Squares in Stripes Throw

For some reason, when it comes to things like home decorating, many people assume the presence of a crochet afghan means a woman's touch. That simply is not true. Crochet blankets are a gender neutral piece of decor, and men like to be warm, too! Of course, not every man will want a pink, flowery pattern but this Squares in Stripes Throw? That they might enjoy. This simple, sporty throw is entirely modern, and would look at home draped on the back of just about anyone's couch, no matter who they are.

Easy

Crochet HookI/9 or 5.5 mm hook

Crochet Gauge7 dc = 2" (5 cm); 3 rows = 2" (5 cm)

Finished SizeThrow measures 45" wide x 56" long (114.5 x 142 cm)

Materials List

RED HEART® Classic™: 5 skeins 412 Silver A, 3 skeins 334 Tan C, and 2 skeins 12 Black B
Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 5.5mm [US I-9]
Yarn needle

Instructions

Abbreviations:
A, B, C = Color A, Color B, Color C, etc.; ch = chain(s); dc = double crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified; * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated.

Note:
Throw is worked back and forth in turned rows. At midpoint (Row 49), order of rows and colors is reversed.

With A, ch 145.

Row 1 (right side): Dc in 4th ch from hook (beginning ch count as first dc) and in each ch across, turn—143 dc
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as first dc, ch 1 here and throughout), skip next dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc; repeat from * across, working last dc in top of beginning ch, turn—72 dc and 71 ch-1 spaces.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), [dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next dc] 3 times, *ch 1, skip next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, [dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next dc] 3 times; repeat from * across, working last dc in 3rd ch of beginning ch, turn—126 dc and 17 ch-1 spaces.
Rows 4 and 5: Ch 3, dc in next 6 dc, *ch 1, skip next ch-1 space, dc in next 7 dc; repeat from * across, working last dc in top of beginning ch, turn.
Row 6: Repeat Row 2; change to B
Row 7: Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch-1 space across, working last dc in 3rd ch of beginning ch; change to C, turn—143 dc.
Rows 8–13: Repeat Rows 2–7; change to A at end of last row
Rows 14–21: Repeat Rows 2–5 twice
Rows 22 and 23: Repeat Rows 6 and 7.
Rows 24–32: Repeat Rows 14–22; change to B at end of last row
Rows 33–42: Repeat Rows 13–22; change to B at end of last row
Rows 43–48: Repeat Rows 7–12
Row 49: Repeat Row 7; change to C
Row 50: Repeat Row 2
Rows 51–54: Repeat Rows 5–2; change to B at end of last row
Row 55: Repeat Row 7; change to A.
Row 56: Repeat Row 2
Rows 57–64: Repeat Rows 5–2 twice; change to B at end of last row.
Row 65: Repeat Row 7.
Rows 66–74: Repeat Rows 56–64
Rows 75–85: Repeat Rows 55–65.
Rows 86–96: Repeat Rows 50–60
Row 97: Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch-1 space across, working last dc in 3rd ch of beginning ch. Fasten off.
Finishing: Weave in ends.