pattern available here:
https://tinnacrochet.com/collections/all

After visiting Morocco in my early twenties, I’ve ever since been totally fascinated with Arabic architecture, motifs and patterns. I find them mesmerizing. I especially like the trellis pattern and Arabia is my take on that.

I got started on this pattern last spring in Havana, so I’ve actually been working on this pattern for almost a year now, which is atypical of me. But I’m glad I gave myself good time to develop it because I’m introducing some new techniques in my mosaic crochet adventures here and think it really paid off to let it mull in my head for a while. To get these smooth lines, I’m taking the slanted DC’s I use in my Mosaic Alphabet and the HOPE motif to the next level. I hope you guys like it as much as I do and agree that this really opens up a lot of new possibilities!

General Instructions

This pattern consists of continuous mosaic pattern, which can be worked for any size you like, and comes with written instructions for how to work it both flat (page 8) and in the round (page 21), as well as user-friendly charts for both versions.

If lefthanded, you can either start with the written pattern and then go on to the chart, reading it from right to left. Or just work from the chart and work it from left to right, the end result will be the same because it’s a symmetrical pattern.

Yarn & hook:

You can use any yarn you like for this pattern and a hook that suits your yarn. Arabia can be used to make both blanket and scarfs, as well as projects worked in the round like a cushion cover for example.

I’m making the original Arabia cushion myself with one of my favorite yarns: the wonderful, hand dyed Tosh Merino Light, from Madeline Tosh. That is fingering weight yarn and I used a 2.5 mm hook. I did 14 repeats across and 3 repeats high, this fits a cushion that is 55 cm / 21.5 inches wide and 38 cm / 15 inches long. I then added 3 DC rounds on the top and bottom of my piece, to get my cover to fit the cushion I had.

In case you’d like to do exactly the same, you’ll need approximately:
200 g of color A = 2 skeins
100 g of color B = 1 skein

But you can really just use any yarn you like for your Arabia project. On page 38 of the pattern you’ll find a table with the yarn stats per 1 repeat in various yarn types, for guidance on how much yarn you’ll need for your project.

Abbreviations (US terms):

ST = stitch/stitches
SS = slip stitch
CH = chain stitch
SC = single crochet
DC = double crochet
FPDC = front post double crochet
2tog/3tog = 2 or 3 ST worked together

Gauge:

30 ST & 30 rows = 10 cm (4 inches)
Using fingering weight yarn and a 2.5 mm hook.

Sizes:

Arabia is a continuous pattern that’s worked in repeats of 20 stitches and 32 rounds or rows, so you can really use this to make a project in any size you like.

Furthermore, you can use this pattern to make various projects, for example a cowl, a pillowcase, a purse or a bag, when working it in the round. But you can just as easily work it flat and make a scarf, a blanket, a rug, place mats or potholders.

To decide on how many repeats you need for you project, the best way is to start by making a small swatch (just 1 repeat) of the pattern, using the yarn you have chosen. Then you can measure how large your repeat is and take it from there, adjusting this to the size you want your project to be.

If making a cushion, note that I like to make my crocheted covers a bit tighter than the actual size of the cushion you will use for the filling. This way the final result will be neater.

Colors

You will need at least two colors and I recommend using contrasting colors.

To give some specific color tips, I would recommend using a solid color or a smooth color fade for both the main color (A) and the pattern color (B), blue here. That way the pattern will reach it full potential in my opinion.