; repeat from * around, end last repeat at **, join. Fasten off.
Heart Applique:
Make 12.
Beginning at bottom point, with Light Pink, ch 3.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch-2 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Work 2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc-3 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Work 2 sc in first sc, sc in 2 sc-4 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Work 2 sc in first sc, sc in 2 sc, 2 sc in last st-6 sc.Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Repeat Row 4-8 sc.
Row 6: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 7: Work 2 sc in first sc, sc in each sc to last st, 2 sc in last sc-10 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Rows 8 through 10: Repeat Row 7-16 sc on last row.
Row 11: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 12: (Divide for Top of Heart) Draw up a loop in each of first two sc, yo and through 3 loops on hook (1 sc dec), sc in 4 sc, dec 1 sc; leave remainder of row unworked-6 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 13: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 14: Dec 1 sc, sc in 2 sc, dec 1 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 15: (Dec 1 sc) 2 times. Cut yarn. Return to Row 11 (last long row worked), join Light Pink in next sc, repeat Rows 12 through 15 to complete second half of heart . Border: Join Light Pink in center bottom point of heart, in point work sc, ch 1 , and sc, sc evenly around heart taking care to keep work flat, join with sI st to first sc. Fasten off.
Finishing
Shorter sides are top and bottom of each Block. Center a Heart Applique in center of each White Block; sew in place. Sew Blocks together into a 3x4 unit.
Border
Join White in center st of any corner, ch 3 for first dc, in same st work 2 dc , ch 1, and 3 dc, * dc in each st to next corner, in corner work 3 dc, ch 1, and 3 dc; repeat from * around as established. Join and fasten off.
