Cover to Cover Afghan

Cover to Cover Afghan by Peter Franzi

Project Overview

The Cover to Cover Afghan is an intermediate-level crochet blanket and throw designed by Peter Franzi. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished piece measuring approximately 60 inches by 57 inches, making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or using as a decorative throw blanket. The project showcases advanced cable techniques worked in a classic cream colorway, combining multiple stitch patterns to create visual depth and texture.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a substantial crochet afghan featuring intricate cable work. The blanket is constructed using worsted-weight yarn in a cream color, resulting in a classic, versatile throw that complements various home décor styles. The finished dimensions of approximately 60" x 57" make it suitable for use on beds, couches, or as a decorative accent piece.

Yarn and Materials

The Cover to Cover Afghan requires Caron One Pound yarn in Cream, a 100% acrylic fiber. The pattern calls for 7 skeins, providing a total of 812 yards (742 meters) of worsted-weight yarn. This yardage and fiber content make the project accessible and practical for most crocheters. Additional materials include an H/5 (5.0mm) crochet hook and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 11 rows over 4 inches. Crocheters should work a gauge swatch before beginning the main project to ensure accurate sizing. The pattern includes instructions for adjusting hook size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge, allowing flexibility for individual tension variations.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

The Cover to Cover Afghan employs several advanced crochet techniques that define its intermediate difficulty level. The pattern features multiple specialized cable stitches that create dimensional, textured patterns throughout the blanket.

• Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc): This stitch works around the post of stitches from previous rows, creating raised texture on the front of the fabric. The pattern uses FPdc extensively in combination with skipped stitches to form twisted and cable effects.
• Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc): Working around the post from the back, this stitch complements the FPdc to create dimensional cable patterns and is used frequently in the pattern rows.
• Half Double Crochet (hdc): This shorter stitch is incorporated into the gauge swatch and pattern sections to vary texture and create visual interest.
• Front Post Treble (FPtr): A taller post stitch that works around treble-height posts, FPtr is used in the more complex cable patterns to create dramatic raised effects.
• Treble (tr): Standard treble stitches are used within cable sequences to create height and structure.
• Foundation Double Crochet (fdc): The pattern begins with foundation stitches, a modern technique that creates a finished edge without requiring a separate foundation chain.
• Chain (ch): Used for turning chains and pattern spacing throughout the project.

Cable Stitch Patterns

The afghan features three distinct cable stitch patterns that work together to create the overall design:

• Twisted Cable (TwC): A two-row pattern that skips stitches and works front post double crochets into both the skipped and working stitches, creating a twisted rope-like effect. Row 1 establishes the twist by working FPdc in the next stitch and then in the skipped stitch. Row 2 completes the pattern with back post double crochets, creating a reversible texture.
• Treble Cable (TC): A four-row pattern using front post trebles to create more dramatic cable crossings. This pattern skips 3 stitches, works FPtr around the posts of the next 3 stitches working in front, then works FPtr into the 3 skipped stitches, followed by FPtr in the next 3 stitches. Back post double crochets fill in the pattern on alternating rows, with a reverse cable crossing on row 3.
• Celtic Plait (CP): A complex pattern combining skipped stitches with front post trebles and regular trebles, working both in front of and behind previous stitches to create an