How to Crochet the Dusk to Dawn Afghan

Hi guys! I am so excited to share the Dusk to Dawn Afghan with you. The colours remind me of watching the sunrise in the morning, and seeing the sunset in the evening; there is just something magical about watching the sky fill with colour and warmth. I decided to wait until 2021 to release this pattern because I wanted to kick the new year off with a bang! And what better way to start the new year than with a colourful crochet afghan that doubles as a scrapghan? You can find the free pattern below.

About this Crochet Afghan:

• This blanket uses 2 strands of Lion Brand’s Shawl in a Ball held together for Rounds/Rows 1 – 4 of the hexagons and trapezoids.
  • Tip: If you use this yarn, use two skeins at a time – one strand from each skein. Try to line up the colours in each skein before you start crocheting; you may need to roll the yarn into colour sections if the skeins don’t line up perfectly. This will give your hexagons a “solid” colour appearance.

• This blanket is made up of 72 hexagons and 10 trapezoids that are sewn together, before a border is added. If you’d like to customize the size of your blanket, there are instructions included below.

• This afghan doubles as a scrapghan because you can use ANY medium 4 worsted weight yarn as a substitute. Have a look through your stash, and start playing with colour!

• If you like the colours seen in this blanket, I’ve included a colour chart and blanket diagram for you to follow!

The Design Progression of this Afghan:

The Dusk to Dawn Crochet Afghan took me a long time to design because nothing is perfect the first time around. Below, you’ll see the design progression of this afghan.

My initial plan was to make hexagons using bulky weight 5 yarn AND medium 4 worsted weight yarn to play around with different weights. It looks nice in the picture, but it didn’t turn out because it was too lopsided. My next idea was to use some scrap Bernat Home Dec yarn and turn the design into a coaster. I really do love this coaster, but due to the pops of texture, it’s not a solid base for a beverage.

At this point, I was disappointed with this project because I had invested so much time into it, and nothing was working. I decided to make a trip to Michaels, and came across Lion Brand’s Shawl in a Ball – self striping yarn that changes from peach to pink to purple. I immediately fell in love, and thought, “these would make the prettiest hexagons.” Did I mention that this yarn was marked down from $11.99 to $5.99? That discount sealed the deal for me.

The third picture shows some of my design ideas. I noticed that the center hexagons would be too busy if I joined them together as is, so I added a border around each of them to add some consistency and make the colour changes less overwhelming. I settled on the grey and black border because I loved the way it popped, and it reminded me of a medallion.

Pin this Crochet Afghan for Later – Here!

Pinning this pattern really makes a difference because it helps the pattern get seen by other crocheters. Thank you for taking the time to pin this pattern!

Materials:

• Approximately 3197 – 4534 yds of any medium 4 worsted weight yarn (see the note about yardage discrepancy)
• 5.5 mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle
• Steamer

Yarn:

• A: 6 Skeins of Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball Weight 4 Medium Worsted Yarn (61% cotton, 34% acrylic & 5% other, 481 yd/ 440 m, 5.3 oz/ 150 g) – Community Coral (approx 2674 used)
• B: 5 Skeins of Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Weight 4 Medium Worsted Yarn (92% acrylic & 8% rayon, 145 yd/ 133 m, 3 oz/ 85 g) – Silver Heather (approx 665 yds used)
• C: 4 Skeins of Bernat Premium Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 360 yd/ 329 m, 198 g/ 7 oz) – Black (approx 1195 yds used)

Important Note About Yardage Discrepancy:

*Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball is a very thin worsted weight 4 yarn that borders on DK or Sport Weight yarn. I used 2 strands held together, so this explains the large amount of yardage. If you choose to use a normal worsted weight 4 yarn, then you will only need half of the yardage for Colour A.

Other Crochet Patterns You’ll Love:

• For the Love of Texture Afghan
• Whimsical Stripes Pillow
• Willow Wall Hanging
• Coziness is a Mood Throw

*Continue scrolling down for the free version on the blog with ads.*

You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE Ad-Free Printable PDF of this pattern on Etsy HERE or Ravelry HERE. This PDF includes the complete pattern, photo tutorials, step-by-step pictures, and instructions and yardage for 6 blanket sizes (baby, lapghan, small and large throw, queen, and king). It is a total of 16 pages including the cover page.

Pattern Measurements

Hexagon:

• Width: 6.5”
• Length: 7”

Trapezoid:

• Width: 3.25”
• Length: 7”

Blanket:

• Width: 47.5”
• Length: 64”

Customizing the Size of your Afghan

This blanket is 7 hexagons wide by 11 rows long, measuring 47.5″ wide by 64″ long. For this blanket you’ll need a total of 72 hexagons and 10 trapezoids. However, you can easily customize your blanket by changing the number of hexagons sewn across, and the number of rows.

• Width: To make your blanket wider use more than 7 hexagons. To make your blanket less wide, use less than 7 hexagons.  

• Length: To make your blanket longer, make more than 11 rows. To make your blanket shorter, make less than 11 rows.

*The Ad-free printable PDF has a sizing instructions for 6 blanket sizes (baby, lapghan, small and large throw, queen, and king), along with number of yards, hexagons and trapezoids needed to make each size.

Abbreviations:

• Ch – chain
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Sl st – slip stitch
• MR – magic ring
• YO – yarn over
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side 
• Rnd – round 
• Sk – skip
• Hdc – half double crochet
• Dc – double crochet
• Fpdc – front-post double crochet
• Bpdc – back-post double crochet
• Ps – puff stitch (see tutorial)
• [ ] – repeat instructions inside brackets
• T – trapezoid 
• H – hexagon

Gauge Swatch (4” x 4”): 

The final swatch should measure 4” x 4” unblocked. The beginning ch 2 does not count as a stitch.

• Ch 17
• Row 1: Hdc in third ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. <15 hdc>
• Rows 2 – 11: Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn. <15 hdc>

The Puff Stitch Photo Tutorial

I’ve included a photo tutorial below, to guide you through the steps of making a puff stitch. However, if you prefer to learn through video, here is a link to an excellent tutorial by ExpressionsFiberArts.

1: YO, and insert the hook in the st.

2: YO and draw up a loop – there should be 3 loops on the hook. 

3: Repeat Step 2, two more times –  there should be 7 loops on the hook.

4: YO and pull through the ALL 7 loops on the hook. You’re done!

Colour Chart and Blanket Diagram

Video Tutorial Links for each Stitch:

1. Single Crochet (sc)
2. Half Double Crochet (hdc)
3. Double Crochet (dc)
4. Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)
5. Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc)
6. Puff Stitch (Ps)

Pattern Notes:

1. The hexagons are worked in the RND; do not turn work at the end of each rnd. 
2. The trapezoids are worked in ROWS; turn at the end of each row. 
3. In this pattern, the Ps are worked differently from my other patterns, so please reference the “Puff Stitch Photo Tutorial” abov, before you start. 
4. A colour chart is provided above for additional reference.
5. The beginning ch of each row and rnd does NOT count as a st.

Hexagon (Make 72)

With Colour A, make a MR.

Rnd 1: Ch 1 to secure the MR, [Ps, ch 1] 6 times in MR. Join with a sl st. <6 Ps, 6 ch-1 sps>

Rnd 2: Ch 1, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, 2 dc in next st] 6 times. Join with a sl st. <24 dc, 6 ch-1 sps>

Rnd 3: Sl st into ch-1 sp. Ch 1, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, bpdc around next 4 sts] 6 times. Join with a sl st. <24 bpdc, 12 dc, 6 ch-1 sps>

Rnd 4: Sl st into ch-1 sp. Ch 1, [(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, hdc in next 6 sts] 6 times; Join with a sl st. Fasten off. <48 hdc, 6 ch-1 sps>

Tip: Before starting Rnd 5, place stitch markers into the second hdc of each corner ch-1 sp of Rnd 4 – these stitches are hard to see and easy to miss if you do not mark them. (Pictures below) 

Rnd 5: With Colour B, attach yarn with a sl st into any ch-1 sp. Ch 1, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 8 sts] 6 times. Join with a sl st. Fasten off. <60 dc , 6 ch-1 sps>

Rnd 6: With Colour C, attach yarn with a sl st into any ch-1 sp. Ch 1, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, bpdc around next 10 sts] 6 times. Join with a sl st. <60 bpdc, 12 dc, 6 ch-1 sps>

Fasten off and weave in ends!

Trapezoid (Make 10)

With Colour A, make a MR.
Row 1 (WS): Ch 1, Ps, [ch 1, Ps] 3 times in MR. Turn. <4 Ps, 3 ch-1 sp>

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, [2 dc in ch-1 sp, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st] 3 times. Turn. <14 dc, 4 ch-1 sps>

Row 3 (WS): Ch 1, sk first st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, [fpdc around next 4 sts, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp] 3 times. Turn. <12 fpdc, 8 dc, 4 ch-1 sps>

Row 4: Ch 1, sk first st, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, [hdc in next 6 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp] 3 times. Turn. <26 hdc, 4 ch-1 sps>

Tip: Before starting Row 5, place stitch markers in the second hdc of each corner ch-1 sp of Row 4 – these stitches are hard to see and easy to miss if you do not mark them. 

Row 5: With Colour B, ch 1, sk first st, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 8 sts] 3 times, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last ch-1 sp. Turn. <32 dc, 4 ch-1 sps>

Row 6: With Colour C, ch 1, sk first st, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, bpdc around next 10 sts] 3 times, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last ch-1 sp. Turn. <30 bpdc, 8 dc, 4 ch-1 sps>

Fasten off and weave in ends!

Seaming Method:

Now that you’ve made all of the hexagons and trapezoids, it’s time to start seaming your afghan together!

• To sew the hexagons and trapezoids together, follow the blanket diagram above as a guideline – this shows how the shapes are arranged in the afghan.  
• Turn the shapes, so they are facing wrong-side up, and insert the yarn needle into the back loop of each stitch. Begin to whip stitch – if you are unfamiliar with this stitch, here is a great tutorial by Wool and the Gang to help you – in each stitch across, including in the ch-1 spaces of each shape to join them.

Border:

Notes:

• Tip: In the first rnd of the border, along the left and right side of the blanket, make approx. 17 – 20 dc in each trapezoid (Picture to the right). 
• At the top and bottom of the blanket, work a (dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch-1 sp peak, and sk 2 sts in the valley space between the hexagons. (Picture 2 and 3 below)
• Turn the blanket right side up, and attach yarn (Colour C) with a sl st in the top right corner ch-1 sp to start (Picture 1 below).

Rnd 1:

Ch 1, dc in first 12 sts, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp peak, dc in next 11 sts, sk 2 sts, dc in next 11 sts] until the last ch-1 sp peak; (dc, ch 1, dc) in last ch-1 sp peak, dc in last 12 sts. Turn the blanket to begin working on the left side. 

(Dc, ch 1, dc) in first ch-1 sp corner. Dc in each st, ch-1 sp, and row across until the corner ch-1 sp; (dc, ch 1, dc) in last corner ch-1 sp. Turn the blanket to begin working on the bottom. 

Dc in first 12 sts, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp peak, dc in next 11 sts, sk 2 sts, dc in next 11 sts] until the last ch-1 sp peak; (dc, ch 1, dc) in last ch-1 sp peak, dc in last 12 sts. Turn the blanket to begin working on the right side. 

(Dc, ch 1, dc) in first ch-1 sp corner.  Dc in each st, ch-1 sp, and row across until the corner ch-1 sp, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last corner ch-1 sp. Join with a sl st.

Rnd 2:

Ch 1, bpdc around first 13 sts, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp peak, bpdc around next 11 sts, sk 2 sts, bpdc around next 11 sts] until the last ch-1 sp, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last ch-1 sp peak, bpdc around last 14 sts. Turn the blanket to begin working on the left side. 

(Dc, ch 1, dc) in first corner ch-1 sp. Bpdc around each st across until the corner ch-1 sp, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last corner ch-1 sp. Turn the blanket to begin working on the bottom. 

Bpdc around first 14 sts, [(dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp peak, bpdc around next 11 sts, sk 2 sts, bpdc around next 11 sts] until the last ch-1 sp peak, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last ch-1 sp peak, bpdc around last 14 sts. Turn the blanket to begin working on the right side. 

(Dc, ch 1, dc) in first corner ch-1 sp. Bpdc around each st across until the corner ch-1 sp, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last corner ch-1 sp, bpdc around last st. Join with a sl st.

Rnd 3:

Ch 1, sc in first 14 sts, [(sc, ch 1, sc) in ch-1 sp peak, sc in next 11 sts, sk 2 sts, sc in next 11 sts] until the last ch-1 sp peak, (sc, ch 1, sc) in last ch-1 sp peak, sc in last 16 sts. Turn the blanket to begin working on the left side.

(Sc, ch 1, sc) in first corner ch-1 sp, sc in each st across until the corner ch-1 sp, (sc, ch 1, sc) in last corner ch-1 sp. Turn the blanket to begin working on the bottom.

Sc in first 16 sts, [(sc, ch 1, sc) in ch-1 sp peak, sc in next 11 sts, sk 2 sts, sc in next 11 sts] until the last ch-1 sp peak, (sc, ch 1, sc) in last ch-1 sp peak, sc in last 16 sts. Turn the blanket to begin working on the right side. 

(Sc, ch 1, sc) in first corner ch-1 sp, sc in each st across until the corner ch-1 sp, (sc, ch 1, sc) in last corner ch-1 sp, sc in last 2 sts. Join with a sl st.

Fasten off and weave in ends!

Recommended Step: Block your Afghan

Blocking your work will relax the stitches, allowing them to stretch out and lay flat. It will also ensure that the edges of the blanket are straight, giving the afghan a finished look.

• Pin your blanket to Styrofoam blocks, cork boards, carpet, or whatever you have on hand. Turn the steamer on, and move it over the afghan as it boils and releases steam. If you do not have a steamer, you can use an iron on steam setting (make sure that it is 1 – 2″ away from the piece) or a spray bottle to lightly mist the afghan. Wait until the blanket has dried, and remove the pins. You should be left with a perfect afghan!

Questions?

If you have any questions about the pattern, please send me an e-mail through my contact page. . I am happy to help!

End Notes:  

Congratulations! You’ve just finished your first Dusk to Dawn Afghan. I hope you enjoyed making it as much as I did. And I hope all the sewing was worth it – now you can snuggle under this beauty for years to come!

Check out some more fun and budget-friendly crochet patterns on the blog.

Disclaimer: You are welcome to sell items that you’ve made from this pattern; however, you are not allowed to use my pictures or sell my pattern as your own (Copyright @ ThisPixieCreates).

As always, thank you guys so much for following along with me! I love seeing what you create with my patterns, so please tag me (@thispixiecreates) in any posts you share. You are also welcome to post pictures or questions in our Facebook community page!

I hope you all have the best day!

Love, Dayna