Heart to Heart Afghan Block

Heart to Heart Afghan Block by Julie Yeager

Project Overview

The Heart to Heart Afghan Block is a 9-inch crochet square designed by Julie Yeager for crafters seeking an intermediate-level project. This downloadable pattern creates a decorative afghan block suitable for joining multiple squares into a larger blanket or throw. The design features colorwork with three distinct yarn colors and incorporates specialty stitches for visual interest and texture.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single 9-inch square afghan block intended as a modular component. Multiple blocks can be crocheted and joined together to create a complete afghan or blanket. The square design makes it versatile for various project sizes and allows crafters to customize their finished piece by adjusting the number of blocks used.

Yarn and Materials

The Heart to Heart Afghan Block uses three coordinating colors of Vanna's Choice yarn:

• Color A: Vanna's Choice White
• Color B: Vanna's Choice Baby Aqua
• Color C: Vanna's Choice Scarlet

Vanna's Choice is a worsted weight and aran weight yarn option, making it suitable for this intermediate project. A Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook is the suggested tool for working with these yarns at the recommended gauge.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

This pattern employs several fundamental and specialty crochet techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters:

• Foundation Ring: The block begins with a chain-4 foundation joined into a ring, a common method for starting circular motifs
• Double Crochet (dc): The primary stitch used throughout the pattern for structure and consistency
• Treble Crochet (tr): Used in combination with double crochets to create texture variation and stitch height changes
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Employed to join rounds and create seamless transitions between color changes
• Chain Stitch (ch): Used for turning chains and foundation work; chains count as stitches in the stitch count
• Back Loop Only (BLO) Technique: Round 2 is worked in the back loop only, creating a textured ridge that adds visual dimension to the finished block
• Yo-Yo Stitch (Special Stitch): A decorative specialty stitch created by working 12 double crochets in a single stitch, then rotating the work clockwise and joining with a slip stitch to the first double crochet. This creates a dimensional, puffy element
• M-v Stitch or Modified V-Stitch (Special Stitch): Worked as (double crochet, slip stitch, double crochet) in the same stitch, creating a V-shaped motif

Pattern Construction

The pattern is worked in rounds from the center outward, a classic approach for creating square motifs. The instructions note that chain-3 at the beginning of a round counts as a double crochet, which is important for maintaining accurate stitch counts. The pattern specifically identifies corners worked over two stitches throughout, with a helpful suggestion to mark corner stitches to prevent confusion during construction. This structured approach makes the pattern manageable for intermediate-level crocheters while creating a polished, professional-looking finished block.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes familiarity with basic crochet stitches and techniques. The inclusion of specialty stitches like the Yo-Yo and Modified V-Stitch, combined with color changes and the back-loop-only technique, provides appropriate challenge without overwhelming newer crocheters. The clear stitch count guidance and corner marking suggestions support successful completion.