Catona "Paper" Chain

While brainstorming ideas to motivate my kiddos to do their summer reading, I came up with a little crochet pattern to share with you. I wanted something visual and tangible that allows them to "count" books or minutes read--something that would show progress towards their goal. Thus, the idea of a paper chain--the kind I made in grade school as a child seemed just the ticket! But, rather than running for the paper, I ran for the yarn (of course). A crocheted chain!

With my plentiful stash of lovely Scheepjes *Catona, I quickly found all of the colors that make me happy, then raided my button stash, and made these colorful little strips. (You can read more about Catona here.) Quick, simple, colorful--and with BUTTONS! Can't beat that!

Here's how I made my Catona "Paper" Chain...

Materials:

• C hook (2.75mm)
• Small bits (about 19 yds/17.5m) of *Catona (100% mercerized fingering/4ply cotton) in your choice of colors (I used 25g balls in colors: 390, 252, 256, 264, 222, 226, 398, 251, 282, 261, 247, 146, 253, 205, 245 and 100.)
• Buttons -- I used varying sizes, but on average they were 5/8" (1.6cm)
• Needle

Skill Level:

• Beginner

Stitches Used: (US Terms)

• ch, hdc

Abbreviations: 

• ch = chain
• hdc = half double crochet
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sk = skip
• sp = space

Pattern:
Leaving the starting tail about 8"/20cm long (used later to sew on button), 
ch 10

Row 1: hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn (9 hdc)

Rows 2-36: ch 1 (does NOT count as st here and throughout), hdc in each st across, turn (9 hdc)

Row 37 (Buttonhole Row): ch 1, hdc in next 4, ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next 4, turn (8 hdc, 1 ch-1 sp)

Row 38: ch 1, hdc in next 4, hdc in ch-1 sp, hdc in next 4, turn (9 hdc)

Row 39: ch 1, hdc in each st across, fasten off (9 hdc)

Now weave in the end you just fastened off, but save that long starting tail for sewing on your button at that end. I just used my needle to weave that end to the position in the middle of the piece and sewed on the button. Pretty easy, huh?

I must say that this was a satisfying project! And my kiddos think it's fun to button their next link in the chain and watch their reading progress! 

I'm thinking this would be a super way to teach the littles how to crochet, as well. Maybe you could have them create their own "link" in their favorite colors! And I love that this will be something that can have many uses in the future--like just looking cute in a spot of the house.

What fun ideas do you have for uses for this "paper" chain? Please share your ideas in the comment section below or on my Facebook page here.

| On the Board | --  Of this be sure, you do not find the happy life. You make it.

                                                                         ~~Thomas S. Monson

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