Crochet Spiral Hyperbolic Plane Pattern for the Maine Reef

This week's basic pattern creates a twisted spiral shape by reducing the frequency of increases as you go. When left on it's own to spiral, it continues in a corkscrew pattern, but can be manipulated to twist into an irregular shape.

  Materials for this pattern as with all of the basic ones can be any leftover yarns. Just keep in mind to match your hook to the yarn. So when using a finer yarn, use a finer hook and so on. Of course, changing it up will give you a different look but if you're a beginner, this is a good place to start. I also always recommend if you are new to crochet that you choose a smooth yarn. Boucles and textured yarns make beautiful pieces but also can be very frustrating to work with, even for someone with experience sometimes. You get better with practice but this should be fun so you decide :-) And don't be afraid to experiment! The worst thing that can happen is you have to pull it apart. Of course that would be impossible for some folks to do, so again, you decide what's best for you....

If you're completely new, consider using worsted weight yarn with a G hook for the easiest combination.

One thing I haven't mentioned before is that although I use a sc st (single crochet stitch), you can use ANY  st to include, dc (double crochet), trc (treble crochet) or any other st you choose. When you change the st you use, you will also change the overall appearance of the piece.

So here goes.....

- Ch 20
Rnd 1 - 2 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in ea chain on both sides of the original chain length for one increase in every st. This creates  an oval shape. Mark the end of the rnd by slipping a 2 or 3" piece of contrasting color yarn into the last st.
Rnd 2 - sc in the 1st st, 2sc in the nxt st for an increase in every two sts, and repeat to the end of the rnd.
Rnd 3 - Sc in the nxt 2 sts , 2sc in the third st for an increase of one in every three
Rnd 4 - Sc in the nxt 3 sts, 2sc in the fourth st for an increase in every four

Continue in this pattern, moving your marker as you go if necessary to keep you on track. I personally don't bother with the marker since there are NO mistakes in this project and I don't worry if I'm off by a stitch or two here and there :-)

The beauty of all of these basic patterns is that by changing the yarn type and hook size as well as changing up the color choices, you can create lots of different looks using the same pattern!

Good luck and have a great time!