Bold Stripes Afghan

If your motto is "go big or go home", this Bold Stripes Afghan could be right for you. The stark contrast of the black and white stripes gives this crochet afghan pattern interest and dimension. This project won't take very long for those who have some experience with crochet. Its design is simple enough that this blanket would look great in any room of the house, and the man in your life might even be willing to snuggle up in this classic afghan.

Intermediate

Crochet HookI/9 or 5.5 mm hook

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Materials:

Caron International's Simply Soft
- 5 skeins Midnight Blue (Color A)
- 4 skeins Fisherman (Color B)
Size I crochet hook

Gauge:10 rows (1 set) = 41/2"; 4 dc = 1"

Instructions:

With Color A, chain loosely 199.
Row 1: Starting in 2nd chain from hook, work 1 dc in each ch across. Chain 3 and turn (197 dc)
Row 2: 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc in 3rd dc (v-stitch made). * Skip 2 dc, work v-stitch in next dc, repeat from * across. Skip 1 dc, dc in last dc, ch 4, turn (65 v-stitches)
Row 3: 3 dc in ch-2 space of v-stitch across the row (65 dc clusters). 1 dc in last chain space, ch 4, turn.
Row 4: Repeat row 2.
Row 5: Repeat row 3 except ch 3 and turn.
Row 6: Dc across. Dc in last ch space (197 dc). Fasten off.
Row 7: Attach Color B, ch 3 and dc across. Ch 4, turn.
Row 8: Repeat row 2. Row 9: Repeat row 5.
Row 10: Repeat row 6.
Row 11: Attach Color A, ch 3 and dc across. Ch 3 and turn.
Repeat Rows 2 through 11 seven times.
Repeat Rows 2 through 6 once. Ch 1, turn.

Edging:
Rnd 1: * sc in each stitch across. 3 sc in corner, 2 sc in each row down side. 3 sc in corner. Repeat from * around edge of afghan. Sl st in top of beginning sc. Finish off.
Rnd 2: Attach Color B in center sc of any corner. Ch 3, 2 dc in same sc. * skip 2 sc, 3 dc in next sc. Repeat from * around. (Make sure 3 dc are in the center sc of each corner.) Sl st into top of beginning.
Rnd 3: Sl st to center of 3 dc cluster. 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc (v-stitch made). V-stitch in space between 3 dc cluster around. A v-stitch should also be made in the center of the 3 dc cluster in each corner. Sl st into top of beginning dc. Finish off. Weave in yarn ends.

Care Instructions: Machine wash: warm water, gentle cycle. Machine dry: low heat, delicate cycle.