Lines of Elegance Afghan

Lines of Elegance Afghan by Alicia LaFontaine

Project Overview

The Lines of Elegance Afghan is an intermediate-level crochet blanket and throw designed by Alicia LaFontaine. This finished piece measures 42 inches by 66 inches, making it an ideal size for a cozy throw blanket or decorative afghan for home use. The project showcases elegant stitch work suitable for crafters with some crochet experience looking to expand their skills.

Craft and Techniques

This design is created using the crochet technique, which involves using a single hook to loop yarn into interconnected stitches. The Lines of Elegance Afghan employs a row-by-row construction method, with the crocheter turning the work at the end of each row to build the fabric in a structured, directional manner. The pattern incorporates the puff stitch as a featured technique, which creates dimensional, textured elements throughout the design. Understanding proper stitch direction for the puff stitch is essential before beginning this project, as detailed in the pattern's stitch direction section.

Stitches Used

• Double Crochet (dc): A fundamental stitch used throughout the pattern, with a gauge of 7 double crochets measuring 2 inches in width
• Puff Stitch: A decorative, dimensional stitch that creates texture and visual interest, with specific stitch direction instructions provided in the pattern
• Chain Stitch (Ch-3): Used as a turning chain that counts as a stitch throughout the entire pattern

Materials and Tools

The Lines of Elegance Afghan requires approximately 2,550 yards of worsted weight yarn. The featured version is worked in Mainstays Basic acrylic yarn in the Teal colorway, which provides 397 yards per 7-ounce skein and is 100% acrylic. Additional materials include a US J10.0 hook (6.00mm size), scissors for cutting yarn, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing details.

Yarn Weight and Fiber

This pattern is designed for both aran and worsted weight yarns, offering flexibility in yarn selection. The featured yarn is a worsted weight acrylic, which provides durability, easy care, and affordability—ideal qualities for a throw blanket intended for regular use. The acrylic fiber composition makes this afghan machine-washable and suitable for households with varying care preferences.

Customization Options

The Lines of Elegance Afghan pattern offers flexibility for customization. Width adjustments can be made by working an initial chain in multiples of 9 plus 8 stitches, allowing crafters to create a narrower or wider finished piece. Length adjustments are possible by adding or subtracting repeats of Row 6, enabling crafters to achieve their desired finished dimensions. It is important to note that modifications to length and width will result in a different finished size than the original 42x66 inch specification and may require additional yarn yardage.

Difficulty Level and Gauge

Rated as an intermediate project, the Lines of Elegance Afghan is suitable for crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with more complex stitch patterns like the puff stitch. Correct gauge is essential to this pattern's success. The specified gauge is 7 double crochets and 4 rows measuring 2 inches, worked with the US J10.0 hook. Achieving proper gauge before beginning ensures the finished afghan will meet the intended dimensions and use the specified yardage accurately.