Crochet Half Square
Block Afghan


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This afghan is worked in triangular sections that resemble a half square pattern. There is no sewing required.

Materials
Caron One Pound, black, gray, red, lavender blue, white.
Crochet hook I (5-1/2 mm).
Starting Block
With black:
(1) Ch 7, DC in 4th ch from hook and in next 3 chains.
(2) Ch 3, 3 DC around post of last (4th) DC on 1st block.
(3) Ch 6, turn, DC in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 chains. Join with a SlSt to 2nd block at top ch 3 space.
(4) Ch 3, 4 DC around ch 3 post of 2nd block below.
(5) Ch 3, 3 DC around post of 4th DC of block 4. Join with a SlST around post of ch 3 space of block 3.
(6) Ch 3, 3 DC around ch 3 post of block 3.
Cut yarn. Place work so that the Ch 3 spaces on the top of the blocks are on the right, and the Ch 3 spaces that are on the left of the blocks are on the left. This is the right side of the work.
Afghan Pattern:
Row 1: (increasing rows)
Attach gray yarn to the bottom-most DC on the right side.

Ch 6, DC in 4th Ch from hook and in next 2 chains. SlSt into Ch 3 space on top of first block of starting row.
Ch 3, 3 DC in same Ch 3 space as SlSt. SlSt to Ch 3 space on top of next block.
Corner Blocks: Ch 3, 4 DC in same Ch 3 space. Ch 3, 3 DC around post of last (4th) DC just made. SlSt into Ch 3 space of block beneath it.
Ch 3, 3 DC in same Ch 3 space. SlSt into last block beneath it.
Ch 3, 3 DC in same Ch 3 space.

Row 2-24:
Repeat pattern of Row 1 (beginning with Ch 6). Cut yarn. Row 3-24:
Repeat pattern working a block in the Ch 3 spaces, and a corner block in the top 2 blocks that change the direction of the afghan pattern, working 2 rows of each color, in the order of colors listed above. You should end with the red color rows.

Now you should have a triangular section that appears as in the picture below, up to the 3rd row of red color.


Decreasing rows: This is where the pattern begins to decrease along the sides, while increasing along the top, making the overall afghan rectangular.

Rows 25-34:Instead of attaching yarn to bottom-most DC of 1st block in the row, attach lavender blue yarn to the Ch 3 space along the top of the first block on the right side. This will begin to square off the sides of the afghan (as seen in the photo). Ch 3, 3 DC in same Ch 3 space. SlSt to next Ch 3 space. Continue in the pattern to the corner, work the top corner blocks, and work down the other side to the end. When you get to the last SlSt in the Ch 3 space, do not add another block. This side will square off also.
Turn Row: Ch 1 turn. SlSt across first 3 DC and into Ch 3 space. Ch 3, 3 DC in same space. SlSt into next Ch 3 space. Continue around to top Corner Blocks and down the other side. End with a SlSt in last Ch 3 space and cut yarn.

Continue in pattern for 9 more rows, ending with red yarn. When you have completed this section, it should appear as in the picture above.

Second Triangle: Repeat the pattern up to 1-1/2 rows of the last red color. The topmost corner blocks of the second triangular section will now be attached to the first triangle.

Joining Instructions: After completing 1-1/2 rows of the final red color in the second triangular section of the afghan, ending with a SlSt in the first corner block, place the 2 triangular pieces with the top red corners facing each other so that the 3 DC blocks of the corners are facing in the same direction (across and down). The new corner blocks joining them will be facing in the opposite directions.
Ch 3, SlSt into Ch 3 space of opposing corner block of finished triangle. 4 DC in first corner block of unfinished triangle. SlSt in Ch 3 space of opposing block of the finished triangle.
Ch 3, SlSt into Ch 3 space of second corner block on the finished triangle. 3 DC around 4th post of corner block of unfinished triangle. SlSt into next stitch along the unfinished side.
Work down side as usual. Cut yarn.

Fill in the sides of the afghan working up the side of one triangle, joining in the center and working down the side of the opposite triangle. (Sides are worked separately, one at a time).
Finishing rows: Cut red and attach lavender blue yarn to Ch 3 space at beginning of row, work up the side of one triangle until you reach the joining center blocks. SlSt into the 1st Ch 3 space of the first block. Ch 3, SlSt into the Ch 3 space at the end of the lavender block just completed. 3 DC in Ch 3 space of the red block, join with a SlSt to next block. Work down the side of the other triangle ending with a SlSt in last Ch 3 space, ch 1 turn, SlSt across 3 DC and into Ch 3 space.
Continue in pattern until the sides are fill in. Repeat with the other side of the afghan.