Checkers Game Afghan

Crochet an afghan perfect for summer picnics, on which you can relax and enjoy a game of checkers. This pattern from Lily Sugar n' Cream includes instructions for the checker pieces, which also work as coasters.  This is a great afghan to bring to a 4th of July BBQ, a family reunion, or just to have outside for the kids to use with their friends!  This is a simple and fun pattern for beginners and a great crochet project for any time of year.

How cute is this crochet checkerboard blanket?  Here are a couple more patterns just like it that we think you will love!:  Blue and White Checkerboard Rug and Checkerboard Game Carpet.

Materials:

• 13 balls Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (70.9 g / 2.5 oz) yarn in Red (A)
• 13 balls Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (70.9 g / 2.5 oz) yarn in White (B)
• 2 balls Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (70.9 g / 2.5 oz) yarn in Bright Navy (C)
• 2 balls Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (70.9 g / 2.5 oz) yarn in White (for coasters)
• 2 balls Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (70.9 g / 2.5 oz) yarn in Bright Navy (for coasters)
• 5 mm (U.S. H or 8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: 13 dc and 7 rows = 4 ins [10 cm].

Instructions:
Finished size: Approx 65 ins [165 cm] square.

Blanket
Ch 3 at beg of row counts as dc. To change color, work to last 2 loops on hook at end of row. With new color, draw through 2 loops on hook, then proceed.

Strip 1 (make 4)

1. With A, ch 30. 
    
2. 1st row: 1 dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as 2 dc). 1 dc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 28 dc. 
    
3. 2nd row: Ch 3. Miss first dc. 1 dc in next dc. 1 dc in each dc to end of row. 1 dc in top of turning ch. Turn. 
    
4. Rep 2nd row 12 times more. 
    
5. Change to B and rep 2nd row 14 times more. 
    
6. These 28 rows form pat.
    
7. Rep last 28 rows twice more. 
    
8. Change to B and rep 2nd row 14 times more. Fasten off.

Strip 2 (make 4) 

1. Rep as for Strip 1 substituting A for B and B for A.

Finishing

1. Sew strips tog, alternating Strip 1 and Strip 2.

Edging

1. Join C with sl st to bottom right corner of Blanket. 
    
2. 1st rnd: Ch 1. 3 sc in same st as last sl st. Work 1 rnd of sc around Blanket, working 3 sc in each corner, 2 sc in each dc sp along sides and 1 sc in each sp between each dc along top and bottom. Join with sl st in first sc. 
    
3. 2nd rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. 3 sc in next sc (corner). Cont working sc around, having 3 sc in corners. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Coasters (playing pieces) (make 12 each in B and C) 

1. Ch 6. Join with sl st to form ring. 
    
2. 1st rnd: Ch 1. 10 sc in ring. Join with sl st in first sc. 
    
3. 2nd rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. *2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in next sc. Rep from * around, ending with 2 sc in last sc. Join with sl st in first sc. 15 sc. 
    
4. 3rd rnd: As 2nd rnd, ending with 1 sc in last sc. 22 sc.
    
5. 4th rnd: As 2nd rnd. 33 sc. 
    
6. 5th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. 1 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc. 
    
7. 6th rnd: As 3rd rnd. 49 sc. Fasten off.