Crochet Striped Afghan in Bernat Velvet - Downloadable PDF

Crochet Striped Afghan in Bernat Velvet – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern

This Crochet Striped Afghan is a beautifully simple yet striking blanket pattern designed for crochet enthusiasts of all experience levels, particularly those just beginning their crochet journey. Rated as a beginner difficulty project, it produces a generously sized throw measuring approximately 50" x 55" (127 x 139.5 cm) — large enough to drape comfortably over a sofa or use as a cozy bed accent. The bold two-color striped design gives the finished piece a modern, stylish look that suits a wide range of home décor styles.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a striped crochet afghan, also referred to as a throw blanket. Afghans of this style are classic crochet staples — versatile, practical, and satisfying to make. The stripe pattern creates clean horizontal bands of color across the blanket, giving it a graphic, contemporary aesthetic. This particular design is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it an accessible choice for crafters looking for high-quality patterns without additional cost.

Materials Used

Yarn

The pattern is specifically designed for Bernat Velvet yarn, a luxuriously soft 100% polyester yarn that mimics the plush feel of velvet fabric. It is classified as a Bulky weight (weight 5) yarn, which allows projects to work up quickly and creates a thick, cozy fabric with excellent drape. Each skein contains 10.5 oz / 300 g and approximately 315 yards / 288 m of yarn.

The pattern calls for two contrast colors:

• Contrast A – Rich Blue (32019): 3 balls
• Contrast B – Terracotta Rose (32017): 3 balls

This gives a total of 6 balls of Bernat Velvet yarn across both colors. The pairing of Rich Blue and Terracotta Rose creates a warm yet bold color contrast that is on-trend and visually appealing. Of course, crafters may substitute their own preferred colorways from the Bernat Velvet range to suit personal taste or home décor.

Hook

The recommended crochet hook size is a U.S. K/10½ (6.5 mm) crochet hook. This larger hook size is well-suited to bulky yarn and helps create the open, plush texture that makes this afghan so inviting. Using the correct hook size is important for achieving the intended gauge and finished dimensions.

Gauge

The pattern gauge is 12 stitches in single crochet, which is standard for bulky weight yarn worked on a 6.5 mm hook. Checking gauge before beginning ensures the finished blanket matches the stated measurements of 50" x 55".

Techniques and Stitches Used

Primary Stitch

The Crochet Striped Afghan is worked primarily in single crochet (sc), one of the most fundamental and beginner-friendly crochet stitches. Single crochet creates a dense, firm fabric that is ideal for blankets and throws, providing warmth and structure. Because the stitch is short and tight, it pairs beautifully with the plush texture of Bernat Velvet yarn, enhancing the velvet-like surface quality of the finished fabric.

Striping Technique

The defining design element of this pattern is its stripe construction. Stripes in crochet are typically created by changing yarn colors at the end of a row, allowing the crocheter to alternate between two or more colors in a regular sequence. This technique is straightforward and beginner-friendly — no complex colorwork or intarsia is required. The color change method in crochet involves completing the last pull-through of a stitch with the new color, creating a clean transition between stripes.

Working with two contrasting colors, Contrast A (Rich Blue) and Contrast B (Terracotta Rose), the crafter builds up horizontal bands across the width of the blanket. Managing two yarn balls simultaneously is a useful skill that beginners can easily develop while working through this pattern.

Construction Method