Similar Free Crochet Patterns: Matching Striped Checkerboard Baby Afghan Square | Easy Baby Afghan Square | Free Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns | Free Crochet Patterns With Hearts | Free Afghan Patterns | Crochet Squares | Tapestry Crochet Patterns
Project Overview:
If you would like to create a soft, warm baby afghan, you might enjoy this free crochet pattern for a striped heart baby afghan square. Work multiple squares using single crochet stitch and the tapestry crochet technique. Then combine the squares to create your baby afghan. We've provided a free charted design with striped heart motif, as well as the free crochet pattern. You supply the creativity!
Although the square is worked in lightweight baby yarns, you’ll end up with an afghan block that is delightfully thick and warm; yarns carried throughout the design add to the weight of each square.
Materials:
Yarn:
For each baby afghan square, you’ll need three different colors of lightweight yarn. The yarn I used to make the sample is rated as a 3 on the yarn weight system used by the Craft Yarn Council. This is also known as "double knitting" weight or "light worsted" weight.
My sample square was worked in acrylic Bernat Softee Baby yarns in the following colors:
- Lemon (Color A -- Corresponds to lightest color on the striped heart chart)
- Pink (Color B -- corresponds to medium color on the chart)
- Soft Peach (Color C -- corresponds to darkest color on the chart)
Crochet Hook:
I / 9 / 5.50 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
For Weaving in Ends: Tapestry needle
Abbreviations:
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
Finished Size:
Gauge:
4 stitches and 4 rows = 1 inch.
Gauge isn't too critical for success with this project; an afghan square is going to be usable no matter what size it turns out. However, it is still a good idea to check your gauge; if your gauge is drastically different, you may want to switch crochet hooks.
Color Changes:
See this tutorial for how to change colors in single crochet stitch. Keep in mind that your color changes will always take place starting with the last step of the stitch you work BEFORE you want the new color to appear.
Design Notes:
While working the charted heart design, you will have one active color and two inactive colors. Crochet overtop of both inactive colors; hold them horizontally, so that they are parallel to the last row you worked. When you form your next stitch, the inactive colors will be hiding inside of the stitch. (It's OK if they peek through a little bit.)
I created a tutorial illustrating this concept; see my tapestry crochet tutorial for a step-by-step demonstration of how the technique works.
This pattern could potentially leave you with a mess of loose ends to weave in, but it won't be so bad if you crochet over the yarn ends as you go.
Afghan Square Instructions:
Using color A, ch 26. sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Begin working the striped heart chart. To keep a consistent look throughout the project, you may wish to work overtop of color B and color C starting with row 1. Work in sc, turning your work at the end of every row; use a turning chain of 1 stitch.
Starting with row 2, work through both loops of the stitches in the previous row.
When you've completed the chart, do not end off; change colors to color B.
Edging for the Baby Afghan Square:
Round 1: Using color B, work evenly spaced sl sts all the way around the square. At the end of the round, change colors to color A.
Round 2: Work through back loops only of the sl sts in the previous rounds. Work 1 sl st in each sl st, all the way around the square.
Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of yarn at least 6 inches long for weaving in. Then, remove your hook, and insert it from back to front through the next sl st. Grab the active loop and pull it through the stitch so that it will be on the back of the work. Then end off.
Weave in the ends carefully using a tapestry needle. Your work will be visible on the back of the square, so be as neat as you can.
Heart Outline in Surface Crochet (Optional)
To make the heart design stand out more, you may wish to work an outline around it in surface crochet. You can use any color you like. I used color C for the outline in the sample.
To do this, I worked slip stitches on the surface of the baby afghan square, all the way around the heart. Want to see a tutorial? Find one here: free tutorial for surface crochet slip stitches
How to Join Afghan Squares
If you would like to learn about nine different methods for joining afghan squares, visit my list of free tutorials for joining afghan squares.
Additional Photos and Resources for This Pattern:
There are so many different ways you could use this square! You're invited to check out a couple of possibilities:
- Heart sampler patchwork-style baby afghan: This afghan utilizes the heart square as pictured, plus many other colorways, joined together to create a vibrant and colorful patchwork blanket for baby girls.
- Coral heart sampler baby afghan: This is another baby blanket idea for little girls.
