Bright Stripes Baby Afghan (Free Crochet Pattern)

Gauge:
 
12 dc = 4 in. (10 cm). When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. The needle or hook size called for in the pattern is based on what the designer used, but it is not unusual for gauge to vary from person to person. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make your swatch, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

Stitch explanation:
 
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 beg along one side of the foundation ch. The second half is worked beg along the opposite side of the foundation ch.
- The first row of the first half is worked in the back "bumps" of the foundation ch 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 last st of old color to last yarn over, yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete st.

First half, With A, ch 97:
 
- Row 1: Working in back "bumps" of ch only, dc in 4th ch from hook (beg ch counts as first dc) and in each ch across – 95 dc.
- Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
- 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.
- 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 B in last st. Fasten off A.
- Rows 5–7: With B, rep Rows 2-4; change to C in last st. Fasten off B.
- Rows 8-10: With C, rep Rows 2-4; change to D in last st. Fasten off C.
- Rows 11-13: With D, rep Rows 2-4; change to E in last st. Fasten off D.
- Rows 14-19: With E, rep Rows 2-4 twice; change to A in last st. Fasten off E.
- Rows 20-22: With A, rep Rows 2-4; change to B in last st. Fasten off A.
- Rows 23-25: With B, rep Rows 2-4. Fasten off B.
 

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

Finishing border:

Turn piece, join 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 C.
- Rnd 3: With RS facing, join 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 D.
- Rnd 5: With RS facing, join 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 E.
 
Weave in ends.

To find this project (90233B) and more free knitting patterns and advice, go to http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/.