This crocheted afghan square features a checkerboard design in three different colors. The free crochet pattern includes both written instructions and a color chart.
Project Photo: See a picture of the finished afghan square.
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn in 3 different colors. To crochet the sample square, I used Caron Simply Soft in the following colors:
- Khaki / tan -- Bone = Color A (Main color)
- Blue -- Blue Mint = Color B
- Green -- Sage = Color C
Feel free to substitute other colors or brands of yarn.
Crochet Hook:
Size H / 8 - 5.0 mm
Other:
Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends
Finished Size:
The finished square measures 6.25 inches x 6.25 inches prior to adding the edging, and about 6.5 inches square afterwards.
Gauge:
4 sts = 1 inch
Matching this gauge isn't critical unless you have a need for each square to be exactly the same size as my sample.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern:
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch
Design Notes:
Crochet this square using the tapestry crochet technique and single crochet stitch.
To form the checkerboard pattern, you'll need to know how to change colors in single crochet stitch. There are two colors in each row; when you're not using a color, you'll crochet overtop of that color until you need it again. Anticipate your color changes prior to working them; when you're ready to change colors, you'll need to stop short of completing the last stitch in the old color, pull through a loop of the new color, and then complete your stitch with the new color. See this tutorial for more information about how to do the color changes.
Between rows, ch 1 to use as a turning chain.
Project Instructions:
Using color B (blue yarn,) ch 26.
Checkerboard Color Pattern:
Rows 1 - 5: Work 5 sts in color B (blue,) 5 stitches in color A (tan,) 5 stitches in color B, 5 stitches in color A, 5 stitches in color B. (This gives you a total of 25 sc sts.)
Rows 6 - 10: Work 5 sts in color A (tan,) 5 stitches in color C (green,) 5 stitches in color A, 5 stitches in color C, 5 stitches in color A. (25 sc sts.)
Row 11 - 15: Repeat rows 1 - 5.
Row 16 - 20: Repeat rows 6 - 10.
Row 21 - 25: Repeat rows 1 - 5.
Edging
An edging is optional. For my sample square, I chose to work an edging in sl st. To work this edging, continue using the same color yarn (color B) to crochet a round of sl st all the way around the square; then change colors to color C and crochet another round of sl st, working into the back loops only.
Finishing the Square:
End off. Weave in ends. If you used a block-able yarn like wool, block the square. If you used acrylic yarn, there is no need for blocking.
Use this square in the craft project of your choice.
If you make multiple squares, you could join them together to create an afghan or pillow cover. If you plan to do that, I recommend varying your color placements, and making some squares in other colors, so that your color scheme has some variety.
If you crochet this design in cotton yarn, a single square could become a dishcloth. There are many possibilities for using this square in different ways.
