Skull Hexagon Afghan Block

Skull Hexagon Afghan Block by Spider Mambo

Project Overview

The Skull Hexagon Afghan Block is a crochet pattern designed by Spider Mambo for creating decorative hexagonal blocks featuring skull motifs. These blocks are ideal for assembling into blankets and throws, offering crafters an intermediate-level project that combines geometric shaping with themed imagery. The pattern provides flexibility in sizing and skull orientation, allowing makers to customize their finished pieces.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces hexagonal crochet blocks that can be joined together to form larger afghans, blankets, or throws. The hexagons feature skull designs that can be positioned in two different orientations: offset or upright. The modular nature of these blocks makes them suitable for building projects of any desired size by simply crocheting and joining multiple hexagons.

Sizing Options

• Small Hexagon: Measures 6 inches across, with 8 inches measured on the diagonal
• Large Hexagon: Measures 8 inches across, with 10 inches measured on the diagonal

Crochet Techniques and Construction

The Skull Hexagon Afghan Block employs fundamental crochet techniques to build the hexagonal shape and create the skull details. The pattern begins with a chain foundation and uses circular construction methods to develop the geometric hexagon form. All hexagons follow the same foundational structure through row 6, where the forehead shaping begins to differentiate the skull design.

The skull features are created through strategic stitch placement and spacing, including dedicated sections for teeth, nose, and eye areas. The pattern uses turning chains and directional stitching to establish facial features while maintaining the overall hexagonal perimeter. Larger hexagons incorporate an additional round of shells, allowing crafters to scale up their blocks without requiring a completely different pattern.

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch): Foundation and spacing stitch
• Single Crochet (sc): Primary stitch for creating fabric density and detail work
• Half Double Crochet (hdc): Medium-height stitch for structure
• Double Crochet (dc): Taller stitch used in decorative elements such as teeth
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Joining stitch for seamless construction

Materials and Tools

This pattern is designed for use with worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides good stitch definition and durability for blanket projects. The recommended hook size is an I hook (5.50 mm), which pairs appropriately with worsted weight yarn to create the specified hexagon dimensions.

Pattern Structure

The pattern is written in American crochet terms and includes three distinct options for crafters to choose from: an offset skull hexagon, an upright skull hexagon, and the ability to make each style in either small or large sizing. This flexibility allows makers to customize their afghan projects based on personal preference and desired final dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern assumes crafters have foundational knowledge of basic crochet stitches and can follow written pattern instructions. The geometric hexagon construction and skull detailing require attention to stitch placement and counting, making it suitable for those with some crochet experience.

Designer Support

This pattern is created by independent designer Spider Mambo. Crafters with questions or needing assistance can contact the designer at Annierobic@yahoo.com for support.