Hand4dyeing Yarn

HAND-DYEING YARN: A “KOOL” EXPERIENCE

BY JANET REHFELDT

Now that school’s out for the summer, have some fun time with the kids (and spark their creativity) by hand-dyeing a variety of colorful yarns using a favorite fruit drink mix!

TM Using Kool-Aid to create one-of-a-kind hand-dyed yarns can be a fun and safe project your family can do together. Not only are these nontoxic food-grade dyes, but they are also environmentally friendly and easy to use, come in some great colors and what’s not to love about those fruity Kool-Aid aromas? Although the most used method for this type of dyeing is to use your microwave to set the colors, try planning a dyeing session dur- ing a backyard family get-together, picnic or camping trip, and take advantage of the sun’s heat as a natural way to set the dye. In addition to the nontoxic and environmentally friendly factors, another great thing about using these dyes is the experimentation factor and playing with the different ways of dyeing with Kool-Aid as well as combining flavors or colors to

From Crochet! magazine, July 2009, vol. 22, No. 4, Copyright © 2009 Crochet! Magazine create unique tones and effects. microwave. So grab some yarn and Next, it’s a good idea to pro- Kool-Aid is considered part let’s get to dyeing! tect your hands by using rubber, of the acid dye family. Acid dyes latex or plastic gloves. Trust me on Materials needed work best for protein fibers and this, food coloring dyes really work need heat to set the color. Protein Unsweetened Kool-Aid pack- on skin, so unless you want your fibers include wool, silk and other ets: Minimum of 1 packet per friends, co-workers and neighbors animal fibers such as angora, cash- ounce of yarn (Do not use sugar- knowing you’ve been playing with mere and mohair. Acid dyes also free Kool-Aid packets.) Kool-Aid, use gloves. Note: Make work well with nylon because the Distilled white vinegar sure you are not allergic to latex, plas- chemical structure of nylon some- Table or cooking salt (optional) tic or rubber before use. what resembles that of wool. Water Prepping your yarn You will not get good results Wool yarn using food-grade dyes with other Yarn note: See reference to pro- Your yarn needs to be in hanks synthetic fibers, such as acrylic or tein fibers. for the dye to saturate all the polyester, or plant fibers including Glass measuring cup with ca- strands. If you are using skeins, cotton, rayon, hemp or linen. The pacity of 2 or more cups you need to wind the yarn into colors will not permanently at- ½- to pint-size jars for mixing hanks using a yarn swift or a high- tach to cotton or other plant fibers. multiple colors back chair. For larger hanks, use They wash out, leaving at most Sponge brushes and/or squeeze two chairs spaced apart and wrap a pale stain—enough to perhaps bottles (You can find squeeze the yarn around both chair backs. ruin your project, but not enhance bottles in cake decorating depart- If you know a spinner, borrowing or decorate it. ments of craft stores.) a niddy-noddy is ideal for wind- The yarn you choose may be Microwave-safe plastic wrap ing hanks. thick or thin, natural or dyed. If Microwave-safe bowl or dish Loosely tie the yarn in four to using a previously dyed yarn, se- Rubber, latex or plastic gloves six places using a light-colored lect a fairly light shade so that the Plastic spoons for mixing colors colorfast crochet cotton or yarn. Kool-Aid color shows up. Over- Long-handled plastic or A figure-8 tie works best (see Pho- dyes often result in a more subtle wooden spoon to 1 on next page). Working one side of the hank, split the strands or heather-colored effect. A light Getting Started pink yarn in a deep blue dye bath somewhat in half. Working from Covering your work area with will result in a purple that would the middle of your split, slip one plastic, regardless of whether you be completely different from natu- end of the tie under the yarn, then are working in the kitchen or on ral white yarn dyed with a straight bring it over the top of that section a picnic table, will eliminate un- purple color. and back to the middle. Now take wanted stains. Large, garden-size Make sure you dye enough the tie under the other half of the garbage bags or painter’s plastic yarn to complete your project since split, over the top and back to the sheeting or tarps are great for pro- it is fairly difficult to duplicate the middle. Make a knot, keeping the tecting your work surface. If using results exactly. ties loose so the dye reaches under large garbage bags, make sure they There are several methods of the ties to the yarn strands. Repeat, overlap so no water or dye solution Kool-Aid dyeing. The first meth- adding ties around the hank. leaks underneath. od we’ll cover will be dyeing in the

have the choice of working with making it appear that the dye is a dye bath or sprinkling the dry exhausted, you still need to heat- powdered drink mix onto the yarn. set the dye. Dyeing with Only One Color Mixing your dye bath: Pour

Photo 1 enough warm water to cover the yarn into a microwavable bowl or Soak the yarn in 1 part vinegar dish (about ¾ cup per ounce of yarn). Add the packets of Kool- to 4 parts warm water for about Photo 3 20 minutes (see Photo 2). I use just Aid, about 2 tablespoons of enough water to cover and saturate vinegar and 1 tablespoon of table the yarn. Some people like to use or cooking salt, mixing with a I cover the dish with micro- more vinegar, but I find this ratio wooden or plastic spoon until the wavable plastic wrap, cutting a works well. It really isn’t rocket sci- Kool-Aid is dissolved. The vinegar 1-inch slit in the plastic wrap to ence; you don’t even have to mea- raises the acidity for better color vent. This is not necessary, but I sure, just pour a good amount of retention, while the salt acts as a find it allows more steam to form vinegar into your warm water. And leveler, helping the dye to absorb and sets the dye better. Place the the timing doesn’t have to be exact. more evenly into the yarn. dish into the microwave and, using I’ve had yarn soaking as little as 10 For good saturation, you will high power, zap the yarn for two minutes and as long as overnight. need at least one packet of Kool- minutes. Allow the yarn to rest The only thing you need to be Aid for each ounce of yarn. If you for two minutes. Repeat this two picky about is that your vinegar is want more vibrant colors, use more more times for a total of six cook- distilled white vinegar. packets. If you want lighter colors, ing minutes, always allowing the use fewer packets. yarn to rest between microwaving Squeeze the excess water from times. Note: Time is based on stan- your yarn by folding and running dard 1,000–1,100 cooking watts. your hand down the hank. Do not For higher-powered microwaves, use wring or twist the hank. 70–80 percent power. For low-watt- Making sure you’ve donned age microwaves you may need up to your gloves, add the yarn to the eight minutes cooking time.

Photo 2 dye bath and quickly work the Allow the yarn to cool until color into the yarn by gently mov- the water is room temperature. Fill ing and lifting the yarn strands the sink with just enough water While your yarn is soaking, it’s for even saturation. You may use to cover the yarn. Important: Be the perfect time to prepare your your hands or a wooden or plastic sure the water in the sink is the same dye mixture(s). The great thing spoon (see Photo 3). Even though temperature as the yarn. The water about Kool-Aid dyeing is that, the color is absorbed rather quickly temperature is very important; you do regardless of whether you are us- and the water may turn clear (or not want to shock the yarn. Add the ing just one or multiple colors, you cloudy if using lemonade flavors), yarn and gently swish it in the wa-

From Crochet! magazine, July 2009, vol. 22, No. 4, Copyright © 2009 Crochet! Magazine ter. Do not rub or agitate the yarn the Kool-Aid onto the wool and lap each section of plastic wrap or you will felt it. work it in with a sponge brush, along the long edges so dye doesn’t Empty the sink; refill it with or work the powder into the wool leak underneath. water and a very small amount of with your gloved hands (see Photo After prepping your yarn, dishwashing soap. Gently swish 4). You may have to carefully turn place the hank on the plastic the yarn to get it soapy. Refill the the yarn over to make sure all the wrap, opening it up and separat- sink and, being careful not to rub strands on the bottom of the hank ing the yarn to make it easier to or agitate the yarn, rinse until are saturated with dye. work with. Place paper towels in there are no suds and the water the center of the hank to keep the runs clear. colors from bleeding to the other When fully rinsed, lightly side. You may also want to keep a squeeze the water from the yarn. paper towel in hand to mop up ex- Remove excess water by rolling the cess liquid as you work. yarn in an old towel. You may also Mixing multiple dye place the yarn inside an old pil- colors lowcase or a zippered pillow cover, Photo 4 Using jars or glass measuring cups, knotting the end of the pillowcase prepare your colors. For two colors or zipping the cover. Place in your and 3–4 ounces of yarn, use about washing machine, and making sure Carefully pour over the yarn 1¾–2 cups of warm water for each you use the final spin cycle setting, enough water mixed with a dash color; 1½ cups for three colors; 1 spin your yarn for just a short twirl. of vinegar to almost cover the yarn. cup for more than three colors and Do not spin the yarn for too long Cover the dish with microwav- the number of Kool-Aid packets or you may get some felting. Do able plastic wrap, cutting a slit in you need to obtain the color depth not place the hank in the washing the wrap for venting. Zap the yarn you want for each color. machine unprotected. as instructed under the dye-bath You don’t have to be exact. You Allow your yarn to air dry by method. want enough liquid to saturate draping over a drying rack or a Dyeing with Multiple the area of yarn you need to cover. towel-covered shower rod. You Colors For the 4 ounces of yarn in photo may want to place an old towel or As with using one color, when 6, each color used four packets of some plastic under the hank as a using multiple colors you may ei- Kool-Aid and 1½ cups of water. drip catcher. ther mix the Kool-Aid into dye Add about 2 teaspoons of ta- Working with baths or sprinkle the dry powdered ble or cooking salt and a splash of powder form drink mix onto the yarn. vinegar, and mix with a plastic or Prep your yarn and squeeze out First, protect the surface of wooden spoon until the Kool-Aid the excess water. Place yarn into a flat working area with plastic. dissolves. a low-sided microwavable dish. I Then, lay microwavable plastic Decide where on the yarn used a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, wrap down in three lengths that you want to apply your first color. snaking the yarn back and forth are at least 8 inches longer than With your gloves on, pour the dye around the bottom of the pie plate. the hank (about 4 inches excess at mixture into squeeze bottles and Donning your gloves, sprinkle each end of the yarn hank). Over- apply it to the yarn while work-

ing it in with your fingers. Or dip plastic wrap over one side of the tween until your microwaving time sponge brushes into the jars of dye hank, curling it under the yarn. is six minutes. It’s necessary to mixture and press the dye into the Roll the hank like a sausage cas- complete this 6-minute cooking yarn with the brushes. ing, making sure the plastic wrap process in longer intervals than for Work quickly, squeezing or enfolds and seals that side of the totally submerged yarn so as not to pushing the dye into yarn, roll- hank. Remove the paper toweling overcook the yarn. ing and turning the section you from the center of the hank and Allow the yarn to cool to room are working on to cover all areas. roll the plastic wrap over the op- temperature and rinse as instructed Make sure you separate the strands posite side and ends of the hank. under Dyeing With One Color. and check the underside of the Place a small microwavable Working multiple yarn to get all the white areas. Dab cup, glass or bowl with about colors with powder up any excess dye that may run 3–4 inches of water in the center form into the wrong areas with clean of your microwavable dish. Lift Prep the yarn, leaving in a lit- paper towels (see Photo 5). and coil your yarn into your dish, tle extra moisture. Place the yarn When that section is colored keeping the water cup in the on plastic wrap as instructed un- to your satisfaction, begin with center (see Photo 6). der Mixing Multiple Dye Col- the next color. Always rinse your ors. Sprinkle the Kool-Aid onto hands when changing colors, even the wool in the area you want though you are wearing gloves, and and work into the wool with a use clean paper towels for cleaning sponge brush or with glove- up excess liquid with each color or covered fingers. you will end up with splotches. Repeat, using another color in Note: Be careful of color place- another area of the yarn. If you are ment as some colors bleeding into oth- Photo 6 using a large hank, you may have ers will give you a muddy effect rath- to carefully turn the yarn over to er than the striking blue or green you Note: If you have an old bamboo make sure the strands on the bot- were going for. Remember your color or microwavable steamer, you can fill tom are dyed. wheel … yellow and blue make green, the bottom with water and place the Follow the instructions under red and blue make purple and so on. yarn into the steamer. Although you Dyeing With Multiple Colors for may still use the steamer for normal wrapping and heat-setting the dye food use since Kool-Aid is nontoxic, colors. Cool and rinse as for Dye- you may want to use one for which ing With One Color. you don’t care about turning strange Dyeing In the Sun or psychedelic colors; of course, it could This method is similar to mak- also create entertaining topics of con- ing sun tea. The sun’s natural heat versation at your next dinner party. Photo 5 sets your dye in place of using the Zap the yarn for two minutes; microwave. I use quart-size glass let it rest two minutes. Repeat jars, but any jar with a lid into Once the yarn is dyed to your once, then zap in one-minute in- which your yarn fits will work. satisfaction, carefully roll the tervals, resting two minutes be-

From Crochet! magazine, July 2009, vol. 22, No. 4, Copyright © 2009 Crochet! Magazine Soak your yarn in warm water. Kool-Aid and set aside. Mix the yard family and friends get-to- For dyeing with one color, main color (3 packets of cherry) gether. Wet the wool with warm place enough warm water into the with 1/3 cup water and a splash of water, then squeeze out the ex- jar to cover the yarn. About 1½ white vinegar in the bottom of cess, leaving the yarn moist. If cups for 3–4 ounces. Add about 1/4 the Mason jar. Put half of the yarn you’re out camping, you may need cup of vinegar, 2 teaspoons of ta- hank into the mixture, holding the to place the water in the sun to ble or cooking salt, and depending remaining yarn out of the liquid. warm it up a bit. on how rich you want your color, Holding the yarn with one Put your wool into the baggie. three to five packets of Kool-Aid. hand, sprinkle the dry contents of Making sure to use gloves, sprin- Mix until the Kool-Aid dissolves. one packet of coordinating Kool- kle packets of Kool-Aid onto the Squeeze out all the excess water Aid color onto some more of the yarn inside the baggie. You may from your yarn and push the yarn yarn hank with your other hand, use several colors or just randomly into the jar using a long-handled pushing the yarn further into the sprinkle two or three packets of plastic or wooden spoon, making jar while trying not to let it get the same color around and onto sure the yarn is completely im- submerged into the main-color the wool. Using multiple colors mersed. liquid at the bottom of the jar. will give you unique splotches of Place the jar in the sun and al- Then, sprinkle the contents of the random color. low it to cure for two to three days. other packet of coordinating Kool- Zip the baggie closed, and after If it’s very hot and sunny, you may Aid color onto the remainder of rinsing your hands, squeeze gen- have the color absorbed within the hank, pushing the yarn com- tly on the outside of the baggie to 12–24 hours. You can tell when pletely into the jar. push the dye into the yarn. Do not the dye has been exhausted as the Carefully add more white vin- squeeze too roughly or the baggie remaining liquid will be clear. It egar (for a 2 quart jar I added 1 will burst. may turn clear within a few hours, cup), close the lid and let the yarn Pour about ½ cup of vinegar but don’t be fooled; you still need “bake” in the sun until all the color into the baggie, zip it closed and the heat of the sun to set the dye, in the water has been absorbed place it in a bright, sunny spot. so don’t become impatient. Unless and the liquid is clear (see Photo 7). Check it between hikes, rock it’s extremely hot weather, 90s with hunting excursions or bike rides, bright sun, let it heat thoroughly. and turn it over several times dur- Rinse as instructed under Dyeing ing the day. If it’s been a really With One Color. hot, sunny day, your yarn may be Get creative and try more than ready to rinse out. If not, put it in one color. I mixed three packets of a safe place overnight, then put it cherry for the main color, 1 packet back into the sun again for anoth- of orange and 1 packet of Lemon- Photo 7 er day. A word of advice: Due to ade Kool-Aid for my coordinating the aroma of the Kool-Aid, if you colors with 4 ounces of yarn and a Dyeing in a Gallon- are in an area with bears, take the 2-quart Mason jar. Size Zipper Baggie same precautions you would with After donning protective This is a great project for a food to keep it safe from unwant- gloves, open all your packets of weekend camping trip or back- ed visitors.

Photo 8

Clockwise from upper top (see photo 8): grape; black cherry/ strawberry; cherry/orange/lemonade; Ice Blue lemonade/blastin’ berry cherry; grape/cherry; lemon- lime/orange/lemonade; Overdyed pink Kool-Aid with blue food coloring; pink lemonade; mandarina- tangerine; lemon-lime; berry blue

(foundation hdc): Ch 3 (see Pattern Tutti-Frutti SKILL LEVEL Notes), yo, insert hook in 3rd ch from Textured Scarf FINISHED SIZE hook, yo, pull lp through, ch 1, yo, pull through all lps on hook, [yo, insert hook Alternating rows of post 6 x 453/4 inches in last ch-1, yo, pull lp through, ch 1, yo, pull through all lps on hook] rep number stitches against a background MATERIALS times stated. of half double crochets make • Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn super Hand-Dyeing Yarn this a unique accessory for fine (sock) weight yarn (4 oz/491 child, teen or adult. Dye your yds/113g per skein): Referring to article and using 9 oz of water for each color, dye your yarn in the yarn in one color or as many 2 skeins SY10 vanilla • Size F/5/3.75mm crochet hook or size color or colors desired. Allow to air dry as your inner artist desires. needed to obtain gauge completely. Wind yarn into ball. • Kool-Aid: 4 packets lemonade Scarf 3 packets each lemon lime and Row 1: Work 252 foundation hdc (see orange Special Stitch) or ch 253, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (252 hdc) GAUGE If you use a beginning chain, when you Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first st, work- 22 hdc = 4 inches finish the last row of the Scarf, work a row ing in back lps (see Stitch Guide), hdc in of slip stitches in each stitch before finish- each of next 11 sts, fpdc (see Stitch Guide) PATTERN NOTES ing off to obtain matching edges. around each of next 4 sts, [hdc in each If you are using yarn dyed with long sec- Chain-3 at beginning of row counts as of next 12 sts, fpdc around each of next tions of color, it will change the way the first half double crochet unless otherwise 4 sts] across to last 12 sts, hdc in each of colors fall if you use a chain to begin your stated. next 11 sts, hdc in both lps of last st, turn. scarf. Beginning with a foundation half SPECIAL STITCH Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in both lps of first st, double crochet will establish and match working in back lps, hdc in each of next 11 the patterning of changes in color. Foundation half double crochet sts, bpdc (see Stitch Guide) around each

From Crochet! magazine, July 2009, vol. 22, No. 4, Copyright © 2009 Crochet! Magazine of next 4 sts, [hdc in each of next 12 sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts, hdc in each bpdc around each of next 4 sts] across to of next 12 sts, fpdc around each of next 4 Rippled shell last 12 sts, hdc in each of next 11 sts, hdc sts, hdc in each of next 11 sts, hdc in both Scarf in both lps of last st, turn. lps of last st, turn. Row 4: Ch 1, hdc in both lps of first st, Row 13: Ch 1, hdc in both lps of first st, This slightly different working in back lps, hdc in each of next 11 working in back lps, hdc in each of next take on the ever-popular sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts, [hdc 11 sts, bpdc around each of next 4 sts, hdc ripple pattern will show in each of next 12 sts, fpdc around each in each of next 12 sts, bpdc around each of next 4 sts] across to last 12 sts, hdc in of next 4 sts, hdc in each of next 36 sts, off your hand-dyed yarn to each of next 11 sts, hdc in both lps of last bpdc around each of next 4 sts, [hdc in perfection. The shell ripple st, turn. each of next 12 sts, bpdc around each of design is perfect for solid next 4 sts] 7 times, hdc in each of next 36 Rows 5–7: [Rep rows 3 and 4 alternately] colors as well as showcasing twice, ending last rep with row 3. sts, bpdc around each of next 4 sts, hdc in each of next 12 sts, bpdc around each of yarns dyed in two long Row 8: Ch 1, hdc in both lps of first st, next 4 sts, hdc in each of next 11 sts, hdc colorways. working in back lps, hdc in each of next 11 in both lps of last st, turn. sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts, [hdc SKILL LEVEL in each of next 12 sts, fpdc around each Rows 14–17: [Rep rows 12 and 13 alter- of next 4 sts] 3 times, [hdc in each of next nately] twice. FINISHED SIZE 4 sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts] 16 Row 18: Ch 1, hdc in both lps of first st, 61/2 x 44 inches blocked times, [hdc in each of next 12 sts, fpdc working in back lps, hdc in each of next 11 around each of next 4 sts] 3 times, hdc in sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts, [hdc MATERIALS each of next 11 sts, hdc in both lps of last in each of next 12 sts, fpdc around each • Brown Sheep Wildfoote st, turn. of next 4 sts] 3 times, [hdc in each of next Luxury Sock Yarn super 4 sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts] 16 fine (sock) weight yarn (4 oz/491 Row 9: Ch 1, hdc in both lps of first st, work- yds/113g per skein): ing in back lps, hdc in each of next 11 sts, times, [hdc in each of next 12 sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts] 3 times, hdc in 1 skein SY10 vanilla bpdc around each of next 4 sts, [hdc in each • Size F/5/3.75mm crochet hook or of next 12 sts, bpdc around each of next 4 each of next 11 sts, hdc in both lps of last st, turn. size needed to obtain gauge sts] 3 times, [hdc in each of next 4 sts, bpdc • Kool-Aid: 3 packets ice blue around each of next 4 sts] 16 times, [hdc Rows 19–21: [Rep rows 9 and 10 alter- raspberry lemonade in each of next 12 sts, bpdc around each of nately] twice, ending last rep with row 9. • Stitch markers: 2 next 4 sts] 3 times, hdc in each of next 11 Row 22: Rep row 4. sts, hdc in both lps of last st, turn. Rows 23–26: [Rep rows 3 and 4] twice. GAUGE Row 10: Ch 1, hdc in both lps of first st, working in back lps, hdc in each of next 11 Next row: Ch 1, hdc in both lps of first st, 36 hdc = 4 inches work in back lps, hdc in each st across to sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts, [hdc PATTERN NOTES in each of next 12 sts, fpdc around each last st, hdc in both lps of last st. of next 4 sts] 3 times, [hdc in each of next If you worked foundation hdc for row 1, Scarf is worked lengthwise. To make 4 sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts] 16 fasten off. tracking the edges easier, keep marker at times, [hdc in each of next 12 sts, fpdc each end in beginning half double crochet If you used the ch, turn, sl st in each st of each row. Move marker with each next around each of next 4 sts] 3 times, hdc in across. Fasten off. each of next 11 sts, hdc in both lps of last beginning half double crochet. st, turn. If you are using yarn dyed with long sec- Row 11: Rep row 9. tions of color, it will change the way the colors fall if you use a chain to beg your Row 12: Ch 1, hdc in both lps of first st, scarf. Beginning with a foundation half working in back lps, hdc in each of next double crochet will establish and match 11 sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts, hdc the patterning of changes in color. in each of next 12 sts, fpdc around each of next 4 sts, hdc in each of next 36 sts, fpdc If you use a beginning chain, when you around each of next 4 sts, [hdc in each finish the last row of the Scarf, work a row of next 12 sts, fpdc around each of next of slip stitches in each stitch before finish- 4 sts] 7 times, hdc in each of next 36 sts, ing off to obtain matching edges.

Chain-3 at beginning of row or round counts as first half double crochet unless otherwise stated.

SPECIAL STITCHES Foundation half double crochet (foundation hdc): Ch 3 (see Pattern Notes), yo, insert hook in 3rd ch from hook, yo, pull lp through, ch 1, yo, pull through all lps on hook, [yo, insert hook in last ch-1, yo, pull lp through, ch 1, yo, pull through all lps on hook] rep number times stated. Shell: (Hdc, ch 2, hdc) in place indicated.

Hand-Dyeing Yarn Referring to article and using 31/2 cups of water, dye your yarn in the color or colors desired. Allow to air dry completely. Wind yarn into ball.

Scarf Row 1: Work 409 foundation hdc (see Special Stitches) or ch 410, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (409 hdc) Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in first st, place marker (see Pattern Notes), sk next st, shell (see Special Stitches) in next st, [sk next 2 sts, hdc in ch sp of next shell, shell in ch sp of sures 61/2 inches from peak to valley. shell in next st] 4 times, *sk next 2 sts, each of next 5 shells, *(shell, ch 3, shell) Next row: Ch 1, hdc in each of first 3 sts, (shell, ch 3, shell) in next st, [sk next 2 sts, in next ch-3 sp, shell in ch sp of each of shell in next st] 4 times, sk next 2 sts, hdc *sk all ch-2 sps, hdc in each st across to next 4 shells, hdc in ch sps of each next next ch-3 sp, 3 hdc in ch-3 sp, rep from * in next st, sk next 3 sts, hdc in next st, [sk 2 shells, shell in ch sp of each of next 4 next 2 sts, shell in next st] 4 times, rep across to last 6 shell, sk ch-2 sps, hdc in shells, rep from * across to last ch-3 sp, each st across. from * across to last 20 sts, sk next 2 sts, (shell, ch 3, shell) in ch-3 sp, shell in ch sp (shell, ch 3, shell) in next st, [sk next 2 sts, of each of next 5 shells, hdc in next ch-2 If you worked foundation hdc for row 1, shell in next st] 5 times, sk next st, tr in sp, tr in last st, turn. fasten off. last st, turn. Rows 4–14: Rep row 3 or until piece mea- If you used the ch, turn, sl st in each st Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in first st, place marker, across. Fasten off. C!