Ashlee’s Yearly Blocks

November 13, 2022

A long, long, long, long time ago, way back in 2020 (ha!) I published an eBook of Holiday Squares and included a square that simply said “2020”.

It is a 40-window pattern (using the interlocking crochet technique) and the overlay mosaic version uses the same chart.

It has left- and right- handed instructions (see more left-handed options here: https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/left-handed-instructions-included).

When 2021 rolled around I considered updating the eBook with a new square saying “2021” but then I figured I plan on being in this business for a long time and that would make the eBook get pretty messy if I had to keep adding squares.

Old Square, Too Small

In January of 2021, I did create a small square (chart size 41 x 41 instead of 81 x 81 like the Holiday Squares) that said 2021, but it is much easier to join squares of the same size… so, this one doesn’t fill the need.

In August, I received a request for an updated square with the current year. I anticipated that it would not take me long to get that done… but somehow it is November already. *cringe*

However, I finally accomplished my goal and I now have a large square for 2021 and 2022 – and next month I will add 2023 to the mix as well. Woohoo!

I am not adding these new yearly squares to the Holiday Squares eBook, but I have created a half price promotion on Ravelry for those who already own the eBook “Ashlee’s 2020 Holiday Squares“: add both the 2021 and 2022 squares to your cart to see the discount applied. Expires Nov 17, 2022.

This square can be made using interlocking crochet or overlay mosaic crochet (like all of my patterns). The mosaic version is solid – it uses an adjusted chart. And it has right- and left-handed instructions because you need the numbers to face the right way to be legible.

The original 2020 square used the same chart for both techniques. I will be updating the whole eBook soon. These new squares for 2021 and 2022 have had the extra border lines and interlocking mesh dots removed for the mosaic technique; the chart is 77 x 77.

If you see some samples where the “2022” is up too high in the square that’s because I made a mistake when drawing. I fixed it, but only after a few of my testers had already finished crocheting. Centered is better, don’t blame the testers!

Each pattern is designed to use 2 colors (good contrasting colors), but, as you can see in @Beautifulla24’s sample below, the opportunity to add some more colors can really spice things up!

She used the overlay mosaic crochet version. She started with green as the Main Color (MC / 1st color) and alternated light and dark blue for the Contrasting Color (CC / 2nd color). The pink is a little bit of tapestry crochet on the MC rows. In the middle she substituted dark brown instead of green for the MC.

Big thanks to my testing team: @Beautifulla24, Divya Tellakula, Heather Passmore, Linda Bakker, Nessa Miller, Nyasha Jones, & @ScorpiosHook!

Another thing to note: I am in the process of updating the eBook, “Ashlee’s 2020 Holiday Squares“. The mosaic patterns use the original interlocking crochet chart (with the mesh dots all over). I will be adding an adjusted solid mosaic version of each square as soon as I get them ready! EBook has been updated now! For more details: CLICK HERE.

Pattern Links

Get the new squares, “Ashlee’s 2021 Block” and “Ashlee’s 2022 Block” at half price if you have already purchased “Ashlee’s eBook of Holiday Squares” on Ravelry.

On Etsy, the two new squares are listed together and you will get an automatic 25% discount on that listing until November 17, 2022.

You can get the eBook at a 25% discount until November 17, 2022 – no code needed, add to cart to see discount apply; valid on Etsy and Ravelry.

The discounts on Ravelry can only be applied one at a time, so you’ll want to grab the eBook first and then get the two new squares.

Ashlee’s 2023 Block will be published next month!

I am hoping the Solid, Adjusted Mosaic Crochet versions of these holiday squares will be updated by then!