2 Overstocked and Hooked Star Crochet Blankets + Tutorial

Seduced by coupons and lots of wishful thinking, we can buy yarn, which dies slowly in our yarn collections. For me, it can 'accidentally' stay in the bag for a year or so because my ideas at the yarn aisle quickly phase away after the euphoria of buying yarn is over. Typical man, eh!

I have a lot of yarn that is just one colour, and I am like, "What the hell am I going to do with that!?" I can donate it but then I clutch onto the yarn as if it's the door raft in Titantic... "I've never let you go...!" Pathetic eh.

Back in 2012, I wasn't as strong of a creator as I am today in 2024. My afghan ruffled out as it got bigger and I didn't have the brain capacity to figure out why. I know why now... I still like the ruffling as it gives extra materials to wrap a person or to drape it nicely on the back of the sofa.

Re-introducing the Crochet Spectrum Afghan. I was faced with the one ball, wondering what to do with just one ball of colour. I put it together in a strategic way. I created a second version in 2024 with updated colours and a different stitch lineup so the blanket stays flat. New versions called the Overstocked and Hooked Blanket.

Looking at the Crochet In Love with Colour Throw Pattern, the white ring in each octagon is what brings stability to the pattern. It's the only colour that is stable within each octagon. As much as it appears random, one colour isn't and is strategically placed. My afghans have the stability ring for continuity as well.

Original 2012 Crochet Spectrum Afghan

Introducing the new Spectrum Afghan. It has 12 points creating an amazing visual effect of colour. This afghan can be designed as big or as small as you need it to be. The size you see in this photograph is 48" diameter.

This design of the two will ruffle out as shown in the picture blow. The other design lays flat.

This is a 12 point afghan. This blanket can be grown as big as you need and will continue to ruffle outward.

Instructions

Notes:

Ch 2 at the beginning of a round counts as double crochet.

Join at the end of the instruction means to slip stitch to the first double crochet of the round.

Using A (Winter White), ch 4, sl st to beg ch to form ring.

1st rnd: Ch 1. 12 dc in ring. Join. 12 dc.

2nd rnd: Ch 1. 2 dc in each dc around. Join. 24 dc.

3rd rnd: Ch 1. 1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. 36 dc.

4th rnd: Ch 1. 1 dc in first 2 dc sts, 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next 2 dc sts, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. 48 dc.

5th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc. Sk next dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next dc. Sk next dc. *1 sc in next dc, sk next dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next dc. Sk next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to beg sc. 12 points formed in this round.

Tip: In 6th rnd, you will have 6 double crochet per point. (3 per side)

6th rnd: Sl st in next 2 sts. Ch 2. *(2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in next dc. Skip next 3 sts.** 1 dc in next dc. Rep from * 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

Tip: In 7th rnd, you will have 8 double crochet per point. (4 per side)

7th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc next dc. *(2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 2 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 2 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

Tip: In 8th rnd, you will have 10 double crochet per point. (5 per side)

8th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

Tip: Each time you go around, you will gain 2 double crochet per point. Equivalent of 1 extra stitch per side of the point.

9th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

10th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 5 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 5 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Break A.

Repeating

Each colour going forward, other than the white, is used for three round each.

11th rnd: With B (Grass), join with sl st to next st after join. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 6 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 6 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

12th rnd: Sl st to next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 6 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 7 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 7 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

13th rnd: Sl st to next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 7 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 8 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 8 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Break B.

Cont as established, working 2 more 1 dc before and after each (2 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc).

Colour Sequence Remaining.

• Rnds 14 to 16. Forest Green - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 17 to 19. Deap Sea Green - 3 rnds.
• Rnd 20. Winter White - 1 rnd.
• Rnds 21 to 23. Cherry Red - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 24 to 26. Peony Pink - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 27 to 29. Tulip Pink - 3 rnds.
• Rnd 30. Winter White - 1 rnd.
• Rnds 31 to 33. Lilac - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 34 to 36. Lavender - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 37 to 39. Light Damson - 3 rnds.

Last Rnd: With A (winter white). Use same stitch work but on the tips of the points, place 5 dc instead. and skip doing (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) any spaces to fill in the points.

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Crochet Diagram

You can download the free crochet diagram for the Spectrum Afghan here.

Tutorial

Both Spectrum Afghan and Overstocked Version are in the same tutorial and shown when the pattern changes for each.

by Michael Sellick, ©2012 The Crochet Crowd.

Overstocked and Hooked Crochet Blanket

The Hooked and Overstocked Blanket is a great stash buster and is a redesign of the original Spectrum Afghan with some small modifications which allows the blanket to sit flat down.

I also switched the yarn to Caron Simply Soft using colours I had.

The white rounds break apart the colouring of having 3 colours in the same family for three rounds each. The nice thing about this, I only used 1 ball per colour.

Tutorial

Yarn

Caron Simply Soft, 170 g / 6 oz, 288 meters / 315 yards. Colours below are presented in order in which they appear on the blanket.

• A - Off White
• B - Light Country Blue
• C - Berry Blue
• D - Country Blue
• E - Dark Sage
• F - Green
• G - Pistachio
• H - Soft Pink
• I - Orchid
• J - Iris

The blanket has the look of going from the cold of winter to spring time blooms. If you look carefully from the blue section we end with a dark blue... separated by a white round and then start with a green section with the darkest green first. The last colour won't have much yarn left over but you should have enough without playing yarn chicken.

Abbreviations

Beg = Beginning
Ch = Chain
Dc = Double Crochet
Rep = Repeat
Sc = Single Crochet

Sk = Skip
Sl st = Slip Stitch
Sp = Space
St(s) = Stitches

Instructions

Notes:

Ch 2 at the beginning of a round counts as double crochet.

Join at the end of the instruction means to slip stitch to the first double crochet of the round.

Using A (Off White), ch 4, sl st to beg ch to form ring.

1st rnd: Ch 1. 12 dc in ring. Join. 12 dc.

2nd rnd: Ch 1. 2 dc in each dc around. Join. 24 dc.

3rd rnd: Ch 1. 1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. 36 dc.

4th rnd: Ch 1. 1 dc in first 2 dc sts, 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next 2 dc sts, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. 48 dc.

TIP: The next row differs from the Spectrum Afghan, with only 8 points around instead of 12.

5th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc. Sk next 2 dc. (1 tr. 2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc. 1 tr) in next dc. Sk next 2 dc. *1 sc in next dc, Sk next 2 dc. (1 tr. 2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc. 1 tr) in next dc. Sk next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join. 8 points formed in this round.

Tip: In 6th rnd, you will have 8 stitches crochet per point. (4 per side)

6th rnd: Sl st in next 2 sts. Ch 2. *(2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in next tr. Skip next 3 sts.** 1 dc in next 2 sts. Rep from * 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

Tip: In 7th rnd, you will have 10 double crochet per point. (5 per side)

7th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc next dc. *(2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 2 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 2 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

Tip: In 8th rnd, you will have 12 double crochet per point. (6 per side)

8th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

Tip: Each time you go around, you will gain 2 double crochet per point. Equivalent of 1 extra stitch per side of the point.

9th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

10th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 5 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 5 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Break A.

Repeating

Each colour going forward, other than the white, is used for three round each.

11th rnd: With B (Light Country Blue), join with sl st to next st after join. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 6 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 6 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

12th rnd: Sl st to next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 6 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 7 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 7 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.

13th rnd: Sl st to next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 7 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 8 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 8 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Break B.

Cont as established, working 2 more 1 dc before and after each (2 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc).

Colour Sequence Remaining.

• Rnds 14 to 16. Berry Blue - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 17 to 19. Country Blue - 3 rnds.
• Rnd 20. Off White - 1 rnd.
• Rnds 21 to 23. Dark Sage - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 24 to 26. Green - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 27 to 29. Pistachio - 3 rnds.
• Rnd 30. Off White - 1 rnd.
• Rnds 31 to 33. Soft Pink - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 34 to 36. Orchid - 3 rnds.
• Rnds 37 to 39. Iris - 3 rnds.

Last Rnd: With A (off white). Use same stitch work but on the tips of the points, place 5 dc instead. and skip doing (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) any spaces to fill in the points.

Crochet Diagram

You can download the free diagram for the Overstocked and Hooked Blanket.

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