afghan square
Op Art Afghan Square
Author
Jennifer Christensen
Introduction
I designed this square for an afghan square swap I was involved in a few years ago. The square was named by a friend of mine.
Materials List
2 colors of worsted weight yarn (A & B)
Size I/5.50mm Hook (or size needed for gauge)
Tapestry/Yarn needle
Finished Size
12 inches
Gauge
4 dc and 2 rows = 1 inch
Notes
YO - Yarn Over
Sp - space
Ch - chain
Sl st - slip stitch
St - stitch
Hdc - half double crochet
Dc - double crochet
Sk - skip
Special Stitches:
Beginning Extended Double Cluster (Beg- Cluster):
Ch 4, [YO, insert hook into back lop of 3rd ch from hook, YO, pull through 2 loops] repeat once (3 loops on hook), YO, pull through all 3 loops (beginning cluster made)
Extended Double Cluster (Ex-Cluster):
YO, insert hook into st indicated, YO, pull through 1 loop on hook (chain made), YO, pull through 2 loops on hook, [YO, insert hook into the chain at bottom of first stitch , YO, pull through 2 loops on hook] repeat once more (4 loops on hook). YO, pull through all 4 loops.
3 Double Crochet Cluster (3-dc cluster):
[YO, insert hook into st or sp indicated, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook] 3 X’s, (4 loops on hook), YO, pull through all 4 loops.
V-Stitch (V-st):
2 double crochet in space indicated.
The Pattern
Instructions:
Rnd 1 - With color A, make Beg-Cluster (see special stitches), ch 3, [make Ex-Cluster in the free chain at bottom of Beg-Cluster, ch 3] 3 X’s, join with slp st to top of Beg-Cluster, finish off color A. (4 Ex-clusters, 4 ch 3 sp’s)
Rnd 2 - Join color B in any ch 3 sp, [Ch 3, dc twice, ch 2, dc 3 X’s] in same sp. *[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in next ch 3 sp, repeat around, join with slp st in 3rd ch of ch 3, finish off color B (24 dc, 4 ch 2 sp’s)
Rnd 3 - Join color A in any ch 2 sp, [Ch 3, dc, ch 2, dc twice] in ch 2 sp, ch 1, *[sk 2 dc, in sp between the dc’s before the next dc, make 3-dc cluster (see special stitches), ch 1] twice, sk 2 dc, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch 2 sp. Repeat from * around, join with slp st in 3rd ch of ch 3, finish off color A.


