Stitch -- a variation of the Grit Stitch (Harmony Guides:Basic Crochet Stitches book, pg. 180, “Grit Stitch II”)

Chain 103. I decided to make this my length and not my width. Can’t wait to see how it looks.

Skein #1 netted me a 38” x 12” piece.
Skein #2, it measures 38” x 24”
Skein #3, ummmm … 36” x 42”? How did this happen?

Basically, it’s the grit stitch but instead of doing 2 sc, you use one sc and one dc. The grit stitch is a super common stitch you can find for free all over the internet, and I’m sure this slight variation is also, so I don’t feel like I’m giving away any big secret when I say it’s a multiple of 2 sts + 1 (and add 2 for the base chain). Then you skip the first 2 ch, which count as the first sc, and dc into the next ch. Skip a ch. Then do a sc and a dc in the next ch. Skip a ch. Do a sc and a dc in the next ch. Repeat to the last 2 ch…sk 1 ch, and end with a sc in the last ch. That’s how you’ll always end. Chain 2, and turn.

Row two, that chain 2 you just did counts as the first sc, so make a dc in that first st. skip a dc from the row below, work a sc & dc in the next sc. Skip the next dc, then sc & dc in the next sc. All the way to the end. Again, when ya get to the last 2 st, skip one and sc in the top of the turning chain (which served as the first sc).

Row two can seem a little hairy at first--at least for me--because I had to slow down and make sure I was sk the dc and working into the next sc. But after that it is smooth sailing, as the sc & dc make little clusters with a natural “hole” where you can see your next st will be. After row 2, it’s quick work.