Wrapped up in this cozy afghan you’ll be able to enjoy the waltzing snowflakes from your warm home. Complete with cross-stitched snowflake and floral designs, this afghan is a gorgeous addition to your holiday home.
Skill Level: Beginner
Size: 58” x 58”
Gauge: 12 sts and 15 rows = 5” [12.7 cm] in sc
Materials
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice, article # 860 (100% Acrylic; 170 yards [156 meters]/100 grams): #107 Sapphire (MC, 4 skeins), #405 Silver Heather (CC, 4 skeins), #109 Colonial Blue (CA, 2 skeins), #180 Cranberry (CB, 2 skeins), #191 Lilac (CL, 2 skeins), #183 Periwinkle (CP, 2 skeins); Lion Brand Vanna’s Complement, article # 866 (100% Acrylic; 185 yards [170 meters]/85 grams): #405 Silver Heather (SH, 1 skein)
Hooks: US size 10/J (6.00mm)
Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, one 5” piece of cardboard, twelve ¾” metal snowflake buttons (these came from www.patternsoftime.com), sewing needle and coordinating sewing thread.
Pattern Notes
Afghan is made in strips worked from top to bottom that are cross-stitched and then joined. It is absolutely necessary that the stitch count is maintained evenly throughout so that there is an even grid upon which to work the cross-stitch pattern.
A Strip of 12 (42) sts will create a grid of 11 (41) cross-stitch spaces.
Remember! All cross-stitches are worked the same! Make sure you keep your tops and bottoms consistent!
Pattern
Strips 1, 3, and 5
With CC, ch 13.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and every ch across. (12 sc)
Rows 2-161: Ch 1, turn. Sc in every sc across, taking care to maintain 12 sc.
Fasten off CC.
Work cross-stitch on each Strip, using Chart A as a guide.
Weave in all loose ends.
Strips 2 and 4
With MC, ch 43.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and every ch across. (42 sc)
Rows 2-161: Ch 1, turn, sc in every sc across, taking care to maintain 42 sc.
Fasten off MC.
Work cross-stitch on each Strip, using Chart B.
Weave in all loose ends.
Edgings
Row 1: With CA, attach yarn on side of last row with ch 1, sc in same sp, (ch 1, sk side of next row, sc in side of next row) across Strip, changing to CL at end of row. Fasten off CA.
Row 2: With CL, ch 1, sc in first sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * across to last sc, sc in last sc, changing to CP. Fasten off CL.
Row 3: With CP, ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * across, ending with sc in last sc. Fasten off CP.
Rep Edging on other side of Strips, beginning at bottom edge in coordinating side of first row.
Joining
Hold RS of Strip 1 and 2 together, making sure tops and bottoms are lined up. With CB, working through BOTH Strips’ edgings throughout, join with ch 1 through first scs, sc in same scs, *sc in next ch-1 sps, ch 1**, sk next scs; rep from * across, taking care to work in corresponding ch-1 sps and scs, ending at **, sc in last scs. Fasten off CB.
Rep joining with Strips 2 and 3, 3 and 4, 4 and 5.
Bottom and Top Edgings
Work as for side edgings, adjusting for joined places, working across.
Outside Edging
With CB, attach yarn in any sc with ch 1, sc in same sc, *ch 2, sl st to 2nd ch from hook, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next sc; rep from * around entire afghan, adjusting pattern to corners and ending with a sl st to join.
Fasten off CB
Tassels (make 12)
Top Tie (make 12)
With CA, ch 14. Fasten off.
Set aside to use as top tie for each tassel.
Tassel Body
With CP, wrap yarn around cardboard 22 times. Tie at top with Top Tie.
Wrap CB around tassel about 1” from top 3 times and tie tightly in a square knot.
Weave ends of CB into center of tassel so it doesn’t show.
Cut ends and trim evenly on bottom end of tassels.
Attach Tassels
Using Top Ties, tie each tassel to bottom/top ends of each join, and each corner, making a square knot on WS.
Weave in these loose ends.
With sewing needle and thread, sew one button above each tassel on afghan.