Crochet pattern: Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block

Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block, free crochet pattern in Loops and Threads Impeccable yarn by Underground Crafter | This simple stitch pattern adds visual interest to any project. This block is sized for donation to Warm Up America, a charity that distributes handmade blankets to people in need.The Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block is a simple stitch pattern that will add visual interest to any project. This pattern is part of my monthly charity spotlight series, where I highlight a charity that accepts crochet and other handmade donations and share a crochet pattern designed with that charity in mind.

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April’s Featured Charity: Warm Up America

Warm Up America (WUA) was founded in 1991 in Wisconsin by neighbors who would make crochet and knit blankets for local people in need. WUA’s founder, Evie Rosen, had the idea for each person to make just a small block which would be joined into a blanket. Since giving was so easy, the project quickly expanded. Now, WUA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that collects blocks, blankets, and other projects to distribute to people in need. WUA also assists volunteers and groups so they can adopt WUA locally.

Warm Up America always accepts crocheted and knitted 7″ x 9″ (18 cm x 23 cm) blocks, finished blankets, hats and scarves for adults, and baby clothing. WUA also posts their current needs on the website, which includes campaigns for specific organizations that may have deadlines or other special requirements. You can get more information about about Warm Up America!, including how the donations work, recommended patterns, and answers to frequently asked questions (with the shipping address) on their website.

Charity Guide

Tips for Making Great Warm Up America Blocks

Warm Up America blocks are seamed together into blankets by volunteers, so blocks should be easy to combine. WUA recommends that crocheters and knitters use medium weight yarn (also called worsted weight or #4 yarn; UK readers will find that aran weight yarn is the closest match). Acrylic yarn is preferable because it is machine washable and dryable. You can use washable wool yarn instead, but must label it so that blocks will be combined with other wool blocks.

Stitch patterns that have few holes will provide the most warmth and stability to combine with other blocks. Besides the Piggyback Stitch Block, you may enjoy my Long Double Crochet Warm Up America Block.

Long Double Crochet Warm Up America Block, free #crochet pattern by Marie Segares @ucrafterIf you also knit, all of the Anthology Blanket squares and Knitted Kitchen Blog Hop dishcloth patterns include stitch multiples. These can easily be adapted as Warm Up America blocks, too.

To donate your projects locally (and save on shipping costs while making a bigger impact in your own community), follow Warm Up America’s tips for joining blocks together here. If you’d like to involve your children or grandchildren, WUA also has some great suggestions on their Kids page.

If you make your own Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block to your Ravelry favorites or queue.

Underground Crafter on RavelryIf you want an easy print format, you can buy an ad-free PDF version on Craftsy.Underground Crafter on Craftsy

Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block, free crochet pattern in Loops and Threads Impeccable yarn by Underground Crafter | This simple stitch pattern adds visual interest to any project. This block is sized for donation to Warm Up America, a charity that distributes handmade blankets to people in need.

Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

This simple stitch pattern adds visual interest to any project. This block is sized for donation to Warm Up America, a charity that distributes handmade blankets to people in need.

Finished Size

  • Block: 7” (18 cm) width x 9” (23 cm) height.

Materials

  • Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn (100% acrylic, 4.5 oz/128 g/268 yd/245 m) – 1 skein in 01222 Fern, or approximately 68 yd (62 m) in any medium weight yarn.
  • US Size I-9/5.5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
  • Yarn needle.

Gauge

  • Exact gauge is not critical for this project. Block should measure approximately 6.5” (16.5 cm) across before adding edging.


Michaels Knitting & Crochet

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • ch – chain
  • dc – double crochet
  • ea – each
  • sc – single crochet
  • sk – skip
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • Rnd – Round
  • sp – space
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.

Pattern Instructions

Block

  • Ch 26 (or any multiple of 3 sts, + 2).
  • Row 1: Turn, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch, *ch 2, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across. (25 sts) Block should measure approximately 6.5” (16.5 cm) across.
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout), dc in first st, sk ch-2 sp, *3 dc in next st, sk ch-2 sp; rep from * across to last st, 2 dc in last st.
  • Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 2, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from * across.
  • Rep Rows 2 & 3 until block measures approximately 8.5” (21.5 cm), ending after Row 3.

Edging

  • Ch 1, turn to work across long edge, 2 sc in side of ea of next 2 rows, *sc in side of next row, 2 sc in side of next row;** rep from * across to first row, 2 sc in side of first row, ch 1, turn to work along unworked side of foundation chain, 2 sc in first st, sc in ea st across row to last st, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn to work across long edge, 2 sc in side of ea of next 2 rows, rep from * to ** across to last row, 2 sc in side of last row, ch 1, turn to work across short edge, 2 sc in first st, sc in ea st across to last st, 2 sc in last st, join with sl st to first ch 1. Fasten off.

Finishing

  • With yarn needle, weave in ends.
© 2017 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2017/04/24/crochet-pattern-piggyback-stitch-block. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

If you make your own Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block to your Ravelry favorites or queue.

Underground Crafter on RavelryIf you want an easy print format, you can buy an ad-free PDF version on Craftsy.

Underground Crafter on Craftsy

5 thoughts on “Crochet pattern: Piggyback Stitch Warm Up America Block”

  1. I looked at this stitch earlier in the week and meant to comment! It is just lovely!! The texture is wonderful and it almost looks like a field of flowers! Thank you for the pattern instructions!! =)

    Reply
  2. This is a lovely stitch. ♥️ The directions were simple to follow UNTIL I got to the edging instructions. I suppose I can improvise that part though. Again, it’s very lovely and I’m so happy to have found it. Thank you! 😊

    Reply

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