Firenze Afghan Block

Firenze Afghan Block by Julie Yeager

Project Overview

The Firenze Afghan Block is a 9-inch crochet square designed by Julie Yeager as an intermediate-level project perfect for creating afghans, blankets, or decorative home pieces. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for constructing a single block that can be repeated and joined to form larger projects.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a 9-inch square afghan block suitable for combining with multiple blocks to form larger afghans or blankets. The block features a two-color design using contrasting colors to create visual interest and texture. Individual blocks can be sewn or crocheted together to create custom-sized blankets, throws, or decorative afghans.

Crochet Techniques Used

The Firenze Afghan Block employs several intermediate crochet techniques that add dimension and visual appeal to the finished piece. The pattern utilizes post stitches, which are worked around the post of stitches from previous rows rather than into the top loops, creating a textured, three-dimensional effect. This technique is fundamental to the block's structure and appearance.

The pattern incorporates front post stitches worked from the front side of the fabric, allowing for raised, dimensional details. The design also uses back post stitches worked from the back side, creating varied texture and visual interest across the block surface. Working in rounds is a key component of this pattern's construction method.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• Ch-3 (Chain-3): At the beginning of a round, chain-3 counts as a double crochet stitch
• Dc (Double Crochet): A fundamental stitch used throughout the pattern
• Bpsc (Back Post Single Crochet): Insert hook from the back side of work right to left around the post of the indicated stitch; yarn over and pull up a loop, then yarn over and draw through two loops
• Sc2tog (Single Crochet 2 Together): A decrease stitch created by inserting hook into the next stitch and yarn over, then inserting into the following stitch and yarn over, then yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook
• Fptr (Front Post Triple Crochet): A raised stitch worked from the front side of the fabric around the post of indicated stitches, created with two initial yarn overs before inserting the hook

Materials Required

This pattern uses worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn ideal for creating fabric with good drape and durability. The Firenze Afghan Block calls for Vanna's Choice or other medium weight yarn in two colors:

• Color A (White): 60 yards
• Color B (Aqua): 60 yards

Additional materials include a size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook and 4 stitch markers to help track stitches and rounds during construction. Stitch markers are essential tools for intermediate crocheters working with post stitches and complex stitch patterns.

Pattern Notes

An important note regarding post stitches: when working post stitches in this pattern, you will not work "into" the same stitch that you work "around." The pattern does not require skipping stitches; instead, you work around the post of the stitch rather than into the two top loops, maintaining proper stitch count and fabric structure throughout the project.