Hi Everyone! Welcome to the Backroads Square, the eleventh block in the Riverwood Square CAL 2025 – Modern Version! This square blends classic crochet stitches with a touch of texture, making it both engaging and fun to work on. Featuring single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, back loop only, front post stitches, and clusters, this design adds depth and a unique visual appeal to your crochet project.

Whether you’re following along with the Riverwood Square CAL or simply looking for a standalone afghan block, the Backroads Square offers a versatile and skill-building experience. The combination of textured clusters and post stitches creates a striking balance of structure and softness. Let’s gather our materials and begin!

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📌 Adding Depth & Texture

The Backroads Square is all about stitch variation to create layers of texture. The back loop only stitches introduce subtle ribbing, while the front post stitches highlight the design with raised detailing. The cluster stitches add a touch of dimension, making this square stand out among the other blocks.

As part of the Riverwood Square CAL, each block introduces new techniques to enhance your crochet skills. The Backroads Square continues this journey, giving you a chance to explore stitch placement, texture-building, and structure. Whether you’re adding it to a blanket, pillow, or another creative project, this square brings a modern, handcrafted feel to your work.

Get the Backroads Square Crochet Pattern

You can grab the pattern from my online shops below: perfect for blankets, cushions, or other crochet projects!

• 🛒 Grab from the American Crochet Shop
• 🛒 Shop on ETSY

Join the Crochet Along Community:

As part of the Riverwood Square CAL, each block introduces a unique approach to stitch placement and design. The Durst Square seamlessly fits into the collection with its carefully placed texture and modern stitch combinations. Whether you plan to use this square in a blanket, cushion, or as an accent piece, it’s sure to be a standout in your handmade projects! Don’t forget to share your progress in our crochet community, and let’s celebrate each stitch together!

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Don’t miss out—start your Riverwood Square CAL journey with us today!

The Backroads Square ~ Crochet Along

Requirements

• US Terminology

Level of Difficulty

• Beginner/Intermediate

Yarn

• #4 worsted weight
• These images display Red Heart Super Saver in Denim. 20 yards (roughly)
• Yarn brands I recommend for this project include Red Heart Super Saver, Red Heart with Love, Hobby Lobby’s “I Love this Yarn”, and Vanna’s Choice.

Hook and Notions

• Size Hook: I/9 (5.5 mm)
• Scissors
• Stitch Markers (optional, for marking the beginning of rounds)
• Blunt Needle

Measurement

• 9 inches (roughly)

Gauge

• 4″ = 17 dc on Round 7 (Using Red Heart Super Saver yarn)

Abbreviations

• sl st = slip stitch
• sp(s) = space(s)
• ch/chs = chain/chains
• st(s) = stitch(s)
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• BLO = back loop only
• FPtr = front post treble crochet
• CL = cluster

Pattern Notes

• Ch 1 at beginning of the round does not count as a stitch.
• 1st Corner – work (3dc, ch 2, 3 dc)
• 2nd Corner – work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc)

Special Stitches

• Cluster: Work 4DCtog (work 4 double crochets together)

Tips for Crocheting the Backroads Square

• Stitch Tension: Be mindful of your tension to keep your square the right size. Adjust your hook if needed.
• Blocking: Once you’ve finished your square, block it to ensure it stays in perfect shape, especially for the larger project you’ll be working toward!

Customizing your Backroads Square

• This Backraods Square is perfect for customizing! You can experiment with color changes, to give it your own unique touch.

Backroads Square Instructions

Make a Magic Ring
Round 1: Ch 1, *[dc, chain 1] 12 times; join with a sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc, 12 ch-1 sps)
Round 2: Sl St into ch 1 sp, *work CL in ch 1 sp, ch 1, sk dc,* repeat from *to* around; join with a sl st in 1^st CL. (12 CL, 12 ch-1 sps)
Round 3: Sl St into ch 1 sp, *FPtr around ROUND 1 dc, hdc in top of CL, ch 1, hdc in ch 1 sp, ,* repeat from * around; join with a sl st in 1^st FPtr. (36 sts, 12 ch-1 sps)

Round 4: Ch 1, *FPtr around ROUND 3 FPtr, hdc in [hdc, ch 1, hdc],* repeat from * around; join with a sl st in 1^st FPtr. (36 hdc, 12 FPtr)
Round 5: Ch 1, hdc in same st as join, hdc in each st around; join with a sl st in 1^st hdc. (48 hdc)
Round 6: Ch 1, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into same st as join, (FIRST CORNER), *[ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in next st] 2 times, ch 3, sk 3 sts, (FIRST CORNER) in next st*, repeat from *to* around 2 more times; join with sl st into 1st dc. (4 corners, 8 sc, 12 ch-3 sp)
Round 7: Ch 1, dc in next 3 dc, (SECOND CORNER), *dc into next 3 dc, work 4 dc into next ch 3 sp, dc in next sc, work 5 dc into the next ch 3 sp, dc in the next sc, work 4 dc into next ch 3 sp, dc into next 3 dc, work (SECOND CORNER),* repeat from *to* 2 more times; join with a sl st into 1st dc. (100 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)

Round 8: Ch 1, dc in same dc, BLO dc in next 4 dc, *(SECOND CORNER), BLO dc in each dc across,* repeat from *to* 3 more times; join with a sl st in 1st dc. (116 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Round 9: Ch 1, hdc in same st, hdc in next 6 sts, *work 3 hdc in ch-2 sp, hdc in each st across,* repeat from *to* around; join with a sl st in top of 1st hdc. (128 hdc) Fasten off and weave in ends.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Looking Ahead

Congratulations on completing the Backroads Square – the eleventh square in our Crochet Along! Stay tuned for next week’s pattern, where we’ll be adding even more exciting designs to your crochet project. The fun has just begun, and we’re thrilled to crochet along with you every step of the way.

Get the Backroads Square Crochet Pattern

You can grab the pattern from my online shops below: perfect for blankets, cushions, or other crochet projects!

• 🛒 Grab from the American Crochet Shop
• 🛒 Shop on ETSY

Happy Hookin!
XO, Mistie