Larksfoot Afghan in Caron United - Downloadable PDF

Larksfoot Afghan in Caron United – Free Crochet Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Caron guides crocheters through creating a striking Larksfoot Afghan, a classic striped blanket worked in a repeating textural stitch pattern. The finished throw measures approximately 48" x 60" [122 x 152.5 cm], making it a generous lap blanket or cozy bed throw. Rated Easy, this project is well suited to beginner and confident beginner crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and simple color changes.

What Is Being Made

The Larksfoot Afghan is a full-size crocheted blanket worked flat in rows. Its bold, graphic stripe design is created through a structured six-row stripe repeat, alternating three colors in a rhythmic sequence. The combination of standard double crochet and the signature extended double crochet stitch gives the fabric its distinctive raised, textural "larksfoot" appearance. The result is a visually dynamic yet approachable project that works up steadily and rewards repetition.

Colorwork and Stripe Pattern

The blanket uses three colors of Caron United yarn in a structured stripe repeat:

• Main Color (MC): White (06001) – 4 skeins
• Contrast A: Royal (06013) – 4 skeins
• Contrast B: Red (06008) – 4 skeins

The six-row stripe pattern cycles through two rows of MC, two rows of Contrast A, and two rows of Contrast B. Colors are joined by working to the last two loops of the final stitch in the outgoing color and drawing the new color through, creating neat, tidy color joins with minimal finishing. The pattern repeats from row 3 through row 6 continuously until the piece reaches the full 60" length, ending with two rows of Contrast A before fastening off.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Larksfoot Afghan is built on a small but effective vocabulary of crochet stitches and techniques:

• Chain (ch): Used to start the foundation chain of 145 stitches and as turning chains throughout.
• Double crochet (dc): The foundational stitch of the pattern, worked in groups of three with chain-1 spaces creating an open mesh-like grid.
• Extended double crochet: The signature stitch of this pattern. It is worked by yarning over, inserting the hook into a chain-1 space two rows below the current row, drawing up a long loop, then completing the stitch with two yarn-over-and-draw-through sequences. This elongated stitch reaches down into the fabric, pulling up texture and creating the characteristic larksfoot relief effect that gives the blanket its name.
• Turning chains: A chain-3 turning chain counts as a double crochet throughout; a chain-4 turning chain counts as a double crochet plus a chain-1 space, depending on the row.
• Color joining: New yarn colors are introduced mid-stitch at the end of a row, a standard colorwork technique that keeps stripe edges clean and eliminates the need for weaving in extra ends at row starts.

Understanding the Extended Double Crochet (Larksfoot Stitch)

The extended double crochet is what sets this pattern apart from a simple striped blanket. Rather than inserting the hook into the stitch or space directly on the working row, the crocheter reaches down two rows into a chain-1 space from a previous row and draws up a longer-than-usual loop. This technique locks the current row of stitches into the rows below, creating a subtle but beautiful three-dimensional texture across the surface of the fabric. It is a beginner-friendly introduction to post-style and elongated stitch techniques without requiring complex maneuvering.

Materials and Tools

The pattern calls for Caron United, an aran weight (size 4) yarn, available in 4 oz / 113 g skeins with approximately 235 yards / 215 m per skein. A total of 12 skeins are required across the three colors (4 skeins each of White, Royal, and Red). Caron United is a smooth, easy-care yarn that works up evenly and is ideal for colorwork projects