Fan Tail Crochet Stitch

Time to jump in and learn the Fan Tail Crochet Stitch. This is the third block in the Crochet Stitch Sampler Baby Blanket CAL Sponsored by Red Heart Yarns and hosted by Marly Bird.

You can click here for the first square and here for the second square

Where is the Full Pattern?

During the Crochet-along (CAL) you will be able to get the written and chart instructions as well as the HD Video tutorial for the next step in the Crochet Stitch Sampler Blanket every Tuesday and Thursday. The full pattern will not be posted until the end of the CAL.

GET FULL CAL DETAILS HERE

Get a little help from your friends!

Follow along and complete each step with my help as well as the wonderful group of other Marly Bird CAL members in the Facebook Group. In the group you can post pictures, ask questions and get general crochet support.

I’m ready! Let’s get this party started!

I chose the Fan Tail Crochet Stitch square for this blanket because I wanted to add a lace stitch. There are some bold and rather solid stitches in this blanket and I felt like this stitch was a good relief stitch.

The stitch pattern of this stitch makes it so the fan tail is off set every other row. By doing so we get a very symmetric look.

Click on the stitch below If you need a quick refresher on how to do it.

• Slip Knot and Chain Stitch
• Single Crochet
• Half Double Crochet
• Double Crochet

CROCHET STITCH SAMPLER BABY BLANKET

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites

Materials

Yarn: Red Heart, “With Love” (100% Acrylic; 315 yds/170g): 1 skein of 4 different complementary colors and 2 skeins of main color.

Designer NOTE: Original was made with a discontinued yarn–STITCH NATION by Debbie Stoller™ “Washable Ewe™”: [for sample size blanket] 2 balls each 3903 Strawberry, 3540 Currant, 3501 Robin Egg, 3652 Clover; 3 balls each 3365 Earth.

Hooks: you will need a variety of different sized hooks for this blanket. Use the hook size that will get you the desired square size. Some squares will require a smaller hook and others a larger hook depending on the stitch pattern. For the sample I used G/7 and H/8.

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle

Gauge

Each Full Size Square: 11” x 11″ [27.94 X 27.94 cm]

Each stitch count given for the full square will result in approximately the same size square as long as you adjust hook size when necessary. YOU decide how large you want your squares to be. Once you choose the size for your blanket just make sure that each square will measure that.

Designer NOTE: To make sure each square I made was the same size, I washed and blocked each square as I made it. Doing so made it so I knew right away if my stitches were too tight or too loose.

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Abbreviations

This is the full list of abbreviations used for all the patterns. I will be sure to add this to each pattern so you don’t have to go searching for it as your working on the square.

beg – begin(ning)

bpdc – back post double crochet

ch – chain

dc – double crochet

fpdc – front post double crochet

hdc – half double crochet

rep – repeat

rnd – round

RS – right side

sc – single crochet

sk – skip

sl st – slip stitch

sp – space

st – stitch

tch – turning chain

tr – treble crochet

WS – wrong side

yo – yarn over

Symbol Key for Crochet Charts

This is the symbol key for all the charts used for all the patterns. I will be sure to add this to each pattern so you don’t have to go searching for it as your working on the square.

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Layout

Here is the layout of the sample blanket incase you want to follow along with the same placement and color sequence. It should help you in choosing when to use a particular color for your blanket as well. But please remember, you can mix and match any way you wish; you _do not_ have to use my same layout!

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Pattern

Special Stitches

Fan: [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in indicated st or sp.

V-St: (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in indicated st or sp.

Why are there two different chain amounts? Well, for each square stitch pattern you decide if you are going to learn the stitch first with the in class block size or if you are a dare devil and want to jump in and start on the full size block.

Either way, choose the correct chain amount below.

Fan Tail Crochet Stitch Square (Blue in sample):

Using one of the 4 complementary colors.

If you want to use this pattern stitch for another pattern you need to know how many chains are used for the foundation. For the Fan Tail–Foundation chain is a multiple of 10 + 2 sts.

In class block: Ch 22, continue to row 1.

This is the foundation chain amount I do in the HD Video tutorial. This ‘in class block’ is a great way to get familiar with the stitch pattern before you commit to a larger square. It is also a good way to test out your gauge.

OR

Full size block: Ch 52, continue to row 1.

This is the foundation chain amount I did for the full square in the sample blanket. This number of stitches will give you the same size squares as long as you use the correct hook size to get the size you want.

Designer NOTE: The nature of this stitch is to be open so it could easily be made too big. If your squares are turning out much bigger than my 11″ by 11″ this might be one of the squares you use a smaller hook for and/or adjust the beginning chain amount.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, sk 3 ch, Fan in next ch, sk 3 ch, * sc in next ch, ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch, sk 3 ch, Fan in next ch, sk 3 ch; rep from * to last 2 ch, sc in each of the last 2 ch. Use a stitch marker to mark this as the right side.

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc), hdc in 1^st st, ch 3, sc in center sp of next Fan, ch 3, * Vst in next 1-ch sp, ch 3, sc in center sp of next Fan, ch 3; rep from * to end, 2 hdc in last sc.

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in 1^st st, sc in next 3-ch sp, ch 1, sc in next 3-ch sp, * Fan in center sp of next Vst, sc in next 3-ch sp, ch 1, sc in next 3-ch sp; rep from * to end, 4 dc in tch.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in 1^st st, * ch 3, Vst in next 1-ch sp, ch 3, sc in center sp of next Fan; rep from * to end, working last sc in tch.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in 1^st st, sc in next 3-ch sp, Fan in center sp of next Vst, sc in next 3-ch sp, * ch 1, sc in next 3-ch sp, Fan in center sp of next V-st, sc in next 3-ch sp; rep from * to end, sc in last sc.

Rep rows 2-5 only, ending piece after a Row 2 or Row 4.

Designer NOTE: Don’t let your butt hang out by working into the actual chain of the V-st or 3-ch’s, work in to the space! I talk about this on the HD Video.

Chart

Fan Tail Crochet Stitch Chart

For this chart you will notice that the numbers on the sides count the rows. You can also use these numbers to let you know from which side you will begin reading that row of the chart. For example: Row 1 will be read from the right to the left.

Each of the charts provided in this pattern are written with the same number of foundation chain stitches as the ‘in class block’. I did this so that you have a full chart that allows you to see exactly what stitches go where for the entire swatch.

To use the charts for the full size block you will simple repeat the stitches and rows as indicated in red on the chart.

HD Video Tutorial

Please SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON on the video when you watch it 😉

Homework

Learn this stitch pattern either with the in class block or the full size block. Once you feel like you have it, make your square for the blanket and get ready for the next square. It will be released on Thursday.

Don’t forget, if you have questions or need help we are here to help you. Well, not here but over in the facebook group dedicated to the Marly Bird CAL sponsored by Red Heart Yarns. Come and join us!

Next square: Bobble Crochet Stitch