Snowflake Afghan

Free pattern snowflake afghan

let it snow! a handmade winter Enjoy a wintry weekend stitching this cozy, festive afghan.

By Ellen Gormley

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL AMATO FOR LVAREPRESENTS.COM; HAIR & MAKEUP BY JOE J. SIMON FOR BENEFIT COSMETICS

Baby it’s cold outside! Warm up with this easy-to-stitch throw.

dec 2006 / jan 2007 • crochet today 25

the yarn: TLC Heathers in Light Denim

Bijou in Diamond

what you’ll need

gauge:14 sc and 12 rows = 4"/10cm square using size J/10

(6mm) crochet hook.

Remember to check gauge for best results! how to make a gauge swatchWith A, ch 15.

Row 1 Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across -14 sc.

Row 2 Ch 1, turn; working in front lps only, sc in each sc across.

Repeat Row 2 ten more times for a total of 12 rows.

Resulting gauge swatch should be approx 4"/10cm square. If necessary, adjust hook size to obtain correct gauge.special techniques

Surface sl st (surface slip stitch) Make a slip-knot, but do not place it on hook. Hold slipknot on

wrong side of fabric. Insert hook from right side of fabric through to wrong side. Place slipknot on hook, draw lp to right side. Insert hook from right side to wrong side through desired stitch or space, yarn over, draw lp to right side and through look on hook (surface slip stitch made). To end a line of surface slip stitches, draw up a lp on the right side of fabric.

Remove hook from lp and insert hook from wrong side to right side of fabric, then draw lp through to wrong side. Fasten off leaving a long tail. Draw tail through final lp and pull tight.

French knot Thread yarn on yarn needle, insert needle from wrong side to right side of fabric, and draw yarn through. Wrap yarn around the needle 2-3 times, and push needle back down from right side to wrong side near the point where it came up.

THROW

With A, ch 153.

Row 1 (right side) Sc in back hump of 2nd ch from hook and each ch across - 152 sc.

Rows 2-173 Ch 1, turn; working in front lps only, sc in each sc across.

Do not fasten off and do not turn.

edging

Round 1 Pivot afghan to work along left side; working in ends of rows, sc in end of each row along side - 173 sc; sc once more in end of last row; pivot work to work along bottom; working in free lps of beginning ch, sc in each free lp across bottom - 152 sc; sc once more in last free lp; pivot afghan to work along right side; working in ends of rows, sc in end of each row along side - 173 sc; sc once more in end of last row; pivot work to work along top, sc in each sc across top - 152 sc; sc once more in last st worked; join with sl st in first sc - 654 sc. Do not fasten off.

Round 2 Ch 4 (counts as first tr here and throughout), tr in next 172 sc, 5 tr in next sc, tr in next 152 sc, 5 tr in next sc, tr in next 173 sc, 5 tr in next sc, tr in next 152 sc, 5 tr in next sc, tr in next sc; join with sl st in top of beginning ch-4 - 670 sts. Fasten off.

Join B in middle tr of 5-tr group in upper left corner of project.

Round 3 3 sc in same st as join, sc in next 177 tr, 3 sc in next tr, sc in next 156 tr, 3 sc in next tr, sc in next 177 tr, 3 sc in next tr, sc in next 156 tr; join with sl st in first sc - 678 sts. Fasten off.

YARN

TLC Heathers, 5 oz/141g skeins, each approx 260yd/238m (acrylic) n 8 skeins #2474 Light Denim (A) RED HEART LTD. Bijou, 1.76oz/50g balls, each approx 84yd/77m (nylon/kid mohair/wool/metallic)n 3 balls #3220 Diamond (B)

CROCHET HOOK n Size J/10 (6mm) crochet hook or any size to obtain correct gauge

NOTIONS  Yarn needle

PHOTOGRAPH (RIGHT) BY MARCUS TULLIS

Be creative your way! • See Resources on page 98 for helpful info and instructions.

Abbreviations used in this pattern tip

ch chain

dc double crochet

lp(s) loop(s)

sc single crochet

sl st slip stitch

st(s) stitch(es)

tr treble crochet

* Repeat directions following * as many times as indicated.

Use leftover yarn to make a matching pillow. Simply make two smaller squares by chaining fewer stitches, then add snowflakes.

crochet today • dec 2006 / jan 2007 26

hexagon snowflake

Simple surface slip stitches form

the arms of the snowflake and attach

the center motif of each flake to the

body of the afghan. See page 40 for a

demonstration of surface slip stitch.

hexagon snowflake (make 18)

With B, ch 4; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Round 1 Ch 1, work 6 sc in ring; join with sl st in first sc - 6 sc.

Round 2 Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and through-out) 2 dc in same sc, *ch 3, 3 dc in next sc; repeat from * 4 more times, ch 3; join with sl st in top of beginning ch-3 - 18 dc and 6 ch-3 lps. Fasten off.

finishing

Select locations for snowflakes. Snowflakes should be placed randomly on the right side of the throw. First attach and complete the hexagon snowflakes, then fill in with star snowflakes.

attach each hexagon snowflake Hold snowflake in desired location. With B, work surface

slip stitches through both thicknesses, snowflake and throw, working one surface slip stitch in the top of each dc and in each ch around the outer edge of the snowflake - 36 surface sl st.

complete each hexagon snowflake.

Create surface sl st spokes on hexagon snowflake extending from each ch-3 corner of the snowflake. Work 2 shorter parallel surface sl st lines crossing the end of each spoke.

star snowflakes

Complete the throw by working any number of star snowflakes randomly placed about the right side of the throw.

With B, make three crossing surface sl st spokes of varying length to form snowflake. Place three French knots between alternating spokes.

Weave in all ends.