Spiky Circle Afghan Square

Spiky Circle Afghan Square by Julie Yeager

What is Being Made

The Spiky Circle Afghan Square is a 12-inch crochet square designed by Julie Yeager. This intermediate-level project creates a decorative afghan square featuring a circular motif with dimensional spike elements. The finished square measures 12 inches across and is suitable for combining with other squares to create a larger afghan blanket or for use as a standalone decorative piece.

Crochet Techniques Used

This pattern employs several specialized crochet techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished square:

• Working Between Stitches: The primary technique throughout this pattern involves placing stitches between two stitches of the previous round rather than working into the stitches themselves. This unconventional approach creates the distinctive spiky appearance and dimensional quality of the design.
• Color Work: The pattern utilizes three distinct yarn colors in a strategic sequence. Color A is worked in all odd-numbered rounds, while Colors B and C are incorporated in alternating even-numbered rounds to create visual contrast and definition.
• Corner Stitches: The pattern includes specific instructions for corner placement, with variations between 3-stitch and 5-stitch corners depending on the round being worked. These corners are positioned between specific stitches to maintain the square shape and spike pattern.
• Fastening Off and Rejoining: The pattern allows flexibility in yarn management, permitting crocheters to either fasten off and rejoin yarn between rounds or hold yarn to the back of the work for a cleaner appearance.

Stitches Used

While the PDF content provided does not list every individual stitch abbreviation, the pattern clearly employs fundamental crochet stitches worked in the distinctive between-the-stitches method. The instructions reference chain stitches (noted as "Ch-4") and reference to standard crochet stitches placed in the spaces between previous round stitches. The pattern progresses through multiple rounds, with each round building upon the previous to create the circular spike motif.

Materials and Tools

The Spiky Circle Afghan Square pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended color blocking and finished dimensions:

• Yarn: Vanna's Choice worsted weight yarn in three colors: Aqua (Color A), Scarlet (Color B), and White (Color C). Worsted weight yarn provides excellent stitch definition and is ideal for displaying the between-the-stitches technique.
• Crochet Hook: Size I (5.5 mm) hook is recommended for working with the worsted weight yarn.
• Gauge: After completing 3 rounds, the square should measure 3 3/4 inches across. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the finished square to reach the intended 12-inch dimension.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. While it uses fundamental crochet techniques, the primary challenge lies in mastering the between-the-stitches working method, which requires careful attention to stitch placement and differs from conventional crochet approaches. Crocheters with basic crochet skills and experience working in rounds will find this pattern manageable with careful attention to the specialized technique instructions.