Awareness Ribbon Afghan Project

Awareness Ribbon Afghan Project by Kristine Mullen

Project Overview

The Awareness Ribbon Afghan is a meaningful crochet blanket designed to honor friends and loved ones facing any kind of trial or challenge. This intermediate-level project combines multiple awareness ribbon designs into a cohesive throw blanket, with each ribbon motif worked in its corresponding awareness color paired with white. The finished afghan measures 44 ½" X 58 ½", making it an ideal size for a lap throw or bed accent.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a complete afghan composed of individual awareness ribbon squares that are crocheted separately and then assembled. Each square measures 6.25" X 8.25" and features a specific awareness ribbon design measuring 3.25" X 5.5" within the square. The afghan incorporates multiple awareness ribbons, with the designer noting that after extensive research, all major awareness ribbons are included in the pattern list.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

The Awareness Ribbon Afghan uses fundamental crochet techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The primary stitches employed include:

• Double crochet (dc) – the main stitch used throughout the project
• Half double crochet (hdc) – used for shaping and detail work
• Single crochet (sc) – for joining and finishing edges
• Chain stitch (ch) – for foundation and spacing
• Slip stitch (sl st) – for joining rounds and connecting pieces

The pattern uses a color-work technique with contrasting colors (CC) and main color (MC) to create the ribbon designs within each square. The gauge is 3.5 double crochets per 1 inch, which helps ensure consistent sizing across all squares.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

This project uses #4 worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that works up quickly and creates a substantial, durable blanket. The total yarn requirements are:

• Approximately 0.3 oz. of ribbon color yarn per individual square
• Approximately 0.5 oz. of white yarn per square
• 20 oz. total of ribbon color yarn (if making all squares in the same color)
• 36 oz. total of white yarn for the complete afghan

Crafters have the flexibility to use either a single ribbon color throughout or vary the colors to represent different awareness ribbons. The pattern accommodates yarn scraps, though the designer recommends ensuring all ribbon motifs are worked to the same size. An I/9 (5.50 mm) crochet hook is used with the worsted weight yarn, and a yarn needle is needed for weaving in ends and assembling the squares.

Pattern Notes and Considerations

When working with yarn scraps or multiple brands of worsted weight yarn, it is important to verify that all ribbons reach the same finished size. The designer notes that some #4 worsted weight yarns from different manufacturers may produce larger or smaller stitches, requiring hook size adjustments to maintain consistency. This attention to detail ensures a professional-looking finished afghan with uniform squares.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Awareness Ribbon Afghan is suitable for crocheters with basic stitch knowledge who are ready to work with color changes and assemble multiple components into a finished piece. The repetitive nature of creating multiple squares makes it an approachable project despite its size.