This stitch is a very versitile pattern and it can be used for more than just an afghan. I’ve used this stitch to make a shrug and a friend used it to make a poncho. Please let me know if there any errors in the pattern as I finished writing and testing this at 5 am.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Finished Size: Varies
Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn
Crochet Hook
Pattern:
Chain 7
Row 1: Double Crochet in 3rd chain from hook and each consecutive chain. (4 double crochet)
Row 2: Chain 6, turn, double crochet in 3rd chain from hook and the next 2 chains, *single crochet in chain 3 space from previous row, chain 3, 3 double crochet in same chain 3 space from previous row*, double crochet in base chain of first row at the bottom of the last double crochet.
Row 3: Chain 6, turn, double crochet in 3rd chain from hook and in the next 2 chains, repeat * to * from Row 2 until end, ending with a double crochet in base chain of first row at the bottom of the last double crochet.
Repeat row 3 until blanket is desired length or width.
Row 4: Turn, chain 3, single crochet in chain 3 space from previous row, chain 3, 3 double crochets in same chain 3 space. Repeat * to * from Row 2 until one double crochet cluster from the previous remains.
For a square blanket decrease: Single crochet in the chain 3, turn, chain 3, single crochet in next chain 3 space, chain 3, 3 double crochet in same, repeat * to * from Row 2 until one double crochet cluster form previous row remains and decrease as previously described for a square blanket. Repeat until blanket is reduced to one 3 double crochet cluster and end with a single crochet in the chain 3 space of the previous row. Proceed with Border.
For a rectangle blanket decrease: Single crochet in the chain 3, turn, chain 3, single crochet in next chain 3 space, chain 3, 3 double crochet in same, repeat * to * from Row 2, ending with a double crochet in base chain of first row at the bottom of the last double crochet.
Chain 6, turn, double crochet in 3rd chain from hook and in the next 2 chains, repeat * to * from Row 2 until you have reached the edge and single crochet in chain three space of previous row.
Chain 3 and turn, single crochet in chain 3 space from previous row, chain 3, 3 double crochets in same chain 3 space. Repeat * to * from Row 2, ending with a double crochet in base chain of first row at the bottom of the last double crochet.
Decrease this way until the blanket is the desired length, the proceed with the decrease for a square blanket.
Border: Three rows of single crochet around the outside edge with 3 single crochets in each corner.
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Elle In Stitches 
sue Said:
on July 28, 2011 at 12:58 am
This was the stitch my grandmother used. I have been looking for it for years! but I can’t seem to follow it. can you include pictures? PLEEEEEASE!
scribedscribbles Said:
on April 8, 2012 at 11:39 pm
A friend taught me this stitch recently. She uses it to make washcloths. I may use it to make a shawl.
Thanks for posting the directions!
Melanie Said:
on December 27, 2012 at 2:18 pm
HI:
Thanks for pattern. I find the result very intriguing. I am having some problems though, and it is probably something I just don’t understand correctly, I am very good at overlooking the obvious when it comes to counting stitches.
In Row 1: if I dc in THIRD chain, that leaves only 2 unused chains before the first dc, but later you mention ‘chain 3 space from previous row’, but I have only a ch 2 space:
1st unworked
2nd unworked
3rd chain – 1st dc
Also, if I dc in 3rd chain and ‘each consecutive chain’, that would be 5 total dc:
1st unworked
2nd unworked
3rd chain – 1st dc
4th -2nd dc
5th -3rd dc
6th -4th dc
7th -5th dc
So should the dc’s begin in FOURTH chain?
1st unworked
2nd unworked
3rd unworked
4th chain – 1st dc
5th -2nd dc
6th -3rd dc
7th -4th dc
or should the dc’s begin in THIRD CHAIN, but stop at 4 total dc, leaving last chain unworked:
1st unworked
2nd unworked
3rd chain – 1st dc
4th -2nd dc
5th -3rd dc
6th -4th dc
7th unworked
Thanks for your help!
Melanie
Suzie Harper Said:
on January 22, 2017 at 10:06 pm
I was wondering the exact same thing
Barbara Shaw O'Brien Said:
on February 18, 2013 at 8:12 am
I learned this pattern many years ago and have made numerous afghans with it. It’s so simple and easy that I go to it whenever I need to finish a gift quickly. You can make any size you want and always looks good when done!
Verna Said:
on February 24, 2013 at 11:41 am
I have made a baby afghan using the verigated yarn which turned out gorgeous.
Love this pattern Thanks
[Free Pattern] learn a new stitch crochet: Afghan Stitch Crazy Said:
on April 5, 2016 at 3:55 am
[…] versatile and with a funny name, this knit crochet is perfect for creating many projects. The crazy stitch Afghanistan by Elle stitch is a stitch crochet intermediate level to create a beautiful and quite interesting […]
Nancy Masullo Said:
on August 19, 2017 at 11:16 am
Do you sc in every stitch on the last row (peaks and valley)
when doing the border?
Rachel Said:
on February 7, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Perhaps I have missed it on the pattern, but what size crochet hook do you recommend?
elleclouse Said:
on February 10, 2018 at 10:34 am
What ever size hook the yarn recommends. 🙂