Welcome to the vibrant world of crochet with our Summer Stripes Afghan pattern! This delightful project is designed to bring a burst of color and warmth to your home during the sunny season. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or enjoying a breezy summer evening, this afghan will add a cheerful touch to your surroundings. The combination of bold stripes and textured stitches makes this blanket both visually appealing and cozy.

In this pattern, you’ll find a fun mix of colors and stitches that create a striking and unique design. From the rhythmic stripes to the intricate border, each step of this project is designed to enhance your crochet skills while crafting a beautiful and functional piece. Perfect for intermediate crocheters, this pattern will guide you through each stage with clear instructions and helpful tips.

So grab your favorite yarn colors, get comfortable, and let’s dive into creating a stunning Summer Stripes Afghan that you and your loved ones will cherish for years to come!

Materials Needed:

• Yarn in colors A, B, C, D, and E
• Crochet hook (size recommended on yarn label)
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Gauge:

• 12 dc = 4 in. (10 cm)
• Be sure to check your gauge. If your gauge is off, adjust your hook size accordingly to match the pattern’s specified dimensions.

Stitch Explanations:

• V-st: (dc, ch 2, dc) in indicated st (used in body of Afghan).
• Small V-st: (dc, ch 1, dc) in indicated st (used in border of Afghan).
• Shell: 5 dc in indicated st or sp.

Notes:

The first half of the Afghan is worked along one side of the foundation chain. The second half is worked along the opposite side of the foundation chain.

The first row of the first half is worked in the back “bumps” of the foundation chain only. This creates a row with two loops along the top of the row and two loops along the lower edge. The next row of the first half is worked into the two loops of the first row, while the first row of the second half is worked into the two loops along the lower edge.

To change color, work the last stitch of the old color to the last yarn over, yarn over with the new color, and draw through all loops on the hook to complete the stitch.

Afghan Instructions:

First Half:

1. With Color A, ch 97.
2. Row 1: Working in the back “bumps” of ch only, dc in the 4th ch from hook (beg ch counts as first dc) and in each ch across – 95 dc.
3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
4. Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), turn, sk first 2 sts, V-st in next st, *sk next 2 sts, V-st in next st; rep from * across to last 2 sts, sk next st, dc in last st.
5. Row 4: Ch 3, turn, 3 dc in ch-2 sp of each V-st across to last st, dc in last st; change to Color B in last st. Fasten off Color A.
6. Rows 5–7: With Color B, rep Rows 2–4; change to Color C in last st. Fasten off Color B.
7. Rows 8-10: With Color C, rep Rows 2-4; change to Color D in last st. Fasten off Color C.
8. Rows 11-13: With Color D, rep Rows 2-4; change to Color E in last st. Fasten off Color D.
9. Rows 14-19: With Color E, rep Rows 2-4 twice; change to Color A in last st. Fasten off Color E.
10. Rows 20-22: With Color A, rep Rows 2-4; change to Color B in last st. Fasten off Color A.
11. Rows 23-25: With Color B, rep Rows 2-4. Fasten off Color B.

Second Half:

1. Row 1: Working along the opposite side of the foundation ch (along the lower edge of the first half), join Color A with sl st in first ch, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each ch across—95 dc.
2. Rows 2-25: Rep Rows 2-25 of First Half.

Border:

Turn piece, join Color C with sl st in 3rd dc past corner.

Rnd 1 (WS): Ch 1, sc in each st to last st of row, (sc, ch 2, sc) in last st (corner); work 80 sc evenly spaced along side edge; (sc, ch 2, sc) in first st of lower edge (corner); sc in each st across to last st of lower edge, (sc, ch 2, sc) in last st (corner); work 80 sc evenly spaced along side edge; (sc, ch 2, sc) in first st of top edge, sc in next st; join with sl st in first st.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *sk next 2 sts, shell in next st, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st; rep from * to 2 sts before corner ch-2 sp, 7 dc in corner ch-2 sp, sk next st, sc in next st, rep from * to * to 2 sts before next corner ch-2 sp, 7 dc in corner ch-2 sp, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, rep from * to * to 2 sts before next corner ch-2 sp, 7 dc in corner ch-2 sp, sk next st, sc in next st, rep from * to * to 2 sts before next corner ch-2 sp, 7 dc in corner ch-2 sp, sk next 2 sts; join with sl st in first st. Fasten off Color C.

Rnd 3: With RS facing, join Color D with sc in center dc of first shell following any corner; **ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next sc (small V-st made), *ch 1, sc in center dc of next shell, ch 1, small V-st in next sc; rep from * to next 7-dc corner, ch 1, sk next 2 dc, sc in next dc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next dc, sc in next dc; rep from **3 more times, ch 1, small V-st in last sc, ch 1; join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in same st as join, *(shell in ch-1 sp of next small V-st, sc in next sc) across to next corner, sk next sc, work 7 dc in next corner ch-2 sp, sk next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * 3 more times, shell in ch-1 sp of next small V-st, (sc in next sc, shell in ch-1 sp of next small V-st) to end; join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off Color D.

Rnd 5: With RS facing, join Color E with sc in an sc about 12 sts from any corner; **ch 2, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in center dc of next shell, ch 2, sc in next sc, ch 2; rep from * to next 7-dc corner, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next dc, sk next 2 dc, ch 2, sc in next sc; rep from **3 more times, ch 2, (sc, ch 2, sc) in center dc of next shell, ***ch 2, sc in next sc, ch 2, (sc, ch 2, sc) in center dc of next shell, ch 2; rep from *** to end; join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off Color E. Weave in ends.

The Summer Stripes Afghan is more than just a blanket; it’s a vibrant expression of summer’s joyful colors and cozy warmth. With its playful stripes and textured stitches, this afghan will add a burst of sunshine to any space. Whether you’re wrapping yourself in it on a cool evening or using it as a cheerful accent in your home, this project is sure to be a favorite. We hope you enjoy every stitch and color change as much as we enjoyed creating this pattern for you. Happy crocheting!