Named for the Moroccan city of Marrakesh, this coverlet reflects the city’s exotic flavors and rich tones. The solid background is made using crocheted afghan stitch, which requires a particular long hook, and is then embellished with lanky folk art flowers. The monochromatic floral embroidery is a loose interpretation of the gold embroidery found on traditional caftans from the region.

Finished Measurements

45" wide x 60" long

Yarn

Berroco Comfort (50% super fine nylon / 50% super fine acrylic; 100 grams / 210 yards): 15 skeins #9724 Pumpkin (A) Berroco Comfort Chunky (50% super fine nylon / 50% super fine acrylic; 100 grams / 150 yards): 2 skeins #5703 Barley (B)

Crochet Hook

Tunisian crochet hook size US H/8 (5 mm)

Change hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Gauge

18 sts and 32 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Tunisian Stitch, using A

Stitch Pattern

TUNISIAN STITCH (any number of sts; 2-row repeat)

Note: All rows are RS rows.

Set-Up Row: Insert hook in 2nd ch from the hook, yo and pull through, keeping the loop on the hook; repeat in each ch across. Do not turn.

Row 1: Working from left to right, ch 1, *yo and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook; repeat from * to end. Do not turn.

Row 2: Insert hook under the second single vertical thread, from right to left, yo and pull through, keeping the loop on the hook; repeat in each vertical thread to end. Do not turn.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for Tunisian Stitch.

Afghan

PANEL (make 3)

Using A, ch 65. Begin Tunisian st; work even until piece measures 60" from the beginning. Fasten off.

Finishing

Edging: Using A, work 1 row of sc across each side edge of each Panel. Join 3 Panels together as follows: Attach A to corner of first Panel, ch 2, sl st in corner of 2nd Panel, *ch 2, sk 1-2 edge sts, sl st in first Panel, ch 2, sk 1-2 edge sts, sl st in 2nd Panel, keeping Panels even; repeat from * to end. Join 2nd and 3rd Panels in same manner.

Embroidery: Using B, work embroidery following Diagrams. Block lightly (see Special Techniques, page 158).

embroidery diagram

KEY

portuguese stem st

Retro

For Retro, we reached back in time and chose motifs that were all the rage twenty years ago, such as twisted-stitch mock cables, twisted-stitch blocks, and garter ribbing. Then we recombined these classics with a contemporary aesthetic in order to say something new.

Finished Measurements

46" wide x 54" long

Yarn

Berroco Comfort (50% super fine nylon / 50% super fine acrylic; 100 grams / 210 yards): 10 skeins #9713 Dusk

Needles

One pair straight needles size US 8 (5 mm)

One 29" (74 cm) long or longer circular (circ) needle size

US 8 (5 mm)

Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Gauge

22 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in pattern from Chart

Throw

COLUMN 1 (make 3)

Using straight needles, CO 40 sts. *Begin Chart; work Rows 1-26 twice, Rows 27-50 twice, then Rows 51-56 once. Repeat from * twice. BO all sts.

COLUMN 2 (make 2)

With straight needles, CO 40 sts. *Begin Chart; work Rows 27-50 twice, Rows 51-56 once, then Rows 1-26 twice. Repeat from * twice. BO all sts.

Finishing

Sew Columns together as follows: Column 1, 2, 1, 2, 1.

Side Edging: With RS facing, using circ needle, pick up and knit 220 sts evenly spaced along side edge of throw.

Row 1 (WS): K4, *p4, k4, repeat from * to end.

Row 2: Knit.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until Side Edging measures 3", ending with a WS row. BO all sts.

Repeat for second side of throw.

End Edging: With RS facing, using circ needle, pick up and knit 204 sts evenly spaced along end of throw. Work as for Side Edging. Repeat along second end of throw. BO all sts.

Block lightly (see Special Techniques, page 158).

chart

KEY