Crochet: Basket Weave Afghan

Crochet: Basket Weave Afghan – Baby Blanket {Pattern & Tutorial}

Basket Weave Afghan – Baby Blanket
[Pattern adapted and modified from Crochet Kim]

Difficulty Level: Intermediate, must know how to crochet FPdc, BPdc, dc, hdc, sc & ch

Finished size: approx. 42″ (W) x 33″ (L)
Gauge: Not essential as long as the hook size matches the medium worsted yarn weight.
Basket weave pattern (2 x 2 squares in the weave = 6 sts x 4 row) = approx. 1 1/2″ (W) x 1 2/5″ (L)
Border (3 sts x 6 row) = approx.  1 1/2″ (W) x 1 1/2″ (L)

Materials & Tools:
1. Yarn – Brand: Lion, Range: Cotton Ease, Weight: medium worsted, Color: Lake (Misty Cool Blue), qty: 9 balls x 100g
2. Yarn – Brand: Lion, Range: Cotton, Weight: medium worsted, Color: Natural (Soft Cream), qty: 1 ball x 140g
3. Crochet hook: H or 5 mm
4. Tapestry Needle (to weave and hide yarn ends)
5. Scissor

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
hdc= half double crochet
dc=double crochet
FPdc=Front Post double crochet
BPdc=Back Post double crochet
sc=single crochet
st = stitch
slst = slip stitch
sk=skip
fo = fasten off

Patterns:

Basket Weave Afghan
[with yarn 1 (blue)]
Starting Row: ch156, turn.
Row 1 : sk 3 ch, dc in the 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch till end, ch2, turn. (Counting the first sk 3 ch as 1dc, there is 154dc on this row)
Row 2 & 3 : skip first st, hdc1 on the next st, *FPdc3, BPdc3* repeat 25 times until last 2 sts. hdc2, ch2 (deem as first st for the following row), turn.
Row 4 & 5 : skip 1st st, hdc1 on the next st, *BPdc3, FPdc3* repeat 25 times until last 2 sts. hdc2, ch2, turn.
Repeat row 2 to 5 until row 85 or until the blanket measure about 30″, ending with either row 3 or row 5 pattern minus the ch2 st.
Border
Determine which side you want as the front of the blanket to crochet the border. There is no turning on the border, all stitches are done on the front.
[with yarn 1 (blue)]
Round 1 : Ch1, 3 sc in the same corner. sc1 on every st around the entire blanket, with 3 sc in each corner. slst to the beginning ch. fo. Don’t turn.
[with yarn 2 (cream)]
Round 2 – 6 : Ch1, sc on back loops only around entire blanket, with 3 sc in each corner. slst to the beginning ch, don’t turn. fo after finish row 6.
Weave and hide all yarn ends.

This picture shows that after you have done the first row of double crochet and working on the row 2 for the FPdc and BPdc stitches.
Notice the horizontal line created by the BPdc? Keep in mind that when ever a BPdc is done, a horizontal line will be formed by the previous row stitch’s loop.
And, for FPdc, vertical lines will be formed.
By doing FPdc and BPdc follow the pattern creates the basket weave effects.
Also, note that, when turning the crochet piece for the next row, the previous row’s BPdc will look like FPdc.

When you crochet the odd number row (row 3, 5, 7, 9,… etc), crochet FPdc when you see FPdc, and vice versa.
After completing Row 3, you will have 2 horizontal lines and this is a set of basket weave row.
To begin the next weave row (even number row, i.e. row 2, 4,6,… etc), all you need to do is reverse what you see on the previous row, i.e. crochet FPdc when you see a BPdc stitch, vice versa.

Upon completing row 4, where you reverse the FPdc and BPdc, the weave effect is more obvious. The BPdc stitches are horizontal and sunken in, while the FPdc stitches are vertical and bulging up. This give an illusion of basket weave appearance.
Continue the basket weave for the entire blanket until your reach row 85 or about 30″ length or until your last balls of yarn is close to finish.

Single crochet the border with 1 round of blue yarn, then, single crochet back loops only with 5 rounds of cream yarn.
Remember to single crochet 3 stitches in each stitch of the 4 corners.
Fasten off the yarn, weave and hide the yarn ends within the stitches.
~~~Done! Bravo~~~

{More photos and story on Page 1.}