Following are directions to crochet an afghan square with a block of shells giving a checkered effect to the center, surrounded by solid double crochet areas. Click on links within the pattern directions to see photos showing close looks at stitches and techniques used in crocheting this pattern.
Abbreviations: ch = chain, dc = double crochet, ea = each, sc = single crochet, st = stitch, sts = stitches
Materials: about 1 oz. worsted weight yarn, US size H hook
Special Stitch: 2-dc cluster, used as a decrease in row 17. Link to instructions: 2-dc cluster how-to
Pattern Notes: You will turn at the end of each row. Finished size, with no outside round, is about 9 inches (or 9 1/2 inches with one outside round in single crochet). If you want a 10 inch square, add one additional outside round in single crochet.
Gauge: 7 dc = 2 inches, 4 dc rows = 2 inches
Starting Chain: Leaving a length to weave in later, chain 31.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across. (30 sc)
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea sc across. (30 dc)
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 5 dc, skip next dc, 3 dc in next
dc, (skip next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc) 5 times, then skip next dc, dc in ea of next 6 dc. Click these links for close look photos: Photo: Start of Row 3, Photo: Row 3 in Progress, Photo: End of Row 3
Row 4: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 4 dc, skip next dc, 3 dc in next dc, skip next 2 dc, (3 dc in space between next two 3-dc shells, skip next shell) 4 times, then 3 dc in space between next two 3-dc shells, skip next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc,
skip next dc, dc in ea of next 5 dc. Photo: Crocheting in Space Between Shells
Row 5: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 5 dc, skip next two dc, (3 dc in space between next two 3-dc shells, skip next shell) 5 times, then 3 dc in space between next 2 3-dc shells, skip next 2 dc, dc in ea of next 6 dc.
Rows 6 - 15: Repeat Rows 4 and 5.
Row 16: Repeat Row 4.
Row 17: ch 1, dc in ea of first 14 dc, make a 2-dc cluster over next 2 dc, dc in ea of last 15 dc. The cluster is used as a decrease in this row; otherwise there would be 31 dc in the row. This row needs to match the number of stitches that are in the first row of the square so that the top and bottom edges will be even in length. 2-dc cluster how-to
Outside Round: ch 1, then (working down the side of the piece), make 2
sc around post of ea dc along the side until you come to the next sc row at the end of this side, sc in end of that sc row, ch 2 for corner, sc in remaining loop of each starting chain along bottom side, ch 2 for next corner, sc in end of sc row, 2 sc around ea dc post on that side, ch 2 for corner, then sc in ea dc across the top (skipping the chain-1 that closed the cluster), ch 2 for corner, ending with a slip stitch in the first sc of this outside round.
Outside Round 2: If you wish to add another one-half inch to the size of the square, this outside round adds about one-fourth inch to each side, resulting in an additional one-half inch added to the diameter overall. ch 1, sc in ea sc around, with (sc, ch 2, sc)
worked in ea corner ch-2 space. End with a slip stitch in the first sc of this round.
End off, leaving a length to weave in. Weave in ends securely, weaving back and forth several times on the back of the square, working under back part of a number of stitches so that the ends will not unravel over time.