Teardrop Charity Afghan
By Marla Caneer Potter
Copyright 2004
Please make one for a child on Pine Ridge Reservation (see below)
Extra Small Preemie Size= 18"X24" Chain 55
Preemie size= 24"X30 Chain 73
Baby size= 36"X45" Chain 109
Child size= 48"x60" Chain 145
Teen size= 52"X72" Chain 157
Adult size= 55"X75" Chain 166
Large adult size= 60"X84" Chain 181
Extra Large adult size= 66"X84" Chain 199
Guage= 4 chains or 1 teardrop=1" across, each row (not counting LDC) should equal approx 1" tall
Materials: about 55 oz of scrap yarn for 48"X60", any colors you use- design is very flexible. Each color row takes an ounce or less to make depending on size. It is recommended to use at least 2 colors of Standard 4ply WW (not sport or 3 ply)or bulky weight yarn (or as many as you want) to make the design show up and look right. The pattern does not show up when done in one color. Size J crochet Hook.
Row 1: Dc in 4th chain from hook and in next chain. *Skip next chain, Dc in next 3 chains.* Repeat from * to *across afghan. Chain 2, turn.
Row 2: Dc in each Dc across to end, fasten off at the end of row, leaving about a 2" tail. Weave tail through top stitch of work and change colors joining the next color with a knot and slip stich. Again, leave a 2" tail of the new color and work over it as you go. This makes for neater, more secure edges. Be sure to use at least 2 colors- this pattern won't look right in one color. Ch 2 and turn.
Row 3: *Skip next Dc, double crochet in last Dc of the 3DC group, make a Long Double Crochet (see below if you don't know how to do a Long Double Crochet) in the space BETWEEN groups 2 rows down, Dc in first Dc of next group.* Repeat pattern from * to * across the afghan to the last 2 Dc, Dc in last Dc. Ch 2 and turn.
Long Double Crochet (Yarn over, pull up a long loop in space indicated as you would a regular double crochet, then complete as normal double crochet) in the space between 3Dc groups on the row BELOW the row you are working on. If this helps, you will be going into the space on the BOTTOM row of the last color you worked, 2 rows down.
Row 4: Skip Space, Dc in next 3 DC across. Change colors here again- it won't look right if done in one color. Ch 2, turn.
Row 5: * Make Long Double Crochet in first space before the first Dc group; Dc in First Dc of group. Skip next Dc, Dc in last Dc of group. Repeat from * across to last Space and Dc ending with a LDC in the last Space and a Dc in the last Dc. Ch 2, Turn.
Row 6: Dc in the next 2 Dc of group, and in each Dc of each 3 Dc group across to the end. Ch 2, turn.
Row 7: *Skip next Dc, double crochet in last Dc of the 3DC group, make a Long Double Crochet in space between groups, Dc in first Dc of next group.* Repeat pattern from * to * across the afghan to the last 2 Dc, Dc in last Dc. Ch 2 and turn.
Repeat Rows 4-7 until afghan measures at least 72" long.
This pattern is copyright 2004 Marla Caneer and is strictly for personal or charity use. You may print out copies of this pattern for personal or charity use only; this pattern is not to be sold or traded, nor is the item made from it to be sold or traded for any reason. If you make one of these afghans, please consider donating an afghan to a child in Pine Ridge, SD who may be in a foster home for abused/neglected children or residential substance abuse treatment center (kids up to 11 years old stay with their moms receiving treatment and often come in with only the clothes they are wearing)or learn how to sponsor a child with no fees, just letters and a gift or card now and then. For More information visit Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation.
There are lots of ways you can help the people of Pine Ridge where there is a huge poverty level due to no jobs available for hundreds of miles, and temps hit -30 below zero in the winter. Many die from exposure in the winter, live in substandard overcrowded (15-20 people to a small house or trailer)housing often with broken or missing doors or windows, dirt floors, no furniture including beds, refrigerators and stoves, no electricity and no plumbing or running water. The average yearly income is around $6,000 for Pine Ridge while the average yearly income for the rest of the US is around $21,000.... now why is that when we live in the richest country in the world and a community in SD exists like a third world country?? Please visit today and see how you can help these people help themselves.
