Crochet Checkerboard Afghan Pattern


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Note: This afghan does not require any sewing. Each block is worked connected to a completed block. It may be a good idea to fill out a graft paper with your color design before starting.
Materials
1 skein Caron One Pound red, gray, black, white.
I did not use all the yarn.
Boye Crochet hook J/10.
First square
Ch 37.
Row 1: DC in 4th ch from hook (counts as a DC), DC in next stitch. *Ch 1, skip 1, DC in next 3 chains*. Repeat from * to * x2. Skip 4 chains, DC in next 3. *Ch 1, skip 1, DC in next 3 chains*. Repeat from * to * x2. Ch 3, turn.
Row 2: 3 DC in space after 1st 3 dc on previous row. 3 DC in next 2 spaces. Skip the corner space, 3 DC in next space (along the side of the square), 3 DC in next 2 spaces, 1 DC in last stitch (top of the turning ch 3 on previous row).
Row 3: Ch 2, 2 DC in space just beneath the starting ch 2. 3 DC in next 2 spaces, Skip corner space, 3 DC in the 3 spaces along the opposite row. Ch 3, turn.
Row 4: 3 DC in next 2 spaces on previous row, Skip corner, 3 DC in last 2 spaces on opposite side. 1 DC in top of Ch 2 at end. Ch 2, turn.
Row 5: 2 DC in space just below hook, 3 DC in next space, Skip corner, 3 DC in next 2 spaces along opposite side. Ch 3, turn.
Row 6: 3 DC in the next 1 space on each side. 1 DC in top of ch 2 at end of row. Ch 2, turn.
Row 7: 2 DC in 1st space just beneath ch 2, 3 DC in last space.
Row 8: Ch 4, slsp to top of last stitch on opposide side. Cut yarn. Weave in.
Second Square:
Place block so that the ch 4 corners are at the lower right and top left hand corners of the square, with right side facing. With new color, attach new color to top of very first stitch of top right corner (bottom of a 3 DC block).. Ch 18, DC in 4th ch from hook and next 2 chains. *Ch 1, skp 1, DC in next 3* x3. 3 DC in first space along top of first square, 3 DC in next 3 spaces. Ch 3, turn.
Repeat rows 2-8 of first square.
Continue adding blocks until desired width.

Second row of blocks:
Starting at opposite corner of first block, attach yarn to first stitch. Chain 18 and work in pattern for first block of second row of blocks.
Next block: Attach yarn to corner space, Chain 2 and 2 DC in corner space. Work in pattern across block and adjacent block of first row.
Keep working in pattern until afghan is finished.
Edging: You can work this in any pattern you like. For this afghan I worked in black, 1 row of SC all around the edge, followed by 1 row of DC all around. Next I worked a row of picot stitches all around in red.
Picot stitch: Chain 3, insert hook in bottom slanted stitch and sc, skip 1 stitch, sc in next 2 stitches. Repeat
Next, I worked a row of 2 DC between the picots, with a SlSt at the top of the picot in white.
Next, I worked another row of picot in white, so that they fell approximately across the 2 DC below, with slip stitches inbetwen the picots.
Next I worked another row in red of 2 DC between the picots with a SlSt at top of picots.
Next, I worked a row of DC in black.
Lastly I worked a row of picots in black, without skipping any stitches, so that it would have a little ruffle on the edge.