Tunisian Crochet Afghan

This Tunisian Crochet Afghan is as pleasant to look at as it is to curl up under! Crocheters of intermediate skill can get started immediately on this great free afghan pattern, and have a piece to draw complements for years to come!

 Instructions:

 Chain 31 stitches.

Row 1, pick up a loop in each stitch. When you get to the end, you should have 31 stitches on the afghan needle. Then, chain 1, yarn over and draw through 2 loops (the one you just pulled up and the next one on the needle) to the end of the row. You should have 31 posts to pick up.

Row 2, pick up a loop in each post. Chain 1, yarn over and draw through 2 loops, then chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice. Do this 6 more times and you should have 7 chain 3 loops. After the 7th, you will yarn over and draw through 2 loops 3 times (this is the center), then chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops. Continue this to the end of the row. When you get to the end of the row your last stitches should be the yarn over and draw through 2 loops 2 times.

Row 3, pick up a loop in each post. You should be picking up 2 loops between the chain 3's. Do this to the end of the row and you should have 31 stitches on your needle. Chain 1, yarn over and draw through 2 loops. Repeat to the end of the row.

Row 4, pick up a loop in each post (31), chain 1, yarn over and draw through 2 loops, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice. Repeat this until there are 6 chain 3 loops, yarn over and draw through 2 loops 7 times, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice. Repeat this to the end of the row.

Row 5, repeat row 3

Row 6, pick up a loop in each post (31), chain 1, yarn over and draw through 2 loops, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice. Repeat this until you have 5 chain 3 loops, yarn over and draw through 2 loops 11 times, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice, repeat this to the end of the row.

Row 7, repeat row 3. You should start to see the pattern forming now.

Row 8, pick up a loop in each post (31), chain 1, yarn over and draw through 2 loops, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice. Repeat this until you have 4 chain 3 loops, yarn over and draw through 2 loops 15 times, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice, repeat this to the end of the row.

Row 9, repeat row 3

Row 10. pick up a loop in each post (31), chain 1, yarn over and draw through 2 loops, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice. Repeat this until you have 3 chain 3 loops, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice 19 times, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice, repeat this to the end of the row

Row 11 repeat row 3

Row 12, pick a loop in each post (31), chain 1, yarn over and draw through 2 loops, repeat. Now you have 2 chain 3 loops, yarn over and draw through 2 loops a total of 23 times, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice, repeat.

Row 13, repeat row 3

Row 14, pick up a loop in each post (31, chain 1, yarn over, draw through 2 loops, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops 27 times, chain 3, yarn over and draw through 2 loops twice.
You should have a pattern of decreasing little "dingle balls"....

Row 15, repeat row 3

Row 16, repeat row 3

Row 17, repeat row 14

Row 18, repeat row 3

Row 19, repeat for 12

Row 20, repeat row 3

Row 21, repeat row 10

Row 22, repeat row 3

Row 23, repeat row 8

Row 24, repeat row 3

Row 25, repeat row 6

Row 26, repeat row 3

Row 27, repeat row 4

Row 28, repeat row 3

Row 29, repeat row 2

Row 30, repeat row 3, but when you get to the last 2 stitches on your needle, change to contrasting color to separate boxes

Row 31, repeat row 1

Row 32, repeat row 3, but when you get to the last two stitches on your needle, change to the color for the next box

Row 33, repeat row 3
Repeat this until you have 9 blocks then fasten off

Make 7 strips of 9 boxes

Crochet the rows together using single crochet in the ends of the rows. Be careful to match up the rows as you do this.

Finishing. I used 2 colors. I would chain 2 and skip the next stitch and single crochet, then I attached a different color where I had skipped a stitch chained 2 and did a single crochet in the stitch after the first color (hope this makes sense). Then I repeated this all the way around the edges. Makes for a nice clean edge.