Double the Fun Reversible Crochet Afghan

Materials:

• RED HEART® Soft®: 7 balls 4614 Black A, 3 balls each 2515 Turquoise B, 4422 Tangerine C, 4420 Guacamole D, and 9388 Wheat E
• Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 6mm [J-10 US]
• Susan Bates® Double End Crochet Hook: 6mm [J-10 US]
• 10” Yarn needle

GAUGE: 16 sts = 4” (10 cm) in pattern; 20 rows = 4” (10 cm). CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

Throw measures 55” long x 45” wide (139.5 x 114.5 cm)

Special Stitch:
reverse sc (reverse single crochet) = Work single crochet in opposite direction from which you would usually work (left to right if you are right-handed and right to left if you are left-handed). This stitch is also known as crab stitch. It creates a rope-like twisted single crochet edging.

Notes:
1. Five strips of 5 blocks are worked with double ended hook and then sewn together. Borders are worked with standard hook in joined rounds.

2. Each block is worked from the bottom  up with A and 2nd color. Refer to color sequence for changes in 2nd color.

3. Each row is worked in two steps: a forward pass and a return pass. Always skip the first vertical bar when working the forward pass. Insert the hook into the second vertical bar at the beginning of the row. Loops are picked up and held on the hook during the forward pass.

4. Fabric is slid to the opposite end of the hook after each forward pass, the hook is turned, and the loops are worked off the hook during the return pass.

5. Always hold the working yarn behind the work.

6. If you hold the hook in your right hand, you will work the forward pass from right to left; you will work the return pass from left to right. If you hold the hook in your left hand, you will work the forward and return passes in the opposite directions.

7. Colors are dropped and picked up as the fabric is slid back and forth. Do not cut yarn until instructed.

8. To change color in Round 2 of border, work last stitch of old color to last yarn over. Yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete stitch. Proceed with new color. Cut old color.

Instructions:
Strip 1
First Block
With double ended hook and A, ch 28.
Row 1: Forward Pass (wrong side): Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo and draw up a loop, *insert hook in next ch, yo and draw up a loop; repeat from * across, slide work to other end of hook, turn—28 loops. Drop A but do not fasten off.

Return Pass (right side): With B, place slip knot on hook, yo and draw through slip knot and first loop, *yo and draw through next 2 loops on hook; repeat from * across—1 loop remains on hook.

Row 2: Forward Pass: With B, skip first vertical bar (at edge of piece), yo, insert hook in first vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops, *yo, insert hook in next vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops; repeat from * across, slide work to other end of hook, turn. Drop B and pick up A.

Return Pass: With A, yo and draw through first loop, *yo and draw through next 2 loops on hook; repeat from * across—1 loop remains on hook.

Row 3: Forward Pass: Skip first vertical bar (at edge of piece), yo, insert hook in first vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops, *yo, insert hook in next vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops; repeat from * across, slide work to other end of hook, turn.

Return Pass: Yo and draw through first loop,  *yo and draw through next 2 loops on hook; repeat from * across—1 loop remains on hook. Drop A and pick up B.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until block measures 10½” (26.5 cm); end on Row 3 return pass and pick up next color. Cut previous 2nd color.

Second–Fifth Blocks
Repeat First Block and change color as in the following color sequence: Work 1 block with C, 1 block with D, 1 block with E, and 1 block with B. Cut 2nd color after last row.
Last Row: With A, ch 1, slip st in each vertical bar. Fasten off.

Border:
With right side facing and standard hook, join A with sc in top corner ch-1 space.
Round 1: Sc in each st across; working across ends of rows, *(ch 1, sc) in first row, sc in each remaining row*; working across opposite side of foundation ch, (ch 1, sc) in first ch, sc in each ch across; repeat from * to * once to last row, (ch 1, sc) in last row; join with slip st in first st. Fasten off.
Round 2: With right side and top facing, join B with sc to ch-1 space, (ch 1, sc) in same ch-1 space as join, sc in each st to next ch-1 space, (sc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-1 space, *sc in each st to last st of corresponding color, sc in last st, change to next color in strip*; repeat from * to * to next ch-1 space, (sc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-1 space, sc in each st to next ch-1 space, (sc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-1 space; repeat from * to * to first st; join with slip st in first st. Fasten off.
Round 3: With right side facing, join A with sc to any ch-1 space, (ch 1, sc) in same ch-1 space as join, *sc in each st to next ch-1 space, (sc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-1 space; repeat from * twice, sc in each st to first st; join with slip st in first st. Fasten off.

Strip 2
Work same as Strip 1 and change color as in the following color sequence: Work 1 block  with C, 1 block with B, 1 block with C, 1 block with D, and 1 block with E.
Border: Work same as border of Strip 1, beginning Round 2 with E.

Strip 3
Work same as Strip 1 and change color as in the following color sequence: Work 1 block with D, 1 block with C, 1 block with B, 1 block with C, and 1 block with D.
Border: Work same as border of Strip 1, beginning Round 2 with D.

Strip 4
Work same as Strip 1 and change color as in the following color sequence: Work 1 block with E, 1 block with D, 1 block with C, 1 block with B, and 1 block with C.
Border: Work same as border of Strip 1, beginning Round 2 with C.

Strip 5
Work same as Strip 1 and change color as in the following color sequence: Work 1 block with B, 1 block with E, 1 block with D, 1 block with C, and 1 block with B.
Border Work same as border of Strip 1, beginning Round 2 with B.

ASSEMBLY
Holding strips 1 and 2 with wrong sides together and working through both thicknesses, sew through inner loops of each st. Repeat to join next strip to preceding strip.

FINISHING
Edging With right side facing and standard hook, join A with sc in corner ch-1 space.
Round 1: Repeat Round 1 of border.
Round 2: With right side facing, join A with sc to any ch-1 space, (ch 1, sc) in same ch-1 space as join, *sc in each st to next ch-1 space, (sc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-1 space; repeat from * twice, sc in each st to first st; join with slip st in first st. Fasten off.
Round 3: With right side facing, join E with slip st in any st, ch 1, reverse sc in same st as join and in each st and ch-1 space around; join with slip st in first st. Fasten off.
Weave in ends.