Spider Stitch Afghan

This afghan crochet pattern combines flower motif squares and crochet stripes done in a unique spider stitch. This intermediate crochet pattern makes for a varied and challenging project for any crochet fan.  With bold colors and textured stitches, this afghan is great for curling up by the fireplace during the fall or winter...or use it to add some color to your living room or bedroom.  No matter what yarn colors you choose, you're sure to love how this stylish afghan brightens up your living space.

Materials:

• 30 oz Caron International's Simply Soft Eco yarn in Plum Perfect (A)
• 15 oz Caron International's Simply Soft Eco yarn in Ocean (B)
• 15 oz Caron International's Simply Soft Eco yarn in Wine Country (C)
• One size US H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge
• Yarn needle

Gauge:  In double crochet, 14 1/2 sts = 4"/10 cm.

Special Stitches:

• dc2tog: Double crochet 2 together –[Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops] twice, yarn over and draw through 3 loops on hook.

Instructions:
Throw measures approximately 58"/147.5 cm wide x 58"/147.5 cm long

Flower Square (Make 8 – 4 each in A and B)

1. Chain 4; join with slip st in first ch to form a ring.
    
2. Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—12 dc and 4 corner ch-2 spaces.
    
3. Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in corner ch-2 space, ch 2, [dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in corner ch-2 space, ch 2] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—20 dc and 8 ch-2 spaces (one ch-2 space on each side of each corner dc).
    
4. Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 2 dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, (tr, ch 3, tr) in corner dc, ch 2, [2 dc in next 4 dc, ch 2, (tr, ch 3, tr) in corner dc, ch 2] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—48 dc, 8 tr, and 4 corner ch-3 spaces.
    
5. Round 4: Ch 3, dc in next 7 dc, ch 2, dc in next tr, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 sp, dc in next tr, ch 2, [dc in next 8 dc, ch 2, dc in next tr, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 sp, dc in next tr, ch 2]  3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—56 dc, 8 ch-2 spaces, and 4 corner ch-3 spaces.
    
6. Round 5: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip next dc, dc in next dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, [dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip next dc, dc in next dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 2] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—80 dc, 16 ch-2 spaces, and 4 corner ch-3 spaces.
    
7. Round 6: Ch 3, dc2tog twice, dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog twice, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, [dc in next dc, dc2tog twice, dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog twice, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—80 dc, 16 ch-2 spaces, and 4 corner ch-3 spaces.
    
8. Round 7: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog, dc in next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 5 dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next 5 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 3, [dc in next dc, dc2tog, dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog, dc in next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 5 dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next 5 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 3] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—88 dc, 8 ch-2 spaces, 8 side ch-3 spaces, and 4 corner ch-3 spaces.
    
9. Round 8: Ch 3, dc2tog twice, dc in next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 7 dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next 7 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 3, [dc in next dc, dc2tog twice, dc in next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 7 dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next 7 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 3] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—96 dc, 8 ch-2 spaces, 8 side ch-3 spaces, and 4 corner ch-3 spaces.
    
10. Round 9: Ch 2, dc in next dc (ch 2 and dc count as first dc2tog), dc2tog, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 9 dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next 9 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 3, [dc2tog twice, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 9 dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner ch-3 space, dc in next 9 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 3, skip ch-3 space] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—104 dc, 8 ch-2 spaces, 8 side ch-3 spaces, and 4 corner ch-3 spaces. Fasten off.

Large Spider Stitch Strip (Make 4)

1. With B, chain 58.
    
2. Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—57 sc.
    
3. Row 2: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, *ch 5, skip next 3 sc, sc in next 5 sc; repeat from * across to last 6 sc, ch 5, skip next 3 sc, sc in last 3 sc, turn—7 ch-5 spaces.
    
4. Row 3: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, skip next sc, ch 3, sc in next ch-5 space, ch 3, skip next sc, *sc in next 3 sc, skip next sc, ch 3, sc in next ch-5 space, ch 3, skip next sc; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, sc in last 2 sc, turn—14 ch-3 spaces.
    
5. Row 4: Ch 1, sc in next sc, skip next sc, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space, sc in next sc, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in next sc, *skip next sc, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space, sc in next sc, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * across, turn.
    
6. Row 5: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), sc in next ch-3 space, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 space, *ch 5, skip next sc, sc in next ch-3 space, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 space; repeat from * across to last sc, ch 2, dc in last sc, turn—6 ch-5 spaces and 2 ch-2 spaces (one on each end of row).
    
7. Row 6: Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in next 3 sc, skip next sc, ch 3, *sc in next ch-5 space, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in next 3 sc, skip next sc, ch 3; repeat from * across to turning ch, sc in 3rd ch of turning ch, turn.
    
8. Row 7: Ch 1, sc in next sc, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in next sc, skip next sc, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space, sc in next sc, *sc in next ch-3 space, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in next sc, skip next sc, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space, sc in next sc; repeat from * across, turn.
    
9. Row 8: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 5, sc in next ch-3 space, *sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 5, sc in next ch-3 space; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, sc in last 2 sc, turn—7 ch-5 spaces.
    
10. Row 9: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, skip next sc, ch 3, sc in next ch-5 space, ch 3, skip next sc, *sc in next 3 sc, skip next sc, ch 3, sc in next ch-5 space, ch 3, skip next sc; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, sc in last 2 sc, turn—14 ch-3 spaces.
     
11. Rows 10–13: Repeat Rows 4–7.
     
12. Row 14: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space, *sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 space, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, sc in last 2 sc, turn.
     
13. Row 15: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, 3 sc in next ch-3 space, *sc in next 5 sc, 3 sc in next ch-3 space; repeat from * across to last 3 sc, sc in last 3 sc. Fasten off.

Small Spider Stitch Strip (Make 4)

1. With C, chain 42.
    
2. Rows 1–15: Work as for Rows 1–15 of Large Spider Stitch Strip—5 ch-5 spaces.

Assemble Center Panel

1. Arrange flower squares and spider stitch strips as shown in assembly diagram (center portion only, surrounded by center panel edging). With RS facing, join neighboring pieces with coordinating color yarn, by slip stitching edges together (work in back loops only whenever possible).

Center Panel Edging

1. Round 1: Join C with slip st in any corner, ch 2 (counts as first hdc), work 118 hdc evenly spaced along edge to next corner, ch 3; [pivot to work along next edge, work 119 hdc evenly spaced along edge to next corner, ch 3] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—476 hdc, and 4 ch-3 spaces.
    
2. Round 2: Ch 4, skip next hdc, dc in next hdc, *ch 1, skip next hdc, dc in next hdc; repeat from * across to next corner ch-3 space, (dc, ch 3, dc) in corner ch-3 space, [dc in next hdc, **ch 1, skip next hdc, dc in next hdc; repeat from ** across to next corner ch-3 space, (dc, ch 3, dc) in corner ch-3 space] 3 times; join with slip st in 3rd ch of beginning ch.
    
3. Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), [hdc in each ch-1 space and each dc across to next corner ch-3 space, (hdc, ch 3, hdc) in corner ch-3 space] 4 times, hdc in last dc; join with slip st in top of beginning ch. Fasten off C.
    
4. Round 4: Join B with sc in any corner ch-3 space, ch 3, sc in same ch-3 space, sc in each hdc around, working (sc, ch 3, sc) in each corner ch-3 space; join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off B.

Large Border Spider Stitch Strip (Make 4)

1. With A, chain 138.
    
2. Rows 1–9: Work as for Rows 1–9 of Large Spider Stitch Strip—17 ch-5 spaces.
    
3. Rows 10–27: Repeat Rows 4–9 three times.
    
4. Row 28: Repeat Row 4.
    
5. Row 29: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), sc in next ch-3 space, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 space, *ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 space; repeat from * across to last sc, ch 2, dc in last sc, turn.
    
6. Row 30: Ch 1, 2 sc in next ch-2 space, sc in next 5 sc, *3 sc in next ch-3 space, sc in next 5 sc; repeat from * across to last ch-2 space (formed by beginning ch), 2 sc in ch-2 space. Fasten off.

Join Border Squares and Strips

1. Arrange flower squares and spider stitch strips as shown in assembly diagram. With RS facing, join neighboring pieces with coordinating color yarn, by slip stitching edges together.

Throw Edging

1. Round 1: Join C with slip st in the dc following any corner ch-3 space, ch 2 (counts as first hdc), work 212 hdc evenly spaced along edge to next corner ch-3 space, (hdc, ch 3, hdc) in corner ch-3 space; [pivot to work along next edge, work 213 hdc evenly spaced along edge to next corner ch-3 space, (hdc, ch 3, hdc) in corner ch-3 space] 3 times; join with slip st in top of beginning ch.
    
2. Rounds 2 and 3: Work as for Rounds 2 and 3 of center panel edging. Fasten off.

Finishing

1. Using yarn needle, weave in ends.