Simply Elegant Crochet Afghan
When it comes to beautiful and easy crochet afghan patterns, the Simply Elegant Crochet Afghan has quickly become one of our favorites. With a combination of the crochet shell stitch and crochet v stitch, you'll create a lacy crochet blanket pattern that's dripping in elegance.
This orchid beauty is like an ode to the beautiful old-fashioned afghans of the forties and fifties. Couldn't you see it gracing the halls of Downton Abbey? Leave everyone stunned with this easy crochet blanket! It's the kind of design that both grandma and granddaughter will fall in love with.
Crochet HookH/8 or 5 mm hook, I/9 or 5.5 mm hook
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Crochet GaugeRows 2-5 – 2-1/4"; Shell, sc, ch 1, sc – 2-3/4"
Finished Size44" x 55"
Materials List
- RED HEART Super Saver: 4 skeins 0530 Orchid
- Crochet Hooks: 5.0 mm (US H-8), 5.5 mm (US I-9) crochet hooks or size needed for gauge
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Instructions for AFGHAN:
Note: Afghan is crocheted in multiples of 10 plus 2.
-
Row 1 (RS): With H hook ch 152, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, skip 3 chs, Shell in next ch, * skip 3 chs, sc in next ch, ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch, skip 3 chs, Shell in next ch, repeat from * across to last 5 chs, skip 3 chs, sc in last 2 chs, turn.
Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in first sc, ch 3, sc in next ch 1 space, *ch 3, V St in next ch 1 space, ch 3, sc in next ch 1 space, repeat from * across to last 5 stitches, ch 3, skip next 4 stitches, 2 hdc in last sc, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in next hdc, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 1, sc in next ch 3 space, *Shell in next ch 1 space, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 1, sc in next ch 3 space, repeat from * across to last 2 hdc, 3 dc in next hdc, dc in last hdc, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 3, V St in next ch 1 space, *ch 3, sc in next ch 1 space, ch 3, V St in next ch 1 space, repeat from * across to last 5 stitches, ch 3, skip 4 stitches, sc in last dc, turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in first sc and in next ch 3 space, Shell in next ch 1 space, * sc in next ch 3 space, ch 1, sc in next ch 3 space, Shell in next ch 1 space, repeat from * across to last ch 3 space, sc in ch 3 space and last sc, turn.
Continue pattern repeating Rows 2 – 5 for a total of 97 rows ending with Row 5.
Fasten off.
Instructions for EDGING:
-
Round 1: With I hook and right side facing work along top edge [dc, (ch 1, dc) 5 times] in first right corner sc, *sc in ch 1 space of Shell, [dc, (ch 1, dc) 4 times] in next ch 1 space, repeat from * across ending [dc, (ch 1, dc) 5 times] in last sc.
Work along side edge *sc in dc space, [dc, (ch 1, dc) 4 times] in sc space, repeat from * across.
Work along bottom edge [dc, (ch 1, dc) 5 times] in first sc, *sc in ch below Shell, [dc, (ch 1, dc) 4 times] in ch 1 space between 2 sc, repeat from * across ending [dc, (ch 1, dc) 5 times] in last sc.
Work along side edge as for opposite side edge matching position of stitches, join to beginning dc (do not fasten off).
Round 2: Work along top edge sc in next ch 1 space, (ch 3, sc in next ch 1 space) 4 times, *(sc, ch 3, sc) in next sc, sc in next ch 1 space, (ch 3, sc in next ch 1) 3 times, repeat from * across ending (sc, ch 3, sc) in last sc, sc in next ch 1 (corner) space, (ch 3, sc in next ch 1 space) 4 times. Continue pattern around entire afghan ending join to beginning sc.
Fasten off.
PLUS! Check out more of our favorite crochet lace blankets below:
Abbreviations
- (SPECIAL) Shell
- (3 dcs, ch 1, 3 dcs) in space or stitch as indicated
- (SPECIAL) V Stitch (V St)
- (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in space or stitch as indicated
Go back in time with crochet! You will love these old-fashioned (and a few modern) crochet designs:
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cgoodness05 989596 1
Mar 11, 2019
I am wondering how this would looking a self-striping yarn. It's beautiful.
preacherbob3 68532 15
Feb 24, 2019
what I have printed and what is on the screen is different. I have never run into this before, which do I go by? Please help. I want to make it.

Cyndi
Aug 15, 2018
I have just completed the main part of this afghan and I am starting the 1st round of the Edging. It states to work along the side edge and sc in the dc with the dc, (ch1, dc (ch1, dc) 4 times in sc space and repeat. Rows 4 and 5 are sc rows, which one do I do the dc, ch1, dc in? Or do I do it in both? What about the hdc row? Is that row skipped? This worked up into a beautiful afghan, but the side edging is confusing. Please help!

glf1920
Feb 07, 2018
Is it possible there is a mistake in the pattern.I have tried it exactly as written but it doesn't come out like the picture. any suggestions

jannypanny1965 691 8248
Oct 20, 2017
Hi i can do the shell stitch but you haven't said how many shells forthe the simply elegant crochet afghan pattern or is it 1dc chain 1 1dc for the stitch stitch you have not put it on the top of the pattern people do different shell numbers and v stitches
Editor Kaitlin
Oct 20, 2017
Hi jannypanny1965 691 8248, Thanks for reaching out! Per the abbreviations, the shell stitch for this pattern is (3 dcs, ch 1, 3 dcs) in space or stitch as indicated. I hope that helps! --Kaitlin, AFCAP Editor

Cheryl Y
Dec 22, 2016
Oh wow, I love the look of this Simple Elegant Crochet Afghan. After reading the pattern it looks like it will would out great. I like the way the shell stitch repeat comes out, it looks so nice. Thank you for the added print tab, it made it easy to add this to my files, to make later. Thank you for sharing this free crochet pattern.

Inukshuk84
Sep 26, 2016
The shell stitch is one of my favourite stitches to use in items from wash cloths to afghans, like the one pictured here. It's beautiful and unisex, so it would work for just about anyone from your new baby nephew to a dear old aunt. I've used it for scarves too and it works well. This afghan is elegant and would look great in a variegated yarn or a mix of solid and variegated.

Zeemer
Mar 27, 2016
I'd like to do this in a more vibrant color combo. The shell stitch is so elegant. A lot of crocheters use this design for afghans, throws and baby blankets.

oneolwolf 7256366
Mar 19, 2015
i am looking for this pattern do you know anything about this blanket/throw

tasmania
Nov 08, 2014
Now this is exactly the right way to promote a pattern, a clear photo of the whole piece, and a close-up to show the stitch detail. If only they were all as professional and well thought out as this one

Zeemer
Mar 27, 2016
I agree with you, tasmania. The pattern is just on the same page and you are not directed to someone's blog or another site where the design was actually obtained. Thanks for whoever went out of her way to painstakingly wrote this pattern.

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