Dear Grammy: Tessellating Shapes Stained Glass by Shawn Torres

Dear Grammy: Tessellating Shapes Stained Glass

Crochet
October 2020
Aran (8 wpi) ?
found in pattern
5.0 mm (H)
5394 - 7000 yards (4932 - 6401 m)
US
English
This pattern is available for $6.25 USD buy it now

This pattern is meant for experienced crocheters. It uses overlay crochet and three colors per shape. I have made the pattern so that you can just keep the colors connected until you use them so that we can minimize the ends we must weave-but still, there will be a lot of ends to weave. But, if you keep your eye on the prize, the end result of lots of shapes and ends, is a very lovely afghan!

There are many different stitches used, all are defined in the pattern. There are photos (always found on the end of the pattern so that you may choose to not print them if you want to conserve ink) to help you along, as well as video links. The video links are not public and they are not meant to be shared since this is a paid pattern. Because of the videos and photos, a very adventitious intermediate crocheter may be able to complete this project. Once a few shapes are made, it is pretty smooth sailing and because it is many smaller pieces put together it is a good ‘take along’ project.

Gauge and Materials
Gauge is very important if you are using the yarn amounts listed. This has been crocheted with a fairly loose gauge and you may need to go up a hook size or two. If you are planning on using your own yarn size and gauge, then gauge is not important so long as it is consistent, but be advised you will need to calculate your own yarn amounts.

Unblocked measurements:
One Hexagon measures: 9 inches across
One Square measures: 6 inches across
One Triangle measures: 5.5 inches from base to tip

Finished Afghan (as shown and at widest parts): 80 inches by 53 inches

Yarn: Cascade, Anthem in colors:

Main color:
#05: 9 skeins*
Blue used for Hexagons and Half-Hexagons:
#31: 3 skeins*
#42: 2 skeins*
Pink used for Squares:
#10: 2 skeins*
#52: 2 skeins
Green/Aqua used for Squares:
#32: 2 skeins
#33: 1 skein*
Purple used for Squares:
#56: 2 skeins
#64: 2 skeins*
Yellow/Green used for Triangles:
#18: 3 skeins
#19: 1 skein

*
* Yarns marked with asterisks means there was very little yarn left over. If you are worried about having a different gauge or possibly messing up and wasting a little yarn, I highly suggest purchasing one extra skein of this color.

One Triangle:
MC #05: 3 g
CC1 #18: 5 g
CC2 #19: 1 g
One Hexagon:
MC #05: 14g
CC1 #31: 21 g
CC2 #42: 12 g
One Square:
MC: 8 g
CC1 #31: 9 g
CC2 #42: 7 g

Triangles for Half Hexagons:
MC #05: 3 g
CC1 #31: 5 g
CC2 #42: 1 g
Tapestry needle for sewing

H (5 mm) hook (or hook needed for your yarn choice in order to obtain gauge)

It is worth noting that my gauge is always loose. I suggest you do a trial run of the shapes and the yarn you choose to see just how much yarn you are really using for each shape if you are unable to obtain my gauge and yarn amounts.

• If you prefer to crochet your pieces together instead of sewing (which I recommend for the best visual result), you do not need to leave a long tail for sewing at the end of each piece. Crocheting pieces together will also result in more yarn usage so plan accordingly.

This pattern is dedicated to my Dear Grammy. I have entitled it ‘Dear Grammy’ as an open letter of sorts. I feel, that in some way, it will help to keep her memory alive, and in the hearts of even more people than the countless hearts she has already touched. I do blame Covid, indirectly, on her passing. She had been in Memory Care for 7 months prior to Covid, and she deteriated so fast in such a short time, I am convinced the lack of visits is what took her will to live away. The following are the words I wrote about her when I realized she was gone from my life, but never my heart and soul.

“My Grammy was many things to many people. To me, she was my rock, my crafting mentor, my google nurse (before google was a thing and even did procedures from time to time. Idk how many beads she got out of our noses through the years haha) and sometimes my escape. She taught me to overcome. No matter what your past is, you can do good things in this moment. I cannot recall a time when she wasn’t doing something. Always, she was making something or doing something, and almost always it was for someone else. There are so many pieces of her out there, crocheted snowflakes, prayer shawls, quilts, wedding cake photographs and so much more. I always saw her busy, but I never saw her tired. She found such joy, satisfaction and energy from being a good person.
I will always hold dear her joy in hearing that my daughter was going to school to be a paramedic and that my son was coming home from the Marines. She clapped and open mouth grinned. I am so glad I was finally able to see her that one time after Covid had halted our visits. I was able to tell her how much everyone loves her and misses her, and I named everyone and she was so happy to hear that they all said hi! She said they are all good people.

My Grammy passed away last night, in her sleep. I am sure she is in a better place and clapping her hands and smiling down on us all. Today, I ask you, in her honor, think of something you can do for someone else, and then do it. Be good people. Speedy Edie would like that very much.”-Shawn Torres

Link to blog with extra Grammy Random Info