Monthly Archives: June 2012

The first row of an afghan with homespun or bouclé or other knobby style yarn can be frustrating. This afghan does not require finding chain stitches, even for the first row. Every side has a loop finish.

This pattern was designed to be easy for homespun or bouclé style yarns, but it can be made with just about any yarn. Make it in a solid color or with as many color changes as you like.

The example is made in Lion Brand Homespun.

Size: This blanket can be made any size. Five widths are given in the directions.

Materials:
Yarn – Sizing given for Bulky yarn but other weights can be used
Size K (6.5mm) crochet hook

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
ch sp = chain space
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
tc = treble/triple crochet

Special Stitches:
Double treble crochet (dtr): Wrap the yarn over the hook 3 times and insert the hook into the space indicated. *Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw it through 2 loops.* Repeat from * to * 3 times to complete the double treble.

Instructions:

Instead of a beginning chain, the blanket is begun with a first row of chain and dtc spaces.

For these widths, start with this number of chain and dtc spaces:
34.75″ = 20
40″ = 23
45.25″ = 26
50.5″ = 29
55.75″ = 32

Row 1: Chain 5. Dtc in first chain. This forms the first chain and dtc space. Form each additional space by chaining 4 and doing a dtc on the dtc of the prior space. Photo is an example of a row of four chain and dtc spaces with the chain 4 of the beginning of the next row.

Do not turn.

Row 2: Ch4. Without turning the work, rotate so that the following is worked across the dtc created in the first row. Over each of the dtc work 4 dc and chain one. On the last dtc, work 4 dc and 1 tc.

Row 3: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in space between tc and first dc. Working across row, chain 4 and sc in each ch1 sp. The last sc will go in the space created by the ch4 turning chain.

Row 4: Ch4 and turn. In each ch4 sp work 4 dc and chain one. In the last ch4 sp, work 4 dc and 1 tc.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until afghan is desired length. End with a row 3. Finish off and weave in end.

Optional edging – instead of ending with a row 3, end with a row 4. Ch1, sc over tc just made, ch 2, 2 dc over tc.  Along side ch1, 3 dc over each tc. Over last tc also work a tc. Ch 1, sc over tc just made, ch 2, 2 dc over tc. Along bottom of afghan ch1, 4 dc in each ch sp. In last ch sp also work a tc. Ch 1, sc over tc just made, ch 2, 2 dc over tc. Along side ch1, 3 dc in each ch sp. Finish off and weave in end.

The blanket can be made in a solid color or can be made with any number of color changes. The best way to make a color change is to finish all but the very last pull through of the two loops of the last stitch of a row. Cut yarn with a few inches of tail and join with new color next to stitch. Pull new color through last two loops. Weave in ends.

This is the photo tutorial for the No Beginning Chain Crazy Block Afghan. The photos were made with a smooth yarn to show the stitch detail. This is a four block wide swatch.

This is the first foundation block with the six chain loop and three chain of the next block.

This is a row of beginning blocks showing how they should lay.

This shows how the first row of blocks should be rotated, but not turned, to start the second row of blocks. The first chain three and single crochet of the second row has been completed.

Now the three double crochet of the first block of the second row has been completed and the single crochet of the second block.

Completed row two.

The first row of an afghan with homespun or bouclé or other knobby style yarn can be frustrating. This afghan does not require finding chain stitches, even for the first row. Every side has a fun and pretty zig-zag shape.

This pattern was designed to be easy for homespun or bouclé style yarns, but it can be made with just about any yarn. Make it in a solid color or with as many color changes as you like.

The example is made in Jo-Ann Sensations Rainbow Bouclé.

Size: This blanket can be made any size. Five widths are given in the directions.

Materials:
Yarn – Sizing given for Bulky yarn but other weights can be used
Size I (5.5mm) crochet hook

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
ch sp = chain space
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch

Instructions:

Instead of a beginning chain, the blanket is begun with a first row of blocks.

For these widths, start with this number of blocks:
27.5″ = 20
34.5″ = 25
41.5″ = 30
48.25″ = 35
55.25″ = 40

There is a photo tutorial, chart and a video demonstrating the technique of this pattern.

CathyNoyb provided this chart she created in AutoSketch. She created this chart to more clearly demonstrate the transition from the first row to the second row.

Row 1 Block: Chain 6. Join with a sl st in first chain. Chain 3. 2 dc in ch 6 sp.
Make these blocks until desired width.

Do not turn.

Row 2: Ch3. Without turning the work, rotate so that the following is worked across the chain loops created in the first row. In each of the chain spaces, (sc, ch3, 3dc) in ch sp.

Row 3: Ch 3 and turn. In each of the chain spaces, (sc, ch3, 3dc) in ch sp.

Repeat row 3 until afghan is desired length. Finish off and weave in end.

The blanket can be made in a solid color or can be made with any number of color changes. The best way to make a color change is to finish all but the very last pull through of the two loops of the last stitch of a row. Cut yarn with a few inches of tail and join with new color next to stitch. Pull new color through last two loops. Weave in ends.

Edits:
6/9/2018 – Added CathyNoyb chart.