And so it finally begins! 🙂 Hello and welcome to Week 1 of my new blanket crochet along (CAL) – the ‘Beachcombing Blanket’! 🌊🌊 It’s really lovely to have you here… and over the next 12 weeks we’ll crochet this blanket together! 🙂
Update July 2022: This was a 12 week Crochet Along which I hosted here on my blog between April – June 2020. All the original pattern instalments with full instructions are here on my blog.
The full pattern in a PDF format suitable for printing is also available to purchase here in my Ravelry store…
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beachcombing-blanket
And also in my Etsy shop… https://www.etsy.com/beachcombing-blanket
It includes copies in both UK and US crochet terms. I really appreciate every pattern purchased as it really does support my work – thank you! 🙂
The free written pattern with lots of photos and links to YouTube tutorials is also below in UK crochet terms. At the very end of this blog post I’ve provided the pattern in US terms too.
Here’s a video I recorded as a little introduction to this crochet along… towards the end I take you on a little stroll along the beach… enjoy! 🙂
You can read an introduction to this blanket with all the details about yarn in a blog post I wrote back in February – you can find that here 🙂
At that time, I could not have imagined that when this CAL started the world would be in the midst of a pandemic. Coronavirus has caused such strange, worrying and uncertain times. Many people are having to stay at home and a blanket CAL will be a very welcome distraction and focus during this difficult time. All our lives have been affected in so many ways. I really hope this CAL will bring people together from all over the world… the sense of community that builds up around a CAL is always very special and now more than ever.
Both Instagram and Facebook are where you can be a part of that community. There’s a thriving Facebook group called Coastal Crochet CAL which is a brilliant place to share progress photos, ask questions and make connections with others. Anyone is very welcome to join. Instagram is also a great place to share progress photos and make those connections with others. Please do use the hashtags #beachcombingblanket #beachcombingcal and #coastalcrochetcal when sharing photos… I’ll be looking though the hashtags on Instagram and the photos shared in the Facebook group each week to do a weekly Thursday round up! 🙂
Here are my two blankets, one acrylic and one cotton, together on the beach…
Before we get started I’d like to share some beachcoming inspiration with you…
Here I was beachcombing back in 2017 Searching for Sea Glass in Seaham…
Beachcombing can be such a wonderful pastime. But firstly you need some low tides to actually get onto the beach… These are photos of my local beaches and as you can see there’s not much opportunity for walking along the shoreline when the tide is in. But what that sea leaves behind as it goes out can be wonderful! Everyday there are new discoveries…
This first square which we’re making in Week 1 has all the colours from a beachcombing day! I’ve used ten colours in total in this blanket and all of them are used in this central square…
There are the colours and textures of sand, stones and chalk which we are searching between…
There are colours of the sea which washes so much onto our shores…
There are the colours of natural finds…
And then there are those bright pops of colour from man made beachcombing finds too…
There are many beachcombing adventures that I look forward to sharing with you over the coming weeks during this blanket journey. When walking along the shoreline even simple footprints in the sand are a beautiful discovery and stop me in my tracks…
So let’s get started! 🙂 🙂
Tension Tension can vary so much from person to person. Some of us crochet tight, others much looser. Please do have a look at my advice about tension in the ‘Introductions and a Planning‘ post. This is really important in helping you choose the best hook size to suit your tension for this project and to ensure you’re blanket has a good drape and that you don’t run out of yarn!
PATTERN IN UK CROCHET TERMINOLOGY.
Here is the pattern in UK terminology. The pattern in US terminology is at the end of this blog post…
Abbreviations
ch: chain
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
dc: double crochet
dtr: double treble
htr: half treble
mm: millimetres
RdtrF: Raised double treble front (see below)
RS: right side
RtrB: Raised treble back (see below)
RtrF: Raised treble front (see below)
RtrtrF: Raised triple treble front (see below)
ss: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
tr: treble
trtr: triple treble
WS: wrong side
yoh: yarn over hook
Popcorn: 5tr in the next st, drop the loop from the hook, insert hook from front to back in top of first tr of 5-tr group, pick up dropped loop and pull through the first tr.
RdtrF: Raised double treble Front: complete a double treble st as normal but insert hook around the stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the front to the back and then round to the front again.
RtrB: Raised treble Back: complete a treble st as normal but insert hook around the stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the back to the front and then round to the back again.
RtrF: Raised treble Front: complete a treble st as normal but insert hook around the stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the front to the back and then round to the front again.
RtrtrF: Raised triple treble Front: complete a triple treble st as normal but insert hook around the stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the front to the back and then round to the front again.
Pattern Notes
It may help to put a stitch marker into the top of the starting/ turning chains at the beginning of each round or row making it easier to identify them as a stitch and the correct place to insert your hook at the end of the round or subsequent rows.
I’ve recorded many YouTube tutorials to accompany this written pattern and help everyone to achieve this blanket. But the tutorials are not to replace the written pattern so do have a copy of the pattern next to you when following the YouTube tutorials. The tutorials have been broken down into smaller videos no longer than 15 minutes each. I’ll provide links below as we work through the rounds.
Here’s the first tutorial for Rounds 1 – 3.
To Work
Week 1 – Central Beachcombing Square
All the yarn colours are used in this central square which is inspired by so many colours and textures from a beachcombing day. From the central sand, pebbles and chalk that you’re searching through whilst beachcombing, to the variety of colours found in various finds!
This square is made with the right side (RS) facing at all times.
Using Yarn A, make 4ch, ss to first ch to join into a ring.
Round 1 (RS) 3ch (counts as first tr here and throughout), 11tr into the ring, ss to top of first 3 ch to join, fasten off. [12 sts]
Round 2 Join Yarn B to any st, 3ch, 2tr into same st at base of 3 ch, 1 popcorn in next st, (3tr in next st, 1 popcorn in next st) to end, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [24 sts, including 6 popcorns]
Pay attention to crochet into the top of the popcorns in this next round.
Round 3 Join Yarn A to top of any popcorn, 3ch, 2tr in next st, miss next st working 1RtrtrF around st directly below it from Round 1, 2tr in next st, *1tr in next st, 2tr in next st, miss next st working 1RtrtrF around st directly below it from Round 1, 2tr in next st, repeat from * four times, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [36 sts, including 6 raised sts]
Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 4 – 6.
Round 4 Join Yarn C to any RtrtrF st, 3ch, 1tr into same st at base of 3 ch, 1tr in next st, 1 popcorn in next st, 2tr in next st, 1 popcorn in next st, 1tr in next st, * 2tr in next st, 1tr in next st, 1 popcorn in next st, 2tr in next st, 1 popcorn in next st, 1tr in next st, repeat from * four times, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [48 sts, including 12 popcorns]
Pay attention to crochet into the top of the popcorns in this next round.
Round 5 Join Yarn A to top of any left popcorn (where two popcorns are closer to each other, the left one), 3ch, 1tr into same st at base of 3 ch, * 1tr in each of next 2 sts, miss next st working 1RtrtrF around raised st directly below it from Round 3, 2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, miss next st working 1RtrtrF around tr st directly below it from Round 3, ** 2tr in next st, repeat from * five times ending final repeat at **, ss to top of first 3 ch, do not fasten off. [60 sts, including 12 raised sts]
Round 6 2ch (counts as first htr), 1htr into same st at base of 2 ch, 1htr in each of next 3 sts, 1RtrF around next st, (2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 3 sts, 1RtrF around next st) to end, ss to top of first 2 ch, fasten off. [72 sts, including 12 raised sts]
Half Treble stitches are unique in that they have 3 loops/strands at the top of the stitch. Make sure that in Round 7 you are inserting your hook into the back 2 loops of the htr sts, leaving a front strand/loop to the front of the work which will be crocheted into on Round 8. When crocheting into the tr sts crochet into the back loop only.
Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 7 – 9.
Round 7 Join Yarn D to the central st of any 5 htr group between the raised sts, 4ch (counts as first dtr), (1dtr, 2ch, 2dtr in same st), * 1dtr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 1htr in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr in next 2 sts, **(2dtr, 2ch, 2dtr) all in next st, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to top of first 4 ch, do not fasten off (place a st marker in loop to secure whilst you remove hook ready to work Round 8). [21 sts on each side]
Crab Stitch will now be worked in the front loops of the half treble stitches made in Round 6. Crab Stitch is basically double crochet stitches worked backwards from left to right instead of right to left. Use a hook ONE SIZE SMALLER for this round.
Round 8 Using a smaller hook join Yarn C to front loop of any htr st from Round 6 inserting hook from the bottom, 1ch, complete 1 reverse double crochet stitch (also known as Crab Stitch) in each front loop around, ss to first ch, fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 9 Re-join hook to loop from end of Round 7, 3ch, 1tr in next st, *(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, 1tr in each st to end of side, repeat from * two times, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, 1tr in each st to end, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [25 sts on each side]
Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 10 – 14.
Round 10 Join Yarn C to any corner ch-sp, 3ch (counts as 1 dc and 2 ch), 1dc in same corner ch-sp, *1ch, miss first st, 1dc in next st, (1ch, miss next st, 1dc in next st) to final st of side, 1ch, miss final st, **(1dc, 2ch, 1dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **,ss to first ch of beginning 3 ch, fasten off. [14 sts on each side with 13 x 1-ch-sps between]
Round 11 Join Yarn E to any corner ch-sp, 3ch (counts as 1 dc and 2 ch), 1dc in same corner ch-sp, *(1ch, miss next st, 1dc in next 1-ch-sp) to final 1-ch-sp of side, 1ch, miss final st, **(1dc, 2ch, 1dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to first ch of beginning 3 ch, fasten off. [15 sts on each side with 14 x 1-ch-sps between]
Round 12 Join Yarn F to any corner ch-sp and repeat Round 11. [16 sts on each side with 15 x 1-ch-sps between]
Round 13 Join Yarn G to any corner ch-sp and repeat Round 11. [17 sts on each side with 16 x 1-ch-sps between]
Round 14 Join Yarn H to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1tr, 2ch, 2tr) in same corner ch-sp, 1tr in each st and each 1-ch-sp to end of side, *(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, 1tr in each st and each 1-ch-sp to end of side, repeat from * two times, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [37 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 15 – 16.
Round 15 Join Yarn I to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1tr, 2ch, 2tr) in same corner ch-sp, *(1RtrF around each of next 2 sts, 1RtrB around each of next 2 sts) four times, 1RtrF around each of next 5 sts, (1RtrB around each of next 2 sts, 1RtrF around each of next 2 sts) four times, **(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [41 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 16 Join Yarn J to any corner ch-sp, 4ch (counts as 1 htr and 2 ch), 1htr in same corner ch-sp, *1htr in each of next 19 sts, miss next st working 1RtrtrF around central st from Round 14, 1htr in next st, miss next st working 1RtrtrF around the same central st from Round 14 just worked around, 1htr in each of next 19 sts to end of side, **(1htr, 2ch, 1htr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to second ch of first 4 ch, fasten off. [43 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
In Round 17 insert hook into the back 2 loops of the htr sts, leaving a front strand/loop to the front of the work.
Pay attention to crochet into the first htr stitch of each side which is less clear when crocheting into a round of half treble
Here’s a tutorial for Rounds 17 – 19.
Round 17 Join Yarn C to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1tr, 2ch, 2tr) in same corner ch-sp, *1tr in each of next 19 sts, miss next st, 1RdtrF around the raised st on the right below from Round 16, 1tr in same st going into st as normal, 1tr in next st, 1tr in next st, 1RdtrF around the same st which is the raised st on the left below from Round 16, miss next st, 1tr in each of next 19 sts to end of side, **(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, ss to top of first 3 ch, do not fasten off. [47 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 18 3ch, 1tr in next st, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, *1tr in each st to end of side, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * two times, 1tr in each st to end, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [51 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Crab Stitch will now be worked in the front loops of the half treble stitches made in Round 16. Crab Stitch is basically double crochet stitches worked backwards from left to right instead of right to left. Use a hook ONE SIZE SMALLER for this round.
Round 19 * Using a smaller hook join Yarn A to front loop of any htr st from Round 16 which is directly to the right of the central two raised stitches inserting hook from the bottom, 1ch, complete 1 reverse double crochet stitch (also known as Crab Stitch) in each front loop to end of side, go directly across the corner ch-sp to next side and continue with 1 reverse double crochet stitch in front loop of each htr st from Round 16 until you reach the st to the left side of the next two raised sts, fasten off, repeat from * three times.
Weave in all ends.
And there we have the beginning of our blankets and our beachcombing journey together! I hope you enjoyed crocheting it. Please do get sharing on social media… 🙂
Next week we’ll have a new square which you’ll be making two of so there’s double the crochet time to look forward to! 🙂 🙂
Happy Crocheting… 🙂
PATTERN IN US TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
BPdc: Back Post double crochet (see below)
ch: chain
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
dc: double crochet
dtr: double treble
FPtr: Front Post treble (see below)
FPdc: Front Post double crochet (see below)
FPdtr: Front Post double treble (see below)
hdc: half double crochet
mm: millimetres
RS: right side
sc: single crochet
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
tr: treble
WS: wrong side
yoh: yarn over hook
BPdc: Back Post double crochet: complete a double crochet st as normal but insert hook around the post / stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the back to the front and then round to the back again.
FPtr: Front Post treble: complete a treble st as normal but insert hook around the post / stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the front to the back and then round to the front again.
FPdc: Front Post double crochet: complete a double crochet st as normal but insert hook around the post / stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the front to the back and then round to the front again.
FPdtr: Front Post double treble: complete a double treble st as normal but insert hook around the post / stem of the st inserting hook from right to left going from the front to the back and then round to the front again.
Popcorn: 5dc in the next st, drop the loop from the hook, insert hook from front to back in top of first dc of 5-dc group, pick up dropped loop and pull through the first dc.
Pattern Notes
It may help to put a stitch marker into the top of the starting/ turning chains at the beginning of each round or row making it easier to identify them as a stitch and the correct place to insert your hook at the end of the round or subsequent rows.
To Work
Week 1 – Central Beachcombing Square
All the yarn colours are used in this central square which is inspired by so many colours and textures from a beachcombing day. From the central sand, pebbles and chalk that you’re searching through whilst beachcombing, to the variety of colours found in various finds!
This square is made with the right side (RS) facing at all times.
Using Yarn A, make 4ch, sl st to first ch to join into a ring.
Round 1 (RS) 3ch (counts as first dc here and throughout), 11dc into the ring, sl st to top of first 3 ch to join, fasten off. [12 sts]
Round 2 Join Yarn B to any st, 3ch, 2dc into same st at base of 3 ch, 1 popcorn in next st, (3dc in next st, 1 popcorn in next st) to end, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [24 sts, including 6 popcorns]
Pay attention to crochet into the top of the popcorns in this next round.
Round 3 Join Yarn A to top of any popcorn, 3ch, 2dc in next st, skip next st working 1FPdtr around st directly below it from Round 1, 2dc in next st, *1dc in next st, 2dc in next st, skip next st working 1FPdtr around st directly below it from Round 1, 2dc in next st, repeat from * four times, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [36 sts, including 6 raised sts]
Round 4 Join Yarn C to any FPdtr st, 3ch, 1dc into same st at base of 3 ch, 1dc in next st, 1 popcorn in next st, 2dc in next st, 1 popcorn in next st, 1dc in next st, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, 1 popcorn in next st, 2dc in next st, 1 popcorn in next st, 1dc in next st, repeat from * four times, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [48 sts, including 12 popcorns]
Pay attention to crochet into the top of the popcorns in this next round.
Round 5 Join Yarn A to top of any left popcorn (where two popcorns are closer to each other, the left one), 3ch, 1dc into same st at base of 3 ch, * 1dc in each of next 2 sts, skip next st working 1FPdtr around raised st directly below it from Round 3, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, skip next st working 1FPdtr around dc st directly below it from Round 3, ** 2dc in next st, repeat from * five times ending final repeat at **, sl st to top of first 3 ch, do not fasten off. [60 sts, including 12 raised sts]
Round 6 2ch (counts as first hdc), 1hdc into same st at base of 2 ch, 1hdc in each of next 3 sts, 1FPdc around next st, (2hdc in next st, 1hdc in each of next 3 sts, 1FPdc around next st) to end, sl st to top of first 2 ch, fasten off. [72 sts, including 12 raised sts]
Half double crochet stitches are unique in that they have 3 loops/strands at the top of the stitch. Make sure that in Round 7 you are inserting your hook into the back 2 loops of the hdc sts, leaving a front strand/loop to the front of the work which will be crocheted into on Round 8. When crocheting into the dc sts crochet into the back loop only.
Round 7 Join Yarn D to the central st of any 5 hdc group between the raised sts, 4ch (counts as first tr), (1tr, 2ch, 2tr in same st), * 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 1hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1sc in each of next 5 sts, 1hdc in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, **(2tr, 2ch, 2tr) all in next st, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to top of first 4 ch, do not fasten off (place a st marker in loop to secure whilst you remove hook ready to work Round 8). [21 sts on each side]
Crab Stitch will now be worked in the front loops of the half double crochet stitches made in Round 6. Crab Stitch is basically single crochet stitches worked backwards from left to right instead of right to left. Use a hook ONE SIZE SMALLER for this round.
Round 8 Using a smaller hook join Yarn C to front loop of any hdc st from Round 6 inserting hook from the bottom, 1ch, complete 1 reverse single crochet stitch (also known as Crab Stitch) in each front loop around, sl st to first ch, fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 9 Re-join hook to loop from end of Round 7, 3ch, 1dc in next st, *(2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, 1dc in each st to end of side, repeat from * two times, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, 1dc in each st to end, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [25 sts on each side]
Round 10 Join Yarn C to any corner ch-sp, 3ch (counts as 1 sc and 2 ch), 1sc in same corner ch-sp, *1ch, skip first st, 1sc in next st, (1ch, skip next st, 1sc in next st) to final st of side, 1ch, skip final st, **(1sc, 2ch, 1sc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **,sl st to first ch of beginning 3 ch, fasten off. [14 sts on each side with 13 x 1-ch-sps between]
Round 11 Join Yarn E to any corner ch-sp, 3ch (counts as 1 sc and 2 ch), 1sc in same corner ch-sp, *(1ch, skip next st, 1sc in next 1-ch-sp) to final 1-ch-sp of side, 1ch, skip final st, **(1sc, 2ch, 1sc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to first ch of beginning 3 ch, fasten off. [15 sts on each side with 14 x 1-ch-sps between]
Round 12 Join Yarn F to any corner ch-sp and repeat Round 11. [16 sts on each side with 15 x 1-ch-sps between]
Round 13 Join Yarn G to any corner ch-sp and repeat Round 11. [17 sts on each side with 16 x 1-ch-sps between]
Round 14 Join Yarn H to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1dc, 2ch, 2dc) in same corner ch-sp, 1dc in each st and each 1-ch-sp to end of side, *(2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, 1dc in each st and each 1-ch-sp to end of side, repeat from * two times, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [37 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 15 Join Yarn I to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1dc, 2ch, 2dc) in same corner ch-sp, *(1FPdc around each of next 2 sts, 1BPdc around each of next 2 sts) four times, 1FPdc around each of next 5 sts, (1BPdc around each of next 2 sts, 1FPdc around each of next 2 sts) four times, **(2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [41 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 16 Join Yarn J to any corner ch-sp, 4ch (counts as 1 hdc and 2 ch), 1hdc in same corner ch-sp, *1hdc in each of next 19 sts, skip next st working 1FPdtr around central st from Round 14, 1hdc in next st, skip next st working 1FPdtr around the same central st from Round 14 just worked around, 1hdc in each of next 19 sts to end of side, **(1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to second ch of first 4 ch, fasten off. [43 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
In Round 17 insert hook into the back 2 loops of the hdc sts, leaving a front strand/loop to the front of the work.
Pay attention to crochet into the first hdc stitch of each side which is less clear when crocheting into a round of half double crochet stitches.
Round 17 Join Yarn C to any corner ch-sp, 3ch, (1dc, 2ch, 2dc) in same corner ch-sp, *1dc in each of next 19 sts, skip next st, 1FPtr around the raised st on the right below from Round 16, 1dc in same st going into st as normal, 1dc in next st, 1dc in next st, 1FPtr around the same st which is the raised st on the left below from Round 16, skip next st, 1dc in each of next 19 sts to end of side, **(2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * three times ending final repeat at **, sl st to top of first 3 ch, do not fasten off. [47 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Round 18 3ch, 1dc in next st, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, *1dc in each st to end of side, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner ch-sp, repeat from * two times, 1dc in each st to end, sl st to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [51 sts on each side with 4 x corner 2-ch-sps]
Crab Stitch will now be worked in the front loops of the half double crochet stitches made in Round 16. Crab Stitch is basically single crochet stitches worked backwards from left to right instead of right to left. Use a hook ONE SIZE SMALLER for this round.
Round 19 * Using a smaller hook join Yarn A to front loop of any hdc st from Round 16 which is directly to the right of the central two raised stitches inserting hook from the bottom, 1ch, complete 1 reverse single crochet stitch (also known as Crab Stitch) in each front loop to end of side, go directly across the corner ch-sp to next side and continue with 1 reverse single crochet stitch in front loop of each hdc st from Round 16 until you reach the st to the left side of the next two raised sts, fasten off, repeat from * three times.
Weave in all ends.