Skill Level – Intermediate

Abbreviations
DC – Double Crochet
HDC – Half Double Crochet
CH – Chain
SL ST – Slip Stitch


(   ) – Parenthesis – I use the parenthesis for information and as a summary at the end of each round/row to provide how many stitches are worked in each round. They are not further instructions.

Materials
Size I/5.5 mm crochet hook
4 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle


How to work the stitches

Cluster – Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook through the space, wrap the yarn over, pull through two stitch, leave the remaining two on your hook, Wrap the yarn over your hook, pull through two, there are three loops on your hook.  Wrap the yarn over, pull through all three loops.


Popcorn – Work 5 double crochet in the same stitch. Work a slip stitch in the first stitch, working to the back of the 5 stitches, pushing the stitches to the front creating a raised effect.

Start by attaching a slip knot to the crochet hook.
Work a chain 4, join with the beginning chain.
Round 1: Work a chain 4,(the chain 4 will count as the first double crochet chain 1) *DC, CH 1, complete 7 times total from *. Join with the beginning stitch. ( 8 double crochet with a chain 1 between each stitch) Cut the yarn and change color. 


Round 2: Attach the new color of yarn to the hook. Work a slip stitch in to any chain 1 space between the double crochet.   Work a chain 1, this will not count as a stitch, it is the step up to the next round.  *Work a cluster(see above) chain 2, work a second cluster in the same space, chain 1, continue 8 times total from *. Join with the beginning stitch. (There will be 2 cluster in each space, CH 2  for a total of 16 cluster with chain 2 between each cluster) Cut the yarn and change color.


Round 3: Attach the new color of yarn to the hook.  Attach to any chain 2 space. Work a chain 1, this will not count as a stitch, it is the step up to the next round. *Work a popcorn stitch in the same stitch(See popcorn description above), chain 2, continue around from * for a total of 16 times, join with the beginning popcorn stitch.  Cut the yarn and change color.


Round 4: Attach a new color in the chain 2 space. Work a chain 1, this will not count as a stitch, it is the step up to the next round.  * Work 3 DC in the same space, CH 1, Work 3 DC in the next space, CH 1, Work 3 DC in the next space, CH 1.   This next space will be an increase, work 3 DC, CH 2, 3 DC, CH 1, Complete 4 times total from * , join with the beginning stitch.