Zinnia Blossom 12-inch Square

Crochet a pretty flower square for your next afghan project! This 12-inch block is part of the Moogly 2022 Afghan CAL. **This crochet pattern is available for free on my website or you can download it here as a print-optimized, ad-free PDF for your convenience.** **Difficulty:** Intermediate **Materials Needed:** 180-190 yards Red Heart With Love in "White", or Red Heart Ombré in "Sea Coral" color of your choice 6mm hook, or hook needed to meet gauge Yarn needle Scissors Stitch markers (optional) **Stitches Used:** ch = chain sl st = slip stitch sc = single crochet hdc = half double crochet dc = double crochet tr = treble crochet BPsc = back post single crochet BPhdc = back post half double crochet 2dc cluster = dc2tog in same st **Additional Terms:** *hdc in the 3rd loop* = Look at the top of the stitch, and locate the sideways “V”, bend the stitch to look at the back and you should see another “V”. You’ll be working into the back loop of that “V”, this is called the 3rd loop. *psc* = picot single crochet – Instructions: insert hook, YO, draw up a loop, draw through 1 loop 3 times making a ch-3, YO, draw through both loops on hook. Pull your ch-3 sp towards the front of your work instead of pushing it toward the back. *Picot single crochet chain stitch* = (psc ch st): insert hook through center of popcorn stitch, YO, draw up a loop, draw through 1 loop 3 times making a ch-3, YO, draw through both loops on hook. ***This is crocheted identically to the psc described above, but due to its positioning in the round the chain will not create a little picot. It will lie flat.*** *Popcorn stitch* = popcorn – Instructions: work 5 dc in same st, take hook out of last dc just worked and put it through top of first dc, grab loop from 5th dc and pull it through the first dc. *sc spike st* = with working yarn on hook, insert hook through designated st, yo and draw up a loop to height of active round, pull working yarn through both loops. *Back bar of sc* – Instructions: Look at the back of the stitch and locate the short bar that runs horizontal. Work all stitches for that section into this bar. *Center sc* = known as the “Waistcoat stitch”. Work a regular sc by inserting your hook in the center of the post, between the 2 vertical lines that the loop you draw up makes. Complete as you would a regular sc. st/sts = stitch/stitches sp/sps = space/spaces prev = previous **Gauge:** Piece should measure almost 5" across after round 6. **Measurements:** 12" x 12" after blocking **Additional Notes:** -ch-1 at beginning of round does not count as a stitch. -psc stitches should not have the picot pushed to the back. It should pop out the front.-Relaxed tension is required for the center single crochet stitches to lay flat. Tight tension will make the piece pucker badly.