Year of Color 2026 — Month 3 of 12
Welcome to Year of Color!
We’re stepping into jewel tones this month and learning how spike stitches reach down into previous rounds to create vertical color effects. The technique looks complex, but it’s straightforward, and the bold palette makes every stitch pop.
Materials
- Yarn: Cascade Heritage Fingering in Como Blue (A), Gold Fusion (B), and Raspberry (C)
- Hook: E/4 (3.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
- Gauge: 24 sts and 20 rows = 4″ in dc
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors
- Finished size: 8″ × 8″ blocked
Abbreviations
ch chain
dc double crochet
sl st slip stitch
sp space
Special Stitches
Spike dc: insert hook in stitch 2 rounds below, yarn over, pull up a loop to the height of the current round, yarn over and complete as a regular dc.
Pattern
Color sequence: Como Blue (A), Gold Fusion (B), and Raspberry (C). Repeat throughout.
Foundation: With A 🔵 (Como Blue), make a magic ring.
Rnd 1 (A 🔵): Ch 2 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, *3 dc in ring, ch 2; rep from * 2 more times. Sl st to top of ch-2 to join. Fasten off. (4 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 corner spaces)
errata: the ch 2 above used to be a ch 3
NOTE: These rounds are worked closer together than a traditional granny.
WE DID NOT FORGET ANY CHAINS between each group.
Rnd 2 (B 🟡): Join B (Gold Fusion ) in any ch-2 sp. Ch 2 (counts as dc), spike dc in st directly below dc (this will be in the MR the first time), dc in Como Blue ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in same ch-2 sp, spike dc in st 2 rnds below dc (this will be in the MR the first time), dc in Como Blue ch-2 sp, *dc in next ch-2 sp, spike dc in st 2 rnds below dc (this will be in the MR the first time), dc in Como Blue ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in same ch-2 sp, spike dc in st 2 rnds below dc (this will be in the MR the first time), dc in Como Blue ch-2 sp*, around. Sl st to top of ch-2 to join. Fasten off. (4 corner groups of (dc, spike dc, dc, ch 2, dc, spike dc, dc))
Rnd 3 (C 🟣): Join C (Raspberry) in any ch-2 sp. Ch 2 (counts as dc), spike dc in ch-2 sp 2 rnds below dc (this will be in a Como Blue ch-2 sp), dc in Gold Fusion ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in same Gold Fusion ch-2 sp, spike dc in ch-2 sp 2 rnds below dc (this will be in a Como Blue ch-2 sp), dc in Gold Fusion ch-2 sp (1 corner made),
dc in space between 2 Gold Fusion corners, spike dc in dc 2 rnds below (this will be in a Como Blue st), dc in same sp as first dc (1 middle group worked),
work 3 more groups of corners and middle groups as follows:
* corner: dc in next Gold Fusion corner, spike dc in ch-2 sp 2 rnds below dc (this will be in a Como Blue ch-2 sp), dc in Gold Fusion ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in same Gold Fusion ch-2 sp, spike dc in ch-2 sp 2 rnds below dc (this will be in a Como Blue ch-2 sp), dc in Gold Fusion ch-2 sp (one corner made),
middle: dc in space between 2 Gold Fusion corners, spike dc in dc 2 rnds below (this will be in a Como Blue st), dc in same sp as first dc (1 middle group worked)* around. Sl st to top of ch-2 to join. Fasten off. (4 corner groups and 4 middle groups). *
Future rnds: Work just like Rnd 3, but you’ll work 1 additional middle group each time. Remember to change colors in each rnd, following the color sequence above.
How many rounds: I worked a total of 12 rnds, but if I had to do it again, I’d work 1 more rnd to account for the pulling in that occurs after you block.
Blocking: Block to 8.5″ so that when you take it off the blocking wires and it compresses, it will be 8″.
Finishing: Weave in ends.
In The Loop
Make sure your spikes aren’t too tight or your square won’t lay flat. Bring up the spike to be as high as where you’d bring up the first loop when making a regular DC
About Year of Color
This square is part of Year of Color 2026, a 12-month program that teaches you a new colorwork technique every month through two free square patterns (one crochet, one knit). Each month features a curated color palette, technique tutorials, and color inspiration articles. By December, you’ll have 12 squares to join together into whatever you’d like, and a whole year of new skills to show for it.
MORE ABOUT YEAR OF COLOR
What you get each month:
- Free crochet blanket square pattern (8″ × 8″)
- Free knitted blanket square pattern (8″ × 8″)
- Color inspiration articles exploring the month’s palette
- Technical tips and tutorials
- Cultural and historical color spotlights
- Community engagement opportunities
2026 Color Themes:
January: Winter Whites & Creams • February: Soft Pastels • March: Jewel Tones • April: Spring Brights • May: Shades of Blue • June: Orange & Blue • July: Sunset Colors • August: Warm Neutrals • September: Dark & Moody • October: Triadic Colors • November: Rich Harvest • December: Winter Sky
Cascade Yarns is partnering on the project to help make quality color education accessible to fiber artists at every skill level. You can join at any time and work at your own pace — the patterns aren’t going anywhere!
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