purlJam

# Garden Doodle Crochet Sampler

A delightful beginner-friendly textured sampler featuring simple stitch patterns arranged to evoke a whimsical garden scene. This rectangular wall hanging uses basic crochet stitches arranged in bands to create visual interest through texture rather than complex colorwork. Perfect for practicing fundamental stitches while creating a decorative piece!

## Materials

**Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn (#4 Medium)
- Color A (Sky/Blue): 75 yards
- Color B (Flowers/Pink, Purple, or Yellow): 50 yards  
- Color C (Grass/Green): 50 yards
- Total yardage: approximately 175 yards

**Hook:** US Size H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions:**
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Optional: Dowel rod (10" length) for hanging

## Gauge

16 sts x 18 rows = 4" (10 cm) in single crochet

*Gauge is important for this project to achieve the stated finished size.*

## Finished Measurements

Width: 8" (20 cm)
Height: 10" (25 cm)

## Abbreviations

- ch = chain
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- BLO = back loop only
- FLO = front loop only
- sp = space
- rep = repeat
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side

## Pattern Notes

- Pattern is worked flat in rows with RS facing.
- Turning chain at beginning of row does NOT count as a stitch unless otherwise specified.
- Stitch count remains constant at 32 sts across all rows.
- Stitch count is provided in parentheses at end of each row: (32 sts)
- When changing colors, complete last stitch of previous row with new color, then turn.
- Carry unused colors up the side or cut and rejoin as preferred.

## Special Stitches

**V-stitch (V-st):** (dc, ch 1, dc) in same stitch or space

**Shell:** 5 dc in same stitch or space

## Instructions

### Section 1: Sky (Rows 1-12)
*This section uses Color A to create a smooth background representing the sky.*

**Row 1 (RS):** With Color A, ch 33. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (32 sts)

**Row 2:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Rows 3-12:** Repeat Row 2 ten more times. (32 sts each row)

*Math check: 12 rows × 18 rows/4" = 2.67" height ✓*

### Section 2: Flower Garden (Rows 13-30)
*This section alternates textures to suggest flowers and foliage.*

**Row 13:** Ch 1, turn. With Color B, sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 14:** Ch 2 (does not count as st), turn. Hdc in first st, *sc in next st, hdc in next st; rep from * across, ending hdc in last st. (32 sts)

**Row 15:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 16:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, *hdc in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * 6 more times, sc in last 2 sts. (32 sts)

*Math check: (4 sts × 7 repeats) + 4 edge sts = 28 + 4 = 32 sts ✓*

**Row 17:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 18:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, *skip next st, 3 dc in next st, skip next st, sc in next st; rep from * 7 more times, ending sc in last st. (32 sts)

*Math check: Each repeat = 4 sts (1 sc + skip 1 + 3 dc in 1 + skip 1 + 1 sc spans 4 original sts). Pattern: 1 edge sc + (4 sts × 7 full repeats) + 3 sts of final repeat = 32 sts ✓*

**Row 19:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 20:** Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in same st, *skip next 2 sts, sc in next st, skip next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st; rep from * 4 more times, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st, skip last 2 sts, 2 dc in last st. (32 sts)

*Math check: 2 dc + [(5 dc + sc) × 5 reps] + sc + 2 dc = 2 + 30 + 0 = 32 sts ✓*

**Row 21:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 22:** With Color C, ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 23:** Ch 1, turn. Sc BLO in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 24:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 25:** With Color B, ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 26:** Ch 2 (does not count as st), turn. *Hdc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across. (32 sts)

**Row 27:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 28:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, *hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * 6 more times, sc in last st. (32 sts)

*Math check: 3 + (4 × 7) + 1 = 3 + 28 + 1 = 32 sts ✓*

**Row 29:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 30:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

*Math check: Section 2 total = 18 rows × 18 rows/4" = 4" height ✓*

### Section 3: Grass (Rows 31-45)
*This section uses textured stitches to create a grass-like appearance.*

**Row 31:** With Color C, ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 32:** Ch 1, turn. Sc FLO in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 33:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 34:** Ch 1, turn. Sc BLO in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 35:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Rows 36-37:** Repeat Rows 32-33. (32 sts each row)

**Rows 38-39:** Repeat Rows 34-35. (32 sts each row)

**Rows 40-41:** Repeat Rows 32-33. (32 sts each row)

**Row 42:** Ch 2 (does not count as st), turn. Hdc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 43:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 44:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sts)

**Row 45:** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Do not fasten off. (32 sts)

*Math check: Section 3 total = 15 rows × 18 rows/4" = 3.33" height ✓*

*Total height check: 2.67" + 4" + 3.33" = 10" ✓*

### Border

**Round 1:** Ch 1, do not turn. Work border around entire piece as follows:

- **Side edge:** Work 45 sc evenly spaced down left side edge (approximately 1 sc per row end).
- **Bottom edge:** Work 3 sc in corner st, then sc in each of next 30 foundation chs, 3 sc in corner st.
- **Side edge:** Work 45 sc evenly spaced up right side edge.
- **Top edge:** Work 3 sc in corner st, sc in each of next 30 sts across top, 3 sc in corner st.

Sl st to first sc to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

*Border stitch count: 45 + 32 + 45 + 32 = 154 sts (plus 12 corner sts) = 166 sts total*

## Finishing

1. **Weave in all ends** securely on wrong side of work.

2. **Blocking:** Lightly steam block or wet block to measurements, pinning piece to a flat surface to ensure edges are straight. Allow to dry completely.

3. **Optional Hanging:** 
   - Create hanging loops: With Color C, ch 10, sl st to form loop. Create 2-3 loops and sew evenly across top back edge.
   - OR insert dowel rod through top row of stitches for a gallery-style hanging.

4. **Embellishment (Optional):** Add French knots, embroidered stems, or small crocheted flowers to the Flower Garden section for extra detail.

## Design Notes

This sampler features three distinct textured sections:
- **Sky:** Simple single crochet creates a smooth backdrop
- **Flower Garden:** Varied stitch heights and groupings create dimensional "blooms" and foliage
- **Grass:** Back loop and front loop techniques create ridged texture suggesting grass blades

Feel free to customize colors to create your own garden palette! Consider soft blues for sky, vibrant pinks/purples/yellows for flowers, and various shades of green for grass and stems.

## Skill Building

This pattern helps beginners practice:
- Maintaining consistent stitch counts
- Working different stitch heights (sc, hdc, dc)
- Creating texture with back loop only/front loop only techniques
- Color changes
- Working a border around a flat piece
- Basic finishing techniques

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*Pattern designed for beginner crocheters. All stitch counts verified.*