Crochet! SIP Best-Ever Afghans

A crocheted afghan, lovingly made by hand one careful stitch at a time, is a unique creation that cannot be reproduced by machine. The timeless skills of hand and hook working together to create crochet magic are gloriously captured in the splendid examples of afghan artistry featured in this issue. As you peruse these pages, you'll be inspired by a treasure trove of beautiful and innovative afghan creations that showcase the handiwork of premier crochet designers. From classic favorites to the latest styles, this eclectic collection offers the perfect design for every occasion, stitching preference, skill level and personal taste. Whether made to enhance a decorating scheme, give as a treasured gift, donate to charity or proudly display in a judged exhibit, each afghan in this cream-of-the-crop collection is sure…

SKILL LEVEL FINISHED SIZE Approximately 45 x 65 inches MATERIALS • Fine (sport) weight mohairstyle yarn (1¾ oz/235 yds/50g per ball): 12 balls lilac • Size J/10/6mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge • Tapestry needle GAUGE Worked loosely, 2 pattern reps = 3 inches SPECIAL STITCHES Fan: 3 dc in st indicated. Crossed fan: *Yo, insert hook in front of fan indicated and into st indicated, yo, draw lp through, pull lp long enough to clear posts of dc of fan, [yo and draw through 2 lps on hook] twice, rep from * twice. AFGHAN Note: Remember to work loosely. Row 1: Ch 170, fan (see Special Stitches) in 6th ch from hook, ch 3, crossed fan (see Special Stitches) in 4th sk ch, sk ch at base of first fan…

SKILL LEVEL FINISHED SIZE 44 x 62 inches MATERIALS • Medium (worsted) weight yarn: 42 oz/2,940 yds/1,260g off-white 13 oz/910 yds/390g variegated • Size I/9/5.5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge GAUGE 7 dc = 2 inches PATTERN NOTES Chain-3 at beginning of row or round counts as double crochet unless otherwise stated. Join with slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated. AFGHAN Base Row 1 (WS): With off-white, ch 148, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (see Pattern Notes), dc in each sc across, turn. Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each dc across, turn. Rows 4–171: [Rep rows 2 and 3 alternately] 84 times. At end of last row, fasten off. Trim Rows Row 1: Hold…

SKILL LEVEL FINISHED SIZE 48 x 57 inches MATERIALS • Red Heart Super Saver medium (worsted) weight yarn (7 oz/364 yds/198g per skein): 5 skeins #0661 frosty green • Size H/8/5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge • Tapestry needle • Stitch markers GAUGE 10 dc = 3 inches PATTERN NOTES Chain-3 at beginning of double crochet rows or rounds counts as first double crochet unless otherwise stated. Chain-3 at beginning of half double crochet rows or rounds counts as first half double crochet and chain-1 unless otherwise stated. Chain-4 at beginning of treble crochet rows or rounds counts as first treble crochet and chain-1 unless otherwise stated. Chain-5 at beginning of double crochet rows or rounds counts as first double crochet and chain-2 unless otherwise stated. Join…

SKILL LEVEL FINISHED SIZE 51 x 62 inches MATERIALS • Red Heart Super Saver medium (worsted) weight yarn (solids: 7 oz/364 yds/198g per skein; multis: 5 oz/244 yds/141g per skein:) 5 skeins #0310 monet print 4 skeins #0312 black 1 skein #0661 frosty green • Size I/9/5.5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge GAUGE 5 sts = 1½ inches; 3 rows = 2½ inches PATTERN NOTES Chain-3 at beginning of row or round counts as first double crochet unless otherwise stated. Join with slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated. SPECIAL STITCHES Shell: (Sl st, ch 3–see Pattern Notes, 3 dc, ch 3–counts as 5th dc, sl st) as indicated in instructions. Inverted shell: Dc dec (see Stitch Guide) in next 5 sts. AFGHAN Row 1: With black, ch…

ONE-PIECE WONDERS SKILL LEVEL FINISHED SIZE 42 x 58 inches, excluding Fringe MATERIALS • Medium (worsted) weight yarn: 24 oz/1,200 yds/680g each brown and off-white • Size I/9/5.5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge GAUGE 5 sc = 1 inch; 6 sc rows = 2 inches PATTERN NOTES Leave 6-inch end when fastening off to be worked into Fringe. Join with slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated. SPECIAL STITCH Long double crochet (lng dc): Yo, insert hook in rem lp of previous row directly below, yo, pull up lp, [yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice. AFGHAN Row 1: With brown, ch 182, hdc in 2nd ch from hook (first 2 chs count as first hdc), hdc in each rem ch across, turn. (181 hdc) Rows 2–4:…