This lovely, solid-colored afghan features shells, picots and clusters to form an intricately textured design that’s easy to work up. Drape this over your couch or bed for a stunning accent piece and immediately add some warmth to a room.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 47” x 55”
Gauge: 4 rows = 3 ¼”; Shell, dc = 2 ¾”
Materials
Yarn:
Red Heart Super Saver (100% acrylic; 364 yards [333 meters]/198 grams): #0376 Burgundy (4 skeins)
Hook: US size I/9 (5.5 mm) hook or size needed for gauge
Special Stitches
Shell: 7 dc in stitch or space as indicated.
V Stitch (V St): (dc, ch 3, dc) in stitch or space as indicated.
Picot: (sc, ch 3, sc) in stitch or space as indicated.
Cluster (Cl): Yo, insert hook in specified stitch or space and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, insert hook in same stitch or space and draw up a loop, draw through 2 loops, yo and draw through all 3 loops.
Cluster Shell (Cl Sh): [(Cl, ch 2, dc, ch 2) twice, Cl] in stitch or space as indicated.
Pattern Notes
Afghan is crocheted in multiples of 10 plus 4.
Pattern
Row 1 (RS): Ch 164, Shell in 9th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 4 chs, dc in next ch, ch 1, skip 4 chs, Shell in next ch, repeat from * across to last 5 chs, ch 1 skip 4 chs, dc in last ch, turn.
Row 2: Ch 4, dc in first dc, ch 1, skip 2 dc, dc in next 3 dc, *ch 1, skip 2 dc, V St in next dc, ch 1, skip 2 dc, dc in next 3 dc, repeat form * across to last 3 dc, ch 1 skip 2 dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last dc.
Row 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in first ch 1 space, ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, Shell in ch 3 space of V St, ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc, repeat from * across to last 2 ch 1 spaces, ch 1, skip next ch 1 space, 3 dc in last ch 1 space, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip 2 dc, V St in next dc, *ch 1, skip 2 dc, dc in next 3 dc, ch 1, skip 2 dc, V St in next dc, repeat from * across to last 4 dc, ch 1, skip 2 dc, dc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 5: Ch 4, Shell in ch 3 space of V St, ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc, *Shell in ch 3 space of V St, ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc, repeat from * across.
Continue pattern repeating Rows 2-5 for a total of 61 rows.
Edging
Rnd 1: With right side facing work along top edge Cl Sh in first right corner dc, *skip 3 dc (of Shell), picot in next dc, skip 3 dc, Cl Sh in next dc, repeat from * across, Cl Sh in last dc.
Work along side edge *skip 1 dc space, picot in next dc space, skip 1 dc space, Cl Sh in next dc space, repeat from * across.
Work along bottom edge Cl Sh in first corner ch space, *picot in ch below Shell, Cl Sh in ch below dc, repeat from * across, Cl Sh in last ch.
Work along side edge as for opposite side edge matching stitches, join to beginning dc.
Rnd 2: Work along top edge slip stitch into ch 2 space, sc in same space, (ch 3, sc in next ch 2 space) 3 times, *V St in ch 3 space of picot, (ch 2, sc in next ch 2 space) 3 times, repeat from * across to corner Cl Sh, sc in first ch 2 space, (ch 3, sc in next ch 2 space) 3 times.
Work along side edge V St in ch 3 space of picot. Continue pattern around entire afghan, join to beginning sc and fasten off. 
Have finished the afghan, and halfway through round 1 of the border. I’m finding the border pattern instructions difficult to understand. Was there a photo diagram of the afghan pattern that I missed somewhere?
Apparently the pattern is considering that the Ch 3 in the row below should be counted as a DC. The pattern doesn’t explain that, but unless you count it that way, it doesn’t work. It’s a pattern error (in my opinion).
I’m still working on this afghan, but one thing I think is missing in the 5th row, between the * and Shell, is a ch 1. Every other row has a ch 1 between each set of steps, but I also think the pattern would look better (more uniform) with that in there. It sounds like such a small thing, but I do think it would make a difference. I was already too far along to take it all apart and change it.
One other thing I’ve learned is that this pattern doesn’t lend itself to a variegated yarn. The flower pattern gets lost in the color. If I ever make this again, I’ll choose a solid color.
Yep, I added a ch 1 there. I’d say it’s a pattern error.
Beautiful. Can’t wait to try it
I’m confused, At the end of row 2, it says to dc, ch 1, DC in last dc of previous row. But after I double crochet in the three dc and skip 2 st, the only stitches left are the eight stitches that were skipped in first row. I’m missing something. Any help would be appreciated.
What it calls the last DC in the previous row is actually the Ch 3 turning chain. The pattern is apparently referring to the turning chain as the last DC in the row below. They should have explained that.
Lovely afghan! Thank you for the free pattern.
I love crocheting, so Ill definitely make its just beautiful
This pattern is lovely, I hope to make it for my daughter for Christmas.
Looks beautiful
Thank you for putting pattern out. I am going to make this for my wonderful mother..
Can’t wait to make this afghan thanks for pattern
I am getting lost at the end of row 2. Of I “put my 3 stitches in the next 3 dc”, I don’t have 3 dc remaining. Where did I go wrong?
I am in the same situation. The end of the row is the 8 chains skipped in previous row.
Like the looks of this afghan, looking for a pattern that would be appropriate to donate to a cancer victim benefit. Could you suggest a color for this purpose?
The pattern is very appropriate for this cause. Depending on the type of cancer benefit I would check the Cancer Ribbons and make an appropriate color afghan for the cause. Such as Pink for breast cancer.
Looking for a granny square star afghan free
Just the thing to make for a
Christmas present. I know someone who would really like this.
You mentioned using Red HeRt yarn but not which one. Could you be using a thinner weight of yarn?
Thank you for the lovely pattern with clear instructions. Look forward to making this Afghan.
Thank you for the lovely pattern with clear instructions. Looking forward to using the pattern.
What does Cl mean? I can’t get any further till I know what everything means.
Under the title “Special Stitches” it not only teaches you the actual stitches it gives you the abbreviations, I.e., cl means cluster.
love pattern must have CHART
Yes! Finished with afghan, but need a chart /diagram for the borders. Your post is 5 years old. Did you get the chart you needed?
Is it possible to receive a diagram of the pattern? I find it difficult to understand the notes.
Granddaughter wants one for Christmas. This may be it. Lovely!
Check your gauge
Looks beautiful
Hello, I love this afghan! I tried to crochet it three times and each time, after the first row, the blanket only measured 37″. I am using red heart yarn and a size I hook. Can you help me figure out why its only measuring 37″ across instead of 47″? thank you ! Jeanne
Perhaps when you have the edge complete it’s correct size? Try making a Swatch to see if you have size needed.
Two probable reasons you’re only getting 37″ after the first row. 1) The edging will add at least a couple of inches once added. 2) You likely crochet a bit tighter than the pattern maker; try going up one crochet hook size to a J hook.
Love this afghan. Will try this.
Thank you for this pattern. I can’t wait to get started.
Thank you fr the lovely pattern!
Love it! Will definitely make this one. Thank you for sharing the free pattern
Gorgeous! Can hardly wait to try this.
Lovely…
This afghan looks gorgeous,I will give it a go.