purlJam

# Cowichan-Inspired Geometric Block Toy

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner

**Finished Size:** Approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches) cube.

**Yarn:**
Worsted (4) weight yarn. Recommended fibre: 100% acrylic or wool blend for durability and easy care.
*   **Main Colour (MC):** Approx. 50g (80 metres / 87 yards) in a natural cream or oatmeal shade.
*   **Contrast Colour (CC):** Approx. 10g (15 metres / 16 yards) in a complementary natural brown or grey shade.

**Hook:**
4.0mm (US G-6) crochet hook. (Go down 1-2 sizes from yarn label recommendation to create a tight fabric suitable for stuffing).

**Other Materials:**
*   Fibre-fill stuffing (polyester)
*   Yarn needle (for weaving in ends and assembly)
*   Stitch marker (optional, for tracking rows if desired, though not strictly needed for flat pieces)
*   Scissors

**Tension (Gauge):**
5 double crochet (dc) stitches and 5 rows per 2.5 cm (1 inch) using a 4.0mm hook, worked tightly.
*(It is important to achieve a tight tension to prevent stuffing from showing through your stitches.)*

**Abbreviations (UK Terms):**
*   **ch:** chain
*   **dc:** double crochet (US single crochet)
*   **ss:** slip stitch
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **MC:** Main Colour
*   **CC:** Contrast Colour
*   **rep:** repeat

**Notes:**
*   This pattern uses UK crochet terminology.
*   Work tightly throughout the pattern for a firm fabric suitable for amigurumi.
*   The "Cowichan-inspired" aesthetic comes from the use of natural, earthy colours and simple geometric motifs.

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## Pattern Instructions

### Part 1: Square (Make 6)

Using MC yarn.

**Chain:** Ch 19 [This chain forms the foundation for 18 dc stitches.]

**Row 1:** 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in each remaining ch across. Turn. [18 dc]
**Rows 2-18:** Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 1 dc in each dc across. Turn. [18 dc per row, 18 rows total]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail (approx. 30 cm / 12 inches) on three of the squares for assembly. Cut yarn on the other three squares.

#### Surface Crochet Motif (Optional - on 4 squares)

To add a simple geometric motif, reminiscent of traditional Cowichan patterns:
On four of your completed squares, use CC yarn and a yarn needle (or a smaller crochet hook for surface slip stitch if preferred) to embroider or surface crochet a simple 'X' or '+' shape in the centre of each square. Alternatively, work a simple border in CC around the edge of the square using surface slip stitch.

*To work surface slip stitch:*
1.  Insert your hook from the front to the back of the fabric.
2.  Yarn over with CC from the back of the fabric and pull a loop through to the front.
3.  Insert hook into the next desired stitch space, yarn over from the back, pull through the fabric and the loop on your hook (creating a ss on the surface).
4.  Continue creating your desired pattern.

### Part 2: Assembly

1.  Arrange your 6 squares into a cross shape, with one square in the centre and one square on each of its four sides. The sixth square will be the top.
2.  Using the long tails from three squares and additional MC yarn as needed, whip stitch or slip stitch the squares together.
    *   First, join the four 'side' squares to the 'centre' square. Line up the edges and sew through both loops of the stitches, making neat, even seams.
    *   Next, join two opposite 'side' squares to each other along their outer edges.
    *   Then, join the remaining two 'side' squares to close the 'walls' of the cube. You will now have a cube open on one side.

### Part 3: Finishing

1.  **Stuffing:** Begin firmly stuffing your cube with fibre-fill. Ensure all corners are well-filled to maintain the block shape. Continue stuffing until the cube is dense and holds its shape well.
2.  **Top Closure:** Take the final unattached square (the 'top' square). Align it with the open side of the cube. Using a long tail or new MC yarn, whip stitch or slip stitch this square onto the open edges of the cube.
3.  **Weave in Ends:** Securely weave in all remaining yarn tails into the inside of the cube using your yarn needle. Give your block toy a final squeeze and shape.

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## Construction Tips (from template)

*   **Work tightly:** Ensure your stitches are snug to prevent the stuffing from showing through and to create a firm, clean finish for your block toy.
*   **Stuff as you go:** While not strictly 'as you go' for a cube, ensure you stuff firmly *before* closing the final side. It's much harder to add enough stuffing later.
*   **Use invisible decrease:** (N/A for this specific pattern as there are no decreases, but generally good for amigurumi).
*   **Stitch marker:** (Optional for this pattern, but useful for tracking round beginnings in other amigurumi projects).
*   **Pin pieces before sewing:** Always pin your squares together before joining to ensure proper alignment and a neat, even cube shape.

## Size Adjustments (from template)

*   **Larger:** To make a larger block toy, you can either:
    *   Increase the starting chain and the number of rows for each square (e.g., make 24 dc x 24 rows for a 12 cm / 4.7 inch square).
    *   Use a bulkier yarn weight (e.g., chunky/bulky) and a larger hook (e.g., 5.0mm or 5.5mm), adjusting the stitch count accordingly to achieve a square.
*   **Smaller:** To make a smaller block toy (e.g., keychain size), you can either:
    *   Decrease the starting chain and the number of rows for each square (e.g., make 12 dc x 12 rows for a 6 cm / 2.4 inch square).
    *   Use a lighter yarn weight (e.g., DK) and a smaller hook (e.g., 3.0mm or 3.5mm), adjusting the stitch count accordingly.
*   **Handheld size:** The current pattern creates a good handheld size of approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches).

## Embellishments (from template)

*   **Embroidered features:** For this "Cowichan-Inspired" block, the surface crochet motif acts as the main embellishment. You could further embellish with other simple geometric shapes or contrasting lines using embroidery thread or CC yarn.
*   **Felt details:** (N/A for this style, but generally for toys, felt can be cut and glued/sewn on for details like eyes or spots).
*   **French knots:** (N/A for this style, but useful for small dots or details on other toys).
*   **Surface slip stitch:** This technique is specifically used here for adding the geometric "Cowichan-inspired" patterns onto the squares. Experiment with different simple patterns!