Hi guys! Today’s pattern is one of my favourites because it starts off with a simple base, and we slowly jazz it up with different textured stitches. The Jazz it Up Afghan is not only fun to crochet, but it’s a great project for beginners who want to challenge themselves. It’s also easy to customize, so you can make a size that suits you and your loved ones. The free pattern below, shows you how to crochet a large throw, but instructions are included to make your own size. If you prefer to have the math (yardage and stitch counts) already done for you, the ad-free printable PDF includes 6 additional sizes (baby blanket, small throw, medium throw, full, queen, and king) along with video tutorials for the special stitches and the border. I hope you enjoy making this blanket as much as I did!
Crochet Skill Level: Intermediate
This blanket pattern is considered an intermediate level crochet pattern because it uses a variety of stitches and techniques. However, there are step-by-step pictures included below, to make the crochet process easier. If you need/want more support in addition to the written pattern, the Ad-free Printable PDF includes complete video tutorials for the surface slip stitch, the single crochet loop stitch, and the border.
Can Beginner Crocheters Make This?
Absolutely! This blanket is designed for beginners who are looking to challenge themselves. It is broken up into 3 different OPTIONAL challenges, so you can stop at any time, and still have a beautiful blanket. If you are someone who prefers having a video tutorial to watch, you can find a video tutorial for the special stitches and the border, in the ad-free PDF.
Challenge #1:
The first challenge is learning to change colour. If you are brand new to crochet, and want to stick to a solid colour, you can crochet the entire blanket in one colour. The base of the blanket is crocheted using the half double crochet stitch, so it’s easy and repetitive.
However, if you’d like to challenge yourself, you can create blocks of colour, using the colour chart instructions below. Colour changes occur every 7 – 8 rows, so it is a great way for beginners to practice adding new colours into their work. Once the body of the blanket is done, you can leave the blanket as is, or continue onto the next challenge.
Challenge #2:
The second challenge is learning how to make surface slip stitches. Surface slip stitches are exactly how they sound – they are slip stitches that are worked over top of your work, after completing the base of the blanket. You will learn how to crochet with 2 strands held together, practice consistent tension, and learn a new technique!
Once the surface slip stitches are done, crocheters can stop here, and weave in their ends. The blanket is ready to use! However, to challenge yourself even more, you can try the border.
Challenge #3:
The final challenge is learning to crochet a border with a fun, textured stitch. While crocheting the border, you’ll learn how to crochet the single crochet loop stitch, and work into the sides of rows. By the end of this challenge, you’ll have a cozy, textured finish to your blanket.
*Continue scrolling down for the free pattern on the blog with ads*
Materials:
- 6.0mm crochet hook
- 6.5mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
- Craft Smart Value Tweeds Yarn Weight 4 Medium (97% Acrylic & 3% Viscose, 252 yd / 231 m, 5 oz / 141 g) – Silver (A)
- Craft Smart Value Solids Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 354 yd / 324 m, 7 oz / 198 g) – Blush (B), Leaf Green (C)
Yarn Note: You can use ANY medium 4 (worsted/aran) weight yarn as a substitute.
Yardage:
- A: 2431 yds (10 Skeins)
- B: 869 yds (3 Skeins)
- C: 695 yds (2 Skeins)
- Total: 3995 yds
Yarn Choice:
I love making blankets, but they can be really expensive! Last summer while I was browsing the yarn section at Michaels, I stumbled upon Craft Smart Value Yarn – a notoriously cheap and hard-on-the-hands yarn. However, when I went to feel it (because it looked soft), it WAS soft! At $4 CAD per skein for 354 yards, I couldn’t beat it. I used coupons, and waited for sales, until I got enough yarn to make this blanket. If you’d like to learn more about this yarn, I have an honest review of it here. It’s quickly become one of my favourite economy yarns!
To make this blanket, you can use ANY medium 4 worsted / aran weight yarn. I encourage you to have fun choosing your yarn brand and colours. If you can save money from using from your stash, that is even better!
Abbreviations:
- Ch – chain
- St(s) – stitch(es)
- Sp – space
- YO – yarn over
- [ ] – repeat instructions inside brackets
- Sl st – slip stitch
- Hdc – half double crochet
- ScLOOP – single crochet loop stitch
- Rnd – round
- Rs – right side
- Ws – wrong side
Gauge: Approximately 11 hdc x 8.5 rows in 4” x 4”
The gauge is taken before the surface sl sts are added. Depending on how tightly you crochet, the sl sts can add a few inches to the width of your blanket.
If your gauge is too small, try using a thicker weight 4 yarn or a larger crochet hook. If your gauge is too big, try using a thinner weight 4 yarn or a smaller crochet hook. You can also try adjusting your tension.
Pin this Afghan Pattern 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, and get it circulating!
Blanket Construction:
The body of the blanket is made up of colour blocks done in half double crochets. After the body of the blanket is complete, surface slip stitches are crocheted across the center of each colour block (Row 4). Finally, a border is added to finish off the blanket and add some coziness to it.
Pattern Measurement:
This blanket is a large throw size that measures approx. 58″ x 73″, including the border. Without the border, it measures 52.5″ x 67.5″.
Customize the Size of Your Blanket:
You can easily make a custom sized blanket that suits you and your loved ones needs!
- Width: The width of the blanket is determined by the starting chain (the chain can be any number). Chain until satisfied with the width of the blanket, then add 2.
- Length: To make the blanket shorter/longer, continue to repeat Block #2 and #3, until satisfied with the length of your blanket. Make sure to finish on Block #3 (Colour A).
*The Ad-free Printable PDF has sizing instructions for 7 blanket sizes (baby, small, medium and large throw, full, queen, and king), along with the number of yards needed to make each size. Video tutorials for the single crochet loop stitch, surface slip stitch, and border are also included.
The Single Crochet Loop Stitch (ScLOOP) Photo Tutorial
The single crochet loop stitch creates a sc st on the Ws, and a loop st on the Rs of the work.
- Insert the hook into the indicated stitch.
- Hook the back strand of the working yarn to make a loop around your finger.
- Draw up a loop, and remove the loop from your finger.
- YO and pull through all 2 loops on the hook. Picture 3 shows the RS of the st.
Pattern:
Notes:
- To keep track of your sts (and not add or lose any), place a st marker into the first and last st of each row.
- To create a seamless colour change between blocks, complete the final Yo of the last hdc of the block with the new color.
- The beginning ch of each row does NOT count as a st.
- Surface slip stitches and a border are added after crocheting the body of the blanket.
- Odd numbered rows are considered the Rs, and even numbered rows are considered the Ws.
*With a 6.0mm crochet hook:
Ch 146
Block #1:
Row 1 (Rs): With Colour A, hdc in third ch from hook, and in each ch across. Turn. <144 hdc>
Row 2 (Ws): Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn. <144 hdc>
Rows 3 – 8: Repeat Row 2.
- For Blocks #2 and on, continue to repeat Row 2, while following the colour chart below.
- Odd numbered blocks (Colour A) have 8 rows, and even numbered blocks (Colours B & C) have 7 rows.
Fasten off and weave in ends!
Surface Slip Stitches:
- Surface sl sts are worked over top of crocheted rows to create a 3D braid effect.
- Make sure that the blanket is facing Rs up before starting.
- For Odd Numbered Blocks (Colour A), sts are worked into the top of Row 4 sts.
- For Even Numbered Blocks (Colour B & C), sts are worked into the space between Row 4 sts. The difference between Odd and Even Blocks is to account for the extra row in Colour A Blocks, and to try to center the sl sts in each block.
- Each surface sl st is made with two strands of the matching block colour held together, and a 6.5mm hook.
- Try to keep your tension consistent for the best results.
- Do not crochet the sl sts too tight because this will cause your blanket to shrink. Crochet the sl sts with a loose/relaxed tension. The looser your tension, the larger your braid will be.
*With a 6.5mm crochet hook:
- Insert hook, from front to back, into the side of the first st of the fourth row of the block.
- With 2 strands of block colour held together, make a slip knot, and place it on the hook from the back side of the blanket.
- Pull the hook through the side of the first st. Make sure that the working yarn is underneath the blanket.
- Insert hook into top of the next st (or sp between next 2 sts), from front to back.
- YO with the working yarn, and pull it through the st/sp, and through the loop on the hook. You made a sl st!
- Repeat the last 2 instructions above across the Row.
- Make the last sl st into the side of the last st of the row, and fasten off. Pull yarn tight to close the knot. Picture 5 shows the surface sl sts worked over Colour A & B blocks.
Border:
- Border is worked in the rnd.
- Tip: Mark the corner sts (second of the 3 corner sts) with a st marker, to keep track.
- Make sure the Rs is facing up, before starting the border.
- Each Rnd increases by 8 sts.
- The scLoop sts are worked on the WS of the blanket. They look like sc sts on the WS, and loop sts on the RS.
*With 6.0mm crochet hook:
Attach yarn with a sl st into the top right corner of the blanket.
Rnd 1:
- With Colour A, 2 hdc in first st (first corner), and 1 hdc in each st across the top of the blanket. Make 3 hdc in last st (second corner).
- Rotate the blanket to work along the left side. Work approximately 3 hdc over 2 rows, all the way across. In the last row, make 3 hdc (third corner).
- Rotate the blanket to work along the bottom. Hdc into the bottom of each ch across. In the last ch, make 3 hdc (fourth corner).
- Rotate the blanket to work along the right side. Work approximately 3 hdc over 2 rows, all the way across. In the last row, make 3 hdc (third corner). In the last row, make 1 hdc to complete the first corner. Join with a sl st.
Rnd 2:
Turn the blanket to work on the Ws. Ch 1, 2 scLOOP in first corner st, scLOOP in each st around. In each corner st, work 3 scLOOPs. End the round with 1 scLOOP in the first corner st to complete the corner. Join with a sl st.
Rnd 3 – 4:
Continue working on the Ws. Repeat Rnd 2.
Rnd 5:
Turn the blanket to work on the Rs. Ch 1, 2 hdc in first corner st, hdc in each st around, making 3 hdc in each corner st. End the round with 1 hdc in the first corner st to complete the corner. Join with a sl st.
Fasten off and weave in ends!
Blocking the Jazz It Up Afghan:
Blocking is the process of wetting a piece of crochet to make the ends and rows straight. To block this blanket, you will need a steamer / spray bottle / iron (with steam setting), straight pins, and a blocking mat / carpet / foam.
Block your work by stretching out the blanket (vertically and horizontally), and placing straight pins along each side of the blanket to hold it in place. Spray the blanket with water, use a steamer, or an iron on steam setting. Let the blanket sit for a few hours or overnight to retain its shape. Unpin it, and your blanket is complete.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Jazz it Up Afghan, please reach out to me. I am happy to help! Send me an e-mail through my contact page.
End Notes:
Yay! You just made your first Jazz it Up Afghan. I hope your family, friends, and loved ones use and love this blanket 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).
Other Crochet Patterns You’ll Love:
This wraps up Day 58 of the 365 Day Challenge. I hope you enjoy making your Jazz it Up Afghan Blanket as much as I did! Please tag me on Instagram @thispixiecreates, or on Facebook because I would love to see how your blankets turn out. Have a wonderful day, and happy crocheting!
Read and explore more topics in the 365 Day Blog Post Challenge here.
Love, Dayna
