Crochet Pattern
Inside-Out Block Afghan


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Materials
Caron One Pound Black, white and gray.
Boye Crochet hook J/10.
Note: There is no sewing in this afghan, but there will be a lot of ends to weave.

Pattern Center section
This section is the most confusing (but not too difficult). Once completed the rest is easy.

With black, Ch 7. DC in 4th ch from hook and in next 3 ch. (block made)
*Ch 3. 4 DC around post of last DC.* Repeat from * to * one more time. Ch 3, 3 DC around post of last DC. Join with a SlSt to 1st top chain of first block (to make a square).
Ch 6. Turn. Dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 2 ch. *SlSt into Ch 3 space at left-side end of block below the block just made. Ch 3, 4 DC in ch3 space (same space as SlSt). Ch 3, 3 DC around post of last DC made.* Repeat from * to * x2. SlSt into ch 3 space at end of previous row. Ch 3, 3 DC in ch 3 space. Join with a SlSt to top 1st chain of first block. Cut yarn. The piece should resemble somewhat of a fat cross.
Note:
The 2 blocks around each end (or side) of the inner square should be thought of as corners. As the afghan grows (see afghan sample image above), the corners alone will have these 2 blocks, and the corners are the only place where you will be working around a post as you turn the corner.

Also of importance is to note that, looking at the top 2 blocks (of the cross), the block with the Ch 3 space at the top should be on the right side, while the block with the Ch 3 space along its left side should be on the left side. This should be true for each new row you crochet, and helps to determine which side to start working from. The afghan is turned at the end of each go around, but if you are changing colors and cut and weave the yarn, you may get confused as to which way to turn the work to start a new row. Just look at the top chains of any corner.

Afghan Pattern continued: (This pattern works 2 rows of each color)
Row 2: Attach white color to Ch 3 space of the top left corner (side). Ch 3, 3 DC in Ch 3 space. SlSt in ch 3 space of top right corner of next side. Ch 3, 4 DC in ch 3 space (from here out, only the top right block of each corner will have 4 DC, while all others will have only 3. This is the place where you will crochet around the post of the 4th DC as you turn the corner.)
Ch 3, 3 DC around post of 4th DC. SlSt into ch3 space at end of block in previous row. This is another corner. Ch 3, 4 DC in ch3 space. Ch 3, 3 DC around post of 4th DC just made. Repeat in pattern around, ending with a slst to same ch 3 space as the starting block. Ch 1 turn.
Row 3: Slst in back loop of 1st 3 DC along side of right corner block. Slst into ch 3 space at top. Ch 3. Work a Corner (4 DC in ch 3 space, ch 3, 3 DC around post of 4th DC. SlSt into Ch 3 space at end of next block in previous row. Work in pattern around, ending with a SlSt in last ch 3 (same space where 1st block of row was made),

Ch 1 turn if working with the same color, and repeat row 3. Cut yarn if changing color. When changing color, you can begin at any top left corner side without any need to slip stitch up the side to get to the corner. Continue in pattern for entire afghan until desired size. The sample afghan square above measures 18-1/2 x 18-1/2.

Finishing Row: (Squares off corners and edges)

With the last color, at end of final row, join with a slip stitch, ch 1, turn (as usual). Slst in first 3 DC, *SC, HDC, DC, TC in ch 3 space*. Repeat from * to * along the side to the corner (end block).

At the corner, work a SC, HDC, DC, TC in final ch 3 space. Ch 1, work a SC, HDC, DC, TC around the post of the TC in the last block. Corner should appear squared off.

Continue in pattern to end of last go around. Slst in first SC, cut and weave in end.

Image below is the finished afghan, which measures approximately 46x46 inches.

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