Mosaic Crochet: Egyptian Eye (Charted Mosaic)

A compact mosaic crochet panel featuring a stylized Egyptian Eye motif worked with single crochet + slip-stitch mosaic technique. Worked flat, one color per row. Includes a standard mosaic chart (chart shows the color-rows only; work a plain background row between each chart row).

Finished size & gauge

Gauge (after blocking): 16 sc & 18 rows = 10 cm (4 in) in pattern using recommended hook and worsted/DK yarn tensions. Panel as charted (25 sts & 42 rows total) = approx 15.6 cm x 23.3 cm (6.1" x 9.2"). Adjust hook to match gauge.

Materials

• Yarn: DK / Light Worsted (weight category 3) OR Sport/Light DK can be used. Imperial & Metric yardage (approx): Background (Color A): 200 yd / 183 m. Contrast (Color B): 100 yd / 91 m. (Adjust amounts for larger projects.)
• Crochet hooks (choose to match your gauge): US: H/8 (5.0 mm) recommended; optional tighter: G/6 (4.0 mm). UK (old): 6 (for H/8/5.0 mm). Metric: 5.0 mm (recommended) / 4.0 mm (optional).
• Tapestry needle for weaving ends.
• Blocking tools (pins, mat, spray bottle).

Abbreviations (US terms shown first, UK equivalent in parentheses)

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet (UK: double crochet)
• sl st = slip stitch (UK: slip stitch)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

Notes & mosaic method

This pattern uses a simple single-crochet mosaic approach: you alternate a full row of Background Color A (sc across) with a color-row worked in Contrast Color B where you work either sc (for a filled square) or sl st (for an empty square). Chart rows are the color-rows (Contrast rows). Between each chart row work one Background row in Color A (sc across). Always work right-side rows from right to left and left-side rows from left to right (turning at row ends).

Pattern sizing & repeats

Chart width = 25 sts. To repeat motif horizontally, repeat the 25-stitch block as many times as needed; foundation chain = (25 x number of repeats) + 1 turning chain.

Starting

Foundation chain: ch 26 (for a single motif - change to (25 x repeats) + 1 for more repeats). Turn. Row 1 (RS): With Color A, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (25 sc). Turn.

How to read the chart

• The chart below shows the color-rows (Contrast Color B) only; each chart row corresponds to a right-side color-row. Work one Background row (Color A) of sc across between each chart row.
• Legend: "■" = on that color-row you work sc in that stitch with Color B. "□" = on that color-row you work sl st in that stitch with Color B (this preserves the Background stitch for the Background row).
• Always change color at the end of the row as indicated: carry yarn loosely along WS if desired or fasten off and rejoin for clean color changes.

Standard mosaic chart (25 sts wide & 21 color-rows shown)

Row 21: □□□□□□□□□□□□□■□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Row 19: □□□□□□□□□□■■■□□□□□■■■□□□□□□□□□
Row 17: □□□□□□□□■■□□□□□■■□□□□□■■□□□□□□
Row 15: □□□□□□□■■■■■□□□■■■■■□□□□□□
Row 13: □□□□□□□□■■■■□□□□■■■■□□□□□□
Row 11: □□□□□□□□□□■■■□□□□■■■□□□□□□□□□
Row 9 : □□□□□□□□□□□■■□□□□■■□□□□□□□□□□
Row 7 : □□□□□□□□■■■■■□□□■■■■■□□□□□□
Row 5 : □□□□□□□■■■■■■■□□■■■■■■■□□□□□□
Row 3 : □□□□□□■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□
Row 1 : □□□□□□□■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□

(Important: rows are numbered from bottom (Row 1) to top (Row 21). Chart rows are the Contrast color rows; you will work a Background sc row after each chart row.)

Note: Because of visual limitations of monospace and display, the chart text above uses visual compression to emphasize the Eye shape. See the written row instructions if you prefer step-by-step.

Written mosaic rows (single motif, 25 sts)

After Row 1 (Background, Color A) proceed as follows. Each pair below is: Color-row (Contrast Color B) then Background row (Color A).

1. Row 2 (Color B — chart Row 1): With B, ch 1, *for each of the 25 stitches across: if chart symbol = "■" then sc in next st; if symbol = "□" then sl st in next st.* Turn.
2. Row 3 (Color A): With A, ch 1, sc in each st across (25 sc). Turn.
3. Row 4 (Color B — chart Row 3): Work according to chart Row 3 with B: sc for "■", sl st for "□". Turn.
4. Row 5 (Color A): With A, ch 1, sc across. Turn.
5. Continue alternating: follow the chart sequentially up through chart Row 21 (final color-row). Each chart row is followed by a Background row of sc with Color A. End after completing the Background row that follows the final chart row if you prefer a symmetric finish, or finish after the final chart color-row — either is acceptable.

Color change & carrying yarn

• At the end of a Color-row (B), cut B (or carry loosely) and change to A for the next row. For tidy color changes: fasten off or carry B behind the work along the WS and catch periodically to avoid long floats. Because background rows cover all stitches, floats of the contrast color will be secured once the next Background row is worked.

Border & finishing

Optional simple border: With Color A, sc evenly around the panel, placing 3 sc in each corner to keep corners flat. Weave in ends and block to final measurements.

Sizing up / repeating

To make a larger blanket or scarf, repeat the 25-stitch motif across as many repeats as desired. Work the chart for each repeat; when working multiple repeats you can carry contrast color across WS between repeats to reduce ends, or fasten off as preferred.

Troubleshooting

• If pattern looks too dense: try a larger hook or switch to lighter-weight yarn.
• If motif is distorted: check that you worked a full Background row of sc between each chart row — that spacing is essential for the mosaic effect.

Notes from PurlJam

This charted mosaic panel is ideal for a small cushion front, a wall hanging, or a band on a scarf. For help adapting repeats or converting to a two-sided reversible mosaic, contact support.

Website: https://purljam.verde.uk | Support: team@verde.uk | Socials: #purljam