Alternating Striped Christmas Afghan

This alternating striped Christmas afghan pattern is great for decorating and keeping cozy in any room this holiday season. Christmas colors weren’t my first choice, but since I had lots of them, I figured why not? And I don’t mind how this afghan turned out, although fall colors would have been awesome!

What I like most about this striped crochet blanket is that there are no ends to weave in except where you start and finish your balls of yarn. It’s crocheted in three colored stripes, which means you have your working yarn and two loose ends; one on each side of the blanket. That way when you finish a row, the new color that you need is conveniently awaiting you at the end.

While three colors are convenient, the stitch pattern makes it super easy to incorporate color blocks and other striped designs as well. Or, you could also crochet the entire blanket with only one color, or just a few stripes on each end.

If you like the idea of three colors, but want to widen the stripes a bit, work each color for three rows before changing. I think that would look super awesome too, Another option is with two colors and change colors after every two rows.

Alternating Striped Christmas Afghan Pattern Information

Shown in Christmas colors for the holidays, but choose your favorite three colors to make this crochet blanket match your home.

Another option is to use two colors and change colors after every two rows instead of every row.

Skill Level: Easy

Materials

• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (Worsted Weight (#4) 100% acrylic, 7 oz/198g – 364 yds/333m) Colors: CA – 2 balls; CB – 2 balls; CC – 3 balls.
• Crochet Hook: I/9-5.50mm
• Other: Measuring Tape, Scissors, Yarn Needle.

Measurements – Size Chart

• Gauge: 10 sts = 3″
• Finished size: 46″ wide by 64″ long.

Abbreviations

• CA = Color A – Red
• CB = Color B – Green
• CC = Color C – White
• Blslst = Back Loop Slip Stitch
• Ch/Chs = Chain/Chains
• Flhdc = Front Loop Half Double Crochet
• Hdc = Half Double Crochet
• Rep = Repeat
• Sc = Single Crochet
• Sl St = Slip Stitch
• St/Sts = Stitch/Stitches

Notes

• See tutorial alternating between the front and back loops.
• See the Blanket Sizes Chart if you want to make adjustments to the size.

The stitch used is simply the crunch stitch. It is a very simple pattern with only two rows to remember.

However, instead of working each stitch under both loops of the previous row, the stitches are alternated between the front and back loops of the previous row. The half double crochet worked into the front loop only of the slip stitch, and the slip stitch is worked into the back loop only of the half double crochet.

It creates a nice thick and cozy texture for snuggling by the Christmas tree during the holidays.

Changing Colors

To achieve the Christmas colorway as shown, use three colors and change colors after each row.

Another option is to change colors after every two rows using two or more colors.

To Change Colors in the Slip Stitch: Insert your hook into the last stitch of previous row, drop the old color, pick up the new color, and draw through to complete the slip stitch

To Change Colors in the Half Double Crochet: Work the last stitch in the previous row as normal until the last step and you have three loops left on the hook; drop the old color, pick up the new color, and draw through all loops to complete the stitch.

Carry yarn up along the edges. Use the turning chain to secure the dropped color along the edge.

Crochet Christmas Afghan Pattern Instructions

With CA and I hook, Loosely Ch 150, or any multiple of 2.

Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, *slst in next ch, hdc in next ch; rep from * across. Turn. [149 sts]

Row 2: Ch 1, blslst in first hdc, *flhdc in next slst, blslst in next hdc; rep from * across. Turn. [149 sts]

Row 3: Ch 1, flhdc in first slst, *blslst in next hdc, flhdc in next slst; rep from * across. Turn. [149 sts]

Rows 4-192: Rep rows 2 and 3, changing colors after every row. For a different look use two colors and change after every 2 rows.

Edging

Rnds 1-3: With H hook, Ch 1, sc evenly around working 3 sc in each corner; join with sl st in first sc. Use any color you like, but I chose CC.

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