Making blankets, capes, stoles, shawls, clothes, covers, tablecloths from crocheted squares is one of the most accessible, simple and common knitting methods. Square motifs are used to create a variety of interior and wardrobe items. Openwork and lacy, granny and thick, African and Afghan, complex and multi-colored. The result of different methods of knitting squares is always the same - beautiful, bright, original work.
What does an Afghan crochet square look like, its differences from a granny square, how to knit items, a step-by-step master class and patterns, modifications to the square, the best ways to tie items - all this is further in the article.
Differences between Afghan square and granny square
Probably, any knitter, without even knowing it, has crocheted a granny square at least once in her life. From the remains of yarn, choosing a combination of color and structure of threads, selecting a pattern. Craftswomen begin mastering a variety of patterned knitting techniques with the classic granny square.
Our thrifty and experienced grandmothers unraveled old things, added leftover threads, knitted small squares and re-assembled a blouse, skirt, scarf, cape. Thus, a whole trend in knitting technique appeared.
Squares are easy and simple to knit a new item, replace worn parts, lengthen or widen.
The granny square pattern consists of multi-colored stripes, the structure and thickness of the thread is approximately the same. The basis of the motif is fans of several double crochets.
At first glance, it seems that granny squares should be boring and monotonous. This is not so, they can be spectacular, expressive and even flashy. For real craftswomen, there are no restrictions in choosing a pattern and color scheme.
The Afghan crochet square, the pattern of which is slightly different from the grandma's, is also called the "Afghan flower". The basis of the motif is a circle or polygon, which is tied with petals, creating a fancy and bright flower. Some of the leaves of the motif may protrude above the work.
At the same time, all elements of the product are enclosed in a square. The scheme allows you to use yarn of different thickness, structure, color, to combine in work, seemingly incompatible. Such combinations in the Afghan pattern allow you to create bright and unique things.
The Afghan square pattern is more complex than the granny square and has a distinct floral theme. A modest or luxurious flower is always placed in the center of the work.
By alternating elongated columns, yarns, clusters and air loops, volumetric geometric figures and flowers are imitated. Knitting both Afghan and granny squares is accessible to both professional knitters and beginners.
Craftswomen can use leftover yarn from home or from friends and relatives. The unique patchwork effect and riot of colors make things knitted with Afghan or granny squares bright and elegant.
How to crochet an afghan square, step by step master class
Beginner needlewomen are advised to make their first works from yarns of approximately the same structure and thickness. This allows them to correctly calculate the size of the item and the approximate amount of yarn. More experienced craftswomen can combine yarns of different thickness and structure in their work.
But it is important to remember that squares knitted with thick yarn are much larger. When combining thick and thin yarn in work, you need to carefully select the pattern so that later it is easy to connect all the knitted elements into a single whole.
Afghan square crochet, the knitting pattern of which is given further in the article, made with acrylic yarn using hook No. 4:
- The work begins with knitting a chain of 5 VP.
- Connect the loops into a ring.
- In the first row, make 3 ch for lifting. Knit 15 psdc1n into the ring. Finish the row with psdc. Cut the thread and secure it on the back of the product.
Photo 1. First row of the Afghan square.
- From the second row, use a thread of a different color. Join the work anywhere in the ring. Knit 4 VP for lifting. In each column of the first row, knit 1 dc1n. Between the columns, make 1 VP. You should get 16 columns and 16 air loops.
Photo 2. Second row of the Afghan square.
- In the third row, make 3 VP for lifting. Then in each air loop of the second row, knit 2 dc1n. Between them, make 1 VP. Make a connecting loop, cut the thread and secure it on the back of the work.
Photo 3. Third row of the Afghan square.
- In the fourth row, join with the next thread. In the air loop arch of the previous row, knit 3 ch. In the next arch, make 1 sc, 2 ch.
- Knit 1 dc1n, 5 ch under the next air loop of the previous row. Make 1 dc1n under the next arch.
Photo 4. Beginning of the fourth row.
- Knit 2 in p, *1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc, 2 ch, 1 dc1n, 5 ch, 1 dc1n, 2 ch*. Repeat the rapport from * to *, finish the row with sst.
Photo 5. The fourth row is completely knitted.
- In the fifth row, make 3 VP for lifting, under the air loops of the previous row, knit 2 dc1n. In the following arches, except for the corner ones, make 3 dc1n.
- In the corner arches, knit 3 dc1n, 3 ch, 3 dc1n.
Photo 6. Beginning of the fifth row.
- Thus tie the entire workpiece. Finish the row with st.
Photo 7. The fifth row is complete.
- Start the sixth row with 3 ch. In each double crochet of the previous row, except for the corner arches, make 1 sc1n.
Photo 8. Beginning of the sixth row.
- In the corner arches, make 2 dc1n, 3 ch, 2 dc1n. Finish knitting the row with dc. Cut the thread, secure the tail on the back side of the work. The simple Afghan square motif is ready.
Photo 9. The motif is completely ready.
Table 1. Conventional symbols on the diagram.
| Conventional designations | Transcript |
| vp | air loop |
| sst | connecting post |
| stsn | double crochet |
| stbn | single crochet |
Modifications of the square
Crocheting is a creative and exciting activity, and the flight of fantasy is not limited by anything. Knitters give each thing its individuality and character. A slightly changed stitch or a different yarn over makes the work look different. Craftswomen have been adding something of their own to knitting motifs for centuries.
The Afghan and granny squares, crocheted using the classic pattern, have changed today, become more interesting and brighter.
There are many original patterns for knitting a square motif:
- In a spiral. Squares knitted in a spiral look unusual. This simple knitting technique is based on the use of yarn of four colors of the same thickness at the same time.
The work starts from the center and is knitted in a circle with a change of thread in sectors. The formation of a square occurs due to the addition of columns at the corners of the figure in each row.
- Openwork. Openwork crochet squares are delicate, airy and unique details that can diversify and decorate the interior.
Napkins, festive tablecloths, capes, decorative trim elements for bed linen, children's and women's blouses and many other things can be knitted with an openwork pattern.
- With lush columns. Using double crochet stitches as a basis, you can crochet amazing things. The peculiarity of lush stitches is that they always turn out neat and even. Motifs crocheted with such elements look voluminous, elegant and very advantageous.
- Stained glass. Julie Yeager, having decided to tie an Afghan flower with an outline pattern from one-color yarn, unexpectedly created a whole trend in knitting square motifs. The woman called the new technique stained glass, because it was stained glass that the resulting elements reminded her of.
The color of the outline is of great importance for stained glass squares, so its choice must be approached very carefully.
- Spanish. The Spanish square is bright, eye-catching, unusual. It seems to be embroidered, not knitted. It really has something of Spanish passion and drive. Knitting is based on alternating long pull-through stitches through a row.
The work can be done both from light to dark tones and vice versa. The Spanish square is usually bound with black yarn, emphasizing the created pattern.
- African. The African square or African flower is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful multi-colored motifs.
Its peculiarity is that the element can be given any shape - square, triangular, multifaceted. Thanks to this, African motifs can be used to create both flat and even canvas and volumetric figures.
- Royal. The royal square got its name for its spectacular appearance. The motif repeats the intricate patterns that decorated ancient castles. It is usually knitted from thin yarn and is used to create tablecloths, napkins, summer stoles, scarves, and blankets.
- Greek. The motif got its name due to its similarity to architectural patterns that came from Ancient Greece. It is most often used for knitting summer items.
Having mastered different ways of knitting a square, you can try to create floral motifs in a circle, oval, polygon. In this case, you will get an exclusive product, fashionable and eye-catching.
Afghan Square Blanket
Bright and bold, delicate and monochrome, thick and openwork, winter and summer blankets, bedspreads, capes are in every home. Correctly selected colors will allow you to fit such a thing, knitted from squares, into almost any interior.
The Afghan crochet square (its knitting pattern is simple for beginners) is perfect for creating blankets. The bright and original blankets brought from Afghanistan made a strong impression on English craftswomen of the Victorian era.
Inspired by Afghan motifs, knitters began to create blankets themselves, adding their own motifs to them. The main feature of blankets made from Afghan squares is that there are no rules. They boldly combine different colors and structures, patterns and shapes.
For both beginner knitters and experienced craftswomen, making a bedspread, blanket, or cape using Afghan squares will not be difficult:
- There are no restrictions in the choice of color when working. Elements can be multi-colored or monochromatic, combined sequentially, in a checkerboard pattern or in a random order.
- The size of the details can be any. In one blanket it is possible to combine a large element and several small ones, stripes and squares.
- In an Afghan blanket, a combination of threads of different thicknesses is acceptable.
- You can knit the central or outer parts with different patterns, thus creating an original and whimsical design of the fabric.
- The elements can be square or connected by wide strips. The connection method is chosen arbitrarily.
- You can knit a thick blanket for the cold season or for summer.
- You can decorate the edges of your work with small pompoms, tassels, openwork borders, and fringe.
When working on creating an Afghan crochet blanket, the craftswoman shows her fantasy, resourcefulness, imagination, and brings individuality and originality to her work. The patterns for knitting capes are simple and understandable for beginning needlewomen.
By crocheting squares of varying complexity, from simple to complex and multi-layered, the knitter gets the opportunity to gradually improve her skills and gain experience.
A blanket made of Afghan squares will decorate a bed, sofa, armchair, warm household members in the cold season, complement the interior of the home or, on the contrary, become a bright accent spot.
Product binding
The Afghan crochet square, the pattern of which is simple and clear, is perfect for tying products. Using the remains of the available yarn, the craftswoman can completely transform the product.
Afghan squares allow you to lengthen the sleeves and bottom of clothes, decorate a boring and tired thing, giving it a new life, add individuality, and unite a set into one whole.
Square motifs are used to decorate the edges of large items to prevent curling. Ponchos, capes, bedspreads, stoles tied with squares look harmonious, neat, and finished.
Openwork squares are used in piping bed and table linen. Sheets, tablecloths, napkins, pillowcases with lace trim look elegant and festive.
Other product options
Using square motifs, you can crochet original wardrobe and interior items.
Afghan squares help to create bright and unusual things from ordinary yarn:
- colorful shawls, scarves, stoles, warming and uplifting;
- luxurious covers for stools, chairs, armchairs, capes that decorate the home;
- skirts, blouses, sweaters, dresses, sundresses, vests, creating an impressive wardrobe;
- multi-colored bags, wallets, eyeglass cases, covers, backpacks for leisure, walking, work;
- pillows, rugs, potholders, coasters, often used in the household,
- swimsuits, beach pareos, sun hats, so necessary during the long-awaited vacation.
Hand-knitted items with love and imagination are valued for their originality, beauty and quality. They will become a favorite item in your wardrobe, a great gift for friends and family.
Tips for Beginners
Any work has its own subtleties and tricks. Crocheting is no exception. When working with squares, two questions arise: how to hide the end of the yarn and how to connect individual elements into one whole?
It is easy to remove the remaining ends of the threads. The square has denser and thinner sections. The ends are tucked into dense sections of the same color as the remaining thread with a hook, and the excess is cut off.
There are 2 ways to connect squares:
- Sew with a needle and thread on the back side of the product, having previously matched it to the color. This method is better for joining openwork items.
- There are several ways to crochet the elements. The simplest is to connect the parts with a tie or connecting posts, placing the motifs with the front parts facing each other. In this case, the hook is inserted behind the back walls of the loops of both parts.
Sometimes a craftswoman wants to create a beautiful, effective rib. In this case, the parts are connected on the front side, and the hook can be inserted under the back and under both walls of the loops, making connecting or single crochet stitches.
The choice of color of the working thread depends on the craftswoman’s idea – to match the product or contrasting. In any case, it is necessary to understand why the squares are connected. For some products, a tight connection is necessary, and for others it is not important.
Things created with an Afghan square crochet, using a simple or complex knitting pattern, look unusual and attractive. They can become a favorite part of the wardrobe and interior detail of the needlewoman herself or a cute and useful gift for friends and relatives.
Video about knitting
Afghan square crochet: