2022... If Ever A Year Needed Some Neon Fabulousness, Right?

Hi crafty crochet people! Happy New Year!

Today, it's all about my 2022 Year Panel. It's fun and easy to make and I'm giving you all the pattern for free as a New Year's gift to show my appreciation for this lovely community... You know, this panel could be made into so many things: a cushion cover (as I have done), a wall hanging, a gift for a special person or event this year like a new baby in the world, a wedding, a graduation, or just for someone you want to be with and hope to spend more time with this year. But I bet you have lots more ideas how to use it and I cannot wait to see your beautiful interpretations! You could go with any colours, or change the Yarn B colour (the neon pink colour here) every couple of rows to make stripes, a rainbow effect, anything goes.

You might remember I made one of these for 2020 as it was such a cool number to look at, very pleasing to the eye. Alas, it was a difficult, traumatic and generally testing year for most of us, and of course life is still far from normal. With that in mind, I realised that I've been worrying about this new year 2022, what it has in store for us all, how it will play out. As is usually the case with my mental health, crochet really does steady my mind when it's starting to flip out, so I decided we'd have another go at a Year Panel. In the hope that 2022 is better. Positivity! Optimism!

So, here's the pattern... It uses my preferred method of inset/2-row crochet which is super easy if you haven't tried it before. If you can make a chain, a dc and a tr (UK terms, so that's chain, sc and dc in US terms) then you can do it!

I'll give you the basic technique lowdown, then the pattern will be written out in full, row by row. At the end, you'll find the chart and instructions how to read it if that's your thing.

SO here we go:

2022 YEAR PANEL PATTERN

You will need:

Any yarn to suit you in 2 contrasting colours. I used DK in teal and neon pink.

A crochet hook to suit your gauge: I used a 4mm to make a fairly tight weave as I wanted this to be a cushion cover.

My finished panel measures approx. 50 x 30cm when stretched slightly, so perfect for a 50 x 30cm cushion.

Abbreviations (UK Crochet Terms):

approx: approximately

ch(s: chains(s) or chain stitch(es)

ch-1 sp(s): chain 1 space(s): number denotes number of chains in chain space

ch-sp(s): chain space(s)

dc: double crochet (US sc single crochet)

lp(s): loop(s)

rep: repeat

RS: right side

sp(s): space(s)

st(s): stitch(es)

tr: treble crochet (US dc double crochet)

WS: wrong side

yoh: yarn over hook

Repeats

*......; rep from * to Work the instructions after * and then repeat that section to point indicated.

(........) once/twice/3 times Work the instructions between brackets the total number of times stated.

Special Stitches

cc (change colour): To change colour, work last st of row in old colour to final 2 lps on hook, yoh with new colour and draw new colour through lps on hook to finish. Continue with new colour. Do not fasten off old colour. Leave yarn not in use hanging at side of work, ready to pick up again 2 rows later.

mtr (mosaic treble crochet): work a tr as normal but work it in the skipped st of the same colour 3 rows below, working the st in front of the intervening 2 rows of chains in contrast colour. All mtr are worked on RS of work.

PATTERN NOTES

This pattern uses inset/2-row mosaic crochet techniques:

Change colour (cc) every 2 rows.

The first row of a colour creates the pattern, the second row copies it. Where a dc or an mtr is made in the first row, a dc is made in this st in the second row (make sure to work into all mtr sts from the first row as they can easily be missed). Where a ch-sp is made in the first row, the same ch-sp is made in the second row. 

Work all tr sts into ‘skipped’ sts 3 rows below (referred to as mtr, see Special Stitches). 

To skip one stitch, chain 2. To skip two stitches, chain 3. To skip three stitches, chain 4, and so on. This ‘extra chain’ just stops the work pulling in too much.

Always work into the full stitch as normal, not into the back loop or front loop only. There is another style of mosaic crochet which uses back and front loops only, but not this one!

INSTRUCTIONS:

With Yarn A, ch85.

Row 1: 1dc in second chain from hook and in each ch to end, turn. [84 sts]

Rows 2-10: Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 1dc in each st to end. Change colour (cc) to Yarn B in final st of Row 10.

Row 11: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, 17dc, ch3, skip 2 sts, 17dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 11dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 17dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 12: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 17dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 11dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 17dc, ch3, skip ch-3 sp, 17dc, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 13: Ch1, 1dc, 4mtr, 17dc, 2mtr, 17dc, 5mtr, 11dc, 5mtr, 17dc, 4mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 14: Ch1, 1dc in each st to end, cc to Yarn B, turn.

Row 15: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, 17dc, ch3, skip 2 sts, 17dc, ch4, skip 3 sts, 15dc, ch4, skip 3 sts, 17dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 16: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 17dc, ch4, skip ch-4 sp, 15dc, ch4, skip ch-4 sp, 17dc, ch3, skip ch-3 sp, 17dc, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 17: Ch1, 1dc, 4mtr, 17dc, 2mtr, 17dc, 3mtr, 15dc, 3mtr, 17dc, 4mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 18: Rep Row 14.

Row 19: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, 17dc, (ch3, skip 2 sts, 17dc) 3 times, ch5, skip 4 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 20: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 17dc, (ch3, skip ch-3 sp, 17dc) 3 times, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 21: Ch1, 1dc, 4mtr, 17dc, (2mtr, 17dc) 3 times, 4mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 22: Rep Row 14.

Row 23: Ch1, 1dc, ch13, skip 12 sts, 8dc, ch12, skip 11 sts, 8dc, ch4, skip 3 sts, 6dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 6dc, ch11, skip 10 sts, 8dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 24: Ch1, 1dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 8dc, ch11, skip ch-11 sp, 6dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 6dc, ch4, skip ch-4 sp, 8dc, ch12, skip ch-12 sp, 8dc, ch13, skip ch-13 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 25: Ch1, 1dc, 12mtr, 8dc, 11mtr, 8dc, 3mtr, 6dc, 5mtr, 6dc, 10mtr, 8dc, 5mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 26: Rep Row 14.

Row 27: Ch1, 1dc, ch11, skip 10 sts, 8dc, ch12, skip 11 sts, 8dc, (ch6, skip 5 sts, 6dc) twice, ch9, skip 8 sts, 8dc, ch8, skip 7 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 28: Ch1, 1dc, ch8, skip ch-8 sp, 8dc, ch9, skip ch-9 sp, (6dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp) twice, 8dc, ch12, skip ch-12 sp, 8dc, ch11, skip ch-11 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn. 

Row 29: Ch1, 1dc, 10mtr, 8dc, 11mtr, 8dc, (5mtr, 6dc) twice, 8mtr, 8dc, 7mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 30: Rep Row 14.

Row 31: Ch1, 1dc, ch9, skip 8 sts, 8dc, ch12, skip 11 sts, 8dc, ch8, skip 7 sts, 6dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 6dc, ch7, skip 6 sts, 8dc, ch10, skip 9 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 32: Ch1, 1dc, ch10, skip ch-10 sp, 8dc, ch7, skip ch-7 sp, 6dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 6dc, ch8, skip ch-8 sp, 8dc, ch12, skip ch-12 sp, 8dc, ch9, skip ch-9 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 33: Ch1, 1dc, 8mtr, 8dc, 11mtr, 8dc, 7mtr, 6dc, 5mtr, 6dc, 6mtr, 8dc, 9mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 34: Rep Row 14.

Row 35: Ch1, 1dc, ch7, skip 6 sts, 8dc, ch12, skip 11 sts, 8dc, ch10, skip 9 sts, 6dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 6dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, 8dc, ch12, skip 11 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 36: Ch1, 1dc, ch12, skip ch-12 sp, 8dc, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 6dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 6dc, ch10, skip ch-10 sp, 8dc, ch12, skip ch-12 sp, 8dc, ch7, skip ch-7 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 37: Ch1, 1dc, 6mtr, 8dc, 11mtr, 8dc, 9mtr, 6dc, 5mtr, 6dc, 4mtr, 8dc, 11mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 38: Rep Row 14.

Row 39: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, (8dc, ch4, skip 3 sts, 6dc, ch3, skip 2 sts) twice, 6dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 6dc, ch3, skip 2 sts, 8dc, ch4, skip 3 sts, 6dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 40: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 6dc, ch4, skip ch-4 sp, 8dc, ch3, skip ch-3 sp, 6dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 6dc, (ch3, skip ch-3 sp, 6dc, ch4, skip ch-4 sp, 8dc) twice, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 41: Ch1, 1dc, 4mtr, (8dc, 3mtr, 6dc, 2mtr) twice, 6dc, 5mtr, 6dc, 2mtr, 8dc, 3mtr, 6dc, 4mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 42: Rep Row 14.

Row 43: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, (6dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 6dc, ch3, skip 2 sts) 3 times, 6dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 6dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 44: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 6dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 6dc, (ch3, skip ch-3 sp, 6dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 6dc) 3 times, ch5, skip ch-5, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 45: Ch1, 1dc, 4mtr, (6dc, 5mtr, 6dc, 2mtr) 3 times, 6dc, 5mtr, 6dc, 4mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 46: Rep Row 14.

Row 47: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip 4 sts, 17dc, (ch3, skip 2 sts, 17dc) 3 times, ch5, skip 4 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 48: Ch1, 1dc, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 17dc, (ch3, skip ch-3 sp, 17dc) 3 times, ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 49: Ch1, 1dc, 4mtr, 17dc, (2mtr, 17dc) 3 times, 4mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 50: Rep Row 14.

Row 51: Ch1, 1dc, ch6, skip 5 sts, 15dc, (ch5, skip 4 sts, 15dc) 3 times, ch6, skip 5 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 52: Ch1, 1dc, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 15dc, (ch5, skip ch-5 sp, 15dc) 3 times, ch6, skip ch-6 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn.

Row 53: Ch1, 1dc, 5mtr, 15dc, (4mtr, 15dc) 3 times, 5mtr, 1dc, turn.

Row 54: Rep Row 14.

Row 55: Ch1, 1dc, ch8, skip 7 sts, 11dc, (ch9, skip 8 sts, 11dc) 3 times, ch8, skip 7 sts, 1dc, turn.

Row 56: Ch1, 1dc, ch8, skip ch-8 sp, 11dc, (ch9, skip ch-9 sp, 11dc) 3 times, ch8, skip ch-8 sp, 1dc, cc to Yarn A, turn. Fasten off Yarn B.

Row 57: Ch1, 1dc, 7mtr, 11dc, (8mtr, 11dc) 3 times, 7mtr, 1dc, turn.

Rows 58-66: Ch1, 1dc in each st to end, turn.

Fasten off Yarn A. Weave in all ends.

You now have a 2022 mosaic crochet panel, ready for whatever purpose you like. I hope you've enjoyed this pattern, if you'd like to share your beautiful versions just use #2022mosaiccrochet on the socials. It might inspire someone else to give it a try.

Here's the chart if you need it:

Read the chart from bottom to top. Read the chart from right to left for the first row of a colour, then from left to right for the second row of the same colour. Note that this design is not symmetrical.

Each row of the chart represents TWO rows of crochet in the same colour. The first row ‘makes’ the pattern, the second row ‘copies’ it.

The colour indicated in the first and last squares of the row shows you which colour to use for these 2 rows. These first and last sts will always be a dc, worked into the last and first dc of the previous row. Always ch1 at the start of each row as your turning ch, this never counts as a st.

Each square represents a st in the row, which will be either a dc, an mtr, or a ch-sp in the first row of the colour. In the second row of the same colour, always work a dc into an mtr or dc from the first row, or make the same number of ch-sps as in the first row. 

When a square appears in the row which is a different colour from the colour in use, make a ch-sp to skip the st(s) below. To skip 1 st, ch2; to skip 2 sts, ch3; to skip 3 sts, ch4 and so on. This stops the work from pulling in. This ch-sp, made in both rows of the same colour, will be filled in later with an mtr worked in front of (or around) the 2 rows of ch into the skipped st(s) below.

And Finally...

PLEASE respect my work! Do not pass off this pattern as your own, sell it or generally abuse the freeness of it. And always give me credit for the design. It's a 2-way street isn't it? I give you free patterns, you give me respect! Thank you so much! Happy 2022 to you all, 

Esme xx

PS don't forget, if you have enjoyed this pattern and want to see more of my designs, my book Mosaic Crochet Workshop is out now, available everywhere! 

And I have lots of patterns on Etsy and Ravelry. Just search Red Sparrow Crochet!